HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 01-19-1995JANUARY 19, 1995
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS ....
1. CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY:
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.
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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
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JANUARY 31 5:30 P.M. BOARD & COMMISSION
INTERVIEWS
Public Safety Training Room
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2. PLANNING COMMISSION -- WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 7:00 p.m., City Council
Chambers.
3. HRA -- THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 7:00 p.m., City Council Chambers. (M-3)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
January 19, 1995
Page 2
4. TWINWEST NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS RECEPTION -- Wednesday, February
8, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. The Twinwest Chamber of Commerce will host a Newly Elected
Officials Reception at the chamber office, 10550 Wayzata Boulevard. Invitation attached.
(M-4)
5. MLC LEGISLATIVE DINNER -- Wednesday, February 8, Decathlon Athletic Club,
Bloomington, 6:30 p.m.- social; 7:30 p.m. dinner/program. Invitation 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)
FO O --.. -J raf rrF�R
1. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
a. Weekly Building Permit Report for Commercial/Industrial/Public and Use Types. (I-
la)
2. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS -- Attached is a revised roster of CCR, and agencies and
boards appointments (I-2)
3. MINUTES:
a. Financial Advisory Committee, January 9. (I -3a)
4. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
a. City news release on the Plymouth Fire & Ice Festival scheduled for February 4 at
Parkers Lake Park. (I -4a)
b. City news release on extended hours for the Parkers Lake Pavilion on Super Bowl
Sunday. (I -4b)
c. Metro Voice, Metropolitan Council publication, November/December, 1994. (I -4c)
d. "Water Supply: A Regional Perspective," report from the Council of Metropolitan
Area Leagues of Women Voters (provided by Mayor Tierney). (I -4d)
e. News article on the Coon Rapids City Council consideration of a train whistle ban
ordinance. (I -4e)
5. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY - CORRESPONDENCE - The following
correspondence has been received from Plymouth residents. All letters have been mailed
an acknowledgement from Kathy Lueckert:
a. Letter from Randy Mayer, Mayer Mobil, regarding the City's purchasing decisions
and our experience with petroleum products used by City vehicles. (I -5a)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
January 19, 1995
Page 3
b. Letter from Mark Denis and Dennis Holmquist, Medicine Lake Lutheran Church
regarding the City's wetland ordinance and the Church's property at 11115 Old
Rockford Road. (I -5b)
The following residents have received responses to their letters by City staff:
a. Letters to Darren DeMatthew, 11440 41 st Avenue North, from Eric Blank and Craig
Gerdes, in response to Mr. DeMatthew's letter concerning public safety issues and a
Civic Center ice arena. (I -5a)
b. Letter from Eric Blank to Gordon Hanson, 4300 Trenton Lane, in response to Mr.
Hanson's inquiry for the City to develop a community gardening program. (I -5b)
c. Letter from Eric Blank to Vivian Starr, 6060 Annapolis Lane, in response to Ms.
Staff's letter regarding the bike path from Lake Camelot to Northwest Boulevard. (I -
5c)
A status report on all correspondence and inquiries is also attached.
6. MEMOS & CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Letters from Ann Harris, 18545 20th Avenue No., supporting snowmobile use
restrictions: (I -6a)
b. Correspondence from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency regarding Petroleum
Tank Release Sites and Corrective Actions involving properties at 1855 Troy Lane,
10620 40th Avenue No., and 10626 40th Avenue No. (I -6b)
c. Memo from City Manager to Councilmember Granath regarding procedure for
considering South Shore Drive traffic improvements. (I -6c)
d. Letter to Mayor and Council, from Mary McKee, Chairperson, Water Quality
Committee. (I -6d)
e. Letter from Mona Domaas, 15910 46th Avenue North, requesting the Council
consider a high ranking for the proposed trail along Old Rockford Road to Peony
Lane. (I -6e)
f. Letter from Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council soliciting nominations for
its "Invest Northwest" awards. Nomination forms are available through Kathy
Lueckert (5015). (I -6f)
g. Letter from Thomas Graham, Graham Land Development, to Mayor and City
Council, regarding French Ridge Plat by Janco, Inc. (I -6g)
h.. Fax memorandum from Councilmember Granath to Roger Knutson and Fred Moore
regarding the schedule for Xenium Lane Extension Quick Take. Roger Knutson's
response is also included. (I -6h)
Dwight Johnson
City Manager
M-3 -
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of November 16, 1994 Minutes
3. Plymouth Towne Square - Update
4. Hammer Residences
5. Community Builders
6. Lakeview Commons (Cornerstone Group)
7. Strategic Planning Process
8. Admission Preferences for the Section 8 Program
9. Annual Meeting
10. Adjournment
(hra0126)
M -LA
Newly Elected Officials Reception
Wednesday, February 8, 1995
4:30-6:00 pm
TwinWest Chamber Office
10550 Wayzata Boulevard
(North frontage road of I-394,
next door to the Cattle Company.)
Reservations are ♦ /
♦ that we ♦ ♦ / /♦♦
The Newly Elected Officials Reception is
T winWest's annual reception designed
to recognize newly elected and appointed
officials who represent the TwinWest area.
This is an informal event with a brief program
during which officials who were appointed or
elected within the last year will be introduced.
This is an excellent opportunity for
all area officials to start off the new year
with TwinWest, for new officials to find out
what services the Chamber provides,
and for Chamber members to
meet their representatives.
M - S7 -
The Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC)
cordially invites you to attend the
Eleventh Annual MLC Legislative Dinner
Wednesday February 8, 1995
6:30 p.m. Social Hour
7:30 p. m. Dinner / Program
Decathlon Athletic Club
1700 East 79th Street
Bloomington, Minnesota
Please RSVP to Jennifer Peterson, 228-9757
Based upon Ethical Practices Opinion #153 it has been determined that Legislators and local elected
officials may attend without cost to them; Legislative dinners will be paid for by individual member cities.
