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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 01-05-1995b JANUARY 5, 1994- $ UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS .... 1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY: JANUARY 17 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING City Council Chambers ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JANUARY 23 6:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Public Safety Training Room TOPIC: Meeting with legislators, county commissioners and Met Council officials serving Plymouth. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JANUARY 30 6:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Public Safety Training Room TOPICS: 1995 Goals & Objectives; Review parliamentary rules; Economic Development Strategy; and City Manager Evaluation Process ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE-- MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 5:00 p.m., Council Conference Room. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION -- WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers. 4. PRAC-- THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers (M-4). CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO January 5, 1995 Page 2 5. SPECIAL ELECTIONS - SENATE DISTRICT 33 -- On Wednesday, January 4, we received notice from the Governor's office on the scheduling of Senate District 33 Special Elections to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Pat McGowan. Candidate filings for the office with the Secretary of State are open from Thursday, January 5 until Wednesday, January 11. A special primary will be held, if necessary, on Thursday, January 19. The special election will then be held on Thursday, February 2. The elections will involve four Plymouth precincts - 15, 16, 19 and 20. A copy of the Governor's notice is attached. (M-5) 6. METRO MEETINGS ---- The weekly calendar of meetings for the Metropolitan Council and its advisory commissions is attached. (M-6) 7. MEETING CALENDARS - January and February meeting calendar are attached. (M-7) F:.: :::.: > i' 1. DEPARTMENT REPORTS a. Weekly Building Permit Report for Commercial/Industrial/Public and Use Types. (I- la) b. Employee Suggestion Program Report - 1994. (I -lb) 2. DEVELOPMENT SIGNAGE -- On December 30, a development sign was placed at: Northwest Quadrant of Medina Road and County Road 101 - (94100) Three Star Trucking requests approval of a Preliminary Plat for 8 twin homes and 2 single family homes, creating 22 lots. A Rezoning from FRD (Future Restricted Development District) to R-2 (Low Density Multiple Residence District). The proposed development is being called Star Twin Home Estates. This request will be heard by the Planning Commission at their Wednesday, January 11 meeting. 3. NEWS RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a. City news release on 1994 Firefighter awards. (I -3a) b. Article from American How -To publication in which building officials offer advice to "do-it-yourself" builders. Joe Ryan, Building Official, and Chris Land, Plans Examiner appear in the cover photo. Joe is also quoted throughout the article. (I -3b) c. DYED Community, from the Minnesota Department of Trade & Economic Development. (I -3d) 4. MEMOS & .CORRESPONDENCE: a. Letter from Gordon Hanson, 4300 Trenton Lane, suggesting the City offer community garden plots through park and recreation services. (I -4a) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO January 5, 1995 Page 3 b. Letter from Gary Englund, Minnesota Department of Health, giving an update on the State's Wellhead Protection Program. The objective of the program is to safeguard public water supply wells from groundwater contamination.. Implementation of the program is expected sometime in 1995. (I -4b) c. Letter from Otto Bonestroo, Bonestroo, Rosene Anderlik & Associates, conveying revised 1995 general engineering rates. (I -4c) d. Memo from Fred Moore regarding the status of the Xenium Lane extension. (I -4d) e. Memo from Councilmember Helliwell to Mayor and Council, giving an update from the January 4 ISD 279 Boundary Committee meeting. (I -4e) f. E-mail correspondence to Councilmembers Lymangood and Granath from Ken and Julie Hoyme, 5930 Annapolis Lane, stating their opposition of including the Lake Camelot Estates neighborhood in the snowmobile designation area. (I -4f) g. Letter from Darren DeMatthew, 11440 41st Avenue North, to Mayor Tierney, inquiring about a civic center/ice arena, and conveying several public safety and transportation concerns. A response from Fred Moore is also attached. (I -4g) Dwight Johnson City Manager Regular Meeting of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission January 12, 1995, 7 p.m - AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Visitor Presentations a. Athletic Associations b. Staff c. Others 4. Report on Past Council Action a. Approved revised 1995 work plan - copy enclosed b. Approved Heather Ponds park name c. Playfield/highschool 5. Unfinished Business a. Proposal for park in neighborhood #17 b. Private swimming pool update c. West Medicine Lake Park update d. Unique open spaces update e. Playfield/highschool update f. Trail system segment review - consultant report 6. New Business a. Study of youth sports facilities b. 1995 rental fees 1) park/athletic facilities 2) Parkers Lake Pavilion 3) Bass Lake shelter 4) Parkers picnic shelter 5) canoe racks c. Review draft of 1994 annual report 7. Commission Presentation 8. Staff Communication 9. Adjourn Next regular meeting - February 9, 1995 JAN -04-1995 08:38 HENN CO TAXPAYER SERVICES 612 348 %77 P.02iO3 ::. STATE OF MINNESOTA. : OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR 130 STA'T'E CAPITOL SAINT PAUL 55155 ARNE H, CARLSON GOVERNOR ARNP H. CARL.SON Govmwr of the Stale of K meWa WRIT OF SPECIAL ELECTION WRFP OF SPECL4L ELECTION TO FILL A VACANCY IN TH2 OMCE OF STAB SENATOR OF SENATE DISTRICT 33 IN THE COUNTIM OF WRIGHT AND HENNEM, STATE OF 1VIINNESOTA9 AND OF A SPECIAL PRIMARY TO NONGNATE THE CANDIDATES FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION. To the People of the State of Minnesota, and particularly of Senate District 33 in Wright and Hennepin Count}, to the Secretary of the State of Minnesota; to the auditors of the above-named counties; to all election officials in Senate District 33 and to all others who may be. concerned: WHEREAS, a vacancy is certain to occur in the office of State Senator from Senate District 33 of the State of Minnesota, caused by the resignation, effective January 37 1995, of State Senator Pat McGov&n; and WHEREAS, a special election to fill said vacancy is necessary to assure representation for the citizens of Senate District 33: NOW, THEREFORE, L Arne, H. Carlson, as Governor of the State of Minnesota, acting under the authority and direction vested in me by the Minnesota Constitution, Article IV, Section 4, and Minnesota Statutes Sections 204D.17 to 204D27, 351.01, 351.055 and other relevant statutes, do hereby direct that: 1. A, special election to fill said vacancy be held in Senate District 33 on Thursday, February 2, 1995, AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER PRINTED ON RECYOLLD PAPER s73 JAN -04-1995 08:39 HENN CO TRk?RYER SERVICES 612 348 9677 P.03iO3 2. A, special primary, if necessary, for the nomination of candidates for the office be held in Senate District 33 on Thursday, January 19, 1995. 3. Affidavits and petitions of candidacy be filed with the Secretary of State from 8:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5, 1995, until 5:00 p= on Wednesday, January 11, 1995. 4. Notices of this special election and special primary be given, that the nowination and election of candidates be conducted and that all things pertaining thereto be done as provided by Minnesota Statutes, Sections 204D,17 to 204D.27, and other applicable provisions of law. January 3, 1995 i �4: ANDERSON GROWE 'ECRETARY ARNE K C`.AR SON GOVERNOR STATE OF NMi ESOTA. IN TOTRL P.03 METRO MEETINGS A weekly calendar of meetings and agenda items for the Metropolitan Council, its advisory and standing committees, and three regional commissions: Metropolitan Airports Commission, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, and Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Meeting times and agendas are occasionally changed. Questions about meetings should be directed to the appropriate organization. Meeting information is also available on the Metro Ind©ritiation Line; at 229-3780. DATE: December 30, 1994 X; 4 WEEK OF: January 2 - January 6, 1995 -' METROPOLITAN COUNCIL New Year Holiday • Monday, Jan. 2, Council offices are closed. Transportation Technical Advisory Committee to the Transportation Advisory Board - Wednesday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m., Chambers. The committee will consider: Metro Division transportation system plan; status regarding MN/DOT review of transportation improvement program/long range plan; SIP status report; Executive Committee award for Brad Larson; MAC'S capital improvement program; draft AED for Dakota County site; comments on the State Transportation Plan; comments on the financial chapter of the State Transportation Plan; and other business. Environment Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 4, 4 p.m., Chambers. The committee will consider: authorization to grant easement to Dover Partners for sanitary sewer connection to interceptor; authorization to award and execute contract for wastewater treatment plant corrosion control for motor control center; Twin Cities Water Quality Initiative 1995 grant program; payment of environmental permit fees and miscellaneous license fees for 1995; authorization to enter into a contract with MPCA and various watershed organizations; authorization to grant easement to city of South St. Paul for northern Dakota County regional trail; Minnesota River Citizen Advisory Committee recommendations; MCWS cost allocation system; and other business. Finance Committee - Thursday, Jan. 5, 4 p.m., Room 2A. The committee will consider: the personnel report for November 1994; 1994 Capital Budget amendment for tax equivalency payments; amendments to Council by-laws; and guidelines for committee agendas, format and content of committee minutes. The next hour of this meeting will be closed to the public pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 471.705, subdivision la(1992), as amended by 1995 Minnesota Laws chapter 618, article 1 section 39 to discuss labor negotiations issues. The meeting will be re -opened to the public following the labor negotiations discussion. The committee will then receive an update on the financial consolidation. Executive Committee - Friday, Jan. 6, 7:30 a.m., Kelly Inn, Benjamin's Restaurant, I-94 at Marion, St. Paul. Metropolitan Radio Systems Planning Committee - Friday, Jan. 6, 9 a.m., Mosquito Control District Offices, 2099 University Ave., St. Paul. The committee will consider: a review of the proposed legislation; a discussion of legislative strategies; a report of the Technical Advisory Group on consensus on technical design issues and selection of system sites; and other business. Legislative Coordinating Group - Friday, Jan. 6, Noon, Room 1A. This meeting is tentative. TENTATIVE MEETINGS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 13, 1995 Joint Meeting -Community Development Committee and