HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 09-12-1990CITY OF
September 12, 1990 PLYMOUTR
Peter Goddard
18525 - 30th Place North
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Goddard:
Thank you for calling the Plymouth Customer Service Line. I
referred your concern about the timing of the traffic signal at
County Road 101 and Highway 12 to Street Supervisor Tom Vetsch.
He has contacted Hennepin County to inform them of the problem
and will follow up to see that it is corrected.
Thanks for using the Customer Service Line to bring this matter
to our attention.
Sincerely,
J es G. Willis
Ci y Manager
JW:kec
cc: Tom Vetsch, Street Supervisor
Fred Moore, Public Works Director
Jim Kolstad, Public Works Superintendent
CIM SEP 14
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: September 11, 1990
TO: Blair Tremere, Director of Planning & Community
Development
FROM: Helen LaFave, Communications Coordinator
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING CUSTOMER SERVICE CALL
FROM MRS. ORVILLE ANDERSON
Mrs. Orville Anderson, 15555 - 26th Ave. N., 557-6720, called to
provide additional information regarding the problems she
reported earlier at Timberton.
Since your visit to Timberton she has discovered that neither
Jeff Fazen nor Tom Healey have filed for bankruptcy. She wanted
to pass this information on to you.
Thanks for your attention to this matter. Your personal visit to
Mrs. Anderson's home demonstrates a real commitment to customer
service.
HL:kec
cc: James G. Willis, City Manager
ciM SEP 14'90
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: August 29, 1990
TO: Blair Tremere, Director of Planning & Community
Development
FROM: Helen LaFave, Communications Coordinator
SUBJECT: CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE CALL
Mrs. Orville Anderson, 15555 - 26th Avenue North, 557-6720,
called the 24-hour Customer Service Line on August 28, 1990 to
report some problems at Timberton. Mrs. Anderson said that the
owner of the development, Bradley Builders, has apparently gone
bankrupt. She is concerned that two buildings have been left
unfinished and dead trees have been left on the development. She
also reports that improper grading has caused drainage problems
and that patios and entryway repairs have not been made.
She would like to know if the City has the authority to require
the builder to:
o Complete the two unfinished buildings.
o Remove dead trees.
o Repair patios and decks.
o Remedy drainage problems.
o Reinvest association fees in repair and maintenance of the
buildings.
Please respond to her concerns by September 13. If you need more
information, please contact Mrs. Anderson.
Please forward a copy of your response to me.
HL:kec
cc: James G. Willis, City Manager
S.F. 9/13/90
cim SEP 14 19
CITY OF
September 7, 1990 PLYMOUTR
Ernie Kulas
2505 Queensland Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Kulas:
City Manager Jim Willis has forwarded your customer service line call to me
for review. It is my understanding that you've had a problem with the Highway
101 trail due to the gravel on the road right-of-way washing onto the trail
surface. I have gone out and observed this situation and agree with you that
something should be done to make this situation safer.
I have been in touch with Ted Hoffman, Director of Maintenance for Hennepin
County highways, regarding this situation. Mr. Hoffman has indicated that he
will have his staff look into this and help us make the necessary corrections.
I expect some type of response from his staff the week of September 10. Once
a plan of action has been developed, I will let you know.
Thank you for calling this matter to our attention.
Sincerely,
Eric Blank
Director of Parks and Recreation
EB/np
cc: City Manager
Director of Public Works
Superintendent of Parks
cim SEP 1419
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
September 13, 1990 CITY OFPLYMOUTR
Ernie Kulas
2505 Queensland Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
SUBJECT: CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE CALL
Dear Mr. Kulas:
This is to confirm our conversation regarding your concerns expressed on
August 23, 1990 on the Customer Service Line. Your first concern was with the
ponding of water on Queensland Lane after a substantial rainfall. Since you
live in the area that the City reconstructed under its annual reconstruction
program last year, you expected improved streets that drain properly. You
indicated that sand and dirt remain in the gutter area from the ponded water
after it dries over a period of approximately 24 hours.
As I explained, in the reconstructed areas where grades are very flat, water
that ponded for approximately 24 hours was deemed acceptable in those areas
where drainage was very difficult to maintain. This appears to be the case in
your situation. Without the installation of concrete curb and gutter, it is
very difficult to drain areas such as your's, but we feel the City's
contractor has done the best he could in these situations.
Your second concern which you indicated was your primary concern is the 30
m.p.h. speed limit sign located on Queensland Lane just west of County Road
101. There is a rather severe curve just west of the speed limit sign for
westbound traffic. You indicated that the speed limit sign implies that the
curve can be taken at 30 m.p.h. Since this portion of Queensland Lane between
County Road 101 and 26th Avenue is rather short, I will request our street
superintendent to remove this speed limit sign. As we agreed, this would be
an improvement over the existing situation.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact me at 550-5071.
Sincerely,
Daniel L. Faulkner, P.E.
City Engineer
DLF:kh
cc: Fred G. Moore, Director of Public Works
Helen LaFave, Communications Coordinator
James G. Willis, City Manager
CIM SEP 14
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
0
September 12 1990 CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
Bill Beissel
6075 Yucca Lane
Plymouth, MN 55446
SUBJECT: STREET LIGHT
Dear Mr. Beissel:
I have checked into the installation of the street light which was
installed on Yucca Lane, approximately two lots southerly of your home.
You had called the City of Plymouth Customer Service Line regarding the
installation of this light.
The type of light which was installed is on a 35 foot pole. This is an
incorrect type of light and is generally not used in residential areas.
This type of light is used on major roadways such as along County Road
47.
We have instructed the utility company to change this street light to
our "standard" light which is a lantern type on a 15 foot pole. This is
similar to all of the other street lights within the Lake Camelot
Estates residential area.
I wish to thank you for calling this to our attention and apologize for
any inconvenience it may have caused you. Please contact me if there
are any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Fred G. Moore, P.E.
Director of Public Works
FGM: kb
cc: Helen LaFave, Communications Coordinator
GIM SEP 14,99
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
i
12 SEPTEMBER 3, 1-990
IV///J .. K
SPECIAL FOCUSw. CONSTRUCTION
bus'
msolifoundatlon
-it our�efmess hasBudd hoe
Miles Homes holds it own -
inastable, iflimited; niche•
By RHONDA HILLBERY
Kit -home firms used to be as prolific as
crabgrass, but crushing interest rates a de-
cade ago put many of them out of business.
One of the survivors is Miles Homes, -a pri-
vately Bald P y li-based company.
Even in t say's tough housing market,
Miles has held its ranking 4s one of the na-
tion's largest kit -home companies, selling
700 to 900 -homes a'year and earning an-
nual revenues of W million to $45 million
in the process. Its product appeals to the'
cash -short, typically first-time homebuyer
woling to tackle the ultimate erector set.
What Miles really sells is the prospect of
home ownership to people willing to sub-
stitute sweat equity for a down payment.
"We work primarily with first-time home-
buyers, people who make a good income
but dont have a lot of cash on hand," said
Scott Gerber, staff architect and director
of marketing.
Miles was established in 1946 as a lum-
beryard by St. Louis Park businessman-
Miles
usinessmanMiles Fiiterman, who later sold garage and
house kits. In 1972, Miles was sold to In-
silco Co;p., of Meriden, Conn., for $29.
million. The company was taken private
for $100 millibi "in -1988 by Peter De -
George, a Connecticut businessman.
The kit -home business flourishes during
times of high interest rates and rapid ap-
preciation that locks many would-be buy -
lis out of the market: Those hot -market
days.may be over for a long time-, accord-
ing to housing experts.
During the mid-1970s, Miles sold 1,200
to 1,300 homes annually, but sales have
stalled in the 700 -to -900 range for at least
the past five years, according to Gerber.
"Since the mid-70s, housing has never
really been a windfall," Gerber said.
"We vehadtobeverycareful."-
In the late 70s, half of Miles' market was
in Texas. That dried up in the oil bust.
Then' business shifted to the bustling
Northeast • in the early' 1980s. Now the
Northeast has dropped to 35 percent or 40
percent of the market,with the bulk of
sales concentrated in the Midwest. During'
the past three years, Miles has opened sales
offices • in Chicggo and Detroit, spinning
off from its Twin Cities and Pennsylvania
offices.
The compahy's current market research
favors a move into the only booming hous-
ing market in the nation — the Pacific
Northwest. Miles plans to enter that mar-
ket next, but management hasn't decided
exactly when.
"Right now, housing is going through
one of its cyclical downturns,"- Gerber
said. "As we wade through that, we have
plans to increase our volume. But not this
year, and maybe not next." • -
Total gross builder markup on a house
might be around 20 percent, said Lee Fish-
er, senior industrial engineer with the Na-
tional Association of Home Builders in
Washington, D.C. Homebuyers willing to
build themselves might save that much.
"I wouldn't think the savings were that
great if I factor in my time, but if I didn't
have many other options, it might look re-
ally good," said Fisher...
Miles sees the ongoing housing afford-
ability problem helping its business. Since
1980, home ownership among young mar-
ried oouplexwithchildren fell from 71 per-
cent to 60 percent. "That means 2 million
fewer young families own homes," Fisher
said.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity; a
nonprofit group that provides housing to
low-income families, has* built several
Miles homes with donated labor and plans
tobuildmore.
"For each house, they've put together a
comprehensive construction manual as
"well as a blueprint," said Phil Dommer, an
Edina senior planner and Habitat for Hu-
manity volunteer. "That's attractive to a
nonprofit. We're labor -rich but cash -
r'
Gerald and Karen Johnson of Plymouth
are a local- couple tackling the job. They
went with a Miles home becagse their op-
tions were limited. "Realtors told us we
could not live in Plymouth for:lhe money
we're able to spend andjhe level of quality
I""S rued on page 16)
Q=ld jobmw works on his kit home, whkh VM be worm SIZOA m amra "A"m m"
•v ah/' 1 hMBER 3, 1990
OPUS A.. .
(WntimW from page 11)
Ci has now reached the overbuilt
age, y with the four new office
buildings ingon-lineinMinneapolis.'
KB:'I think 'ght now offices are oven
built, but wha in -saying is Opus Corp,
has a lot of wor Remember, too, that
whereverweare, aredesigners, build.
ers and developers. n overbuilt office
market might mean t we don't spec
any office space, but it 't mean we
stop building.
CB: So are you looking to shi - into areas
such as iridustrialspaee to comp to for
thelossof offkeprojectap
KB: We see industrial as healthy in ost
Parts of .the Country, even some -o
slowest- So yes, we do see industrial
placefor us to maintain our work.
I guess in addition to that, because o+
the way we do business, because of tht
fact that we did sell ii whole lot of siff .
over the last three, four; five years, we do'
an awful lot of single -tenant, *-lease
buildings like Dayton HudsonX [ware-
house Project in St. Paul's Energy_Park]. .
So we can quote some of these things
without getting financing,. and without
finding buyer;. These da* there are few,
People who can do that./
And then, too, we're building an
8W,000-square-foot6ffice building here
in town [West 06blishing Co.'s new
headquarters in Eagan]. I guess I'm say-
ing there are st)11 people that are growing
and do need,fo OCCUPY space, and all of
them don Piave to be spec office build-
ings.
CB: competition intensifies with the
3
Cn
V
u
Ioftmarket, doyouttonPro
eL-
qr lesa�toell-noxi
0 ...5 vwr, . ..
an: I could atm say that right now we
think that there ' be a little less compe
tition, beca of 'some of the troubles
that a bunch 0developershad.
It is iust nother cycle. We all lived
'74 • and felt like the world
to an end.'But it didn't. We
-r
realoi
ompa
smaller
s drop -
was
got(
Se people are so negative right now,
Zre saying, "God, can it ever come
b? And all I can say is, they probably
dont have -any gray hair, because it felt
f like that in, 73-74 and many, many,
many People came back,— better than
theyeverwerebefore.
B: What your forecast for the Twin
Well, right now Opus Corp. has, a
Ph enal backlog. I think all of us
would that there will be far, far
fewer office buildings in the Twin
Cities. to the .degree• that those are
the larger p 'Ocie, I guess you'd have to -
say that you w dn't think construction
It takes a
who loyment e f squ d go
of industrial
buildings to make u or one square foot
of offieespace.
CB: Is that going to dri me people out
of the market?
KB: People who aren't cas smart. It's
the Donald Trump synd e. You
know, when you can't pay r bills.
Lack of positive cash flow is the f or. p
SPECIAL FOCUS:-CONSiR`UCTTON
AIRES
(cnntinued from page 12)
_
on materials durina designated"
gnated" 15-
we wanted," Karen said.
The Johnsons found a half -acre lot for
month buddingg
mod' rcent of its _
rts ampletee
anage
$30,000 and bought a $47,000, three -bed-
tomers mes
totheir homes
within 15 months and then obtain perma-
-hent
room home package with about 2,000
square feet of living space. Miles custom-
financing. In the few cases wherethey
don't, and walk away, Miles takes the
ized the home for them when they wanted
a fireplace omitted from the
property and the kit and resells it.
plan.
By Thanksgiving, their estimated com-
date,
According to a housing expert, one of the
greatest limitations on the kit market may
pletion the Johnsons will have a
house appraised at $120,000 for an invest-
beAmericans' shortage of freetime.