M. �r
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 Information Line at 229-3780.
DATE. January 13, 1995
WEEK OF: January 16 -January 20, 1995
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
MARTIN LUTHER ICING, JR. DAYMOLIDAY. Monday, Jan. 16, Council offices are closed.
Governor's Public Hearing for Metropolitan Council Candidates - Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6 p.m.,
Chambers.
Chair's Informal Small Group Meeting with Council Members - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7:30 a.m.,
Dover Restaurant, Sheraton Park Place, 1500 Park Place, St. Louis Park.
Transportation Providers Advisory Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m., Room 1A. The
committee will consider the 1995-97 Capital Improvement Program and other business.
Transportation Advisory Board - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2 p.m., Chambers. The board will
consider: recognition of former TAC chair Brad Larson; 1995-2001 MAC Capital Improvement
Program; draft AED New Airport Long -Term Comprehensive Plan; comments on Mn/DOT
statewide transportation plan; status report on State Advisory Council major transportation
projects; U.S. DOT directives regarding long-range transportation plan and transportation
improvement program; and other business.
Environment Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 4 p.m., Chambers. The Committee will consider:
Nine Mile Creek WMO Management plan review; authorization to award and execute a contract
for Burnsville and Golden Valley South interceptor rehabilitation; authorization to execute an
amendment no. 6 to Professional Services MCWS contract no. C-2925, MWWTP environmental
inventory and review; agreement to convey the beltline interceptor to the Ramsey -Washington
Metro Watershed District; and other business.
Public Hearing: Metropolitan Airports Commission New Airport Comprehensive Plan
Alternative Environmental Document - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m., Hastings Senior High School,
Auditorium, 11th and Pine Sts., Hastings.
Metropolitan Council Briefing Session for Legislators - Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:30 -��aM:
Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Constitution Ave., Conference Room 230, St. Pad (tse
Constitution Ave. Entrance on South Side of Building).
rn- ko
Finance Committee - Thursday, Jan. 19, 4 p.m., Room 2A. The committee will consider: adoption
of 1995 affirmative action plans; rescission of health insurance benefits for domestic partners
policy; and other business. The last hour of this meeting will be closed to public pursuant to
Minnesota Statues Section 471.705, Subdivision la(1992), as amended by 1994 Minnesota Laws
chapter 618, article 1, section 39, to discuss labor negotiation issues.
Executive Committee - Friday, Jan. 20, 7:30 a.m., Sheraton Midway, Bigelow's Restaurant, I-94
and Hamline, St. Paul.
Legislative Coordinating Group - Friday, Jan. 20, Noon, Room 1A.
TENTATIVE MEETINGS THE WEEK OF JANUARY 23 - JANUARY 27, 1995
Community Development Committee - Monday, Jan. 23, Noon Room 1A.
Transportation Committee - Monday, Jan. 23, 4 p.m., Chambers.
Environment Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 25., 4 p.m., Chambers.
Chair's Informal Meeting with Council Members - Thursday, Jan. 26, 3 p.m., Chair's Office.
Metropolitan Council - Thursday, Jan. 26, 4 p.m., Chambers.
Legislative Coordinating Group - Friday, Jan. 27, Noon, Room 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
Commission Meeting - Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m., Room 303, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh
Terminal Building. The Commission will consider: MSP alternative environmental document;
MSP SIMMOD presentation; recommendation regarding airport leases; legislative update;
January ADNE levels; final payments - 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 contracts for security checkpoints
relocation., 1994 pavement rehabilitation at the Anoka County -Blaine Airport, and Lindbergh
Terminal miscellaneous modifications for 1994; bids received for Part 150 Sound Insulation
Program for December; construction program status update; review of upcoming construction
project bids; reliever airports philosophy; Minnesota state lottery status; appeal of Multi -Flight's
Inc.'s minimum standards variance; response to MATA 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 life, water jet sewer cleaner and four pickup trucks; November budget variance;
Heads Up; and other business.
Metropolitan Airports Commission offices are located at 6040 28th Av. S., Minneapolis, MN
55450. For more information, call Lynn Sorensen at 726-8186.
V -f-,- (o
METROPOLITAN PARKS AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION
Commission Meeting - Tuesday, Jan. 17, 4 p.m., Chambers. The Commission will consider:
second draft of 1996-97 portion of 1996-2005 regional parks capital improvement program;
legislative update on regional park issues; video on 1995 Special Park District Forum; 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.
METROPOLITAN SPORTS FACILITIES COMMISSION
Finance Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m., Commission office conference room. The
committee will hear a report from its reinvestment advisor, SIT Investments; discuss bond counsel
and the issue of tax-exempt bonds for the Target Center; discuss the property insurance selection
process; and review the financial report for the nine months ended with Sept. 30, 1994.
The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission office is located at 900 South 5th St., Minneapolis,
MN 55415. All meetings are held in the Commission office conference room, unless noted
otherwise. Meeting times and agendas occasionally must be changed. To verify meeting
schedules and agenda items, please call Tamra Sharp, 335-3310.
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
January 1995
1/18/95
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
February 1995
Sunday Monday Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
City Center Counter Open to
SPECIAL ELECTION
PLYMOUTH FIRE & ICE
7p. m. -Absentee Voting
_ SENATE DIST. 33
FESTIVAL - Parkers Lake
Park
8:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION - Pub. Safety
Trng Rm
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
7:00 PM CHARTER CO-
7:00
PM COUNCIL MEET
7:00 PM PLANNING
7:00 PM PRAC -Council
MMISSION -Pub.