Environment Committee/Polluted Sites Panel Discussion - Monday, Jan. 9, 11 a.m., Rooms 1A, 1B & 1C. Community Development Committee - Monday, Jan. 9,12:45 p.m., Rooms 1A, 1B & 1C. Inaugural Meeting of Blueprint Handbook Blue Ribbon Task Force - Monday, Jan. 9, 2 p.m., Rooms 1A, 1B & 1C. Transportation Committee - Monday, Jan. 9, 4 p.m., Chambers. Chair's Informal Small Group Meeting with Council Members - Wednesday, Jan. 11, 7:30 a.m., Bigelow's, Sheraton Midway, I-94 at Hamline, St. Paul. Housing and Redevelopment Authority Advisory Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 11, 9:30 a.m., Room 1A. Chair's Informal Meeting with Council Members - Thursday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m., Chair's Office. Metropolitan Council - Thursday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m., Chambers. Lower Minnesota River Technical Advisory Group - Friday, Jan. 13, 9:30 a.m., location to be determined. Legislative. Coordinating Group - Friday, Jan. 13, Noon, Rooms 1A. The Metropolitan Council is located at Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul. Meeting times and agenda are subject to change. For more information or confirmation of meetings, call 291-6447, (TDD 291-0904). Call the Metro Information Line at 229-3780 for news of Council actions and coming meetings. METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION Planning & Environment Committee - Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1 p.m., Room 301, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh Terminal, Wold -Chamberlain Field. The committee will consider: January ADNE levels; final contract payments on 1994 parking ramp rehabilitation, parking ramp exit booth replacement, baggage claim signage rehabilitation, equipment maintenance building addition at Airlake airport, 1992 Part 150 sound insulation program aluminum acoustical windows, 1993\94 Part 150 sound insulation program; change orders on security checkpoints relocation, 1994 pavement rehabilitation at Anoka Co. -Blaine airport, and 1994 Lindbergh terminal miscellaneous modifications; bids received on Part 150 Sound Insulation Program for December bid cycle; construction program status update; review of upcoming construction project bids; and reliever airports philosophy. Management and Operations Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1 p.m., Room 301, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh Terminal, Wold -Chamberlain Field. The committee will consider: Minnesota state lottery status; reliever airports philosophy; appeal of multi -flight Inc.'s minimum standards variance; response to Minnesota Aviation Trades Association (MATH) recommendations; Capitol Air operating agreement; recommendation regarding public parking management contract; MAC no smoking policy; ethics policy; bids received for janitorial services at the St. Paul Downtown airport; request for authorization to advertise and receive bids for fire/rescue truck, sweeper/scrubber, self propelled aerial lift, water jet sewer cleaner and four pickup trucks; and November budget variance. Commissioner Meeting with MATA - Monday, Jan. 9, 4 p.m., Room 302, Centennial Office Building, 658 Cedar St., St. Paul. The Commissioners will discuss MATA's issues regarding reliever airport issues. Metropolitan Airports Commission offices are located at 6040 28th Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55450. For more information, call Lynn Sorensen at 726-8186. METROPOLITAN PARKS AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION Commission Meeting - Tuesday, Jan. 3, 4 p.m., Chambers. The commission will consider: a request to transfer funds from Grant AG -94-1 to SG -94-66 for continued development of North Mississippi Regional Park, Minneapolis Park and Regional Board; proposed land exchange with city of Lino Lakes in Rice Creek chain of Lakes Park Reserve, Anoka County; first draft of 1996- 97 portion of the 1996-2005 regional parks capital improvement program; allocating $650,000 of additional fiscal year 1995 legislative commission on Minnesota resources revenue for metropolitan regional parks system; and other business. Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission offices are located at Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Meeting times and agenda must occasionally be changed. To verify meeting schedules or agenda items, call 291-6363. OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS January 1995 1/4/95 n OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS February 1995 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 City Center Counter Open to 7p.m. -Absentee Voting SPECIAL ELECTION _ SENATE DIST. 33 PLYMOUTH FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL - Parkers Lake Park 8:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Pub. Safety Trng Rm S 6 7 8 9 10 11 7:00 PM CHARTER CO- MMISSION -Pub. 7.00 PM' COUNCIL MEET' ING- Coaitcll Chambers` 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION - Council 7:00 PM PRAC - Council Chambers Safety Trng Room Chambers 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 5:0o PM FINANCIAL ADVI- SORY COMMITTEE - Coun- cil Conf. Room 7:00 PM WATER QUAL- ITY COMMITTEE - Pub. Safety Trng Room 7:00 PM PACT - Pub. Safety Library 7:00 PM BOARD OF ZONING - Pub. Safety Trng Room 7:00 PM HRA - Council Chambers 19;27 21 22 23 24 25 _ sident's Day - City 7:00 PM COUNCIL MEET:' 7:00 PM PLANNING Offices Closed INO - Cinm 11 Chainbers'' COMMISSION - Council Chambers 26 28 January March S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 15 16 17 IS 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 1/5/95 1 DATE: JANUARY 5, 1995 TO: DWIGHT JOHNSON, CITY MANAGER FROM: CARLYS SCHANSBERG)ATA CONTROL/INSPECTION CLERK SUBJECT: BUILDING PERMIT ISSUED REPORT FOR COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/PUBLIC & CHURCH USE TYPES WEEK OF DECEMBER 29, 1994 THROUGH JANUARY 4, 1995 PERMIT #64547 WAS ISSUED TO D J KRANZ FOR AN ADDITION AT J.C. PENNEY (SHELL PERMIT ONLY) LOCATED AT 1105 XENIUM LANE NORTH, VALUATION $2,100,000. PERMIT #64483 WAS ISSUED TO WILLIAM KRANZ CONST. FOR REMODELING OF SHOWROOM AND SHOP FOR M T I LOCATED AT 14900 21ST AVENUE NORTH, VALUATION $65,000.00. PERMIT #64610 WAS ISSUED TO JEFFREY ANDERSON FOR REMODELING OF BILL HICKS OFFICE LOCATED AT 15155 23RD AVENUE NORTH, VALUATION $90,000.00. PERMITLIST LIST OF PERMITS ISSUED PAGE 1 01/05/95 AGING DAYS FROM 12/29/94 TO 01/04/95 PIN NUMBER CLASS OF WORK DATE PERMIT # APPLICANT NAME LEGAL USE TYPE ISSUED ERMT.TYPE SITE ADDRESS DESCRIPTION OUTLOT/TRACT UNIT# STATE LICENSE # VALUATION TOTAL FEE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 118 22 33 0062 ORRIN THOMPSON HOMES 3655 ALVARADO LA N 0001968 28 118 22 13 0010 WILLIAM KRANZ CONST 14900 21ST AVE N 0001968 _,-'34 118 22 21 0002 D J KRANZ 1105 XENIUM LA N 31 118 22 44 0005 LUNDGREN BROS CONST 17825 3RD AVE N 0001413 17 118 22 13 0020 ORRIN THOMPSON HOMES 16405 42ND AVE N 0001968 17 118 22 13 0019 ORRIN THOMPSON HOMES 16415 42ND AVE N 0001968 21 118 22 41 0022 SCHOENING PROPERTIES, INC 3025 HARBOR LA N 0001968 ADDITION 01/03/95 64467 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 1 15 BRIDLEWOOD FARM 3RD $7,700.00 $167.20 ALTERATION 12/29/94 64483 LOT BLK COMMERCIAL BUILDING LLS28QQ130010 $65,000.00 $2,627.80 ADDITION 01/04/95 64547 LOT BLK COMMERCIAL BUILDING LLS34QQ210002 $2,100,000.00 $10,400.17 ADDITION 12/30/94 64589 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 1 1 GREENDALE $11,900.00 $228.70 NEW CONST 01/03/95 64599 LOT BLK SFA BUILDING 2 9 WESTBRANCH $156,000.00 $3,306.57 NEW CONST 01/03/95 64600 LOT BLK SFA BUILDING 1 9 WESTBRANCH $167,985.00 $3,381.86 ALTERATION 12/29/94 64609 LOT BLK COMMERCIAL BUILDING LLS21QQ410022 $1,000.00 $41.75 PERMITLIST LIST OF PERMITS ISSUED 01/05/95 AGING DAYS FROM 12/29/94 TO 01/04/95 PAGE 2 PIN NUMBER CLASS OF WORK DATE PERMIT # APPLICANT NAME LEGAL USE TYPE ISSUED ERMT.TYPE SITE ADDRESS DESCRIPTION OUTLOT/TRACT UNIT# STATE LICENSE # VALUATION TOTAL FEE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 118 22 24 0011 WILLIAM W & CATHERINE HICKS 15155 23RD AVE N 0001968 17 118 22 12 0034 ORRIN THOMPSON HOMES 16510 43RD AVE N 0001968 26 118 22 12 0023 THE DANBERRRY CO 2534 MEDICINE LAKE DR W 0001868 02 118 22 33 0012 BERTRAM CONSTR CO 5570 PINEVIEW LA N 0001995 19 118 22 14 0049 LUNDGREN BROS CONST 3250 OLIVE LA N 0001413 33 118 22 24 0036 HORIZON CO ROOFING 705 NIAGARA LA N 0012795 14 118 22 11 0004 DALBEC ROOFING 4325 ZACHARY LA N ALTERATION 12/30/94 64610 LOT BLK COMMERCIAL BUILDING 1 1 PARKERS LK CORP CTR 4TH $90,000.00 $5,625.92 NEW CONST 01/03/95 64625 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 9 14 WESTBRANCH $125,916.00 $3,118.28 ADDITION 01/03/95 64637 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 2 1 MED LAKESHORE $26,000.00 $439.52 ALTERATION 01/04/95 64638 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 1 1 WINDRIDGE AT BASS LK 4TH $25,000.00 $428.30 NEW CONST 01/04/95 64656 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 12 4 HEATHER RUN 2ND $152,246.00 $3,287.37 REPAIR 12/29/94 64692 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 3 2 PARKERS LAKESIDE $4,620.00 $74.31 REPAIR 12/29/94 64696 LOT BLK CHURCH BUILDING LLS14QQ110004 $35,300.00 $341.15 CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: January 3, 1995 TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager Kathy Lueckert, Assistant City Manager FROM: Laurie Ahrens4City Clerk SUBJECT: EMPLOYEE SUGGESTION PROGRAM REPORT - 1994 Eighteen suggestions were considered by the Employee Suggestion Committee during 1994. Of these, 11 were accepted, 5 were rejected, and 2 are pending. The following persons served on the Suggestion Committee during 1994: Dan Campbell, Engineering Division; Dennis Paulson, Police Division; and Laurie Ahrens, Administration. A summary of each suggestion follows: 1. Change vendor for purchase of polaroid film (1992 suggestion implemented in 1994). Award to Tim Oie - $270. 2. Implement multi-year dog licenses. (1993 suggestion implemented in 1994). Award to Christine Corcoran - $383. 3. Change from monthly to quarterly utility billing for residential utility accounts. (1993 suggestion implemented in 1995). Awards to: Jens Ahrens - $625; Kelly Pudlick - $625; Laurie Ahrens - $625; John Tufte - $625. 4. Install curbcuts at 36th Avenue/26th Avenue and Highway 169. Award to Joel Franz - $25. 5. Wash driveway and entrance to public safety building and install boot brush. Award to Chris Wagner - $25. 6. Develop new Dial -a -Ride brochure and produce in-house. Award to Karen Bolot - $25. 7. Use sewer machine to remove water from ballfields. Award to Greg Ertz - $500. 8. Require contractors to remove silt screens within 30 days of project completion. Award to Glenn Upton - $25. 9. Make the maximum Employee Suggestion award $20. Rejected. 10. Implement a new Hepatitis B vaccine policy for lifeguards and ,other City emergency personnel. Award to Cindy Anderson - $500. 11. Install trash containers in lobbies. Award to Rick Busch - $25. 12. Do not purchase squad cars 1 + years before they are put into service. Rejected. 13. Add a fee for washer/standbox on Plumbing Permit form. Rejected. 14. Use woodchipper to recycle old big toy play structures. Award to John Wenner _$100. 15. Spread compost on City site around Highway 101 water tower. Pending - under consideration. 16. Put City Code and Zoning Ordinance on floppy disk for sale. Rejected (already done). 