"I
ment of less than $100,000, according to •
Karen.
see it as a niche market," said George
Karvel, professor and holder of the Minne-
Unlike many of its competitors, Miles
sota chair in real estate at St. Cloud State
University. "I don't- think it represents a
pre -frames its stud -wall sections in the fac-
tory, so buyers
so -
lution to the housing affordability prob-
receive pre -assembled,
paneled exterior and -interior walls. Each'
lem.-
Kit -home makers are unlikely to see a
section is marked and numbered at one of
the firm's factories, either in Owatonna,
huge surge in business because there is a
limited pool of families motivated to invest
Minn., or Mountaintop, Pa. Miles offers
more than 75 floor plans ranging from
six months to a year or more of nights and
weekends required to build a home, Karvel
$28,000 to $79,000 and sells in 30 states in
the Midwest, Northeast and South.
said. Furthermore, people face more time
,
After the purchase; building materials
demands in the workplace and many lack
even basicoonatruedon skills.
are shipped in sequential truckloads, deliv
ering plumbing and heating systems,
Among the shall number of Miles' Com-
elect
trical wiring and fixtures required fora
completed home. The
petitors in the area is President Homes in
Brooklyn Center. The 28 -year-old Com -
purchase price ex-
cludes the foundation and lot.
pany sells about 75 to 100 home kits a year,
Buyers also receive a thick construction
ranging from $30,000 to $70,000. Unlike
the Miles approach, President sends out its
manual, blueprints and the promise of
field support from some of Miles' 200 staff _
own crews to do the framing. The rest of
the materials are supplied to customers.
members. Miles gets no money down on
materials but requires that buyers have
"There used to be about 18 of these com-
25
percentequityintheirlot.
Construction and long-term financing
panes in the area," said Barb Kaliher, re-
ceptionist. "Now were down to just a
Handful."
are offered by a sister company, Plymouth
Capital, also owned by. DeGeorge. Pur-
chasers may make interest -only payments
Rhonda Hillbery is�a free-lance writer in
St. Paul.
No boom
Many buildeis expect an aging baby -
boom generation to put some
boom into the Twin Cities Area
housing market for older people a few years
from now. But a new Metropolitan Coun-
cil report says they are expecting too much
too soon.
Most older people (86 percent in a 1989
nationwide survey) want to remain in their
longtime homes instead of moving to hous-
ing for older people, the report says.
In addition, the vacancy rate for market -
rate (or nonsubsidized) housing for older
people in the seven -county Metro Area is
at least 14 percent. That's more than twice
the six percent considered healthy for
multifamily housing.
Most older people
want to stay in their
longtime homes instead
of moving to housing
for older people.
low/t"_"_ ies.
soon in housing for older people
While everyone knows the baby -boom
generation is getting older, even the oldest
in that group won't start to reach retirement
age for nearly 20 years. And it will be yet
another decade before they reach their
mid-70s. That's when declining health is
most likely to force people to leave their
longtime homes, the report says.
Earlier Council studies have indicated
the Metro Area is likely to have more
housing than is needed by the smaller
"baby -bust" generation now following
baby -boomers into apartment rental and
first-time home -buying.
Services to help older people stay in their homes may be a
better idea than building new housing designed for them.
Some local governments are encourag-
ing older people to move out of their
l6ngtime homes so young families can
move in and diversify the community's tax
base.
But local governments should be cautious
about planning to build additional housing
for older people, the report says. Such ad-
ditional housing could further soften a
housing market already expected to face ex-
cess supply and falling values.
Rather than build new units; com-
-NEW PUBLICATIONS
munities could focus on making sure that
in-home services are available to help older
people stay in their homes, which is what
most older people prefer.
"Because of a reduced market for
modest -cost single-family homes, older
couples or single* people may not want to
sell their modest -cost homes to move into
-newer rental housing, said Council Chair
Steve Keefe. "They'll have a tougligr time
finding buyers and getting the price they
want."
The location of the area's older popula-
tion will be shifting, the report says. While
all seven metro counties are projected to
experience growth in their older popula-
tions, growth is expected to be greatest in
the five outer counties—Anoka, Carver,
Dakota, Scott and Washington. About 75
percent of the area's older population cur-
rently lives in the two central counties,
Hennepin and Ramsey, but by 2010 only
about 61 percent will live there.
The region's future older people may be
poorer than older people today. Three-
fourths of the areas people 85 and older
are women, and the percentage of minori-
ty people among the older population is
growing.
But young women and racial and ethnic
minority people have disproportionately
low incomes. So education and economic
v conditions for younger people in these
groups will affect their ability to pay for
housing and service needs when they are
�
older.
This should be considered in planning
3 for'future .older people, the report says.
The report recommends new financing
options for the housing and services older
people need. Many have cash incomes that
are quite low, but have a great deal of sav-
ings in the form of equity in their homes.
Financing methods that allow them to use
that savings to pay for services—without
having to sell their homes— can allow them
to remain at home longer.
For an executive summary or the full
report of The Housing Market for Older
People in the Twin Cities Metropolitan
Area, see the "New Publications" section
of the. next Monitor. ■
Hal Johnson
f
Hie Hou Re�rd ,Ttiese?
Profile.
Tivin Cities - Econorhy in
rofilf�. f;ron♦ Z.
4 5 E P T E M II E It 3 1 9 9 0 CkYBUS111eSS _
Door swinging shut on upper -bracket home sales
By DOMINIC P. PAPATOLA
About a year ago. nervous homeowners in
an upscale housing development in Shore.
wood wrote their neighbors, asking them
to remove the -'for sale" signs from their
lawns
Lots of corporate transferees paid top
dollar for homes len the neighborhood
when the market was strong in 1986. ex-
plained a real estate broker familiar with
,bears. When the market became glutted
with high-priced homes to o years later. it
became tough to sell and homes languished
on the market a longtime Neighbors w or.
tried that so main sale signs would suggest
that something u a% w Tong w kth the des el.
opment. The letter campaign followed.
That development has since recovered,
but as a whole, the market for upper -
bracket homes in the Twin Cities has
slipped in the last year because of oversup-
ply, corporate economic downturns and a
soft residential real estate market.
Construction of high-end homes — gen-
erally defined as those eating more than
$250,000 — is off between 15 percent and
20 percent from 1989, estimated Roger
Conhaim, president of Conhaim and Awo-
ciates, a Minneapolis -bard residential
real estate consulting and marketing firm
Conhaim also said building permits is-
sued for custom homes have been declining
during the year Local builders who work
Stable housing market
Construction starts are dropping from 1987 peak
By DON JACOBSON
Although the local market for new single-family homes is soft, a
national slump in residential housing starts hasn't yet hit Minne-
sota with full force
Some local builders, however, think it soon will
A report released Aug. 21 by McCraw -Hill Information Services
Co. predicted that housingstarts will fall 11 percent to 1.38 million
units this year, with a large portion of the slump coming in the
apartment and condominium sector
Meanwhile, figures from the Metropolitan Council show that
housing starts in the seven -county metropolitan area rose slightly
in affluent housing developments have re-
ported decreases in activity, he said.
'The bade consumer he santy that is af-
fecting all big-ticket items is the culprit"
responsible for the downturn, according to
Conhaim. "People seem to want to make
than purchases, but when it finally comes
to dotting the is on • contract, they back
Off."
Restructuring ed some of the Twin Cit-
ies' major corporations has directly and in-
directly affected the high-end housing
market. Fewer transferees are being
brought into the market. And indirectly,
huge corporate layoffs can scare remaining
employees into austerity.
There's been a reluctance on the part of
is losing some steam
in the first half of 1990. From January to June, 5,217 construction
permits were issued, compared with 5,090 during the first half of
1989, representing a 2 percent increase. In 1988, the figure stood at
5,876; down from a 198N peak of 7,470 in the first half of 1987.
Area builders don't see too much to be excited about for the short
term. They say factors that are affecting the national scene also are
present here, and that only Minnesota's stable economy is keeping
the area from being similarly harmed.
"Home building has leveled off and slowed up," said Larry
Laukka, president of L.A. Laukka Development Corp. in Edina.
"Since 1984, we've had four or five years of a boom period. Usually
after a robust period you see a relaxing, and we're sensing that. In-
terest rates have become more of a visible concern, and when they
go up, housing slows."
Laukka said people also are concerned
about t he unstable price of oil, the security
of their jobs because of a weak national
economy and the current conflict in the
M kddle East.
"A house is a large -ticket purchase," he
said "People get very cautious and sober
if there's any question about stability in the
j u ork) place, that slows it down "
Laukka also said that most baby
boomers already have entered the housing
market, so there isn't a large influx of new
buy ers For those who are looking to buy,
interest rates hoyenng around 10 percent
or 1 I percent are a discouraging factor
-We're in a bit of a recession in the hous-
ing industry, but we'll come out of it," he
said "It's a cyclical business Therewillal-
u ays be buyers and sellers, and the Twin
lines n a relat tyely stable market "
Jeff Fazendm, execun%e vice president
of Fazendkn Homes in Minnetonka,
doesn't view the times as recessionary: he
characterized the market as "soft "
"Some builders -who
used to do just
single-family homes
have gone into
townhomes. Demand
for them is up. "
V, Traynor
executive net pmudent. Mavieapols Builders
Association
"Some parts of it are strong, others are
weak," Fazendm said "People are con-
cerned about their individual situations. I
think they want to wait and get a better
idea of what's going to happen with the
m erall national economy
"It's not something we haven't dealt
with before, though The Minneapolis
area has alio ays had a solidly based econo-
m%. and we don't have wide swings like len
ofher parts of the country ."
Fazendm said there is some reason for
optimism. He noted that the area has a lot
of apartment duellers whoe%entuall will
bin homes and that remodeling existing
homes probabl% udl become a growth
market
One residential niche that's still health%
is townhomes, said Vi Traynor, executive
vice president of the Minneapolis Builders
Association.
"Some builders who used to do just sin-
gle-family homes have gone into townho-
mes," Traynor said. "They're attractive to
first-time buyers'and empty nesters, and
the demand forthem is up."
One of the largest builders of townho-
mes in the Twin Cities is New Horizon
Homes in Minnetonka. Chuck Hepburn,
executive vice president of the firm, said
that his sales are up from last year and that
the company is forging ahead with three
massive developments in Woodbury, Ea-
gan and Plymouth.
"If interest rates stay under 12 percent,
there's business to be had," he said. "We
feel we can still get the buyers. The town -
home lifesty le is pretty popular now. Per-
sonally, I'm an optimist."
Still, industry sources agreed that the
real estate market is generally soft. Chief
among the causes is the savings and loan
crisis, which was fueled to a great extent by
bad real estate loans.
Part of the bailout bill passed by Con-
gress included a provision that angered
homebuilders: a restriction that cut back
S&L loans to one borrower to a limit of 15
Mee. t of their total loan portfolio. The
measure was a reaction to the fact that
many Skis went under after loaning 100
percent of their capital to a single borrower
wholaterdefaulted.
Although the restrictions act as a safety
measure, they have had the effect of penal-
izing many small, healthy Skis that tradi-
tionally financed one large developer.
Now, even if such companies have a spot.
Ian record, they won't be able to pull in the
kinds of funds they were used to, said Nan
Elwood, senior legislative representative
for the National Homebuilders Association
in Washington, D.C.
"They were throwing the baby out with
the bathwater," Elwood said. "We lob-
bied the Office of Thrift Supervision JOTS)
because Congress didn't want to tamper
with the bailout bill, even though they sup-
ported us on the merits. The OTS decided
they had the statutory power to phase in
the restrictions, rather than going from 100
percent to 15 percent all at once."
The OTS has ruled that for the real of
this year, S&Ls can loan up to 60 percent of
their portfolio to a single borrower. That
number will fall to 30 percent in 1991 and
eventually will drop to 15 percent, the
same limit placed on chartered banks. ❑
Don Jacobson is free-lance writer in Min-
neapolis
executives to start new (home) projects,
rid Edina builder tarry Cramer "And
tot has happened because of the uncer-
tainties with big companies from First
Bank to Honeywell toControl Data "
L. Cramer Co. Inc. builds from eight to
12 houses per year each sells for an average
price of about 1500,000 Cramer said the
fine six months of 1990 have been consider-
ablysofter. than last year
To rine extent, the high-end housing
market is suffering with the rest of the in-
dustry. Figures released by the National
Association of Realtors last week shoed
that existing home sales rosy during July
nationwide, but fell 3.1 percent in the
Midwest. The group predicted that rising
interest rites would drive down sales for
therestoftheyear
In the Twin Cities, sales of existing
homes during the firm seven months of the
year were down 2 percent from the same
period last year, according III the Minne-
apolis Area Association of Reallon. Sales
of vesting homes priced over ti250,000
climbed slightly during the first seven
months of the year
Bryan Ashbaugh said that overbuilding.
the bone of the local cummercial real sstatr
industry, has also affected the residential
sector. Ashbaugh is chief executive officer
of Street of Dreams Inc., the Seattle -basad
company that sponsored the development
of nine upscale homes in Eden Prairie that
were toured by more than 95,000 people
earlier this summer as part of the local
Street of Dreams presentation.
The Twin Cities upscale home market
from 1995 to 1989 was so strong that build-
ers* marketing pians "consisted mainly of
sanding back and taking orders," Ash-
baugh said. A number of developers
poured into the high-end sector of the mar-
ket, flooding the area with !1500.000
homes.
In the late 1990s, "the market in the
Twin Cities was so ha that builders didn't
need a marketing device like the Street of
Dreams to sell their houses But when the
market turned soft, developers and build.
cry wanted an invuranei• polity to grnrratr
awareness of their product." Ashbaugh
said.
One of the nine homy, fratund on the
Stn%4 of Dreams was par -odd. of Ilk-ekghl
spiculathe hoknM� — proeol Ikiwa•n
1595.000 and t 9f10.tXX) — threw have Ikon
sold. A%hbaugh said that Street of Dreams
houses generally sell within a year of the
show
Randy Travalus. president of Robert
Mason Homes Inc., said that business in
Minnetonka and adjacent suburbs, in
which mat of Masons projects are con-
centrated, is down between 5 percent and
15 percent this year He said he behe%es
that recent corporate "downsizings" Its%e
affected the market, but his company It"
tended to business as usual.
-We have to be careful haw we gear our
attitude," he said. "As a purveyor of any
product that's in the big-ticket categon , if
we convince ourselves that there's a prob-
lem out there, well eventually create one.
And so we hold an optimistic attitude
about the future."