ING-Council
Chambery
COMMISSION - Council
Chambers
Safety Trng Room
Chambers
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
5:00 PM FINANCIAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE - Council Conf.
Room
7:00 PM WATER QUAL-
ITY COMMITTEE -
Pub. Safety Trng Room
7:00 PM PACT - Pub.
Safety Library
s:DD PM BOARD OF ZONING -
Pub. Safety Trng Room
8:00 PM HRA - Council
Chambers
6:00 PM PLYMOUTHIMAPLE
GROVE CITY COUNCII.S -
Joint Meeting - Pub. Safety
Trng Room
19
11010111we
21
22
23
24
25
s Day - City
s Closed
7:00 PM COUNCIL MEE
ING`- Couticll Chatnlr ",
7:00 PM PLANNING
COMMISSION - Council
i27ii
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 78 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 l6 17 IS
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31
1/18/95
3
'] \
DATE: JANUARY 19, 1995
TO: DWIGHT JOHNSON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CARLYS SCHANSBERG, DATA CONTROLANSPECTION
CLERK
SUBJECT: BUILDING PERMIT ISSUED REPORT FOR
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/PUBLIC & CHURCH USE TYPES
WEEK OF JANUARY 12, 1995 THROUGH JANUARY 18, 1995
PERMIT #64496 WAS ISSUED TO A P TECHNOLOGY MGMT FOR AN
INTERIOR FINISH OF HONEYWELL SOLID STATE DIVISION LOCATED AT
12001 STATE HIGHWAY 55, VALUATION $3,500,000.00.
PERMITLIST LIST OF PERMITS ISSUED
01/19/95 AGING DAYS
FROM 01/12/95 TO 01/18/95
•- - \cam.
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 118 22 24 0074
PAUL R & MARILYN Y ANDERSON
3340 EVEREST CT N
0001968
12 118 22 33 0092
NELSON, ROBERT
4630 YORKTOWN LA N
0001968
19 118 22 11 0031
LUNDGREN BROS CONST
3400 LAWNDALE LA N
0001413
12 118 22 34 0011
LONDER, HOWARD
10635 47TH AVE N
0001413
15 118 22 32 0024
PLUMBLINE BLDRS
14105 40TH AVE N
0002939
33 118 22 13 0052
KEN ROELOFS CONST INC
604 KINGSVIEW LA N
0001095
�5 118 22 24 0005
A P TECHNOLOGY MGMT
12001 STATE HWY NO 55
ADDITION 01/13/95 64751
LOT BLK SFD BUILDING
7 1 SEVEN PONDS 6TH
$6,000.00 $136.65
ALTERATION 01/13/95 64753
LOT BLK SFD BUILDING
10 1 DEERWOOD GLEN PLAT 2
$7,000.00 $152.00
NEW CONST 01/17/95 64764
LOT BLK SFD BUILDING
3 4 HEATHER RUN 2ND
$150,357.00 $3,274.88
ALTERATION 01/17/95 64789
LOT BLK SFD BUILDING
5 3 DEERWOOD GLEN PLAT 1
$10,000.00 $198.05
ALTERATION
LOT BLK SFD
2 2 BERTHIAUMES
01/18/95 64790
BUILDING
$2,700.00 $90.45
ADDITION
01/17/95 64836
LOT
BLK
SFD
BUILDING
11
3
PARKDALE
$500.00 $15.25
ALTERATION
�\� 01/18/95 64496
LOT
BLK
COMMERCIAL
BUILDING
1
1
HONEYWELL SOLID
STATE DIV
$3,500,000.00
$15,390.17
1-3-95
1995
CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
COUNCIL COORDINATING REPRESENTATIVES
1.
Planning Commission
Tim Wold
Annual
2.
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
John Edson
Annual
3.
Board of Zoning Adjustments and Appeals
David Anderson
Annual
4.
Financial Advisory Committee
Nicholas Granath
Annual
5.
Water Quality Committee
Tim Wold
Annual
6.
Human Rights Commission
Carole Helliwell
Annual
7.
Open Space Committee
Chuck Lymangood
Annual
8.
Independent School District No. 279
Carole Helliwell
Annual
9.
Independent School District No. 281
John Edson
Annual
10.
Independent School District 284
Tim Wold
Annual
11.
Independent School District 270
Nicholas Granath
Annual
City Council Appointments
Page 2
AGENCIES AND BOARDS
1. West Hennepin Human Services Planning Board 2 year term)
Sandy Hewitt (3/94) 1/95
Steve Mumma (1992) 1/96
2. Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council (2 year terms)
Kathy Lueckert, Executive Committee (2/94) 12/31/96
Sally J. Strand, Advisory Committee (6/93) 12/31/94
Wanda Cahill, Advisory Committee (8/93) 12/31/96
3. Municipal Legislative Commission (1 year terms)
Joy Tierney 12/31/95
Dwight Johnson 12/31/95
4. Northwest Suburban Cable Communication Commission
Nicholas Granath, Council Representative Ongoing
Dwight Johnson, Staff Representative Ongoing
5. Wayzata/Plymouth Area Chemical Health Commission
Miles Thompson (8/29/94) Ongoing
Craig Gerdes Ongoing
6. Suburban Rate Authority
Fred Moore, Director 12/31/95
Joy Tierney, Alternate 12/31/95
7. Community Collaboration Task Force - I.S.D. 284
Joy Tierney Ongoing
Dwight Johnson Ongoing
8. Bassett Creek Water Management Commission (3 year terms)
Fred Moore, Director 01/31/96
John Sweeney, Alternate
9. Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission (3 year terms)
Fred Moore, Director 01/31/96
Dan Faulkner, Alternate
10. Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission (3 year terms)
Fred Moore, Director 01/31/96
John Sweeney, Alternate
11. School District 284 Community Education Advisory Council (2 year term)
Mary Bisek 07/01/96
City Council Appointments
Page 3
12. School District 281 Joint Powers Agreement
Eric Blank
Ongoing
13.