17. Charge a fee for testing Public Safety applicants. Rejected. 18. Pay off one-time utility lease payments to avoid annual charges. Pending - under consideration. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 3, 1995 PUMOUTR FOR MORE INFORMATION Rick Kline, 550- 5121 Plymouth Recognizes Firefighters with Awards In December, the Plymouth Fire Department recognized significant Cis achievements and contributions made by Plymouth firefighters during 1994. Firefighter Gretchen Huff was named Firefighter of the Year. She has served with the Plymouth Fire Department for two years. Hurr works out of Station III, 3300 Dunkirk Lane. The award recognizes her outstanding performance, professionalism, enthusiasm and willingness to take on special assignments. Lieutenant Tom Evenson, an eight-year veteran of the Fire Department assigned to Fire Station I, 13205 Co. Rd. 6, was also honored. Evenson was awarded the 1994 Leadership Award for his ability to motivate, inspire and provide leadership to the Department as well as for his commitment to excellence. Two firefighters from each station earned 1994 Top Responder Awards. Station I's top responders were Lieutenant Tom Evenson and Firefighter Dave Fasching. Firefighters Dwayne Tollefson and Stan Scofield were the top responders out of Station II, 12000 Old Rockford Rd. Top responders from Station III were Firefighters John Blake and Terry Buckley. Three firefighters were recognized for significant contributions to community fire prevention education. Firefighters Henry Ahrens, Cal Johnsrud and Larry Gratz each contributed over 125 hours to teaching educational programs in the community. We Listen • We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 Acknowledgments also went to Firefighters Dave Elliott, Mark Jaminski, Lieutenant Chuck Scharlau and Lieutenant Tim Lahti for their work on water rescue policy, procedure and for equipment maintenance functions. In 1994, the Plymouth Fire Department received two significant awards. In February, State Fire Marshal's Office awarded the Department a $1,000 grant to support the Neighborhood Fire Prevention programs the Fire Department initiated in 1993. In September, the Plymouth Fire Department was one of 14 deparments nationwide to receive a Life Safety Award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The award recognizes no loss of life due to fire in 1993 and innovative community fire prevention education programs. -30- A LAND USE t>ilIVE -IF iffng inspectors are happy to work with do-it-yourselfers, ' important to consult them before you build. 32 American How -To BUILDING"r OFTICLAI.S SHARIZA INSID13 ADVIC1.7i ICOR TROUBLE,= F R Ej 13 PROJ14X','TS sk any building inspector how he views his job, and he'll say, "Safety officer." But the miscues of do-it-yourself builders often force inspectors into a role they don't relish: building cop. Talk to inspectors about working with DIY builders and you'll hear stories like these: • An over -eager homeowner had to cancel his Saturday morning ready - mix delivery because he failed to schedule an inspection to OK the depth of the footing holes. • Another person, trying to save money, hastily erected a carport without permits. But he ended up paying dearly when an inspector concluded the roof would collapse under a typical snow load and forced him to tear down and rebuild the roof structure. • Yet another DIYer tried to do his project right, but made the costly mis- take of covering up newly installed electrical wiring before getting the nec- essary approval from an inspector. Trying to buck the inspection system —whether out of ignorance or deception—generally leads to trouble. Luckily, a few simple guidelines will help DIYers shepherd their building projects smoothly through the inspec- tion process, avoiding serious problems. Callfirst, build later Just what would make a building inspector's job easier? We put that ques- tion to more than a dozen inspectors in researching this article, and this was invariably the first answer we got. "Most do-it-yourselfers ask a friend, and 9 times out of 10 they get wrong information," says Tom Lesperance, superintendent of inspections in Green Bay, Wisconsin. "If only they'd call our office and let us get them headed down the right track." But don't expect to get answers to a long list of detailed building ques- tions on your first call, he warns. Concentrate instead on broader issues: Do I need a permit? (Almost always.) Are plans required? (Probably.) 0 M S K Y L A R January/February 1995 33 ( 0/ 1()1)13L1T1J 11 1_1 How many different inspections will be required and at which phase of the job? (It depends.) Don't try an end run Some do-it-yourselfers knowingly try to dodge the permit and inspection process in the belief that bypassing the system will save money — money spent on permit fees and building materials required to do the job to code. Some homeowners skirt the process in the hope of evading the tax assessor, who invariably calls shortly after the building inspector has paid his final visit. "The fact is, thI money saved prof: bly doesn't off- set the expense of getting caught," says Doug Boothroy, director of housin inspections in Iow City, Iowa. Permit fees for the jobs that DlYers typic2 ly tackle aren't the high, he notes. Fees for decks range from $10 to $50 in most commu- nities. A permit for a three -season porch may run as high as $100. Most local governments will charge double should you get caught without a permit and have to file for one after the fact. Inspectors discount the argument that building to code costs more. "Codes are minimum requirements," may have to pay, plus court costs, should you get slapped with a citation for not obtaining a permit. Consider, too, the expense of demolishing some or all of your work if an inspector deter- mines that it doesn't meet code. Finally, consider the possibility that a poorly done project could jeopardize your insurance coverage or make it tougher to sell your house down the line. Get smart The educational process starts with your first phone call to the inspection office. While many inspection offices still have says Steve Brown, inspections supervi- sor in Boulder, Colorado. "Building to code isn't going to cost you a great deal more unless you were planning to get by with something that was totally inad- equate and unsafe to begin with." As for evading the tax man ... Well, you might get away with it, but not with- out courting some serious risks. Consider just how much in additional property tax a new deck will cost you. Then consider the $100 to $200 you 34 American How -To little in the way of handouts, more and more are developing printed guidelines designed to walk homeowners through the building and inspections process. Some offices even make sample plans available. Plymouth, Minnesota, for instance, provides sample plans for the three most popular DIY projects: decks, garages and three -season porches. Books, videos and computer design software are also good resources. "There's nothing worse than trying to communicate with someone who doesn't understand basic building termi- nology," says David Stanford, a building official in Richardson, Texas. Stanford recalls one costly mistake in which a DIY builder neglected to allow room for trimmer studs (required for extra sup- port under headers) because he didn't know what they were. To add them later cut into the space he had allowed for window openings. Put it on paper Generally speaking, a job that requires a permit probably will require drawn plans (plumbing and electrical work are exceptions). Even putting up a fence usually requires a plot map because DIYers frequently overlook zoning set- back requirements. In the old days, plans drawn on nap- kins or the back of an envelope might have been accepted. No more. Today most communities require that plans be drawn to scale on graph paper, if not blueprints. At a minimum, plans for structural additions must include a map showing setbacks; a plan that specifies dimensions and reinforcement for both footings and foundations; a floor plan showing rooms adjoining the project; and an elevation view. Good plans not only convey your con- cepts to a plan reviewer, they help you think your way through a project from beginning to end. How, for instance, will a new roof attach to an existing roof? "Technically, you may not be required to show that detail in a drawing," says Stanford, "but you can bet a plan review- er will ask you about it, and you better have visualized how things will fit together. Don't just assume you can fig- ure it out when you get to it." Schedule inspections A building inspection actually is a series of inspections. For a deck, that means an inspection after the holes are dug for the footings but before the concrete is poured, another one once the framing is completed, and a final inspection to check stairs, handrails, etc. For a struc- tural addition, separate inspections may be required for plumbing, heating, elec- trical and insulation, as well as a founda- tion, framing and final inspection. Moving ahead to the next phase of a project before an inspector has signed off on the completed work can create problems. "The bottom line is, don't cover it until we see it," says Chuck Hugo, chief building inspector for the city of Provo, Utah. The problem for DlYers is that this means thinking far enough ahead to book inspections in synch with the con- struction schedule. "I don't know how many times we've received a frantic call from a homeowner on a Friday after- noon asking if we can send an inspector out to check footing depths because he wants to pour concrete that weekend," says Joe Ryan, chief building officer in Plymouth, Minnesota. Ryan says most inspectors will try to accommodate D1Yers, but there's a limit to what they can do on short notice. Most offices can get an inspector to you if you call a day or two in advance. The best time to reach inspectors is before 9:00 a.m. when they hit the field. Time's not on your side Some D1Yers may have time to spare, but keep in mind that building permits are not forever. Permits typically expire if you fail to start work within 180 days of the permit date or halt work for more than 180 days after you've started. Pounding a couple of nails a day may not keep a permit valid indefinitely. On the other hand, if you run into physi- r =._3 �_D COMMON MISCUES There are more ways to do a project wrong than right so the list of potential mistakes is lengthy: Here are 10 of the most common errors inspectors catch: • Foundation and footing holes that are dug too shallow •Undersized joists and rafters cal or financial difficulties, keep your local inspector apprised. He can grant an extension if work is delayed. He also can cancel a permit and then issue a new one once work is resumed. Not designers If building inspectors have a pet peeve, it's homeowners who try to use them to design their projects. "We don't mind answering specific questions, !h as where fire walls are wired or what's the mini- m width for a stairway," says ,ve Brown. The problem is, me people ask so many estions, they essentially want inspector to the Tole project for the . "That's not o r job," says Brown. "It's one thing to look at a floor joist and say whether it meets minimum code [uirements. It's another to tlyze an entire floor system I determine whether it's ade- ite for the load