Conhaim said that certain sub -sectors of
the high-end home market continue to per-
form well "Demand hasn't been affected
in the better, high -amenity areas" that of.
fer either large lots or choice sites on lake -
shores or golf courses 'Those developers
areprobably intheb edlunition "
ciM SEP 14'90
Marge Knourek
16925 - 11th Avenue
Plymouth, MN 55447
August 29, 1990
Mr. Dick Carlquist
Director of Public Safety
Plymouth City Hall
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Carlquist:
North
Please thank your police officers Rick Herman and
Greg Oly for their excellent community service in helping my
family deal with our problems. I appreciate their help very
much, and I was impressed with the high quality of concern
and guidance that your officers showed us.
Thank you also for the prompt and consistently
excellent service that your police staff has given our
family during our past 24 years of living in Plymouth. We
feel very lucky to be living in a community that has the
best and most service -minded persons as members of their
police force.
Thank you for providing this service.
Sincerely yours,
_;I__'
Marge A.�ourek
(Mrs. Frank J. Knourek)
o{M SE 14'90
September 1, 1990
Richard Carlquist
Director of Public Safety
City of Plymouth
Dear Chief Car1quist,
I have just completed my Eagle Scout project and I wanted to
write to you and thank you for all your help in producing my
video on Operation Identification. Lt. Tom Saba helped me in
choosing Operation I.D. as my project. Sgt Darrel Anderson
appeared in my video and was very helpful in supplying me
with engravers and other material as we signed up 21 people
for the program. And finally, I want to thank you for
appearing in my video. I sent a copy to Lt. Saba for the use
of the department, but wanted to thank you personally for
being one of the "stars" and for taking the time one
afternoon to be filmed for my video.
Sincere ly,,,�
Timmy /Ga l ov an
Troop 724
!C1310 27th Avenue N.
Plymouth, Mn. 55441
ciM SEP 14 .90
CITY OF
September 11, 1990 PLYMOUTR
Mr. Conrad Wencka
Chief Transportation Officer
Soo Line Railroad Company
Box 530
Minneapolis, MN 55440
SUBJECT: PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS REGARDING SOO LINE
OPERATION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY
Dear Mr. Wencka:
At their September 10 meeting, Plymouth Mayor Kim Bergman and
City Councilmembers Carole Helliwell, Lloyd Ricker, Maria
Vasiliou, and Bob Zitur expressed concern about Soo Line Railroad
operations within the City of Plymouth. They directed me to
write this letter requesting information from you.
The Council has requested information on the following:
1. Is there a speed limit established for the trains? Does
it differ by direction traveled?
2. There does not appear to be consistency between the
length and number of horn blasts sounded from train to
train as they approach roadway intersections. Is there a
minimum number of horn blasts required? Will the number
and duration of horn blasts' decrease because Zachary
already has a drop arm signal and Pineview will have one
in 1991?
3. What types of hazardous chemicals are carried on a
typical train through Plymouth?. Do you have any idea of
the quantity of hazardous chemicals by type that are
carried through Plymouth on a typical day, week, or
month?
4. Given the fact this track is part of the main line, what
types of inspections are made of this trackage and what
is the schedule for the inspections?
GIM SEP 14'90
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
Mr. Conrad Wencka
September 11, 1990
Page 2
I would appreciate it if you would respond to these questions in
writing so that I can share them with the City Council. If you
need any clarif,. cation, please let me know. My phone number is
550-5013.
FB:kec
cc: Mayor
S. F.
ager
& City Council
9/24/90
CIM SEP 14. W
3735 Vinewood Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55441
August 29, 1990
Finance Department
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
To whom it may concern:
I wish I had the option of canceling my service! I am most
irritated about your billing system. You are the only company with
whom I deal that has a different billing due date every month,
whose bill is never sent at the same time, can very due dates by as
much as a week but ESPECIALLY at all the extra "hidden charges" you
tack in.
But the reason I have initiated this letter is the crunch I have
been put in. I pay Plymouth through Marquette Bank, but for some
reason my payments are not being recorded for 10-12 days after I am
paying. Of course Marquette says they send the payment by the next
day, and I have not had difficulty with the system before after
using it for 12 years, but Plymouth is not recording payment for an
unduly length of time. I feel like the innocent victim, getting
slapped with all the finance charges, which seem very hefty, and
not getting credit for paying my bill.
Several months I ago I called with a similar problem, and it was
indeed found that my account was not being credited properly at
that time. I do not now know the nature of the difficulty, but I
am most irritated.
I would strongly request you reevaluate your billing system to make
it more amenable to todays billing system. I have no difficulty
with other utilities, and never receive a huge finance charge or
have difficulty paying them. I am not required to pay the "hidden
charges" that you have. I hate being charged $1.50 just to be
billed.
Unfortunately, if I want water I must cooperate. I wish you could
hear the conversations of residents in Plymouth about the water
"plus" bill. My neighborhood has many residents of different
cities and states, and they are warned when they move in about the
high water bills and your system of billing. I moved to Plymouth
from New Hope, and they seem to have the system well in hand.
Perhaps you should learn something from them.
Sincerely,
cir Cr I � V
Connie Anderson
cc: Kim Berqman
CITY OF
September 12, 1990 PLYMOUTE+
Ms. Connie Anderson
3735 Vinewood Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Ms. Anderson:
Thank you for writing to us regarding your water and sewer utilitybilling.
Your inquiry concerns four specific functions in the billing process:
- Billing due dates
- Billing cycles
- Payments made by third parties.
- Service charges
The first two items in your inquiry are directly related to each other. You
stated we are the only company that has a different billing due date every
month, and the billing is never sent at the same time. True, the due date is
not an assigned date each month. This is because your water and sewer charges
are based on the meter readings we collect every quarter from your residence.
The monthly billings for service between the quarterly readings are estimates
based on your account water use history. This process establishes a weekly
cyclical billing, geographically designed and billed as meter reading routes
are completed.
There is a consistency in the billing process for calculating your service
charges. Each utility account is assigned within a meter reader's route and
due on the same Wednesday of each month. Specifically, all meter reading
routes west of Pineview and east of Vicksburg such as yours, are due on the
second Wednesday of each month. Because of the calendar, this is not the same
date from month to month, but it is applied uniformly within the billing
process. All payments received through Thursday each week allow for one day
grace period in the mail. These payments are processed and applied to close
that particular billing cycle. We then apply the metered readings to
calculate the next months service charges, and the bills are released in the
mail the next week. Our target turn around time from closing the payments
processing on Thursday, to printing bills the following Wednesday, is
intended to allow for approximately three weeks for the customers to make
their payments.
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
=-_-; Z \ -\-- D
Page Two
Connie Anderson
September 11, 1990
This leads into your comments on your payments through Marquette Bank. Our
payment policy is applied uniformly and evenly to all customers regardless of
how they elect to pay their bill. We can not accept the responsibility of
when payment is received. This responsibility is solely that of the customer.
Those customers who choose to have a third party pay for their services must
allow adequate lead time for the third party to process and make payments by
the due date. The due date is established as the means of closing a billing
cycle to commence the billings in the next months service period. Any
payments received after the specified due date are applied to the account on
the date received. A late payment fee is applied to all customer accounts
that have not been paid as of the specified due date. The following table is
the past six months service periods and your payment history:
Bill Date
02/16/90
AM=
22.91
Due Date
03/14/90
Date Paid
03/05/90
03/16/90
26.74
04/11/90
04/26/90
04/13/90
31.17
05/09/90
05/17/90
05/11/90
31.17
06/13/90
06/08/90
06/15/90
29.07
07/11/90
06/25/90
07/13/90
31.17
08/08/90
08/22/90
In your conversation with our utility Accountant last week, you had indicated
that last month's payment was requested from Marquette Bank on August 10th and
had not been posted until August 22nd. Regardless of the length it took
Marquette Bank to get your payment to us, the request on August 10th was still
after the due date, in which case the penalty had already been applied for
late payment.
Regarding your fourth and final inquiry on the service charges which you
classify as hidden charges. There are five charges related to your water and
sewer service. Three charges are fixed flat rate charges and two are volume
based charges calculated from your meter readings. First the flat fixed rate
charges. The debt service charge, the sewer account charge and the water
account charge are flat, fixed rate fees charged equally to all users. This
monthly total of $4.45 represents approximately 202 of the entire average
residential billing. These fees are associated with the non water production
or non sewage disposal costs of operating a utility system. These fixed
charges cover items such as meter reading, maintaining customer inquiry and
response personnel, public information access, processing service orders for
new residents and those moving out of the city, conducting rate studies,
paying the bills for operating the water and sewer functions, and preparing
and releasing your monthly bills. You will note similar charges on your gas,
electric and telephone bills.
CIA !E Jk10
Connie Anderson
Page Two
September 11, 1990
The volume based charges for water usage and the estimated monthly flow of
sewage disposal are based directly on your metered readings. We use the
winter quarter for determining your 12 month estimated average sewage flow and
that appears as your sewer usage charge. Your meter is read every quarter and
the two monthly estimates between actual readings are based upon your
household's usage from the same quarter last year. These rates are determined
from the actual cost of producing and distributing the water and the costs for
treating and disposing of sewage. Each customer is charged based on the
volumes they use.
I hope I have addressed your concerns adequately. Please contact me at 550-
5101 if you wish to discuss this in more detail.
Sincerely,
L,4CA,L
Dale E. Hahn
Finance Director
cc: Mayor and City Council
James Willis, City Manager
Daryl Sulander, Assistant Finance Director
�lh 14'99
September 7, 1990
David R. L.andswerk, Ph. D.
Superintendent of Schools
(612) 476-3101
SEP
James G. Willis, City Manager
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
SUBJECT: JOINT MEETING WITH PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL
Dear Jim:
I've shared with our School Board members your letter regarding the
proposed joint meeting with Plymouth City Council. We're pleased
to accept the invitation, and will plan to be at Plymouth City
Center at 5:30 p.m. on October 29.
At their September 24 work session, the School Board will discuss
the proposed agenda and what items they may wish included; I'll
then send that information on to you.
Looking forward to October 29.
nc ely,
David R. Land.swerk
Superintendent of Schools
DRL:LMB
22.4
Enclosure
c: Board of Education
Kim M. Bergman, Mayor
GSM gy 14S
District Administrative Offices 210 County Road 101 North P.O. Box 660 Wayzata, MN 55391-9990 FAX 476-3214
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 281
RobbinsdWe Area Schools
Learning for a lifetime of growing
September 6, 1990
James G. Willis
City Manager, City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Jim:
Thank you for the inviting the District 281 school board to meet with the
Plymouth City Council on Monday, October 8, 5:30 p.m. Board members
appreciate the opportunity to share common concerns with the council. They
did ask if it would be possible to schedule the meeting at 6 p.m. as a
consideration for those coming from work.
The board has asked to me to suggest one addition to the meeting's agenda. We
are in the process of developing a community visioning activity which will
involve all of the district's key constituencies in developing goals and
objectives for the future. Since city governments will play an important role
in this process, we would like to share some information with you about the
process.
We look forward to meeting with the council and to continuing communication
with the city of Plymouth.
Sincerely, ,
Linda Powell
Superintendent
LP:jme
Linda Powell
Superintendent
4148 Winnetka Avenue North
New Hope, Minnesota 55427
(612) 533-2781
AN EQUAL OPPORTVNnY EMPLOYER
CIM SEP 14V
September 7, 1990
Percy Greenberg
c/o Copper Sales Inc.
1405 North Highway 169
Plymouth, MN 55441
CITY OF
PUMOUTR
SUBJECT: ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND THANK YOU FOR DONATION TO THE POLICE
BULLET PROOF VEST FUND
Dear Mr. Greenberg:
I received a check today from your company for $500 for the
Police Bullet Proof Vest Fund. Investigator Bill Hanvik
explained to me .the circumstances surrounding your generous
donation.
I understand that several of our officers interrupted a burglary
at your company during the early morning hours of August 25,
1990. We had received information from an informant that your
business was to be burglarized. Thus the reason we acted quickly
and notified you at 3 a.m.
Although the burglars escaped prior to the building being
surrounded, they were subsequently arrested in Buffalo,
Minnesota. Our investigators obtained signed confessions to
their attempted theft of 10,000 pounds of rolled copper.
I have sent your check to the Plymouth Finance Director, Dale
Hahn, who administers a special account for the purchase of
bullet proof vests for police officers. It certainly is not
necessary for you to make a donation to the Police Department.
We were happy to have the opportunity to be of service to you -
especially when we can prevent the loss of property and arrest
those responsible for criminal conduct. Thank you again for your
generous contribution.
Sincerely,
Richard J. rlqu'
Public Safe y Director
Plymouth Police Department
RJC/sb
cc: James G. Willis - City Manager
Dale Hahn - Finance Director
cim SEP 1x.'90
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SUITE 600
331 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH JAY JENSEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55401-2218 MCDA
Development Agency Information 348-7100 Writer's Direct Number
Public Housing Authority 342-1400 Fax Number 612-342.1215
September 10, 1990
Blair Tremere Ral.
Planning/Community Development Director
3400 Plymouth Boulevard SEP 11 1990
Plymouth, Mn 55447
G ;-Y OF PLYMOUTH
Dear Blair, COMMt1N0 DEVELOPMENT DEPT.
On behalf of our City Council and the Minneapolis Community
Development Agency, I want to thank you for your quick tour of the
Parkers Lake PUD for us last Friday. Our officials saw for the first
time the new housing on a tract of land that had been farmland only
two years before. It is a lot easier for us to discuss our property
there when our officials have a first-hand view of it. The rest of
your city was a real eye opener for the group, both for its
attractiveness of housing and its natural features.
I hope we can keep up the contact and return the favor sometime.
Sincerely,
mes M. White
Depity Director,
Agency Relations
Minneapolis Community
Development Agency
Gim SEP IOU
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
ir5` A n k
130YIRS
September 5, 1990
t,
CITY OF
PLYMOUTF+
Mr. Gregory L. Wright
Stich, Angell, Kreidler & Muth, P.A.