School District 284 Joint Powers_ Agreement
Eric Blank
Ongoing
14.
Lake Region Mutual Aid Association
Rick Kline
Ongoing
15.
North Suburban Mutual Aid Association
Rick Kline
Ongoing
16.
Fire Training Center Joint Powers Agreement
Rick Kline
Ongoing
17.
West Suburban Mediation Center Board
Thomas Phillips
(1/93) 01/31/96
18.
Northwest Suburbs Community Access Corporation (2 year term)
Helen LaFave
02/96
19.
I-494 Corridor Commission
Joy Tierney
Ongoing
Barb Senness
Ongoing
Tim Wold, Alternate
Ongoing
Anne Hurlburt, Alternate
Ongoing
20.
Plymouth Civic Lea ague
Carole Helliwell
Ongoing
MINUTES
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
JANUARY 9, 1995
The Financial Advisory Committee was called to order by Finance Director Hahn at 5:05
P.M. in the City Center Conference Room.
PRESENT: Stene, Guddal, Sullivan, Bartling (arrived at 6:15 pm)
ABSENT: Treptow, Ricci, Bock
OTHERS PRESENT: Finance Director Hahn and Financial Analyst Helgeson.
REVIEW OF THE DECEMBER 20th MINUTES
The December 20th minutes were reviewed and approved as presented.
APPLICATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Member Ricci has announced his resignation from Committee because of work conflicts.
With the resignation of member Ricci there are now three open seats on the Committee.
However, very few interested citizens have applied. It was suggested that members
spread the word among contacts they may have of the open positions to solicit applica-
tions. This meeting was the last for Chairperson Bock and member Treptow. The Chair-
person position is now open.
COMMENTS ON CHAIRPERSON BOCK'S ANNUAL REPORT TO COUNCIL
The annual report to be presented to City Council at the end of the month highlighting the
Committees achievements for the year and the 1995 Workplan was approved with minor
modifications.
COMMENTS ON FINANCE DIRECTOR HAHN'S INVESTMENT MANAGE-
MENT REQUEST FOR SERVICES (RFP)
Changes were made to in the RFP to clarify objectives for the Committee's proposed in-
vestment management/advisory recommendation.
Member Bartling requested the Committee to include in Chairperson Bock's annual report
and the minutes the following list of proposed Committee activities including:
• Private vs. Government Investing with a Comparison of Results and Proper Oversight.
• An Examination of Property Tax Funding
• Use of Minnesota Board of Government Innovation and Cooperation
• Polling: What Do the People Want?
• Participation Credit by People
• Development of Contribution Policy by Citizens
• Cost / Benefits Ratio
• Tax Results Model
PROPOSAL TO SEEK GRANT FROM THE MINNESOTA BOARD OF GOV-
ERNMENT INNOVATION AND COOPERATION
Member Bartling suggested asking the City Manager to apply for a grant in order to study
alternatives to the property tax system. A copy of member Bartling's property tax re-
search request is attached.
NEXT MONTH'S AGENDA
The RFP for Investment Management will be released, if approved by the City Council
and review of 1994 investment earnings.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
This memo is written to address some conceptual thoughts as they relate to the
current property tax vehicle for obtaining tax revenue to fund governmental services.
It is my belief that the property tax system, as it is presently implemented, should be
revised, perhaps revised dramatically, in light of changing times and changing
circumstances.
It would be my thought, as an initiation point for this process, that history and
evolution of the real estate property tax on residential and commercial land and
buildings be evaluated. In other words, I would like to know how this concept first
developed and who determined that a property tax, as opposed to some other
methodology, would be the most appropriate vehicle for obtaining tax revenues.
When did the property tax start? Who initiated it? What other options were
considered? How has it evolved over time? Etc. We tend to take for granted that it
has always been with us, and perhaps it has, but I would like to see history and
application of this tax laid out in a clear, chronological fashion.
Once having reviewed the history of the property tax as we know it today and its
development through time, I would like to see a series of options be developed in
lieu of the property tax. Some of those options might include the following:
1. The Michigan Model. The state of Michigan, through the electoral
process, recently abolished property taxes to fund school education.
What led up to this decision? Has the decision worked? What options
are being used in lieu of the property tax to fund public education?
Etc.
2. Taxing structures on the basis of square feet rather than on the basis of
value. The larger a house, the larger the tax, the smaller a house, the
smaller the tax. If an owner elects to improve his/her house, he/she is
not taxed because he/she has put his/her discretionary income into the
home, but rather he has more money to fund improvements, rather than
less, because a portion of those improvements do not result in a higher
level of taxation.
3. If we do not accept the Michigan model, and if we do not accept a
square foot tax, what about placing a ceiling on property taxes so that
an owner, once again, is not penalized if he/she elects to place his/her
discretionary income into the improvement of his/her home or
commercial office building or structure. Why should somebody pay
more money because his/her property has been improved at his/her
expense with the possible long-term payout occurring only if the owner
elects to sell the home or building? The owner is being penalized by
placing his/her discretionary income into the improvement of his/her
home or property and he/she could die before any benefit is realized
rom this improvement.
It seems to me that some device must be built into public funding so as to maximize
value without guaranteeing a continuing level of income where no value may be
received. The property tax serves as an automatic cashflow device for governments
that use it to fund their services with no necessarily corresponding increase and
value received for monies offered. For example, public schools might be more
appropriately funded and might be improved by charging tuition to each member
that attends rather than assuming that each member attends free and that the
property tax will fund the educational programming at the city level.