a family may ce on it." Leave those ques- ts to designers and archi- ts, Brown advises. aep your cool mittedly, this is sometimes ,ier said than done. Tearing a house and putting it back together can exact an emotional as well as physical toll. Tom Lesperance says he was once accused of getting "too per- sonal" with his questions when he asked a couple how they planned to hold up their roof after knocking out an external load-bearing wall. If you disagree with an inspector's ruling, ask for a copy of the relevant code section. "Say you want to read it to make sure you understand it," advis- es Provo's Hugo. "Don't say, 'I'm going to prove you're wrong and get you in trouble with your boss."' On the other hand, advises Plymouth's Ryan, if there is a personality conflict between you and an inspector, it's probably best to take the dispute to a supervisor. If it cannot be worked out with the supervi- sor, most cities have a local building board to which code interpretation issues can be appealed. SOURCES Two code organizations offer books that are useful to the DIY builder. "Dwelling Construction Under the Uniform Building Code" is available for $15.60 from the International Conference of Building Officials, Dept. AHT, 5360 South Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, CA 90601; (310) 699-0541. "You Can Build It" is available for $2.50 from Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Dept. AHT, 4051 W. Flossmoor Rd., Country Club Hills, IL 60477;(708)799-2300. January/February 1995 35 AGENCIESINVESTIGATE HOUSING SHORTAGE Town meetings supply input about sources of the problem and suggest possible solutions State agencies recently completed another step toward developing a re- sponse to the housing shortage in Greater Minnesota by conducting a se- ries of public meetings that sought pub- lic opinion about root problems and possible solutions. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, with the participation of other agencies including DTED, conducted five hearings across the state that con- cluded in early November. Convened in Faribault, Moorhead, Thief River Falls, Redwood Falls, and Elk River, the hearings sought input from public hous- ing professionals, bankers, private de- velopers, and real estate agents. Specifically, agencies asked whether the state should more actively develop new rentals and new single- family housing in areas of job growth. And if so, how should those resources be targeted? The housing shortage has created considerable urgency among commu- nity and economic development lead- ers who want to capitalize on the im- proving economy. They're concerned that Minnesota companies that want to expand operations or companies who want to relocate here cannot because they can't find adequate or affordable housing for new employees. Jane Kennedy, director of commu- nications at the Housing Finance Agency, said it was an "excellent edu- cational process. I think we got the pulse of these communities and found out what their needs are." She said people attending the hear- ings made comments ranging from the amount of property taxes on rental C_ Contaminated land cleanup application help still available. Some readers interested in at- tending the application workshops for DTED's Contaminated Land Cleanup Assistance grants did not receive timely information about them because the last issue DTED Community was delayed at the printer. We apologize for this. There is still time to prepare. Applications are not due until Janu- ary 13. If you need assistance in fill- ing out the applications or have ques- tions about the program, call Meredith Andersen at (612) 297-4132. housing, the need for counseling for new home buyers, down payment as- sistance, to the lack of local contractors to help complete housing projects. Housing Finance Agency officials were expected to report their findings to the Carlson Administration. til:■�:1�1►F�'i1�J� AA4 FROM THE ►►�.. V,conomic6,p .9• ♦ P • �� ♦ � Po i COMMISSIONER CLEANER WATER IN ANY LANGUAGE . as Entrepreneurial spirit Quick action returns Business manuals will ♦ 'lid ." �•►4� ,Vda(le,\oC;6; brings jobs and drinking water to two Contaminated land cleanup application help still available. Some readers interested in at- tending the application workshops for DTED's Contaminated Land Cleanup Assistance grants did not receive timely information about them because the last issue DTED Community was delayed at the printer. We apologize for this. There is still time to prepare. Applications are not due until Janu- ary 13. If you need assistance in fill- ing out the applications or have ques- tions about the program, call Meredith Andersen at (612) 297-4132. housing, the need for counseling for new home buyers, down payment as- sistance, to the lack of local contractors to help complete housing projects. Housing Finance Agency officials were expected to report their findings to the Carlson Administration. til:■�:1�1►F�'i1�J� FROM THE ENTERPRISE COMMISSIONER CLEANER WATER IN ANY LANGUAGE FACILITATION Entrepreneurial spirit Quick action returns Business manuals will Home-grown busi- brings jobs and drinking water to two soon be published in nesses turn around community pride MN communities several languages local economies ECONOMIC 'FACILITATING' The popular concept for creating jobs finds acceptance among new and different audiences The concept of finding an "enterprise facilitator" to help local people find their niche as entrepreneurs has found great currency among economic developers in less -than - prosperous areas. Dakota County doesn't fit the mold of an impoverished or economically challenged area. By most accounts, it is a growing area with a strong economy. But enterprise facilitation is on the minds of folks in the county. The county's economic success is precisely the reason people like Scott Beckman, executive director of the Dakota County Economic Develop- ment Partnership, thinks enterprise facilitation in his area will work as well, if not better, than in a more economically challenged area. II If just one percent of them would be interested, we're talking about 60 potential new businesses. it Beckman would like to see an en- terprise facilitator based either at the technical college or at the Dakota County Economic Development Part- nership. The facilitator would provide AFDC -eligible, low income, or unem- ployed workers with an alternative to the "get -a job" tract many social service agencies offer those clients. The facilitator would provide a "start -a -business" tract. "There are, in Dakota County, suffi- cient resources to provide support to people with those backgrounds (AFDC, low income, unemployed), to help them get into a business," Beckman says. "A facilitator might be able to serve that population." Beckman says that Dakota County's prosperous profile is not a factor in whether or not a program like this can work. That, he says, depends on the mo- tivation of the individual and the sound- ness of the business concept. "Clearly we have a supportive envi- ronment," he says. "The economics are ripe to support small business here. It boils down to: Are the individuals that we're working with as highly motivated to succeed as they need to be? The en- terprise facilitation concept is a way to find out." There are about 6,000 people in Dakota county who would qualify for assistance, he adds. "That's a sizable population. If just one percent of them would be interested, we're talking about 60 potential new businesses." Beckman adds that he is also explor- ing the possibility that an enterprise fa- cilitator could work beyond targeted populations, with anyone in the com- munity interested in starting a business. Although his ideas have not met with quick success, Beckman is pre- pared to be patient. "This project is like any innovative project, large or small," he says. "It is slow to mature. We're in the early stages. We have some, but not all of the pieces. We just need to keep putting them together until we're suc- cessful or until it falls out. And it hasn't done either yet." PROFIT IN ANY LANGUAGE Publication will answer entrepreneurial questions in five languages Immigrants who want to start a McMullan said the five transla- business but have trouble understand- tions will include: Spanish, Laotian, ing English will soon get help from a Cambodian,Vietnamese, and DTED publication that will be trans- Hmong. lated into five languages. The idea for the publication is an The publication will be a basic offshoot of DTED's new Urban Chal- guide to operating a business in Min- lenge Grant Initiative, a program that nesota, written in question -and -an- targets assistance for minority-owned swer format, according to Stewart businesses in the Twin Cities. McMullan, the community develop- McMullan said that as publicity for ment staff member in charge of the the program increased, the increasing project. "It will answer the 50 most number of requests from non-English commonly asked questions by speaking audiences made the publi- people who are starting a business," cation necessary. he said, adding that it will place a McMullan will begin with fo- heavy emphasis on where to go for cus group research to determine technical assistance, financing, help what questions deserve the most in writing a business plan, getting attention. permits, and working with govern- He said the publication should ment agencies. be available by May. LOOK INWARD TO FIND A GOOD ECONOMIC ALLY: YOUR OWN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT The attraction of 'economic facilitation' is that it relies on local people who have a local loyalty and who will keep the business local Many readers of this newsletter saw or heard about the dazzling performance of Ernesto Sirolli at DTED's annual Star City Conference. Sirolli is an economic development consultant from Perth, Australia who travels the world carrying a message about rural revitalization. His message is charmingly simple and indisput- ably successful. He says that economically distressed communities have the power to revitalize themselves from the bottom up. All that's needed is an "enter- prise facilitator," someone to help transform wish- ful thinking into successful business reality. Among the most impressive examples of his ap- proach is our own Lincoln County. Back in 1989, people in Lincoln County worried about their eco- nomic future. Area leaders wanted to foster eco- nomic growth less closely linked to the county's tra- ditional agriculture base. They hired Vince Robinson to direct the Lin- coln County Enterprise Development program. As an enterprise facilitator, Vince offered aspir- ing entrepreneurs one-to-one technical assistance and guidance. Today, these entrepreneurs have started 30 new businesses. They have retained 55 jobs and created 72 new jobs, with an annual im- pact of $900,000 for the community. This past spring, at DTED's request, both Ernesto and Vince toured Minnesota, giving 13 workshops on now to implement enterprise facilitator programs. I think the time is right to consider programs like this. It is especially good for community and economic developers who have become discour- aged with the minimal results after investing time, energy and money in trying to lure manufacturers. Ernesto's vision deserves a long hard look. I like the fact that it relies on local people, people who have a vested interest in the community and who will stick around