The Crossings, Suite 120
250 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Mn. 55401-2122
SUBJECT: WEED CUT ON 45TH AND LANEWOOD
Dear Mr.=Wright:
In reply to your letter of August 31, 1990, I received a complaint via our
receptionist on August 17, 1990 stating there was a weed problem on the corner
of 45th Ave. and Juneau Lane North in the City of Plymouth. I went to this
intersection and did not find a weed problem. I returned to the office and
called the number on the complaint. I spoke to the answering machine and told
it that I did not find a problem at this intersection. I left my telephone
number.
On August 28th a lady called my telephone answering machine and said that she
had received a ticket from a police officer because he did not see her stop on
the corner of 45th and Lanewood because of the high weeds. She said her name
was Wright. I went to this corner and observed a vacant house on the northwest
corner of this intersection. The lot that this house is on was infested with
weeds two to three feet high. This corner had a visual obstruction for
motorists because of the high weeds.
I wrote a cut order for our City tractor operator. I told him that there was an
obstruction on the corner of 45th and Lanewood Lane. The corner was cut on
August 31, 1990. I also sent a Weed Notice to the property owner, Hans Hagen
Homes, Inc. to cut their weeds by September 12, 1990. When we send a notice we
allow five days for the mail to get to the owner and 10 days after that for
complaince.
The weeds on the corner of 45th and Lanewood Lane North violated the City
Ordinance because they were higher than 8" in height and the boulevard portion
had not been cut by the abutting property owner. Enclosed please find copies of
the ordinance and other pertinent data.
I hope this information has been of assistance to you.
Sincerely,
Glenn C. Upton
Weed Inspector
cim SEP 14'90
GU: am
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
LAW OFFICES
STICH, ANGELL, KREIDLER & MUTH, P.A.
THE CROSSINGS, SUITE 120
250 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55401.2122
TELEPHONE (612) 333-6251 -
ROBERT T. STICH
JOHN F. ANGELL
MICHAEL S. KREIDLER•
STEVENJ MUTH
ROBERT D. BROWNSON
D. SCOTT BALLOU
ROBERT H. YAEGER
THOMAS J. LINNIHAN
SCOTT P. DRAW E
JAMES D. KNUDSEN
RICHARD A. KOEHLER
SUSAN M. HANSEN
GREGORY L. WRIGHT
MICHAEL W. GAUGHAN. JR.
-ALSO ADMITTED TO
PRACTICE IN WISCONSIN
Mr. Glen Upton
Weed Inspector
city of Plymouth
Public Works Department
14900 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Upton:
August 31, 1990
0
FACSIMILE 0(612) 333-1940
OF COUNSEL:
W.M.LASLEY
Please be advised that there exists a weed problem on the
northwest corner of the intersection of 45th Avenue North and
Lanewood Lane North in the city of Plymouth, Minnesota. The
weeds, which are in proximity to and surround the stop sign at
that location, limit the visibility of drivers eastbound on 45th
Avenue north and southbound on Lanewood Lane north. The
visibility problem is an additional hazard because of the
intersection's close proximity to the entrance to Turtle Lake
Park, an area frequented by children. I believe this is a
problem that should not go uncorrected.
Please respond to me in writing within 10 days as to the
following:
1. Whether the weeds on the northwest corner of 45th Avenue
north and Lanewood Lane north violate any city ordinance (citing
the ordinance);
2. What your findings are upon inspection of the above corner;
and
3. What your disposition of this matter is.
I look forward to receiving your reply and thank you for your
GIM SEP 1'90
Mr. Glen Upton
August 31, 1990
Page Two
assistance in resolving this matter.
Very truly yours,
STICH, ANGELL, KREIDLER & MUTH, P.A.
Gregory L. Wright
cc: Mr. Fred Moore, Director of Public Works
Mayor Kim M. Bergman
0114 SEP 14'90
CIM SEP - 7 ..3
i
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�'�,�/L%„! /✓��'- (�. �' o441-7qc
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CIM Se 14'90
CIM SSE' ` .� . J
Plymouth Weed Inspection - field Form Mober:
001% CAI
t Complaint Dater
Owners Name:
owners Address:
Inspection Date:_
Lot Block
Subdiv.:
Section: Q•Q••• Pin:
It
9P, Car 4� O
Weeds At:
iC1cS�i'�r•
L16- th ¢W00� �a
a'Remarks:
Compl . Name. /�r �S• ��''I
Address:
Phone: S59 339
Map
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/`7�ad? Cdf
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a �%�kef beck
so
GIM SEP X4'90
CITY OF PLYMOM
ENVIMN ERML DIVISICN
Inspector's Notice to serve on occupants, owners, agents, or Public Officials
in charge of weed infested lands.
CITY OF PLYMOUTH, COUNTY OF HMZPIN, STATE CF MHVEI 0rA
BY AUTHORITY OF PLmlou'H CITY CRDRWiCE, 1981, Section
810.03, Subdivision 1 thru 5 - Notice is hereby given.
To: Notts 14&tu n Noes Zn c.
ADDRESS: P353 Ro ce St /V0.
st P"/ M Al SS 113
To cut, destroy or otherwise eradicate within a days from this
date. ?-61- #0 all nuisance vegetation in excess of eight inches in
height - located in and upon the following described land:
Described Land:
Section (NJ) Ta"hip IM
O 17 (S#) Range ?fid
Subdivision I-IV ,- 1 F-•�'th Ad d, f,o m
Lot J I Block dW
Quarter-Quarter-!J3Pin # 89
Property 1. D. # O Q /t All 04 9$
Tall fa,sr Q, a� eveadr o" Y"!a
y $p 5 Lan¢ wood tare ND.
Plymouth Property owners are required by City Ordinance to maintain these
properties. If this notice is not complied with,the City of Plymouth will cut
the nuisance vegetation at a rate of 30 dollars per hour for man and machine
and assess the property owner for the cost of eradication plus the current
administrative charge. A mimium of one hour will be charged for all cutting
done by our contractor.
Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated by all parties
concerned.
Sincerely,
4.1t� 1/*-..
G.C. Upton, Weed Inspector
Environmental Division
14900 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, M. 55441
550-5154
GIM SEP 14,90
A c4m K' 1
1_ Q
September 10, 1990
Mr. Kim Bergman, Mayor
City of Plymouth ;.'; cap
3400 Plymouth B1vd.
Plymouth, MN 55447-- .
Dear Mr. Bergman,
1 have just returned from this evenings council meet in
some comments regarding curb and gutter assessments levie
against the properties backing up to the Schmidt Lake Road
extension west. I do not wish to argue the issue of need for an
east/west artery between Pineview Lane and Northwest Boulevard,
this has been shown.
What I would like to address is the assessment of households
deriving absolutely n2 benefit from this expansion. This
evenings council meeting was attended by a contingent of some 15
homeowners arguing the virtues of the proposed thoroughfare and
attesting to the anticipated enrichment of their properties.
Does it not seem fair to include these households in the
assessment procedure?
The unjust nature of this assessment was well stated at this
evenings meeting by another affected resident. Councilmember
Vasiliou agreed that in this instance there is some unfairness.
The council seemed to take the position that yes, there are
inequities, but that's the way things are done. This attitude is
extremely frustrating to your constituents and perpetuates the
old "can't fight city hall" axiom.
I realize the difficult nature of the assessment process but in
this instance the true intent of the process is lost. The
Schmidt Lake Road extension is totally without benefit, and is in
fact a detriment, to those being asked to absorb the curb and
gutter expenses of this project. I therefore ask that the city
consider underwriting these expenses as the city at large is the
true benefactor of this expansion project.
I thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter
and look forward to working with you and the council towards an
equitable resolution of this issue.
R spectfully,
Mark E. Hartman
4935 Pineview Lane
559-89C0
cc: Councilmembers Vasiliou, Helliwell, Ricker, Zitur
GS, SEP 14V
SEP
September 13, 1990
Mr. Robert Burger
Burger Development Company
15050 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Bob:
CIN OF
PLYMOUTF+
I appreciated the meeting Monday morning with you and Marlin Grant relative to
the comments on the City Code building construction regulations. The input
from the Development Council on August 29 as well as from you on Monday
morning was helpful in clarifying several items. I have attached a sheet
which shows the revised language I drafted regarding section 400.17 and
section 400.19 that I submitted to the City Council Monday night. I explained
to the Council that we had discussed this at our meeting and that it
represented the concerns of developers.
The City Council unanimously adopted the amendments to the code and, relative
to section 400.17, they included the language you and Marlin discussed with me
plus some additional language offered by Fred Moore for clarification. The
new language after the words "surface water drainage routes" is "as shown on
the City's storm water drainage plan or final grading plan..." Please see the
attached updated revised code which reflects exactly the language adopted by
the City Council.
Section 400.17 was taken directly from the City Council Policy Resolution
adopted in 1979 regarding elevations for new structures in subdivisions or on
site adjacent to or containing any open storm water drainage facility.
The City Council discussed at length the revised language you indicated
resulted from input from an engineer who stated that additional costs would be
realized if the engineer or surveyor were required to certify elevations and
grades as contained in the language drafted by the City. You and Marlin
proposed striking the words "grades and elevations" and inserting "general
drainage" as shown on the attached sheet.
The City Council approved the original proposed language and emphasized that
the intent is to have a certification of the grades and elevations primarily
because of the concern that improper grading and elevations on one site can
have an effect on other sites in the area. In other words, the concern is not
just for the proper drainage on a specific site.
The Council discussion included the observation that, if builders are aware of
this requirement early in the process, arrangements should be possible with
the builder's surveyor and/or engineer to monitor the construction from the
beginning to a degree that will allow the specified certification without the
need to totally resurvey the property.
Gllti SEP 14'90
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
Mr. Robert Burger
September 13, 1990
Page Two
I indicated to the Council that I will be working with Building Official Joe
Ryan to prepare information for builders that would highlight this requirement
for them at the plan submittal stage so that they could make the necessary
provisions.
Finally, you indicated that some developers sought clarification of
subdivision 2 of the section 400.19 regarding the special agreement for those
cases where either due to weather or circumstances clearly beyond the control
of the permittee, the certification of grades and elevations cannot be
completed prior to desire occupancy. Specifically, you inquired whether a
financial guarantee would be required and you indicated that the Development
Council should be involved in the formulation of the agreement (form).
I discussed this with City Manager Jim Willis and we both discussed it with
the City Council. A draft standard agreement can be designed to cover most if
not all situations and we will submit a draft of that to the Development
Council for review. The City Manager may or may not find it necessary to
require a financial guarantee; it is the intent of the City Council and City
staff that maximum flexibility be allowed to address the variety of situations
which do arise.
I thank you again for your input. It will be productive to work with builders
to fully comprehend the overall concerns of the City and the new requirements
so that there can be minimum impact to the builder and maximum benefit to the
consumer.
Si rely,
Ba--,4air r
Community Development Director
Enclosures
cc: City Manager James G. Willis
Building Official Joe Ryan
(pl/bt/burger:jw)
6!M SEP 1.'90
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 400 OF THE PLYMOUTH CITY CODE RELATING TO
BUILDING, HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION REGULATIONS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 400 Subsections 400.01, 400.05 and 400.13 of the
Plymouth City Code are amended to read:
400.01. State Building Code. Subdivision 1. Code Adoption. The
Building Code of the State of Minnesota, authorized by Minnesota
Statutes, Sections 16B.59 60 to 16B.73, and embodied in the Rules of the
Commissioner of Administration, is the Building Code of the City of
Plymouth, and is a part of this Code as completely as if fully set forth
herein. A copy of the Minnesota State Building Code shall be kept
available for public use in the office of the Building Official.
Subd. 2a. Procedures and Administration.
(a) As provided in the 1990 Minnesota 4487 State Building Code, the
following are hereby adopted by reference:
(1) 1988 49M Edition of the Uniform Building Code, identified
as "UBC."
(2) 1990 4984 Edition of the National Electrical Code,
identified in the Minnesota State Building Code as Chapter
1315 ars "NEG".
(3) American National Safety Code for Elevators, 8embwa-Aews;
and Escalators aid -Mei- ngWair identified as ANSI A17.1-
1987 4984 and Supplement, ANSI A17.1a-1988 and ANSI A17.3-
1986 49M.
(4) Minnesota Plumbing Code, identified in the Minnesota State
Building Code as Chapter 1355.
(5) "Flood Proofing Regulations," June, 1972, Office of the
Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, identified in the Minnesota
Statute Building Code as Chapter 1335.
(6) +74 1990 Minnesota Uniform Mechanical Code Heating,
iFefi i l atm , n • r a • + nq Via+. en Cede,
identified in the Minnesota State Building Code as Chapter
1346 4345.
M 4&8 1983 Model Energy Code, identified in the Minnesota State
Building Code as Chapter 1370 4245.
CIM SEP 14'90
MW
(8) 414 Solar Energy Systems, identified in the Minnesota State
Building Code as Chapter 1325.
(9) 44(4State of Minnesota Manufactured Home Rules, 1982 Edit' ori
identified in the Minnesota State Building Code as Chapter
1350.
10 {}Minnesota Prefabricated Building Code, identified in the
Minnesota State Building Code as Chapter 1360.
11 +124Technical Requirements for Fallout Shelters, identified in
the Minnesota State Building Code as Chapter 1330.
12 {1-3}Variations in Snow Loads, identified in the Minnesota State
Building Code as Chapter 1365.
13 44.4L988 498 Uniform Building Code Appendix Chapter 35 (Sound
Transmission Control).
(b) The following Appendices, Standards and Supplemental Materials are
not a mandatory part of the State Code but are adopted by reference
for the City of Plymouth and are incorporated into this Code as
completely as if set out in full.
(1) The foll'owing Chapters from the 1988 4-985 UBC Appendix:
Chapter 7. (Geyered Mail BW!Mngs�
Chapter 38. (Basement Pipe Inlets)
Chapter 55. (Membrane Structures)
Chapter 70. (Excavation and Grading)
(2) Flood Proofing Regulations, Parts 1335.0600 to 1335.1200
Seetions— , Chapter 1335 of the Minnesota
State Building Code, and F.P.R. Sections 205.4 to 208.2
Subd. 3. Organization and Enforcement. The organization of the Building
Department and enforcement of the Code shall be conducted within the
guidelines established by Chapter 2 of the Uniform Building Code 1988 4482
Edition.