I would like to assign a staff member to conduct some research on this process and
develop some of these options further.
Thank you.
_3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 1995
0
CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mary Bisek, 550-5132
PLYMOUTH FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL
SET FOR FEBRUARY 4
A free day of family fun is in store at the 7th Annual Plymouth Fire & Ice Festival on Sat.,
February 4, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., at Parkers Lake Park, County Road 6 and Niagara Lane. _
Activities include hayrides, children's activities, music, dog sled demonstrations, novice skating
races, country line dancing instruction, naturalist -guided tours of the park, ice sculpture, kite
flying and ice surfing demonstrations, snow bowling, Viking kick sleds, miniature golf, a
broomball goal shooting, juggling, fireworks and much more.
Festival -goers can keep warm around a bonfire as they make s'mores, or they can enjoy hot
chocolate and brats at the Parkers Lake Pavilion. "This really is an event geared toward family
entertainment. We're very proud of the variety that people can find. There's something for
everyone," said Recreation Superintendent Mary Bisek. She estimates that over 5,000 turned out
for the event last year.
"Over 20 businesses and groups contribute to Fire and Ice. It really is an event that is based in
our community," Bisek added. Businesses involved in the festival either sponsor an activity,
provide volunteers or both, according to Bisek. More than 100 volunteers will work at the event.
-30-
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
'I 1
Fire & ice Festival
SCHEDULED EVENTS
=- AAC--,
Parkers Lake Park
Co. Rd. 6 Far Niagara Ln.
SATURDAY, FEB. 43 1995
2-7 p.m.
2:00-5:15
Naturalist lead tour of Parkers Lake (2, 2:30, 3:30, 4, 4:45)
2:00-4:00
Perfect Chaos Kite Show
2:00-2:45
Registration for Novice Skating Races in Pavilion -
2:30-4:30
Ice Fishing Contest (prizes for all 12 E;r Under)
(includes DNR%MinnAqua Fishing Clinic)
3:00
Wayzata Women's Choir in Pavilion
3:15
Novice Skating Races Begin
3:30
Country Line Dancing Instruction
4:00
Plymouth Rockers
6:00
Eric the juggling Magician
6:45
Fireworks.1�`�
r St
ON-GOING EVENTS IIl
* "Bavarian Surf' Ice Surfer Demo
* Bonfire
* Concessions
* Dog Sled Demo
* Hayrides
* Broomball Goal Shooting
* Ice Carving Demo
* Ice Miniature Golf
* Snow Bowling
* Special Celebrity Guests
McGruff ET Sparky
* Viking Kick Sleds
This event is co-sponsored by: The Plymouth Civic League, Annette Fragale, Cooper's Super Yalu, Cub Foods -
Plymouth, East Parkers Lake Improvement Assoc., Edina Realty-Wayzata/lake Mtka Office, Erickson's New
Market, First Bank Four Seasons, First Bank Plymouth, Forster's Farm Meat Market, Highway SS Party Rental,
James Egan -Burnet Realty, Medina Entertainment Center, Minnetonka/Plymouth Rotary Club, MHIMinnesota
Toro, Norwest Bank Plymouth, Plymouth Crime & Fire Prevention Fund, Plymouth Lions, Plymouth Speed
Skating Club, Plymouth -Wayzata Women of Today, Polaris Industries, PYA Monarch, Radisson Hotel &
Conference Center -Minneapolis, Rainbow Foods, Rod Gove Sign Painter, Smith Barney -Wayzata Office, and
Plymouth Parks and Recreation.
For more information, call Plymouth Parks and Recreation, 550-5130.
c w�- :J -.'A
For Immediate Release For More Information:
January 19, 1995
Mary Bisek, 550-5132
Parkers Lake Pavilion to Offer Extended Hours on Super Bowl Sunday
People who are not football fans can skate later into the evening and enjoy free
refreshments on Super Bowl Sunday, Jan. 29. The Plymouth Park and Recreation
Department will offer extended hours for the Parkers Lake Park warming house, Co. Rd.
6 and Niagara Ln. The evening of family fun will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. This
alternative to football will feature skating, box hockey, free popcorn and hot chocolate.
Park and Recreation staff will be on duty.
-30-
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
metro
V` r
01 E
LA f 'a`
A Metropolitan Council Publication on Twin Cities Area Issues No uemberjDecember 1994
Council to
evaluate
transit
services
The Metropolitan Council,
which now has operating responsibil-
ity for the region's transit system, will
conduct a comprehensive evaluation
of public transit services and pro-
grams next year. The goal is to
improve the efficiency, productivity
and cost-effectiveness of the system's
different components.
"The Council is committed to
supporting transit and encouraging
the use of alternative modes of
transportation," said Council Chair
Dottie Rietow. "Evaluation of regional
transit needs and services will lay the
groundwork for financial decisions.
We will be requesting funding from the
1995 legislature to maintain current
levels of service. Transit is one of our
top priorities this legislative session."
The budget calls for only modest
increases in expenditures over 1994
levels to allow for inflation. Of many
requests from service providers for
additional funds to expand service,
the only ones approved were from
"opt -out" transit providers. Opt -out
programs are located in suburban
areas where the property tax base—
the sole source of funding for these
services—is growing.
The transit system is facing a $7.8
million operating shortfall for 1995.
The Council is exploring a combina-
tion of remedies, including cutting
costs and obtaining additional
funding from the legislature.
High -subsidy routes run by Metropoli-
tan Council Transit Operations
(MCTO) are currently being evaluated
and public hearings are under way
throughout the region.