and keep that successful business local. I'm pleased to see other professionals, like Da- kota County's Scott Beckman (see story on oppo- site page) try to adapt this idea in other settings. It is exactly that kind of creative thinking that will bring long term success and prosperity to every part of Minnesota's economy. CITIES RECEIVE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO HELP CLEAN CONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER Two Minnesota communities with dangerously contaminated water have been awarded emergency Small Cities Grants to help resolve the problems. Brook Park and Clear Lake each had water contaminated so badly that some residents were forced to rely solely on bottled water. Nearly half the 45 private wells in Brook Park had been contaminated by benzene from leaking underground tanks of two abandoned gas stations. The DTED grant of $340,000 will be combined with funds from PCA, FHA, and the American Oil Company to construct a municipal water system, including a well, pneumatic storage tank, distribution system hookups, and meters. The total cost of the project should be $870,000. Clear Lake's contaminant is nitrates, although the source of the problem is not yet known. Because Clear Lake already has a municipal system, funds will be used for water treatment. DTED's grant here will be $337,390. The city will borrow an additional $75,000 to underwrite the project. DTED's Floyd Rice said that in order to qualify the communities had to verify that 1) other sources of funding are not available, 2) the problem is of recent origin, and 3) it poses a threat to health and safety. Small Cities emergency grants are given irregularly as funds become available. CROOKSTON NEARS STAR CITY DESIGNATION City just one step away from status after investing eight years in application process After an eight-year application pro- cess that included oversight by three separate local organizations, the City of Crookston is just one hurdle away from achieving DTED's Star City status. Only an examination of its market- ing plan remains, and observers are con- fident it will be cleared. "They've stuck with it," said Gene Goddard, staff of the Star City program. "They've done an especially good job over the past three years of developing their program." Much of the credit for Crookston's tenacity and the quality of their program goes to Don Holbrook, who for the past three years has been executive director of the city's economic development author- ity. He had worked with DTED in similar positions in South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights and had become a strong advocate of the Star Cities program. "I felt very strongly that it wasn't just a sign out on the city limits that we were working for. A lot of people didn't really know what it was. It was a status or a signal to the outside world and to ourselves that we are capable of certain achievements for economic develop- ment -- basically, that we're prepared to do business." Part of his objective was to try to re- kindle enthusiasm about the project after responsibility for the application wended through other local organizations. "I tried to educate people and bring more of them into the process," he said. "I made it a legitimate project for our city staff. Everybody worked on it and everybody got an understanding of its importance." PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FROM MINNESOTA'S BOOKSTORE Anyone interested in doing business with the state of Minnesota can get up- to-the-minute information with a sub- scription to the State Register. The State Register, delivered Mon- days via mail, is a source of informa- tion about rules, contracts, official no- tices, and grants. The Contracts Supplement is an ad- ditional source of information about commodity contracts. The Register costs $150 per year. The Supplement is delivered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fri- day via first class mail at $125 or via fax or computer modem at $140. Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development 500 Metro Square 121 7th Place East St. Paul, MN 55101-2146 Klin Bper,gillan 3400 F'1ynlouth Blvd, Plymouth i'1N SS44 7 - 1482 Either can be ordered from Minnesota's Bookstore by calling 612- 297-3000 or 1-800-657-3757 between 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday -Friday. In addition, the Minnesota Guide- book to State Agency Services, a com- prehensive guide to the services pro- vided by the State of Minnesota is avail- able for a special reduced price of $9.95. The book includes comprehensive information on virtually every aspect of Minnesota's state government. The 710 -page book is available at Minnesota's Bookstore, 117 University Avenue, St. Paul, MN., 55155. Bulk Rate US Postage_ - Permit No 171 St. Paul, Minn. a � a z; Gordon Hanson 4300 North Trenton Plymouth, MN 5544 553-0717 December 31, 1994 Joy Tierney, Mayor City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mayor Tierney, am writing to you today to suggest that the City of Plymouth offer community garden plots as part of its parks and recreation services. Many other municipalities offer people the opportunity to rent a small plot of land where they can garden. I have rented such plots in the cities of Hopkins and Richfield in previous years. Community plots offer people who live in apartments, condominiums and even homeowners who don't have adequate gardening space or conditions the opportunity to grow their own produce and flowers. To give you an understanding at how other communities operate community gardens, let me describe my experiences with those in Richfield and Hopkins. In Richfield, people may rent a 20 foot by 20 foot plot for $25.00. Another plot may be rented for an additional $15.00. The city has four watering spigots hooked up to a well. Residents are given the first opportunity to sign-up for plots. Non-residents may sign-up a week later. The city plows the land and marks off plots with wooden stakes in the spring. Plots are grouped in quadrants, and the city mows the walking paths between the quadrants throughout the summer. Gardeners are expected to remove metal stakes, chicken wire and any other non-organic material from the plots by November 1 st. In Hopkins, people may rent a 20 foot by 20 foot plot for $10.00. As long as there are vacant plots, gardeners may sign up for additional plots — all priced at $10.00 each. Watering spigots are not provided, but gardeners may carry water from Nine Mile Creek, which flows adjacent to the gardening area. Residents are given the first opportunity to sign-up for plots. Non-residents may sign-up a month later. The city plows the land and marks off plots with wooden stakes in the spring. Plots are grouped individually. Gardeners are expected to remove metal stakes, chicken wire and any other non-organic material from the plots by October 15. I believe community gardens provide an excellent recreational opportunity for residents, and I would hope that you, the City Council and the Recreation department would consider developing a community garden program in Plymouth. Thank you. Sincerely, j Go on Hanson Gordon Hanson 4300 Trenton Lane, ##111 Plymouth, MN 55442 Dear Mr. Hanson, Thank you for your recent letter to Mayor Tierney regarding community garden plots in Plymouth. Mayor Tierney has asked Eric Blank, Park and Recreation Director, to respond to your letter. You can expect a response from Mr. Blank by January 15. Thanks again for your thoughtful letter. Please give me a call on 550-5013 if you have not received responses by January 15. Sincerely, Kathy eckert Assistant City Manager cc: Eric -Blank,.: Park & Recreation Director file (95-4) ` We Listen • We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 Minnesota Department of Health 925 Delaware Street Southeast P.O. Box 59040 Minneapolis, MN 55459-0040 (612) 627-5100 December 28, 1994 Plymouth City Council c/o Mr. Laurie Brandt, Clerk Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plvmouth, Minnesota 55447 Dear Council Members: a�L'AIDC /YL This is to inform you that the Minnesota Department of Health has nearly completed development of the wellhead protection program. The objective of wellhead protection is to protect public health by safeguarding the areas which contribute water to public wells from potential sources of groundwater contamination. It is expected that this program will be implemented sometime in 1995 following promulgation of the state wellhead protection rule. We are enclosing a copy of the newsletter that we have developed for the wellhead protection program. We will be sending you additional information about the wellhead protection program on a regular basis through this newsletter. Also, we will send you a copy of the wellhead protection rule when we have it ready for public review and comment. Because of the large number of public water suppliers in this state, it was necessary to develop a ranking scheme for phasing public water supply systems into the program. This scheme is based on the percentage of vulnerable wells in the system and the size of the population served. Priority is also given to systems which serve children. Based on information that exists in our database at this time, your system is ranked number 612 out of the 1,586 community and nontransient noncommunity systems in Minnesota which rely on groundwater to serve their customers. This ranking is subject to change should new information become available regarding your system. Information that could change your ranking includes data related to well water quality, well construction, pumping rates, and population served. In addition, any municipal system which adds a new well after the wellhead protection rule takes effect is immediately brought into the program regardless of its position on the current list. We TDD: (612) 627-6003 (Twin Cities) 1-800-627-3529 (Greater Minnesota) An Equal Opportunity Employer Plymouth City Council Page 2 December 28, 1994 anticipate that for the next several years only municipalities which add a well to their system or public water suppliers who voluntarily want to develop wellhead protection plans will be brought into the wellhead protection program. If you have any questions regarding your ranking for phasing into the wellhead protection program, status of the wellhead protection rule, or any other aspects of wellhead protection in Minnesota, please contact Mr. Bruce Olsen of my staff at (612) 627-5167. Sincerely, .��F� I L -"S Gary L. Englund, P.E., Program Manager Drinking Water Protection Section GLE:BMO:tvs Enclosure 77 MINNESOTA ffUNEAD PROTECTION: O; information'About`Protbcti" Public Water Supply Wells ` Decembor 1884 ::� ft`Ad pt,otebtior HP) A encies fl* #o 1" Assist Wates Suppliers P%O ram MovesLIU' The Minnesota Department of Health e m e ntati o n Staae': (MDH) ts.currently,working.with six p r communities to develop WHP plans." : The purpose of the WHP program is to prevent"contaQtinatron of public water ' The experience gained;with these pilot supply,welis. The 1986 `atnendments to; the federal Safe Drt�ikng Water Act WHP efforts'has helped to'identify the require states to develop WHP:prograrrts:. The U S Etiyironmental Protection: training and technical 'support needs of Agency(U S EPA) kresponsible public water suppliers: MDH will l for approving state.programsa. assist public water suppliers Also the.1989 Minnesota Ground delineating WHP areas and preparing, i Mn+Pa water Protection'Act requires the WHP flans. The.eplacis urill cont3i:t;. cammissioner.of he Ith to develop ' .an inventory of potential contaminant a,state rule for WHP_ Sources in the WHP area, a:strategy " for source management, a monitoringMDH has. completed a draft of the strategy to assess source manage- . state's WHP program plan and has ment effectiveness, -and a contingency d? also finished drafting the language plan to address interruption of the W for the state HP rule. U.S. EPA public water supply. MDH will hold`' , 1 approval of the proposed state workshops on preparing WHP plansWHP:program and adoption of the for public water, suppliers and local , .draft WHP, rule w tli h: mit public overnment staff,:;Also, Wli?'