400.05 Licensed Activities. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, it
is unlawful for any person to perform any work subject to the provisions of
the Building Code unless he 4s currently licensed to do so under applicable
provisions of this Code or State law. Such work includes, but is not limited
to, electrical installations, plumbing, high pressure steam fitting
installation and elevator construction.
GIM SEP 14'90
- 2 -
400.13 Building Permits; Required Information. Each application' for a
huildinn nermit shall be accompanied by a eertified land suryey 4ndle ti n
3t�eq site plan, drawn to scale and based upon a certified land survey which
shall include also shew theree the following:
(a) All existing buildings with dimensions of each build4ng and the
distance reference
d4mensions measured eerpendicular from the Tof
lines to the nearest point of each ui ding.
(b) All proposed buildings with dimensions of each g and
referenee dimen O distance measured perpendicular from the
front and sid lot lines to the nearest point of each building.
(c) Elevations to sea level datum of the center line of the nearest
street at points where the side line of proposed buildings
extended intersect said street.
(d) Proposed elevations to sea level datum of the top of foundation
garage floor and at the lower most lowest floor.
(e) Existing and proposed elevations to sea level datum of grade at
each property corner and within five feet of foundation on aT
sides of proposed buildings.
(f) Proposed slope or grade of ground for a distance of not less than
25 feet in front of and in back of foundation.
(g) Elevation to sea level of sanitary sewer main, if existing, at
point of connection. to said — ewe
(h) Any and All existing utilities, easements, drainageways, water-
ways and swamp land on or within the 4 -et property.
(i) AnyanIndication and notation of all proposed variances.
request_
(j) For one and two family dwellings, the location of an attached or
detached garage, containing at least one parking stall, which
could be built in addition to the dwelling within ordinance
setback standards.
(k) Certification that the building and proposed site grading are in
accordance with the City-wide storm water drainage plans and/or
grading plans approved by the City Engineer for the specific
development or subdivision.
3 m SEP 14 '90
--
c
Certification that permanent iron monuments are in place at each
lot corner.
(m) Indication that permanent iron monuments are placed on each side
of the of a distance trom the front lot line a uiva ent to the
proposed front bui ng setback line. In the event the distance
from the side line to the Droposed building is greater than 30
feet, stakes shall be elace on the front building line a distance
not to exceed 30 feet from the propose uM ding.
(n) Location of existing buildings on ad! cent properties, within 25
feet of the lot lines, to include top of foundation elevation an
distance to front and side property ines.
(o) Location of all proposed decks orches stairways, cantilevers
fireplaces, bay and bow windows.
(p) Location and elevation of all sanitary and storm sewer manholes
hydrants and catch basins.
(g) The location of all proposed driveways, curb cuts and retaining
Walls includina nroposed driveway slope and height of retaining
(r)
wa
Indication, with arrows, the direction of proposed surface
(s) For properties which abut lakes and ponds. indicate by contour
ine the Ordinary High Water Elevation` OHW an distance to t e
nearest point of the proposed building.
Section 2. Section 400 of the Plymouth City code is amended by adding a
new subsection to read:
400.17. Structures abutting water storage areas; requirements:
An "as built" survey, certified by a Minnesota registered Civil En ineer
of Survey or shall be submitted to the Building Official indicafing the
elevation of the lowest floor level and the top of the installed
foundation wall for those sites which abut lakes, ponds, streams, and/or
surface water drainage routes as shown on the City's storm water drainage
plan or final radin an and therefore are deemed to be subject to
flooding and hiah water damage. The survey and—certification shall e
compared to the established minimum elevations and approved the Buy ding
Official prior to any further construction above the foundation wall.
Should the submitted survey data indicate that the installed floor
elevation would be less than the approved rewired a evation the
Building Official shall require appropriate corrective measures before
..,., F..r+hnr rnnetrurtinn hpvnnd the fmindatinn walls is Dermltted.
-4-
G11W SEP 1x.'90
Section 3. Section 400 of the Plymouth City Code is amended by adding a
new subsection to read:
400.19 Final. Inspections; Certification of compliance. Subdivision 1.
Final inspections and authorization of occupancv of all new buildings shall be
performed upon recei t o written certification an En sneer or Land
Surveyor registered in Minnesota that the grades and elevations of the site
and building are in accordance with t e approved pans.
Subdivision 2. In those situations where the City Manager determines
that the certification required by Subdivision 1 is not feasible due to
weather conditions or other circumstances clearly beyond t e control of t e
ermittee, prospect ve owner, or prospective occu ant may, in lieu o t e
certification submit an agreement, acce to a to the City Manager, agreeing
to provide the certification no later than six months from the date of the
agreement. The permittee, pFospective owner, or prospective occupant shall
hold the City harmless from any conditions relating to the grading an
elevation of the site and shall -bear all costs associated with correcting the
grading and elevations, if necessary, to conform with the ap'proved pans.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance is effective on the date of
its publication in accordance with Subsection 110.11.
Adopted by the City Council this 10th day of September, 1990.
ATTEST
City Clerk
Underline - indicates new text
Struel - indicates deleted text
(bu/j r/code.400:jw)
mim
Mayor
Qm SEP 14'90
.. ..... • . CIN OF
September 12, 1990 PLYMOUTR
Dr. David Landswerk, Superintendent
WAYZATA SCHOOL DIST. NO. 284
210 Highway 101
Plymouth, MN 55447
SUBJECT: WATER SERVICE
GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dear Dr. Landswerk:
It has been necessary for the school district to temporarily close the
Greenwood Elementary School because of a failure of your private water
system. It is my understanding that the well is being repaired and the
school will continue to use it for your domestic water supply.
Last year, as part of an approval from the City for additional building
construction at the Greenwood Elementary School, a fire protection
system was required. This system involved a sprinkler system inside the
building and fire hydrants around the outside of the building. At the
time of this approval, the City did not have a public water supply to
your property that would connect to your fire protection system. The
City approval included a provision that within one year after the City
completed our public water system and assessed the school property for
the watermain improvement, the private fire protection system would be
connected.
The City has underway a multi -phase project which will provide the
watermain to the school. The first two phases of the project, the
construction of the water tower on Highway 101, and the watermain
between County Road 24 and the water tower, have been completed. A
service line from this watermain was constructed by the City to the
school property immediately adjacent to your driveway on County Road
101. This work was completed approximately two weeks ago. Dan
Faulkner, City Engineer, talked with Stan Peterson of the school
district maintenance staff and informed him that water is now available
to the school property and your connection to the City water system can
be completed.
Since the third phase of the project is not yet completed, the school
district property will not be assessed for the watermain improvement
until sometime in 1991. When this is done, it will start the one year
period in which it is mandatory to connect the fire protection system to
the water system. It is not necessary for the school district to wait
for the City to complete the project in order to connect to the system.
CIM � 14'90
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
Dr. David Landswerk, Superintendent
September 12, 1990
Page Two
In order to make the connection at this time, the school district would
need to agree to the special assessments for the watermain improvement
and obtain the necessary water permit from the Building Inspection
Division. I am enclosing a copy of an assessment waiver which would
need to be signed by the school district in order to agree to the
assessments. Representatives of the school district would need to
contact the building official in order to obtain the necessary
information to obtain a water connection permit.
Several years ago, after the private sewer lagoon system failed at the
Greenwood School, the City undertook a project to provide public
sanitary sewer to the school property. We have now completed the
improvement which will provide public water to the school building. It
is my opinion that the public water supply is more reliable since we are
serving over 50,000 customers. Although it is not mandatory that the
school building be connected to the public water supply for domestic use
purposes, you may wish to evaluate the reliability of our supply against
your existing system, which has recently failed.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do in making your decision
whether to connect to our public water supply at this time. If the
decision is made to connect to our system, both Jim Willis and I are
willing to work cooperatively in order that this could be accomplished
in a short period of time.
Sincerely,
Fred G. Moore, P.E.
Director of Public Works
FGM:kh
enclosure
cc: James G. Willis, City Manager
GIM SEP 14'90
5
WAIVER OF ASSESSMENT HEARING
The undersigned does hereby waive all rights to special assessment hearings
for assessments as follows on the property described as Property
Identification Numbers: 18-118-22-42-0008 and 18-118-22-43-0005.
ASSESSMENT
(18-118-22-42-0008)
Water Area
(18-118-22-43-0005)
Water Area
Water Lateral
ESTIMATED
UNIT COST/UNIT
0.85/Ac. $2,370/Ac.
24.4/Ac. $2,370/Ac.
340/F.F. $26.50/F.F.
ESTIMATED TOTAL
By
By.
Dated: September 12, 1990
ESTIMATED
TOTAL
$2,014.50
$57,828.00
59.010.00
$68,852.50
School Dist. No. 284
am SR14'90
MUNICIPAL
ISL LEGISLATIVE
00MMISSION
s \ ,A
r
15oo Northland Plaza
3800 West 80th Street
Bloomington, Minnesota 55431
(612) 893-6650
EIGHTY—SIXTH MLC OPERATING COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, August 29, 1990
3:00 p.m.
Messerli & Kramer
Board Room
3800 W. 80th Street
Bloomington, Minnesota
The Eighty -Sixth MLC Operating Committee Meeting was called to
order by Barry Johnson, Woodbury.
Members present: Craig Rapp, Brooklyn Park; Linda Barton,
Burnsville; Jon Elam, Maple Grove; Mike McGuire, Maplewood; Jim
Miller, Minnetonka; Steve Sarkozy, Roseville; Dwight Johnson,
Shoreview; Mark Sather, White Bear Lake.
Also present: Lyle Olson, Bloomington; Ralph Campbell, Edina;
Craig Dawson, Eden Prairie; Bob Renner, Jr., and Heather,
Florine, Messerli & Kramer.
Members Absent: John Pidgeon, Bloomington; Carl Jullie, Eden
Prairie; Ken Rosland, Edina; Tom Hedges, Eagan; Jim Willis,
Plymouth; Robert Schaefer, Inver Grove Heights.
A motion was made by Elam, seconded by Rapp and passed
unanimously to approve the Minutes of the July 26, 1990,
Operating Committee Meeting.
Dawson presented the Treasurer's Report. A motion was made by
Rapp, seconded by D. Johnson and unanimously approved to accept
the Treasurer's Report.
Member Cities: Bloomington. Brooklyn Park, Burnsville. Eagan,
Eden Prairie. Edina, Inver Grove Heights. Maple Grove. Maplewood. Minnetonka.
Plymouth. Roseville. Shoreview, White Bear Lake. Woodbury
CIM up 14%
Renner distributed the final 1989 MLC Audit. After further
discussion, a motion was made by Elam, seconded by Dawson, and
unanimously approved to accept the Audit and refer it to the
Board of Directors at its October meeting for final approval.
Renner distributed a letter drafted to Minnesota Fair Share
which addresses issues in their proposal of a flat rate of 1% on
all residential dwellings. The letter illustrates what happens
and the potential shifts which would result if Fair Share's
proposal were enacted, and at what rate all property classes
would have to be taxed to maintain current revenues.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Olson, seconded
by Johnson and unanimously passed to approve forwarding this
letter to Fair Share.
The Operating Committee then discussed the AMM's proposal of
using local option sales tax to fund metropolitan
transit/lightrail projects. It was suggested that it may be
appropriate to link fiscal disparities issues with this in any
discussion or initiatives the MLC may take regarding the AMM's
position. The Operating Committee decided to address this at
its next meeting in preparation for the October Board Meeting at
which time the Board will consider the direction and scope of
the MLC's 1991 legislative agenda.
The Operating Committee then discussed the current status of
city membership in the MLC. The City of Maple Grove has advised
the Commission in writing that the City Council has deleted
funds for MLC dues in 1991. The Operating Committee discussed
issues relating to the perception of the MLC's effectiveness in
its lobbying efforts and whether restructuring Operating
Committee and Board meetings may enhance this perception.
Possible solutions will be discussed at the October Board
Meeting. Renner expressed his willingness to address City
Councils if they should have any questions regarding the MLC
during the budgeting process.
The Operating Committee then discussed the upcoming regional
breakfast meetings. It was agreed that instead of holding two
separate meetings for each region, the MLC will combine the
meetings to include both challengers and incumbents at one time.
Renner distributed and explained the compilation
Minnesota Government Relations Council lobbyist
the November elections.
- 2 -
of the
survey regarding
01M SEP I it",
Renner distributed a draft questionnaire to be used to survey
the MLC legislative delegation. After further discussion, it
was decided to indicate the legislator and district on the top
of each survey and allow for a signature space at the end. The
question regarding fiscal disparities was dropped, and minor
revisions were made. The survey will be mailed after the
Primary, and the results will be compiled for discussion at the
regional breakfast meetings.
Renner then addressed the Operating Committee regarding the
content of the recent LMC Legislative Committee Meeting in which
several other lobbying groups participated, including the AMM,
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities and the City of
Minneapolis. At issue was how other groups view the League's
lobbying efforts.
The Operating Committee then discussed the Public Relations
Implementation Program. Most items included in the Plan are on
schedule. It was agreed, however, that representatives from the
MLC need to arrange a time to meet with the editorial boards of
the main newspapers to discuss an Op -Ed piece.
The next MLC Operating Committee meeting was set for 3:00,
Wednesday, October 3, 1990, at Messerli & Kramer.
A motion was made by D. Johnson, seconded by McGuire and
unanimously passed to adjourn the meeting. The Eighty -Sixth
Operating Committee was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
3 -
C►h SEP 14
LMUNICIPAL
LEGISLATILEGISLATIVELEGISLATIVEIS�
COMMISSION
August 28, 1990
Dierdra Griswold
Minnesota Fair Share
Suite 113
3050 Metro Drive
Bloomington, MN 55425
Dear Dierdra:
= I \a
1500 Northland Plaza
3800 West 80th Street
Bloomington. Minnesota 55431
(612) 893-6650
This letter will attempt to analyze the effects of a 1% flat tax
on homes, seasonal recreational properties, apartments and
commercial -industrial buildings. Although a 1% rate is
politically appealing, the "shifts" that would occur or the cost
to the state treasury to "buy down" rates to 1% would both be
excessive. The figures used in this analysis are derived from
the Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department,
computer simulation 9F4.