The Council provides resources for
Rietow will not seek reappointment
Dottie Rietow, chair of the
Metropolitan Council, will not seek
reappointment to the position next
year. Appointed by Gov. Carlson,
five transit services within its
operating budget: 1) MCTO, the largest
transit provider in the region;
2) regular -route programs by private
providers under Council contract;
3) suburban opt -out programs;
4) Metro Mobility, public transit for
people with disabilities, and
5) transit service for less densely
populated outlying areas of the region.
Jane Fitz
Rietow has served as chair since
November 1992.
Rietow has guided the Council
through an internal streamlining,
bringing new focus to planning for
transportation, land use, water
management, housing and
regional investments.
This year she led the merger of
the Council with three other regional
agencies—the former Metropolitan
Transit Commission, the former
Regional Transit Board and the former
Metropolitan Waste Control Commis-
sion. She will serve until Jan. 26.
At press time, a successor had
not been named.
2
Growth for northwest suburbs
This month the Metropolitan
Council took another step toward
allowing long-range growth in north-
western suburbs Maple Grove,
Plymouth, Brooklyn Park and possibly
several nearby communities.
The Council voted to initiate the
design of the Elm Creek interceptor
sewer. If ultimately approved, the
sewer would allow for staged growth in
population, households and jobs in
the 105 -square mile Elm Creek
watershed over the next 30 years.
"The region is growing. Part of that
growth will occur at the urbanized
edge and part will occur in core cities
through redevelopment and reinvest-
ment," said Council Chair Dottie
Rietow. "The Council is approaching
this long-range growth project in a
holistic way—incorporating sewers,
transportation, housing and
environmental safeguards all at
once—as envisioned in our
Regional Blueprint. At the same time,
other Council efforts will address
strengthening the region's core."
The sewer represents far more than
a pipe in the ground. Its construction
would be linked to land use decisions
Elm Creek
interceptor:
''�ell
Would allow for a
staged expansion of the
turban service area.
• Would be needed by
2001.__
• Would serve Brooklyn
Park, Maple Grove,
Medina and Plymouth
through year 2020.
• Eventually, could serve
the 105 square -mile
watershed in the north-
west suburbs.
• Expansion into com-
munities not currently
served by metro sewers
is not anticipated until
79ie Elm Creek sewer interceptor would serve forecasted growth in Plymouth,
above, and other northwestern suburbs.
in housing, transportation, the
environment and future expansion of
urban services. Agreements between
the Council and the three cities need
to be developed.
Whether the sewer is ever built
depends upon agreement in the
following areas:
• Sharing sewer construction costs;
• Setting goals for affordable and
diverse housing types;
• Adequate transportation facilities
for growing demand;
• Protecting the environment from
potential harm; and
• Timing and staging expansion of
sewers and highways.
If approved, the sewer could cost up
to $45 million. A portion of the costs
would be paid by new households
region -wide through a "sewer
availability" charge—when their
homes are connected to the sewer
system. That fee is currently $850.
The sewer would serve projected
strong growth in population,
households and jobs. The Council's
growth projections for the three
suburbs combined over the next
30 years are as follows:
• Population of 146,000 to
increase 46 percent;
• Households numbering 51,000
to increase 73 percent; and
• Jobs numbering 62,000 to
increase 65 percent.
Existing interceptors in Brooklyn
Park, Maple Grove and Plymouth are
each forecast to reach capacity by
1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.
To save $1 million, the first sections of
the sewer must be built before the
1998 scheduled reconstruction of
Hwy. 610, which would be built
directly over those segments.
The issue of adopting the project
was controversial. Opponents argued
the project would lead to increased
urban sprawl, growing divisions
between prosperous and poor parts of
the region, loss of farmland close to
the metro area, and inadequate
amounts of affordable housing.
Jim Martin
All parts of the region need affordable
and diverse housing.
Congestion on Hwy. 61 is an issue regarding proposed
new growth in Cottage Grove.
Cottage Grove
struggles with growing pains
How cana suburb grow without
overburdening its regional sewers
and highways? Cottage Grove and
the Metropolitan Council are looking
for ways.
The city has been trying for two
years to gain Council approval to
new
F Yrpubhcations
To order publications, call the Metro-
politan Council Data Center at 291-8140
or write the Data Center, 230 E. Fifth St.,
St. Paul, MN 55101. A free publications
directory is available. The publications
are also available at major public libraries
in the metropolitan area.
Note: Customers must add sales tax
to the price of documents: St. Paul
residents and organizations add 7%;
all others, 6.5%.
to Regional Blueprint.
No. 78-94-057. $6.00.
0 Metropolitan Council ;
Publications Directory.
No. 75-94-067. No charge.
0 Quarterly Economic Indicators,
Third Quarter 1994.
No. 74-94-071. $1.50.
a Residential Building Permits Issued
In the TCMA. January -June 1994.
No. 74-94-070. $1.50.
0 1995 Transportation Unified Plan-
ning Work Program for the TCMA.
No. 35-94-066. $3.00.
expand its land served by regional
sewers and highways. (Such land is
within the Metropolitan Urban Service
area, or MUSA) The city wants
the services to support a proposed
housing development serving approxi-
mately 1,100 new households. Unfor-
tunately, the development would add
to traffic congestion, more sewage
than the treatment plant can handle,
and add to its current oversupply
of land in the MUSA.
The city proposes two solutions.
One could be a city ordinance that
addresses its oversupply of land in the
MUSA. The supply—adequate until
2000—is mostly industrial land, not
residential, which is running short.
Under the idea, the city would
postpone development of 200 acres
of vacant industrial land until after
year 2000. The benefit? That sewer
capacity can be shifted to the
proposed 568 -acre residential
development.
The city's wastewater treatment
plant is currently at capacity, treating
2.2 million gallons per day (mgd).
The proposed development would
push the plant beyond its capacity.