. i, g water suppliers, stat F, agencies; program staff will work dirt­'Ii with and local ' gavernm. ►is to begin individual public water supe:,res to implementing the WiiP program. : help them prepare and impl rac;nt ?reposed WHP Area for the City of Gear Lake WHP plans. MDH has developed iat state's - WHP program with tip • advice and The Minnesota Department rt, recommendations of many organizations and individuals. Technical. and policy Agriculture, Minnesota Polluti.7n. workgroups provided recommendations regarding how:WHP shou'c.1>r applied ' Control Agency, and MDH tare to public water supply:wells: Another advisory group provided comment and signed a memorandum of agreement-ruleadvice on drafting the proposed state WHP .Public water suppliers were CO on page: *l : epresented on these workgroups through persons from the Ame. rican Water'. About this Publication WoiksAssociation and -the Minnesota Rural Water Association The purpose, of this publication is to Under the proposed WHP program, all public water supply wells would have ;:provide information and education to ' to be protected from disease organisms,' physical damage, and direct entry of water suppliers, local officials, and chemical contaminants. Owners of.community'and.nontransient noncommunity' . agencies about.protecting public wells',, Cont. on page 4 which supply drinking water.., n this Issue Editor. Ray Olson Surveys of Water Suppliers and the`Public . 2 Weltheadlines staff: Bruce ©Isco, .Concerns about groundwater are apparent Art Persons, Trudi Schmolke ; ;1NHP Rules.. ....... ..... ..... ...... ...... ..3' . To request this document in another1. Suppiiers;requited to Submit plansfor WHP fort; call (612) 627-5100, .TDD (612) 627-6003, or for Greater , L6l6il bvernmentS and WHP .............................. ... ................. Minnesota through the Minnesota working with water suppliers to protect wells Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529 . (ask for: [612].627-5100). Minnesota. Department of Health t : WHP Surveys Show Concerns about. Contamination and -Training Needs Surveys of public water suppliers and Sixty- suppliers • two mast important .barriers. Ninety- the general -public were distributed by indicated they had heard of WHP, but threepercent said they were of moder- MDH 7n 1 93.. The.purpose was to: only 35 percent sald they had moder ate orgreai importance. Legal and i), measure concerns, about , ate or much knowledge of.it. Large jurisdictional issues ranked next in _ water protection, 2) determine community suppliershad much more commu .. concern , .„ knowledge and attitudes towards knowledge than the smaller com- cost to contaminant - WHP, and 3) determine what edu- munity or nopcommunitysuppliers Written responses to"an open-ended \:., rational methods may be nation problems questioq•about what the effective .for these groups Contaminants of Concern to state should do to help Public Water Suppliers water ,suppliers,protect , One survey was distributed to : - Agricultural " Chemicals welly indicate d that edu .t. all 954,wmmunity waterC. Non Agric. micals a, cation:was the most , suppliers in the state and to tJnderground Tanks _.... . ; important thing the state . about 800 nontransient non= Chemical Spills if ,_ .. ''- could provide for suppliers. community suppliers. The Abandoned Wells ., illi 1 :. Nearly half the comments response for this survey watt Landfills/Dumps mentioned this need. about 50 percent. Lawn/Garden Chemicals .. .....• .......About 25 percent also Septic Tanks mentioned the need for Anothefi survey was distributed Feedlots/Manure ........ :,.. ......., r. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 %* more enforcement of to a sample o► 50(1 ,•atet Burp! cu.torner. in tour cities of *Percent indicating moderate or"great concern pollution, la�uti .; the need tor'the state tc,in new, : - differing sizes (Rochester; laws to control c.lwumi- - Lakeville, St. Peter, Randolpr, . Water suppliers indicated they nation sources that may LFfllct their 'tlfc combined resper,,�e,rai v•:: Ovel needed training in all areas sof WHP; -water supplies. ' 47 percent in three cities wht a•_ the especially identifying and managing survey was mailed and 100 po--: ent in contaminantsources. Over 90 percent Surveys of the General t•`r)hlic ' St. Peter where it was brouOu door to . ' 'indicatedthis was a moderate or great ` door. need. Community suppliers said that Thirty-seven percent of all re - workshops were the most effective spondents said groundwater, con - Surveys of Water Suppliers method of education. Over 9O percent tamination was a moderate or big Said they would be moderately or problem in their communities This The survey of water suppliers indi ._ `" ' greatIviffedive. Noncommunity concern was consistent in;all; four of.. rated that 43 percent believe that there.",` supplierspreferred individual techni- the cities "surveyed. is.moderate or great concern about r ” cal assistance more than workshops. - Cont on;:h.ext page. groundwater contamination in their:-'.' Pamphlets and brochures were viewed communities. Large community .as effective by suppliers, serving more than 5,000, about two-thirds of . residents, :indicated "more concern. both groups Sixteenper cent of the suppliers - indicated that contaminants had been The survey also discovered in their w.ells.:Agriculturat : asked about barrier~ ' chemicals were the number one to'implementing concern of suppliers. Fifty-two WHP. Cost to the .percent of -the suppliers said they hada , community and moderate or great concern. Chemical cost to contaminant Spills and'improper use and disposal_' source owners to' _of chemicals were next in concern.1, correct co. tami-` , nation problems were seen ac the 2 - LA f W@llh@BCllllfe3 December 1994 However, concern about health risks . ' vary, WHP Rule. D rafted g water can from dnnkin she geatly. from city to city Forty three percent indicated there was a'moderate Suppliers to.Submit ;or great risk in one city 'Thirteen per- •Required cent-indtcatedYhrs in fwo,other cities=: Plan$' #or WHP R. ; ;and only 6 percent inthe fourth city - just as in the survey, of water sup MDH has completed drafting the.. WHP rule using an advisory workgroup pliers, the>rxcessiveuse of agri consisting of; Ublic water suppliers, representatives from local units of govern- cultural,fertilizers and.pesticides ment, state-agency staff, and members of the regulated community. were 'mentioned most'often (81, percent) as an important source of .: ` The draft rule would require the development of a WHP plan for community ;,contamination. There was much wells numbering about 2,400, and for riontrartsient noncommunity wells, variation in the ranking of the ether1. :` ; , 1g numbering abo�- * s are re± required for transient noncoft!munit 1,000. Plan q Y -1 contaminants listed onahe Survey,-,wells..Thd draft rule. would. require all public water suppliers to maintain the distances named in the state Well Code for sources under their control. Only 23 percentlof the public had",''....,isolation heard of WHP. but 29 percent Inds- The draft rule outlines the elements that must be in a WHP plan. Key parts , sated they had:moderate or much of the pian include: 1) a delineation of a WHP area, 2) a vulnerability assessment knowledge of ways to prevent of the wells and the WHP area, 3)� expected changes that could affect,the water, .contamination. 4) the. establishment of goals, 5) a plan of action outlining the management of Only shout ?t) percent of the �ltneral. the WHP area; 6) a method of monitoring the effectiveness of the plan. and 7) a public in the three citie i BRIG i sir roe,ingeticy plan outlining an alternate water supply in the event of wz. supply personal activities posed a i s n! to'.;. contamination �r.i: (erruption. groundwater.` However, 9 r:ic nt The draft'rule also establishes procedures, for the development of a to :_P plan said they "maybe will nu <.: > very that will ensure: i, public participation, 2) an opportunity for local % its of willing" to maks personal chsI,ges to , government with water management and land-use authority to revie%; t,;e plan, reduce the threat. and 3) approval of the plan by MDH as the plan is-being developed. "1 •Irse 'objectives are through written notices: public informational meets ;. and A total of 78 percent also said They two.. scoping" meetings with the MDH which will 'rev sew what inti . a ion is maybe willing or are very vt illing to - needed for development of the plan. a more for their wai.ter to ensure a < .P,Y . safer supply. Over 98 percent said it Other parts of the draft rule include : was at east of some importance for 1)'the.schedule for phasing wells Into :the program,, "their communityto be involved in an , 2)'fhe criteria for delineating the WHP area, effort to protect groundwater. 3) pump test procedures, ,' 4) criteria for assessing well vulnerabtitfy , Sutnriiaty `needs data elements.required (depending.on the vulnerability of the well Theassessment indicates that and the-WHP.area),:and water suppliers and their customers 6) the principles MDH must use to review and 'approve the .plan. are very concerned about contami- ' The projected time of rule implementation is 1995 The official public.hearing, if nation of their wells—especially j; requested, and a series.of informational meetings-throughout the state,`will be held from agricultural sources..However : by MDH. For a copy of the draft rule or a dist o f individuals who have served on the perception of health risks from rule development workgroup, please contact Art Persons at (507).285-7289 or drinking the water varies from citythe g (612) 627-5481: ' Also, feel free to contact Art Persons with any questions or to city. '' comments you may have concerning the draft rule. Most water=suppliers: have some `knowledge of WHP but`need very ; .. Cont: on page 4 J 'i 1 c t , Wellheadllnes Decembera9k r. plana In the seven -county;— win Cities area, this agreement Lias Been expanded to include the Metropolitan c.=Council, which requires communi- fies to develop water supply system , plains... ere, one plan will meet the 'requirements of all the three'agencies. WHP Implementation . (Cont from page 1); wells would also have to delineate capture zones (WHP.areaO prepare.plar,s for managing potential contaminant sour,._ n this area which supplies Water : ctharge the well. Initially, only communities w tach add wells to their water supply ;.�t-�ms would have to delineate WF �:,ree and prepare WHP.plans.` FPubiicwater suppliers may voluntarily enter.the WHP program or wait until they are .phased inby'MDH .Existing com- tau:ui uw v as L. a, wap y...