ALL PROPERTY STATEWIDE PROJECTED 1991
Res. Homesteads*
Ag Homesteads*
Res Non Homestead*
Apartments*
Seasonal-Rec*
Commercial/
Industrial
Utilities &
Per. Prop.
Ag Non -Homestead
All other classes**
TOTALS $144.6 billion $3.257 billion $2.669 billion
* These classes would have a tax capacity rate of 1Z
applied to total market value
** Includes ti�eCi>e$ipairsiag8�n1eB7oOia�>l�rk�lnsVg11�.11£#1s
s e a Cx6vs ighi. a move. Maplewood. Minnetonka.
Plymouth. Roseville. Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Woodbury GIM SEP 11+
Current
Proposed
Market
Value
Tax
Cape
Tax
Capacity
$73.0
billion
$969
million
$730
million
15.5
billion
148
million
155
million
6.5
billion
194
million
65
million
7.4
billion
252
million
74
million
3.7
billion
86
million
37
million
23.8
billion
1.12
billion
1.12
billion
5.6
billion
275
million
275
million
'6.8
billion
116
million
116
million
2.3
billion
97
million
97
million
TOTALS $144.6 billion $3.257 billion $2.669 billion
* These classes would have a tax capacity rate of 1Z
applied to total market value
** Includes ti�eCi>e$ipairsiag8�n1eB7oOia�>l�rk�lnsVg11�.11£#1s
s e a Cx6vs ighi. a move. Maplewood. Minnetonka.
Plymouth. Roseville. Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Woodbury GIM SEP 11+
Dierdra Griswold
August 28, 1990
Page - 2 -
Based on these calculations, the total tax capacity statewide
would be reduced by $588 million ($3.257 - $2.669 = $588).
The 1991 total tax rate statewide is estimated to be 1.0688 or
106.88% of the total tax capacity. If you multiply $3.257
billion by 106.88%, the total net tax paid in 1991 will equal
$3.471 billion.
However, if tax capacity is reduced by $588 million, the total
tax rate will have to increase in order to generate the same
amount of net tax. To determine the new total tax rate, you must
calculate what percentage amount multiplied by the new tax
capacity of $2.669 billion equals $3.471 billion. This number
calculates to 1.30 or 130%, an increase of more than 22% compared
to the current rate. Using this rate, property tax burdens under
the Minnesota Fair Share proposal would shift as illustrated by
the table below. `
Res. Homesteads
Ag. Homesteads
Res. Non -
Homesteads
Apartments
Seasonal-Rec
Commercial/
Industrial
Utilities and
Per. Prop.
Ag. Non -
Homestead
All other
classes
Current Proposed*
Net Tax Net Tax
$1.045 billion $961 million
148 million $193 million
212 million $ 90 million
276 million $100 million
91 million $ 49 million
Increase/ Increase
Decrease_ Decrease
- 84 million - 8%
+ 45 million + 30%
-122 million - 58%
-176 million - 64%
- 42 million - 46%
1.21 billion $1.47 billion +260 million + 22%
267 million $331 million + 64 million + 24%
116 million $144 million + 28 million + 24%
104 million S129 million + 25 million + 24%
TOTAL $3.469 billion $3.467 billion -2 million ---
Based on the 1Z tax capacity rate applied to homes,
seasonal-rec. and all rental properties and a
total tax rate of 1302 applied to all property classes.
** Total numbers differ slightly due to rounding.
Depending upon the mix of property tax burden shifts will differ.
Although the increase on commercial industrial amounts to 22%
statewide, the increase in the suburbs of western Hennepin County
would amount to 32%. Conversely, homes in the Hennepin County
suburbs would receive a correspondingly larger cut than homes
statewide. The following tables illustrate the effects of the
Minnesota Fair Share proposal on western Hennepin County suburbs.
CINI SEP 14,90
Dierdra Griswold
August 28, 1990
Page - 3 -
Res. Homesteads*
Ag. Homesteads*
Res. Non -Homesteads*
Apartments*
Seasonal Rec.*
Commercial/
Industrial
Utilities &
Per. Prop.
Ag. Non -Homestead
All Other Classes**
HENNEPIN COUNTY
WESTERN SUBURBS
Current
Proposed
Market
Value
Tax -
Capacity
Tax
Capacity
$14.9
billion
$245
million
$149
million
67
million
881
thousand
670
thousand
1.15
billion
344
million
11.5
million
1.6
billion
559
million
16
million
41
million
950
thousand
410
thousand
6.0
billion
290
million
290
million
457
million
23
million
23
million
58
million
982
thousand
982
thousand
421
million
21
million
21
million
TOTALS $24.69 billion $672.1 million 512.9 million
* These classes would have a tax capacity rate of lZ
applied to total market value
** Includes timberland, enterprise zones, vacant land, railroads,
seasonal/rec-commercial, and mineral classes.
Based on these new tax capacities, the total tax rate would have to
increase from 101% to 137%. This 36% rate increase would cause large
increases on properties that did not receive any benefit from a tax
capacity reduction to 1%. When the new rate is applied to the new tax
capacities, large shifts occur as is illustrated by the table on the
next page.
�1`t1 SEQ � x'90
Dierdra Griswold
August 28, 1990
Page - 4 -
Res. Homesteads
Ag. Homesteads
Res. Non -
Homesteads
Apartments
Seasonal-Rec.
Commercial/
Industrial
Utilities and
Per. Prop.
Ag. Non -
Homestead
All other
Classes
HENNEPIN COUNTY
WESTERN SUBURBS
Current Proposed*
Net Tax Net Tax
-
1LA
-Increase/ Increase
Decrease Decrease
$259 million $208 million $- 51.0 million - 20%
913 thousand 916 thousand + 3 thousand +.33%
36.7 million 16.2 million - 20.5 million - 56%
59 million 22.3 million - 36.7 million - 62%
1 million 568 thousand - 432 thousand - 43%
305 million 402 million
16.4 million 21.5 million
1.0 million 1.3 million
+ 97 million + 32%
+ 5.1 million + 31%
+ 300 thousand + 30%
ll • ! SI • ! • • ll • !
TOTAL** $701.2 million 701.9 million 968 thousand
* Based on the lx tax capacity rate applied to homes,
seasonal-rec. and all rental properties and a
total tax rate of 1372 applied to all property classes.
** Total numbers differ slightly due to rounding.
I also analyzed an area of the state that has a very high level
of seasonal -recreational properties. The tables on the following
page illustrate what occurs in the north central part of
Minnesota. Because there is such a large concentration of cabins
(26% of the total market value compared to a statewide average of
2.6%), the total tax capacity drops significantly when a 1% rate
is applied to this class of property. The new total tax rate
must increase by 28% (from 104% to 132%). Since homes in rural
Minnesota are paying about 1% today, a tax rate increase of 28%
will equate to a large property tax increase on these properties
(of course, to the benefit of cabins). This will likely be
difficult to sell to the Legislature. A 58% increase on farms,
while "rich city slickers" are receiving a 46% decrease on their
summer homes, could also be a touchy issue at the Capitol.
CUP �
Dierdra Griswold
August 28, 1990
Page - 5 -
NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOWNS
Res. Homesteads*
Ag. Homesteads*
Res. Non -Homesteads*
Apartments*
Seasonal Rec.*
Commercial/
Industrial
Utilities &
Per. Prop.
Ag. Non -Homestead
All Other Classes
76.4
million
Current
Market
Value
Tax
ranaT city
$1.0
billion
$11.5
million
872
million
6.9
million
73
million
2
million
4
million
138
thousand
917
million
21
million
76.4
million
3
million
179
million
9
million
197
million
3.6
million
139
million
2.8
million
Proposed
Tax
Capacity
$ 10 million
8.7 million
730 thousand
40 thousand
9.1 million
3 million
9 million
3.6 million
2.8 million
TOTALS $3.5 billion $59.9 million 47.3 million
* These classes would have a tax capacity rate of 11
applied to total market value
** Includes timberland, enterprise zones, vacant land, railroads,
seasonal rec-commercial, and mineral classes.
NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOWNS
Current Proposed* Increase/ Increase
Class Net Tax Net Tax_ necrease Decrease
Res. Homesteads $ 12 million
Ag. Homesteads
8
million
Res. Non -
- 55%
54
Homesteads
2
million
Apartments
150
thousand
Seasonal-Rec.
21
million
Commercial/
Industrial
3
million
Utilities and
Per. Prop.
9.4
million
Ag. Non -
Homestead
4
million
All h r
ow lq�r 40
gy-
$13.1 million $+ 1.1 million + 9%
12.6 million + 4.6 million + 58%
928
thousand
- 1.1
million
- 55%
54
thousand
- 96
thousand
- 64%
11.3
million
- 9.7
million
- 46%
3.7 million + 700 thousand + 23%
11.8 million + 2.4 million + 26%
5.0 million + 1 million + 25%
TOTAL** $62.6 million 62.3 million -396 thousand ---
Based on the 11 tax capacity rate applied to homes,
seasonal-rec. and all rental properties and a
total tax rate of 1321 applied to all property classes. SES 1 4'
CIO
** Total numbers differ slightly due to rounding.
Dierdra Griswold
August 28, 1990
Page - 6 -
It is clear from this analysis that property tax burden shifts would
differ based on the property mix in each locality, but a conclusion
can also be reached that the big "winners" would be apartments, non -
homestead residential and seasonal -recreational property. Most
homesteads in greater Minnesota would experience increases but the
biggest "losers" would be commercial -industrial, utilities and farm
property. I should point out that this analysis did not factor in the
school aids changes that would accompany these shifts. School aids
could change the final results in certain geographical areas, but
these changes would not change the general trends of this analysis.
I know that some will argue that the total tax rate does not have to
increase to 130% statewide if local units of government reduce
spending. Let me counter this argument by saying that
elementary/secondary education accounts for about 50% of the total
levy. And about 80% of the budget for elementary and secondary
education is comprised of salaries.. In my opinion, it would be
impossible to reduce the property tax levy by $628 million (the amount
of lost tax capacity multiplied by the current tax rate) without
negatively affecting K-12 education. K-12 education will levy about
$1.5 billion in 1991. I do not believe that Minnesota Fair Share's
current position is consistent with your statement that "Minnesota
Fair Share is opposed to anything that would jeopardize the quality of
education in Minnesota." As an alternative, you could eliminate
entirely the total levy for every city in Minnesota ($568 million) and
still be short of the amount that would have to be cut.
The other solution would be for the State to "buy down" these rate
reductions. If the Legislature appropriated $628 million of general
fund revenue, it would equate to an income tax increase of
approximately 21% or a sales and motor vehicle excise tax increase
from 6% to almost 8%.
As you can see, the resolution of the property tax mess is not easy.
The Fair Share group should be commended for the exposure you have
given to the unfairness of the current system. However, you may want
to reassess your position of a 1% flat rate. A flat rate on
homesteads is the correct policy, but the percentage should be left
for the Legislature to determine.
Please take the contents of this letter in the spirit in which they
were written. They are meant to provide your organization with
information that can be used to arrive at fair and reasonable
policies. It is not meant to be critical of Minnesota Fair Share. I
think you are doing a great job.
Sincerely,
MESSERLI & KRAMER
Robert G. Renner, Jr.
%
=3--k _ l
MUNICIPAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION
REGIONAL BREAKFAST MEETINGS
Brooklyn Park
Eden Prairie
Edina
Maple Grove
Minnetonka
Plymouth
r Thursday, October it
7:30 a.m.
BROOKLYN PARK EDEN PRAIRIE
Mayor James Krautkremer Mayor Gary Peterson
City Manager City Manager
Craig Rapp Carl Jullie
Council Council
Joe Enge Richard Anderson
Erick Engh Doug Tenpas
Dale Gustafson Dr. Jean Harris
Jerry Marshall Patricia Pidcock
Ronald Slack
Robert Stromberg
EDI IJ$ MAPLE GROVE
Mayor Frederick S. Richards Mayor James Deane
City Manager City Manager
Ken Rosland Jon Elam
Peggy Kelly David Burtness
Jane Paulus Chuck Dehn
Jack Rice Don Ramstad
Glenn Smith Donna Ryon
Tom Erickson
CIM SEP 1 4'9
- 2 -
( REGION 1 CONY D )
Mayor Tim Bergstedt
City Manager
Jim Miller
City Council
Karen Anderson
Robert DeGhetto
Dr. Mark Renneke
Jane Gordon
Fred Janus
Bill Hise
!:`�
47 Senator Luther/Jim Harris
47A Representative Scheid/Steve Baretz
Mayor Rim Bergman
Cly Manager
Jim Willis
City Council
Lloyd J. Ricker
Robert Zitur
Maria Vasiliou
Carole J. Helliwell
48 Senator McGgowan/*PRIMARY* Greg Hegi OR Jim Hillegass
48B Representative Schreiber/John Hall
EDEN PRAIRIE
42 Senator Storm/*PRIMARY* John Cochran OR Larry Beier
42A Representative Pauly -- UNOPPOSED
43 Senator Gen Olson/*PRIMARY* Julie Erickson OR Lee Mosher
43B *PRIMARY* -- Representative Knickerbocker
OR
Ed Oliver
NO DFL CANDIDATE
ERIKA
42 Senator Storm/*PRIMARY* John Cochran OR Larry Beier c►M �
,90
SEP 1
42A Representative Pauly -- UNOPPOSED
—LL:
`�,A
(REGION 1 CONT'D)
MAPLE GROVE
48 Senator McGgowan/*PRIMARY* Greg Hegi OR Jim Hillegass
48A Representative Limmer/Dennis Filipek
48B Representative Schreiber/John Hall
MINNETONKA
43 Senator Gen Olson/*PRIMARY* Julie Erickson OR Lee Mosher
43B *PRIMARY* -- Representative Knickerbocker
OR
Ed Oliver
NO DFL CANDIDATE
44 Senator McQuaid/Ted Mondale
44A Representative Sally Olsen/Wendy Engel
45 IR PRIMARY -- Mary Tambornino OR Warren Kapsner
DFL -- Judy Traub
45A Representative Abrams/David Slomkowski
PLYMOUTH
45 IR PRIMARY -- Mary Tambornino OR Warren Kapsner
DFL -- Judy Traub
45A Representative Abrams/David Slomkowski
45B (Heap's Seat) IR -- Peggy Lippick
DFL -- Jim Dorsey
48 Senator McGgowan/*PRIMARY* Greg Hegi OR Jim Hillegass
48A Representative Limmer/Dennis Filipek
- 4 -
ON SEP 1,4'90
MUNICIPAL
LEGISLATIVE
COMMISSION
September 12, 1990
Dear Representative
15oo Northland Plaza
3800 West 80th Street
Bloomington, Minnesota 55431
(612) 893.6650
The Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC), a group of 15
suburbs, periodically surveys the 37 members of its legislative
delegation on issues of concern to the Commission.