The Council plans to help by
increasing capacity to 2.54 mdg by
next December.
The other solution would be another
city ordinance, to stage development
over time, allowing it only if sewer and
highway capacity permit.
Hwy. 61 is highly congested just
r Metropolitan Council members and their districts
Dottie Rietow, chair; Roger Scherer, l; Bill Schreiber, 2; MaryH. Smith, 3; Julius C. Smith, 4; Neil Peterson, 5; Martha M.
Head, 6; Barbara ButtsWilliarns 7; Carol A. Kummer, 8; David Hartley, 9;Patrick C. Leung, 10; Esther Newcome,11;
E. Craig Morris, 12; Diane Z (DeDe) Wotfson,13; Stephen B. Wellington, Jr., 14; Kevin Howe,15; TerryFlower, l6.
north of Cottage Grove, in Newport.
The highway runs between the Missis-
sippi River and a bluff parallel to the
river, making construction of smaller
parallel roads difficult. Virtually all
trips north toward downtown St. Paul
must use Hwy. 61. The proposed
housing development would increase
congestion in Newport.
"We are concerned that these
ordinances would not adequately
protect the regions sewage and
transportation systems," said Council
Chair Dottie Rietow. "However, we're
willing to work with the city to explore
whether these and other methods
could be made into useful tools that
protect our regional systems and
allow for orderly growth."
Council staff and the city will
produce a joint recommendation by
next October.
Jim Martin
Here are some numbers from the
Metropolitan Council's 1995 adopted
and proposed budgets:
• Total expenditures for operations,
debt service, grants and pass-
through money: $407 million
• Operations budget (planning and
administration, transit operations,
wastewater services): $288 million
• Total property taxes levied by the
Council: $93 million
• Average share of property tax
on a $100,000 metro area home
that goes for Council services:
3 percent
• What that translates to, depending
on bus service and other local
factors: $45 to $60.
• Transit operations (from property
taxes, fares and state appropria-
tions): $171 million
• Wastewater operations (from sewer
service fees): $100 million
• Administration and planning
(highways, sewers, airports, parks
and Metro Housing and Redevelop-
ment Authority): $16.7 million.
For copy of budget documents, call
Council's Data Center at 291-8140.
4 -t... 4 6..0
Building our region's future
This year the Metropolitan Council
changed dramatically. The 1994
legislature and governor merged into
one agency several key functions.
Now the agency is a blend of
long-range and mid-range regional
planning, together with transit
services, including Metro Mobility,
wastewater treatment and affordable
housing services.
We're more accountable to the
region, with one board instead of three
for planning and policy, wastewater
and transit. The merger of planning
and operations has given us greater
ability to improve program planning
and delivery of regional services.
Our job is to provide the regional
viewpoint. On one hand, our core
cities need to be revitalized. On the
other hand, growth on our urban
fringe should be designed to
strengthen the region—not divide us
or deteriorate into urban sprawl.
How can the region solve these and
other tough problems? One answer is
partnerships. Solutions will come not
from the Metropolitan Council alone,
but through collaboration with
government, nonprofits, business and
industry. If such groups can work
together to develop creative solution,
the region will benefit.
Our recently adopted Regional
Blueprint acts as a guide to collabora-
tive action for a vital, economically
competitive region. The Blueprint
moves the Council beyond planning
for the four regional systems of
sewers, transportation, parks and
airports. It widens our focus to
include emerging problems, such as
economic vitality and the need for
more affordable housing.
I am proud of the way the Council—
formerly four agencies—has come
together into one agency this year.
Our Twin Cities -style regional
government is unique in the country
and closely watched as a national
model. I am encouraged to see,
firsthand, improvements in
various parts of the agency.
These are critical times for metro
areas throughout the country. If our
problems are to be solved, we must be
the ones to initiate solutions and work
toward them. It will require from us
all good will, hard work and a willing-
ness to cooperate. Years from now,
I would like to think the Metropolitan
Council had a role in making the
Twin Cities area a place where
we wanted to raise our children, and
where they stayed to raise theirs.
Peterson
appointed to
Council
Bloomington
Mayor Neil Peterson
was appointed to
the Metropolitan
Council in Novem-
ber. He will 1A
represent Council
District 5--131oomington, Richfield,
Shakopee and Savage. Peterson
replaces Sondra Simonson, who
resigned in June.
His professionalcareer spans
30 years in banking, business and
public administration.' Seventeen
of those years were spent in elected
office and leadership of several
metropolitan government groups.
Peterson's term begins Jan. 2.
Metropolitan Council, Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth St
SL Pati, MN 55101. Tek:phone (612) 291-6", or 291-ogN
(TDDMY)•
Reg1wi AdaMstrator,.kn Sdem;Assoc.Regiord Adrrn-
istrator, Richard Johnson, Cownunicxllions Director, Judy
Hohmann; Editor, Jim Martin;Graphic Designer, Cliff Burns.
t, The Dolce is printed with vegetable-based ink on recycled paper containing at least 10% postconsumer paper fibers.
<
A P"bUcatt°n of the Metropolitan Council
November/December 1994
Metropolitan Council
Bulk Rate
�
`
Mears Park Centre
U.S. Postage
The repo u . on m,acfi+rities of the
230 East Fifth Street
PAID
MetrroapoAten cff and issues of regional interest. For
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1634
Mpls. MN
more cal!* _ Wwna§antineat229-3780.
Permit No. 1610
orthe Data at 6 291-0904 (TDDIiTY).
z#>�>
(Address( DWIGHT JOHNSON
23464
The- ndloperates rservices
CITY MANAGER
forthe 1win Cities rn r'..` Contlu - -long-range
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
pianiiing and research, coordinates re4aral planning
3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD
among local oovornments and metro agencies, and
PLYMOUTH MN 55447-1448
MlahnrAtpA with Ato i 4nh in cmmnn .