-..... ,... _ revealeu in ine survey. �gv, t�L'��E�3Pal'�.'IENTS AND WHIP Local governments have`a major role to play with helping public water suppliers prepare and implement WHP plans. Communities. which are already working on WHP are receiving support from.local agencies such as soil and water conservation districts,' county. health departments, county . planning and zoning departments,; and Minnesota Extension.Local agen- cies have experience with planning, public,education, and land -use manage- ment which will support efforts to protect public water supply v-% from C lrninat,on .Also, count esand tow•ttship governments can w err adopt ordinance., which will help utanage potential ccintaminan. sour,—d ! portions of WHP areas which are not under thejurisdictional at: 11 -ity of ' public %vaier suppiiers. j The. Association of Minnesota Counties. Minnesota Township ind League. of Minnesota cities were renretiented on the work {i ^s which j helped MDH develop policies for implementing the state WHE ram and i draft, language`for the WHP rale. Public tivater suppliers should .-;ider, . .asking local'governments and agencies to help,prepare-and impiement WHP'plans MDH."Assi8tAnce muni ty wells would be brought into WHP. Survey Results (Cont. from page 1). the WHP program as time' and (Cont. from page 3) -regardingtheir roles i WHP'- All resources permtt .:' =" .' s ecific information. and'trainin P g three agencies will work with public about delineating WHPIareas,and water su iters to share, information PP MD will be: contacting public water managing contaminant sources... and manage'potential contaminant suppliers about the time and lace for pP P sources in. areas: The Minnetiota ; mectin s where the ro osed WHP' g P P , The cost of WHP to the community Department of Natural Resources rule:wth be discussed.. A copy of the and the cost to'contami, source (DNR) and, MDH have agreed to` proposed WHP rule will be sent to all owners is a great concern of water . combine DNR conservation planning community and nontransient noncom supply officials: They should, how- requirementswith the contingency munity water sup it is ever, be encouraged.by the public planning requirements of;a WHP finalized.: For additional information, support for protection, programs plana In the seven -county;— win Cities area, this agreement Lias Been expanded to include the Metropolitan c.=Council, which requires communi- fies to develop water supply system , plains... ere, one plan will meet the 'requirements of all the three'agencies. WHP Implementation . (Cont from page 1); wells would also have to delineate capture zones (WHP.areaO prepare.plar,s for managing potential contaminant sour,._ n this area which supplies Water : ctharge the well. Initially, only communities w tach add wells to their water supply ;.�t-�ms would have to delineate WF �:,ree and prepare WHP.plans.` FPubiicwater suppliers may voluntarily enter.the WHP program or wait until they are .phased inby'MDH .Existing com- tau:ui uw v as L. a, wap y...-..... ,... _ revealeu in ine survey. �gv, t�L'��E�3Pal'�.'IENTS AND WHIP Local governments have`a major role to play with helping public water suppliers prepare and implement WHP plans. Communities. which are already working on WHP are receiving support from.local agencies such as soil and water conservation districts,' county. health departments, county . planning and zoning departments,; and Minnesota Extension.Local agen- cies have experience with planning, public,education, and land -use manage- ment which will support efforts to protect public water supply v-% from C lrninat,on .Also, count esand tow•ttship governments can w err adopt ordinance., which will help utanage potential ccintaminan. sour,—d ! portions of WHP areas which are not under thejurisdictional at: 11 -ity of ' public %vaier suppiiers. j The. Association of Minnesota Counties. Minnesota Township ind League. of Minnesota cities were renretiented on the work {i ^s which j helped MDH develop policies for implementing the state WHE ram and i draft, language`for the WHP rale. Public tivater suppliers should .-;ider, . .asking local'governments and agencies to help,prepare-and impiement WHP'plans JABonestroo Rosene ® Anderlik & Associates Engineers & Architects December 21, 1994 Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Attn: Mr. Dwight Johnson Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates, Inc. is an Aftmative ActioNEqual Opportunity Employer Otto G. Bonestroo. P.E. Howard A. Sanford, PE. Michael P. Rau. PE. Mark D. Wallis, P.E. Robert W Rosene, P.E.• Keith A. Gordon, P.E. Agnes M. Ring. A.I.C.P. Miles B. Jensen, PE. Joseph C. Anderlik. P.E. Robert R. Pfetferle. P.E. Thomas W Peterson, P.E. L. Phillip Gravel. P.E. Marvin L. Sorvala, P.E. Richard W. Foster. P.E. Michael C. Lynch. PE. Karen L. Wiemeri. PE. Richard E. Turner, P.E. David O. Loskota. P.E. James R. Maland. P.E. Gary D. Kristofitz, P.E. Glenn R. Cook, PE. Robert C. Russek, A J.A. Jerry D. Pertzsch, P.E. Keith R. Yapp. P.E. Thomas E. Noyes. P.E. Jerry A. Bourdon. P.E. Scott J. Arganek, P.E. Douglas J. Benoit. P.E. Robert G. Schunicht. PE. Mark A. Hanson. PE. Kenneth P Anderson, PE, Shawn D. Gustafson. PE. Susan M. Eberlin. C.P.A. Michael T. Rautmann, P.E. Mark R. Rolfs, P.E. Cecilio Olivier. P.E. Paul G. Heuer. PE. *Senior Consultant Ted K. Field, PE. Thomas R. Anderson, A.I.A. Mark A. Seip. PE. Gary W. Morien, PE. John P Gorder, P.E. Donald C. Burgardt. P.E. Paul J. Gannon, A.I.A. Charles A. Erickson Thomas A. Syfko, P.E. Daniel J. Edgerton, P.E. Leo M. Pawelsky ' Frederic J. Stenborcl, PE. A. Rick Schmidt, P.E. HarlanM. Olson Ismael Martinez. PE. Philip J. Caswell. P.E. James F Engelhardt Re: 1995 General Engineering Rates Honorable Mayor and Council: F' T 1' - Transmitted herewith are our revised hourly general engineering rates which are to be effective for January 1, 1995. We strive to keep our hourly rates as low as possible. Although our costs have risen substantially during 1994, we have held our rate increase below our actual cost increase. These costs include highly technical and computerized equipment, professional liability insurance, staff training, and, of course, payroll taxes and health insurance. We are committed to keeping our staff and technical capabilities as innovative and efficient as possible, to continue to provide you with the best possible engineering services at a reasonable cost. We have appreciated our relationship with the City of Plymouth and our entire staff looks forward to serving you in 1995. Yours very truly, BONESTROO, ROSENE, ANDERLIK & ASSOCIATES, INC. Otto G. Bonestroo OGB:tb Enclosure 2335 West Highway 36 • St. Paul, MN 55113 • 612-636-4600 .=-'-Ac- 1995 -'-A c-. 1995 SCHEDULE B CLASSIFICATION HOURLY RATE Senior Principal $85.50 Principal/Project Manager $75.50 Registered Engineer/Architect $65.00 Project Engineer/Architect $57.00 Graduate Engineer/Architect/Field Supervisor $51.50 Senior Draftsperson $47.00 Senior Technician/Inspector/Draftsperson $44.00 Technician $30.00 Word Processor $31.00 Clerical $24.50 Attendance at Regular Council Meeting $50.00/mtg. The above rates will be multiplied by 1.3 for review of private developers plans and inspection of private work to cover professional liability insurance costs and legal expenses. These rates are adjusted annually at the first of the year in accordance with the normal review procedures of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates, Inc. Reimbursable Expenses - At Cost Reproduction, Printing, Duplicating Out -of -Pocket Expenses such as stakes, field supplies, telephone calls, etc. Mileage at IRS Reimbursable Rate City of Plymouth -L-\ DATE: January 3, 1995 TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager FROM: Fred G. MooreDirector of Public Works SUBJECT: XENIUM LANE EXTENSION CITY PROJECT NO. 214 I am responding to the memorandum which I received from Councilmember Nick Grannath on December 29. That memorandum was on the status of the extension of Xenium Lane northerly to connect to County Road 9 adjacent to the Cottonwood Plaza Shopping Center. In September 1994, the City Council authorized condemnation of two parcels of land which are necessary for this street extension. The City Attorney's office included provisions in the authorization that Quick Take could be used if necessary to have the right-of-way available for the construction of Xenium Lane. The right-of-way needs to be available by May 15, 1995, when construction can begin after spring road restrictions. This matter is being handled by Gary Fuchs at Campbell, Knutson, Scott and Fuchs. The City Attorney's office requested a title report on the property on December 14, 1994. The title report is necessary in order that the legal document can be prepared to file the matter with the court for condemnation. I have spoken with Gary concerning this matter and he will have the title report and file the condemnation documents on or before February 1. This will give the City title and possession of the property at the latest on May 1. This meets the time schedule established when the City Council authorized condemnation. Please let me know if Councilmember Grannath has any additional concerns or questions on this matter. "_..a._: C1 IZA— Date: Thursday, December 29, 1994 To: Fred Moore + City Attorney Eubjut: City P1oi"t No. 214 cc: Mayor, Council Members, City Manager & Staff According to my information, the Xenium Lane Street and Utility Improvement project is now in quick take. Please very briefly inform the Council as to the status of efforts to obtain the necessary right-of- way to move this project forward. • I have constituents that are especially interested in this project whom I am attempting to keep well informed, • As you are aware, there have leen mOruc cicluys on this project, which were not the fault of the city but which nevertheless have concerned some interested residents. — end — 0 - 01/05/95 09:38 J F VOCHO CO 4 5505060 To: Mayor & Councilmembers Fr: Carole Helliwell D'atez Zanuary 5, 1995 Res ISD 279 Boundary Changes NO.031 P002 This is just a quick update on the latest from the ISD 279 boundary committee. T attended the boundary committee meeting last night, January 4, and there was a tremendous attendance from Plymouth residents. The Plymouth r4esidenrs outnumbered the boundary committee and school board attendees combined and ars auxiliary facility had to be set up to accommodate all of us. As expected, the elementary school boundaries were finalized and 'closed' with the final change to Plymouth being to recombine the Plymouth Basswood an(), Oakview students into oakview and leaving the Cedar Island students (Plymouth north of Bass Lake Road) in Cedar island. Note that all these children currentiy attend Sunny Hollow with some Maple Grove children, but putting them all in one school isn't feasible due to the smaller size of the WS 279 elementary schools_ Oakview and Cedar Island are the elementary schools closest to the Plymouth geographic area. The junior high boundaries were ailso finalized and 'closed., at, this mee situ; . All Plymouth children will attend Maple Grove Junior Nigh as they do currently. The final changes to the junior high plan did not affect Plymouth. The senior high boundaries were discussed at length, radical changes made and the committee voted IS to 17 to 'not Close' the plan and teat next Wednesday to reconsider what they have