This year, the MLC Board of Directors, requested that all
incumbents and challengers be sent the attached questionnaire.
It is obvious that the major issues facing suburban communities
in the current property tax system and the unfair burdens this
system places on the higher -valued homes.
Please complete the attached survey and return it by October 1 in
the enclosed self-addressed, stamped envelope. The MLC is
scheduling candidate breakfast meetings in mid-October. Survey
results will be provided to you at this meeting.
Thank you for your time in completing this survey. If you have
any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 893-6672.
Sincerely,
MESSERLI & KRAMER
Robert G. Renner, Jr.
Enclosure
Member Cities: Bloomington. Brooklyn Park. Burnsville. Eagan.
Eden Prairie. Edina. Inver Grove Heights. Maple Grove, Maplewood. Minnetonka.
Plymouth. Roseville. Shoreview. White Bear Lake. Woodbury 'W SEQ '
CMUNICIPAL
LEGISLATIVE
COMMISSION
MUNICIPAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION
1990 SUBURBAN ISSUES QUESTIONNAIRE
\,-A
15oo Northland Plaza
3800 West 80th Street
Bloomington. Minnesota 55431
(612) 893-6650
I. The MLC has proposed that the current property tax system
should be revised to tax residential homesteads at a
single tax rate regardless of value.
Do you support or oppose the concept of a flat tax on
homes?
Support
Comments:
Oppose
II. The current property tax system taxes homes over $110,000
at a tax capacity rate of 3%. Some argue that the 3% rate
should be eliminated and only two rates should be applied
to the market value of homes.
As an alternative to a flat rate, would you support or
oppose elimination of the 3% rate on high -valued homes?
Support
Comments:
Oppose
Member Cities: Bloomington. Brooklyn Park. Burnsville, Eagan. GIM Sip �t�Q
Eden Prairie, Edina. Inver Grove HeighZ. Maple Grove. Maplewood. Minnetonka,
Plymouth. Roseville, Shoreview, White Bear Lake. Woodbury
III. The current system imposes a 1% tax capacity rate on homes
valued from $0 to $68,000, 2% applied between $68,000 and
$110,000 and 3% applied over $110,000.
If the 3% rate is eliminated, should the first tier, now
at $68,000, be increased, decreased or remain the same?
increased decreased remain at
$68,000
Comments
IV. If a flat rate or elimination of the 3% rate is adopted by
the Legislature, shifts will occur on other classes of
property.
Should these shifts be paid for by the State General Fund
or should other property classes pay for the lost tax
revenues due to a reduction of taxes on homes?
shift to other properties
pay for shifts by State General Fund
combination shifts and buydown
Comments:
3 -
GEM SES' 14'�"o
V. Other property classes such as commercial -industrial and
apartments have complained that their burdens are
excessive. Please rank in order of priority which
property classes should receive tax relief in the 1991
Legislative session?
(use 1 - 5)
low -valued homes (under $68,000)
mid -valued homes ($68,000 to $110,000)
high -valued homes (over $110,000)
apartments (over 3 units)
commercial -industrial (over $100,000)
Comments:
VI. Cities must rely on local property taxes as their major
revenue source.
Would you support or oppose a local option sales tax which
would allow cities to impose an additional sales tax on
purchases made within their boundaries?
Support Oppose
Comments:
4 -
= - �A
VII. Current law imposes levy limits on city government. The
policy behind the levy limitation is to restrain local
government spending, which arguably would keep property
taxes lower than they would be without levy limits. The
MLC supports the repeal of levy limits.
Would you support or oppose the repeal of levy limits.
Support Oppose
Comments:
IX. Currently, about 50% of a property tax bill is levied to
fund elementary and secondary education. The Legislature
in 1990 decided that the state should pay a larger share
of K-12 costs. Some propose shifting all of the cost of
K-12 education to the State General Fund. This would mean
that elementary and secondary education would be funded by
the income and sales taxes rather than the property tax.
Would you support or oppose legislation which would fully
fund education from state rather than local tax sources?
Support Oppose
Comments:
- 5 -
�� SEP 1 � 90
G
X. Fiscal disparities has been a controversial issue for
almost two decades. Do you feel the current law should be
left alone, substantially changed, or repealed?
left alone or only minor adjustments
substantially changed
repealed
Comments:
XI. The 1990 Legislature adopted significant changes to
Minnesota's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) law. should the
1991 Legislature continue to revise TIF or should this
issue be laid to rest during 1991?
major revisions to TIF in 1991
minor revisions to TIF in 1991
no revisions to TIF in 1991
Comments:
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Please
enclose it in the stamped, self-addressed envelope provided and
return it by October 1.
SIL MUNICIA4L
LEGISLATIVE
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Bob Renner
DATE: September 5, 1990
RE: Home Values
15oo Northland Plaza
3800 West 80th Street
Bloomington, Minnesota 55431
(612) 893-6650
The chart below provides information regarding the market value
of different homes by geographical regions. The source of this
information was a publication by the Minnesota House of
Representatives Research Department titled "The Property Tax
Refund: Tax Relief for Homeowners."
*
0-$60,000 498,187
$60,001-$100,000 430,350
Over $100,001 128,847
TOTALS 11057,385
EMV # of Homes*
0-$60,000 395,019
$60,001-$100,000 84,754
Over $100,001 10,083
TOTALS 489,856
$ of Total
47.1%
40.7%
12.2%
100%
$ of Total
80.6%
17.3%
cYA
Member Cities: Bloomington. Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Eagan,
Eden Prairie, Edina. Inver Grove Heights. Maple Grove. Maplewood, Minnetonka.
Plymouth. Roseville, Shoreview, White Bear Labe. Woodbury
EMV
0-$60,000
$601001-$100,000
Over $100,001
TOTALS
METRO CITIES AND TOWNS
# of Homes* of Total
103,170 18.2%
345,592 60.9%
118,763 20.9%
567,526 100%
* All numbers exclude agricultural homesteads
General observations:
1. Although nearly half the homes in the state (47.1%) are
valued at less than $60,000, the vast majority fall outside
the metropolitan area (eight out of every ten homes in the
non -metro area have a value less than $60,000).
2. There are 128,847 homes valued in excess of $100,000.
Ninety-two percent of the high -valued homes are located in
the seven -county metropolitan area. One out of every 5
homes in the metro area exceeds $100,000 in value compared
to 2 out of every 100 homes in greater Minnesota.
3. Almost 87,000 homes in Greater Minnesota have an estimated
market value of less than $20,000 (about 18% of the total
housing stock).
If you would like a copy of the full report, you can call the
House of Representatives Research Department at 296-6753 and
request it be sent to you.
- 2 -
elm, SEP 1 &+
SEPTEMBER 1990 VOLUME Vil NUMBER 2
On Sunday, September 16th at 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., the Plymouth Historical Society will have an
OPEN HOUSE.
• Entertainment will be provided by "The Whistler", Robert F. Larson at 2:30 and 4:00. He is a
very entertaining balladeer, whistler, yodeler and plays the autoharp.
• Plymouth's First Fire Truck will be on display. This Fire Truck now belongs to the Plymouth
Historical Society for the purpose of preserving a part of Plymouth's history.
• A 1925 Mode! "T" truck will be on display. This truck was originally used on Henry Schiebe's
farm and is still in the family.
• Refreshments will be served.
• •1 1 1YA► it • 1 i ■
It's not too early to plan ahead and mark your calendar for the Fourth Annual "Old Fashioned
Christmas in Plymouth" Sunday, December 9th, co-sponsored by the Plymouth Historical Society
and Plymouth Park Recreation Department. It will be bigger and better than last year, so watch for
future announcements.
All of the people who have previously signed our guest book have been added to the mailing list.
You will have to pardon us if we didn't get your name or address exactly correct. If you have any
additions or corrections, please call Gary Schiebe at 473-4889.
If anyone would like to become a member of the Plymouth Historical Society, please complete the
attached membership form or feel free to call Jack or Mary Malmstedt at 473-4493. The annual dues
are Individual $5.00, Family $7.50 and Lifetime $100.00.
The Plymouth Historical Building and Carriage House has been repainted. The flower garden has
been moved and reconstructed with new sod added to the lawn. An expanded area has also been
paved in front of the Carriage House. This was all courtesy of the City of Plymouth and the Park and
Recreation Departments. A big thanks to their people! SEP
I V"
t
SEPTEMBER 1990 VOLUME Vil NUMBER 2
On Sunday, September 16th at 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., the Plymouth Historical Society will have an
OPEN HOUSE.
• Entertainment will be provided by "The Whistler", Robert F. Larson at 2:30 and 4:00. He is a
very entertaining balladeer, whistler, yodeler and plays the autoharp.
• Plymouth's First Fire Truck will be on display. This Fire Truck now belongs to the Plymouth
Historical Society for the purpose of preserving a part of Plymouth's history.
• A 1925 Mode! "T" truck will be on display. This truck was originally used on Henry Schiebe's
farm and is still in the family.
• Refreshments will be served.
• •1 1 1YA► it • 1 i ■
It's not too early to plan ahead and mark your calendar for the Fourth Annual "Old Fashioned
Christmas in Plymouth" Sunday, December 9th, co-sponsored by the Plymouth Historical Society
and Plymouth Park Recreation Department. It will be bigger and better than last year, so watch for
future announcements.
All of the people who have previously signed our guest book have been added to the mailing list.
You will have to pardon us if we didn't get your name or address exactly correct. If you have any
additions or corrections, please call Gary Schiebe at 473-4889.
If anyone would like to become a member of the Plymouth Historical Society, please complete the
attached membership form or feel free to call Jack or Mary Malmstedt at 473-4493. The annual dues
are Individual $5.00, Family $7.50 and Lifetime $100.00.
The Plymouth Historical Building and Carriage House has been repainted. The flower garden has
been moved and reconstructed with new sod added to the lawn. An expanded area has also been
paved in front of the Carriage House. This was all courtesy of the City of Plymouth and the Park and
Recreation Departments. A big thanks to their people! SEP
r
100 YEARS YOUNG
Phil Eckes celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year. He was born February 15, 1890 to a family with 10
brothers and sisters. The Eckes family farm was located on the site now occupied by Carlson Companies World
Headquarters. Phil lived in Plymouth all his life and was very active in the community of Plymouth (civic affairs). He
served on the town board for many years and earned a living as a farmer and a truck gardener raising vegetables.
He's been a life-long member of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Medina.
These are a few of the things that Phil remembered about the'Good Old Days'.
It was 1904, when he was 14 years old, that he saw an automobile for the first time. All road
maintenance was done with men, horses and hand tools. This included the hauling of gravel and snow
removal by horses and big, wooden -V plows.
The only place you could buy things in those days was at County Road 73 and the service road of what
is now Highway 55. That was the halfway point for farmers to stop before heading into Minneapolis.
They'd pull their team of horses up to Schiebe's Corner and head to Minneapolis the next day. You
couldn't make it in one day. A good team of horses could go three to four miles an hour. If you want to
appreciate that, start out and walk a pretty brisk pace for an hour.
In those days, the family home was heated with wood which was cut by hand and piled in the wood box
near the stove. At night, they used kerosene lamps to light the home.
Most of the food was raised on the family farm. Phil can remember churning butter, rendering lard,
making sauerkraut in a 55 gallon barrel, canning vegetables and fruit from the garden and preserving
pork by soaking it in a brine solution before hanging it to dry in the smoke house. His mother baked
once a week. Seldom did the family buy a loaf of bread.
The family income was small. Farm products were sold in exchange for clothing, sugar, extracts and
spices that could not be produced at home. Food for the family and livestock was stored in adequate
quantities to last until the next year's crop was available. Family food supplies were canned and kept
in the cellar which was usually under the house (built below the frost line to protect the perishables).
Minnesota was admitted to the Union in 1858, Plymouth was given its charter in 1858, and held its first town board
meeting on April 19, 1858 at the home of Francis Day when its first officers were elected. These advances in
progress by the pioneer residents created the need for schools, churches and a town hall.
Plymouth's first school house was called District 95. This number identified the historic school from 1858 until 1946
when it was consolidated with Wayzata and the identity changed from District 95 to Beacon Heights. The name
'Beacon' seemed appropriate because of the nearby location of one in a series of Beacon lights which were used to
guide air planes to the Minneapolis (Wold Chamberlain) airport. 'Heights' also seemed appropriate because the Beacon
light tower located nearby was situated on a hill which has the highest elevation in the area. 'Beacon Hill% as it was
called, is in the area of the present Plymouth Fire Station #1 and the NWB Telephone Microwave Radar Tower on
County Road 6 and provided an opportunity to read the time on the Court House clock in Minneapolis (on a clear day).
District 95 started with a log building located about two blocks northeast of the present Beach Heights building. The log
school was 14 to 16 feet square and housed 26 students who were taught the three R's by Miss Lorinda Shaw. Miss
Shaw's salary was $28 per month and the value of the building and land was set at $200. This school offered
instruction for the full elementary structure of Grades 1 through 8 and the students ranged in age from 5 to 19 years.
Our records do not include information about who built the log school, but they do tell us that supplies and furniture
were scarce and primitive. The seats were wooden benches and the text books were limited to the bare essentials.
There was no well and drinking water was carried from home. The students walked to school from their homes as far
away as three miles. Some of the early family names include Bofferding, Cavanagh, Ernst, Tabor, Glassing, Ryan,
Shreks, Smith, Fryer, Howe, Park, Mengelkoch, McGowan, Jondas, Day, Eckes, Luby and Schiebe.
During the next 11 years, the school struggled to do its best to survive. Some students continued through 8th grade,
others dropped out after completing the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade. The community was growing and many of the older
children were needed at home to help clear land or harvest crops, plus the general attitude that if a boy or girl could
read and write, there was little reason to waste more time going to school.
In 1869, Gertrude Howe was hired as a teacher. The School Board consisted of Jacob Mengelkoch, Clements,
Mengelkoch, Nicolas Bofferding and Jonas Howe. In 1869, Jacob Mengelkoch was awarded the fuel contract to supply
dry oak wood, cut up to fit the stove for $3.60 per cord. This was also the year that increased enrollment in school
prompted the Board to consider expanding the size of the school building. During the next three years, the School
Board met frequently to discuss the future needs of the school system. In 1872, the decision had been made to build a
new school and to move to a more favorable location.
In 1872, Clements Mengelkoch was awarded a contract to build a new wood frame school house on the newly acquired
location. The cost was not to exceed $600. The location was approximately 100 feet east of where the present
Beacon Heights School is now and the Board approved a bond issue of $375 to insure the financing of the project. Other
financial transactions during this period included the sale of books to the students for 11 cents for a first grade
reader, and as much as 69 cents for higher grade books. The most expensive book was a geography book for $1. The
financial statement for 1869 showed a balance of $19.53 after Miss Howe's salary of $133 for four and one-half
months work was taken out. There were other miscellaneous expenses such as a broom for 35 cents, matches and
dipper for 40 cents, lawyer fees $5 and a payment on a note to Nicolas Bofferding for $36.
1872 was a big year in the history of District 95. It was getting a new building which had desks, a well for water, and
blackboards. Clem Mengelkoch built the structure with the help of many neighbors and it was ready at the start of the
school year starting in September. Miss Howe was still the teacher, but she was going to get some help. Ella Parker
was hired to help with the increased enrollment. The names of Scherer, Gates, Frost and others had been added to the
list of permanent residents.
During the next several years, our records show that the following teachers were hired at District 95: Annie
Moriarity, R. C. Knapp, Mary Jardine, Bridget McGowan, Adeline Jarvais, Ella Doyle, and May McLean. This brings us
up to the year 1921. The teachers salary had increased to $105 per month. The janitorial work was performed
primarily by the teachers and students, however, major jobs like washing windows and scrubbing floors were done for
extra pay by local help.
The 1920's were relatively stable years with Miss Margaret Cavanagh and Mr. Osterberg sharing teaching
responsibilities. Mr. Osterberg was the first male teacher at District 95 according to our records. Tragedy struck
the community in the Spring of 1924. The instant death of Leo Cavanagh is still vividly remembered by students,
teachers and neighbors. The accident happened during lunch hour when Leo took his turn to slide down the school house
hill and over the road at the bottom of the hill. He was on a homemade wooden sled and he hit the front wheel of a car
that was traveling on the road. This is the only recorded fatal accident at the school during its 124 year history.
During the 1930's, enrollment increased slowly and steadily until the need for additional space could no longer be
ignored. In 1939, the Cavanagh Brothers were awarded a contract to build a two -room brick school on the same
location and adjacent to the wood structure which had served the community needs since 1872. The 1939-1940
classes had the rare experience of spending part of the year in one school house and finishing the year in a different
one. The move was made during Christmas vacation and needless to say, everyone involved was delighted and
enthusiastic. The old wood building was removed during the summer of 1940 by Ed and Art Schiebs. Thus ending 82
years of history and memories of the one room school which served so many so well.
The new school had two classrooms, a small auditorium and facilities for serving hot lunches. For the first time in the
history of District 95, there was inside plumbing, including toilet facilities. The cost of the new structure was
$30,000 and enrollment at the time of occupancy was 58 students and two teachers - Mr. G. E. Osterberg and Miss
Verdell Reilly. Grades 1 through 4 were the classes taught by Miss Reilly and Mr. Osterberg had Grades 5 through 8.
Mrs. Frank Baumann was the first cook. School Board members included Steve Gates, Andrew Scherer and Albert
Schiebe.
The 1940's were very active years in population growth and educational concept changes. The idea of separating the
7th and 8th grades from the elementary status and calling them Junior High students was gaining popularity and
attending High School seemed like the thing to do. So many new problems became major issued. School enrollment was
increasing at 15 to 25% each year and the space in the new building would soon be crowded.
In 1946, the Board of District 95 voted to dissolve the district and become part of Wayzata School District 284.
District 95 enlded in 1946 remain in the From that time until the schoolfrom eclosedninh1982, it was known h grade 12, eas the "Beaconhe existence
Heights
School'.
Continued population growth in the Plymouth area made it necessary to expand the school facilities once again, so in
1949, four more classrooms were added; two up and two down across the front of the existing building. In 1955, still
another addition was made. It included seven classrooms and a library on the back of the building and a gymnasium and
a kitchen on the west side of the building. This was the final addition and it brought the total number of classrooms to
14 and the teaching staff to 15. Total enrollment from 1955 through 1982 varied between 450 and 500 students in
Grades K through 6. The Junior High and Senior High students were transported by bus to other locations within the
Wayzata School System. Mrs. Julie Quady, Mr. Weeks and Mr. Benko served as Principals of Beacon Heights prior to
its closing in 1982.
i
PLIOM4 91041CAL SOCIETY
MUSEUM: 3605 Fernbrook Lane
MAILING: 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Member:
This is a reminder that your 1990 Rnnual PLYMOUTH HISTORICAL
SOCIETY Dues are payable.
We hope you enjoyed the meetings of our Society during the past
year, and we thank you in advance for your continued membership
and participation. Ril members and friends are invited to our
regular meetings which are held on the fourth Wednesday of every
month at 7:30 PM in the Old Town Hail at 3605 fernbrook Lane.
Please tear off the lower part of this sheet and send it with your
check in the enclosed envelope. If you itemize deductions on your
Income taK forms you may qualify for a deduction.
Name
Address
City
Phone
Yours truly,
Jack Malmstedt
Memberships
PLYMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
State Zip
I am interested in helping with cataloging collection of art -
facts interviews for oral history preservation
programs for meetings other -- -
Annual dues: individual $5.00
family $7.50
Lifetime $100.00 elm,SEP 1�,'+�'0
Our Past Is Present ... Help Us Keep It"
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PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT
MONTHLY REPORT
MONTH August 1990
CLASS I
MURDER
CSC
ROBBERY
ASSAULT
BURGLARY
THEFT
AUTO THEFT
ARSON
0
3
0
18
33
119
18
1
0
4
0
1 33
1 57
1 115
9
6
TOTALS 1989 192
1990 242 16%
CLASS II
1989
1990
FORGERY
COUNTERFEIT
FRAUD
HAR
COMM
STOLEN
PROPERTY
VANDALISM
SEX
OFF
NARC
OFFENSES
FAM/CHILD
D.W.I
LIQ
LAW
DISORDERLY
CONDUCT
OTHER
6
10
10
1
97
8
6
0
33
11
5
41
1
18
33
2
108
5
7
7
29
11
5
37
TOTALS 1989 228
1990 245
CLASS III
7%
FATAL
ACCIDENT
PERSONAL
INJURY
PROPERTY
DAMAGE
SNOWMOBILE
ACCIDENT
DROWNING
MEDICAL
EMERGENCY
SUICIDE
SUICIDE
ATTEMPTS
NATURAL
DEATH
ANIMAL
BITES
FIRE
0
18
61
0
1
84
1
2
4
7
-24
0
18
66
0
0
90
1
3 1
3
7
26
• X1:3: �
CLASS N
DOMESTIC
ANIMAL
DETAIL
FALSE
ALARMS
LOCK
OUTS
OTHIER
AGENCY
WARRANT
SERVED
TRAFFIC
DETAIL
SUSPICION
INFORMATION
MISSING
PERSON
LOST
FOUND
PUBLIC
NUISANCE
MISC.
37
158
156
142
46
29
168
206
8
31
181
239
32
1 140
1 157
1 159
1 56
1 31 1
.146
1 240
13
25
158 1
280
TOTALS 190 1401
1990 1437 3%
HAZARDOUS VIOLATIONS 1989 345 1990 349 _,_
NONHAZARDOUS VIOLATIONS 1989 465 1990 476 __2_
CRIMINAL oFFENSES CLEARED 1989
28%
1990
18%
TOTAL NUMBER OF INCIDENTS 1989
2023
1990
2120 5%
CiM SEP 14 '90
89
90
89
90
89
90
PLYMOUTH POUCE DEPARTMENT
MONTHLY REPORT
MONTH January -August 1990
.ASS I
MURDER
CSC
ROBBERY
ASSAULT
BURGLARY
THEFT
AUTO THEFT
ARSON
0
29
0
199
193
-727
133
10
0
21
3
221
266
808 1
84
1 20
TOTALS 1989 1291
1990 1423 10%
CLASS II
1989
1990
FORGERY
COUNTERFEIT
FRAUD
HAR
COMM
STOLEN
PROPERTY
VANDALISM
SEX
OFF
NARC
OFFENSES
FAM/CHILD
DW.1
LIO
LAW
DISORDERLY
CONDUCT
OTHER
30
55
151
11
542
33
85
28
246
144
51
110
19
83
204
4
524
17
63
32
1 265
171
906
2093
TOTALS 1989 1693
990 1602 _5%
^IASS III
FATAL
ACCIDENT
PERSONAL
INJURY
PROPERTY
DAMAGE
SNOWMOBILE
ACCIDENT
DROWNING
MEDICAL
EMERGENCY
SUICIDE
SUICIDE
ATTEMPTS
NATURAL
DEATH
ANIMAL
BITES
FIRE
0
86
579
0
1
673
5
16
13
27
226
0
110
530
0
0
679
1
1 19 1
19
1 41
219
TOTALS 1989 1626
1990 1618
CLASS N
DOMESTIC
ANIMAL
DETAIL
FALSE
ALARMS
LOCK
OUTS
O ASSIER
AGENCY
WARRANT
SERVED
TRAFFIC
DETAIL
SUSPICION
INFORMATION
MISSING
PERSON
LOST
FOUND
PUBLIC
NUISANCE
MISC
270
1122
1062
1167
353
264
1277
1269
67
171
906
2093
243
1 1046 1
1126 1
1204
405
322
1116
1587
46
275
1075
1850
TOTALS 1989 10.021
1990 10,295 3%
HAZARDOUS VIOLATIONS 1989 3025 1990 2925 -3%
NONHAZARDOUS VIOLATIONS 1989 3725 1990 3419 -8%
CRIMINAL OFFENSES CLEARED -M-221-
98922%1990
1990
19%
TOTAL NUMBER OF INCIDENTS 1989
141637
1990
141938 2%
clm SEP 14 '910
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: September 4, 1990
TO: Chief Richard J. Carl is
FROM: Sergeant Ron Foreman 1 c9�'
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT ASSIGNMENT
Chief, I arranged to have patrol officers use saturation
patrol/radar enforcement tactics in the areas of concern. These
officers were advised to use the attached highlighted map as a
guide and to be especially alert to dealer "test drives."
On Saturday, August 25, 1990, Officer Mary Nelson spent
approximately one hour and fifty minutes total in the assigned
areas. He experienced "very low traffic volume", but was able to
issue three speed tags - one on Ridgemount and two on Sunset
Trail. Apparently none of the three cars was obviously
associated with area car dealers.
On Saturday, September 1, 1990, Officer Bob Levans spent a total
of two hours and fifty minutes in the assigned areas. He
observed no speeding, but did note seven vehicles with dealer
plates, presumably on "test drives." No tags were issued.
RF/sb
CIM SEP 14'90
W E
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PLYMOUTH- S
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STREET MAP
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8-56
Litt, SEP 14'90
CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE
September 12, 1990
PROBLEM: The timing on the traffic light at County Road 101 and
Highway 12 needs to be changed. The new school is
generating more traffic. Consequently, traffic is
backing up one to one and one-half miles at rush hour
because the green light is only allowing two or three
cars through per time. Many motorists are resorting
to U-turns in Highway 101 to avoid the light.
SOLUTION: Retime the light. Mr. Goddard requests that City
staff contact him to let him know what action has been
taken on this. (9/11/90, 7:25 p.m.)
'�
elm SEP IL k.
CITY OF PLYNDUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
DATE: September 12, 1990
TO: James G. Willis, City Manager
FROM: Helen LaFav;�,VCommunications Coordinator
SUBJECT: CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE CALL
Peter Goddard, 18525 - 30th Place North, 473-5645 (home),
639-2566 (work), called the 24-hour Customer Service Line on
September 12 to report the traffic backing up at County Road 101
and Highway 12 due to the timing of the traffic signal.
Mr. Goddard notes that the new school is generating more traffic
and as a result, cars are backed up for one to one and one-half
miles at rush hour peak. Many motorists are resorting to doing
U-turns on Highway 101.
Mr. Goddard requested that the City have the timing on the light
changed to avoid this backup of traffic.
Because this is a potentially dangerous situation, I called Tom
Vetsch to request that he contact the appropriate county staff
person to notify him/her of the problem. Tom has already done so
and has contacted Mr. Goddard to inform him that action has been
taken on his concern.
HL:kec
cc: Tom Vetsch, Street Superintendent
Frank Boyles, Assistant City Manager
Fred Moore, Public Works Director
cion SEP 1419
0