done. The last change recombined Plymouth children with the Maple Grove Cedar Island area and sent both groups on to Osseo Senior Nigh while all the rest of Maple Grove Junior High goes on to the new Maple Grove Senior High. Most Plymouth parents at the meeting I talked to favor this plan over the last one as at least all of Plymouth will be going on to a high school with a bigger percentage of their junior high friends. There still remains a good possibility that the area of Plymouth west of Pinevi.ew or just west. of I-494 will be split off and sent to Maple Grove Senior High. I, and most other parents of these reao, don't want this to happen as it; further divides and isolates the Plymouth area. While there is stili Bauch of the process left, w:Lth the finalization of the senior high plan, public hearings and board approval, the Plymouth residents at the mooring were very appreciative of the Plymouth City Council support on this matter and are ready to pitch in &nd do whatever is necessary to assure that our kids get fair treatment from the school district. I will keep you informed as this situation progresses and let you know if any more assistance is needed. Carole Helliwell 00 Sia AD?1 C3 N43H WUM:60 S6, SO WH.0 != LKL=9 Subject: Opposed to snowmobile Date: 95-01-04 02:46:09 EST From: To: lymangoodeaol.com CC: ngranath@aol.com Councilman., proposal - Lake Camelot Estates (Ken Hoyme) I am addressing this to both of you, though I am a Ward 1 resident who lives in the Lake Camelot Estates area of Plymouth. As I live in the world of e-mail, I appreciate the ability to use this medium to communicate. I would hope that others on the council will follow your lead. We received notice of the pending snowmobile ordinance which tentatively includes our neighborhood (and specifically the street in front of our house) as part of the Plymouth snowmobile system. We are strongly opposed to the inclusion of Lake Camelot Estates residential streets for the following reasons: 1) This neighborhood is filled with young children which have to use those same streets to walk between their bus stops and homes during the winter months. According to the statistics being used by the School District for the current boundary committee meetings, there are currently 108 elementary aged kids in our neighborhood, projected to grow in the next three years. We have two children, in Kindergarten and 2nd grade which use those streets, and we are very concerned about the thought of snowmobiles with their limited visibility (particularly during a snowfall) sharing the same street edge as our children. I can't imagine that the City would want to share in the liability of passing an ordinance which could lead to the injury of young children. 2) Opening Lake Camelot is not just for our own residents, but would encourage snowmobilers from all over to use our streets as a thoroughfare to get to the adjacent trails and open land. It is better to limit these machines to County Road 47. 3) We are concerned that since the city has been quite effective at clearing the streets after a storm, this ordinance will encourage snowmobilers to drive in our yards, rather than in the street. We realize that this would be a violation of the ordinance, and could be reported to the police, but it is very difficult to actually identify who made the tracks in the yard, and may potentially have damaged 1-4-1995 America Online:NGranath Page 1 r-- plantings that are hibernating under the snow. 4) We have children who go to bed rather early,, and who Ia bedrooms face the street which is proposed for snowmobiles. We are concerned about the added noise levels. Lake Camelot Estates is a residential area just like every other in the city. if it is considered inappropriate to allow snowmobile use in other neighborhoods, than it should be considered equally inappropriate to allow them here. We are not in 2 acre hobby farms. Please reject the proposal to include our neighborhood, and protect our children and property like others are protected. My last comments fall in the area of hearsay, so if they are based on inaccurate information, please disregard. The discussion in the neighborhood has been !!Y this proposal has gotten this far. What was unique about us that got us on the list for permitting snowmobiles? The story is that two people from the_nei-q orhood appeared before the council 4nd advocated this position. One IR x-p-pli to be a Polaris snowmobile d,_ealer�.,and the other an active snowmobile enthusiast. The story also states that they represented themselves as representatives of our entire community. As you may know, Lake Camelot Estates has a Homeowner's Association. -am unaware of any community meetinq called on this issue, so *if* these folks did represent themselves as such, they were misrepresenting themselves for personal gain. We are contacting our Association Board members to make sure that this fact is formally communicated to the Council before the meeting on the 17th. If this is true that they represented themselves as such, we wu].d Otrn-911Y e_c.Qu,r;4gF% to na same more stringent Rroof before accepting such -sta-temenLe. 2 know that when our neighborhood asked for additional stop signs, we were asked to produce a petition of support. I would think that statements in support of other issues which have safety impacts should require a similar demonstration of neighborhood support before they are accepted. We do a reciate that the C this issue. without that letter, we would have been completely unaware that -this ism was being discussed for our neighborhood. I did listen in on part of the meeting on Cable 37, and heard long discussion of snowmobile issues, but 1-4-1995 America Online:NGranath Page 2 did not beer our neighborhood discussed at that time►, and tuned away. Tharike for; your time on' this matter, Sincerely,' Ken and Julie Royme 5.930 Annapolis Lane'North Plymouth, MN 55446 w T -L-1c) qS - 1-3 Dear Mayor Tierney, I have been a resident of Plymouth for over 13 year's and have seen the city grow and develop as a community from 30,000 people to about 55,000 people today. I thought I would take this time to write this letter to ask a few question's and offer a few suggestion's to improve the city. First, I wanted to ask you about the Civic Center/Ice Arena for the community that would provide entertainment and event opportunities for the resident's of the City of Plymouth. When Kim Bergman was mayor this pro- posal had been put on the table, but was scrapped so that the city could pay -for the public safety facility and because no one could agree on a suitable yet central location for the complex. I was curious to know if this is still in the works or if the project had been ultimately cancelled. Next, what is the current status of the police protection in the City? The reason for asking this is because I have a suggestion, whether it has been considered already or wouldn't be used until the future, that involves using the three existing fire stations as police precinct's or station's for the purpose of providing a faster and more efficient service to and for the communities that make up Plymouth. As Plymouth continues to pack people within its border's, I'm sure there will be an increased number of social problems that will need to be dealt with. Finally, I drive on Hivy. 55 a lot, whether it is for going to work or going somewhere, and especially at night or in the dark now that it's winter. In doing this I've noticed that at times the Highway, from ilwy, 169 to County Road 101, can be very dangerous to drive on during the hours of darkness. Is it possible to petition the state government to provide money for lights along the Highway from Hwy. 169 to County Road 101 since it is a iiinnesota Highway? Has anyone else besides myself ever brought this point to the attention of the city before? a.hankyou for taking your time to read this and it would be much nnpreciated if I could get some feedback concerning the questions and sug- gestions that I have brought into the open., Sincerely, Barren A. DeNattheia j_, Iqq p 11/e. /v �yVplm . m , /n/V CITY OF PLYMOUTR January 3, 1995 Darren A. DeMatthew 11440 41st Avenue No. Plymouth, MN 55441 Dear Mr. DeMatthew, Thank you for your recent letter to Mayor Tierney regarding several issues facing Plymouth. Mayor Tierney has asked City staff to respond to your questions. Eric Blank, Park and Recreation Director, will respond to your question on the Civic Center/Ice Arena. Chief Craig Gerdes will address public safety concerns, and Public Works Director Fred Moore will answer your questions on transportation. You can expect a response from them by January 13. Thanks again for your thoughtful letter. Please give me a can on 550-5013 if you have not received responses by January 13. Sincerely, s Kathy ueckert Assistant City Manager cc: Eric Blank, Park & Recreation Director Craig Gerdes, Public Safety Director Fred Moore, Public Works Director C/R. file (95-1-3) We Listen • We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 January 4, 1995 CITY OF PLYMOUTR Mr. Darren A. DeMatthew 11440 - 41st Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55441 ' Dear Mr. DeMatthew: I am responding to the question in your letter to Mayor Tierney concerning lighting along Highway 55 from Highway 169 to County Road 101. As you stated in your letter, Highway 55 is part of the Minnesota State Highway System. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has adopted policies concerning all roadways within the State under their jurisdiction. On Highway 55, non freeway without complete access control, their established policies state that lighting at other than signalized intersections is the responsibility of the local jurisdiction. In this case, it makes it the responsibility of the City of Plymouth. Even the cost of lighting provided at signalized intersections is the responsibility of the City. Because of the hundreds of miles of highways throughout the state and the Department of Transportation's responsibility, they have established uniform policies state wide. Also in order for the State to change their policies, they must have funding available to implement changed policies. For this reason although it would be possible to petition the State to provide lighting along Highway 55, it would be my opinion that this would be very unlikely to occur at State expense. Lighting along Highway 55 has not been a major concern of the City. In fact, some residential areas are concerned with lighting from the major intersections intruding into their neighborhoods. The City has taken the responsibility to provide lighting at intersections to provide safety to the motorists. The City has not provided other lighting along major roadways as part of general services to citizens and businesses of the community. Within residential areas, the City has established a policy that street lights do benefit the neighborhoods. For this reason, the property owners within an area where street lights are installed pay the cost as part of their utility bill from the City. If there are no street lights, those neighborhoods do not incur this cost. We Listen . We Solve . We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 Mr. Darren A. DeMatthew Page Two If you have any additional questions on lighting along Highway 55, please contact me. Sincerely, Fred G. Moore, P.E. Director of Public Works cc: Kathy Lueckert, Assistant City Manager