Metropolitan Council, Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth St
SL Pati, MN 55101. Tek:phone (612) 291-6", or 291-ogN
(TDDMY)•
Reg1wi AdaMstrator,.kn Sdem;Assoc.Regiord Adrrn-
istrator, Richard Johnson, Cownunicxllions Director, Judy
Hohmann; Editor, Jim Martin;Graphic Designer, Cliff Burns.
t, The Dolce is printed with vegetable-based ink on recycled paper containing at least 10% postconsumer paper fibers.
Minnesota is a 'Kater rich" state with ample supplies of
water to meet the needs of its population for drinking water,
wastewater treatment, generation of electricity, river traffic
and other commercial and industrial activities. However,
cyclical droughts, increasing demand and contamination
events can threaten surface and ground water resources.
This publication will focus on water supply issues in the
seven county Twin City Metropolitan Area (TCMA) . It will
explore how the water supply is managed who makes deci-
sions, what are the risks to the sources of supply, what is
being done to protect the resource, what can be done to
augment supply, and how the region will plan for its future
water needs.
THE SUMMER THE RAINS CAME LATE
Historically, the response to water supply problems by users
and institutions has been "reactive" rather than "proactive".
Decisions have been made without a pre -conceived response
plan. For example, the low -flows on the Mississippi River in
1988 caught the region unprepared: few suppliers had emer-
gency water supply plans and there were many competing
uses for the limited amount of water that was available.
Perhaps the biggest problem that arose in 1988 was the
argument between the 'Lwin City Metropolitan Area
(TCMA) and the Headwaters area over who owned the
water stored in the Headwater Reservoirs. State officials
were pressured by increasing media and public concern to
have additional water released from the Headwaters Reser-
voirs even though the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul felt
such emergency releases were not necessary. In late July, the
Governor requested the Corps of Engineers (CE) to release
water from the Headwater Reservoirs, but before the CE
could rule on the request, the rains began, and a confronta-
tion among all the stakeholders in the use of the water was
avoided for the time being.
The perception with federal and state officials, regional
water suppliers, upstream interests, and the public, all with
1
='-L\ CZL
various concerns, was that no one was in charge. This,
coupled with the vulnerability of both surface and groundwa-
ter sources of water supply to contamination events, prompt-
ed the next legislative session in 1989 to mandate the Met-
ropolitan Council to develop a short-term and a long-term
plan for water supply in the region and to report back to the
Legislature in 1990 and 1992. At the same time it also
passed a Groundwater Protection Act and began a series of
steps, over the course of the next several sessions, to address
planning, protection, and institutional needs for a more
comprehensive approach to water supply
WATER SUPPLY IN THE TWIN CITY METRO AREA
Water Use and Consumption The TCMA is fortunate in
having two sources of water supply—surface water from the
Mississippi River and ground water from 5 underlying aqui-
fers. The region uses roughly one billion gallons of water
per day (bgd) for all uses: municipal water supply, power
production, cooling, industry, lake water level maintenance,
and irrigation. Power production alone in the early 1990's
accounted for 56% of the water withdrawn; municipal water
suppliers another 36%. The mean per capita daily demand
for all uses is 121 gallons; residential -only use is 93 gal-
lons.
It has to be noted that there is a difference between use and
consumption. Water use refers to water that is withdrawn
from either surface water or groundwater. Water consump-
tion refers to that portion of water withdrawn that is not
returned to any receiving water because it is evaporated or
used up.
Of the one billion gallons of water used per day: 72.5% is
surface water and 27.5% is groundwater. But of the water
consumed, only 23% is surface water and fully 77% is from
our groundwater. The figures are skewed because of the
large amount of water withdrawn from surface water by
power plants for cooling, almost all of which is returned to
the river. Power generation withdrew 577 mgd but con-
sumed only 6 mgd.
According to the Metropolitan Council, the average daily
surface water withdrawal during the years of 1984-1989, a
period for which statistics are available, amounted to 690
million gallons a day (mgd); consumption was only 19
mgd. The average daily groundwater withdrawal for the
same time period was 262 mgd, while the consumption was
45 mgd.
Municipal Water Supply Systems Unlike many regions
that must import water from great distances at considerable
expense, our supply flows through the region or directly
under it. Also, unlike many metro areas that have a single
supplier, our region has 112 municipal suppliers that deliver
water to the region's approximately 2,125,000 residents.
There are 570,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and
institutional connections in the area.
The largest municipal water suppliers are, of course, Minne-
apolis and St. Paul. Minneapolis serves not only 383,500 of
its own residents but also an additional population of 90,000
in Columbia Heights, Crystal, Golden Valley, Hilltop, New
Hope and parts of Bloomington and Edina. The St. Paul
Water Utility supplies about 274,000 of the Capital's resi-
dents plus 118,000 persons in Arden Hills, Falcon Heights,
Lauderdale, Little Canada, Maplewood, Mendota Heights,
Roseville and West St. Paul. The above named communities
are included in the 112 municipal utilities even though they
buy the water from their neighbors as a finished product.
Minneapolis relies entirely on the Mississippi as a source for
its average daily water demand of 72.25 million gallons per
day (mgd). Without its associated suburbs, the demand for
Minneapolis alone is 56.3 mgd.
St. Paul reports it takes 85% of its daily average need of 50-
53 mgd (St. Paul alone is 36.3 mgd) from the Mississippi.
The Mississippi water is then channelled through the
Vadnais chain of lakes. An additional supply is available
from the Rice Creek chain of lakes. These chains of lakes
supply 8% of the daily demand while four wells at the
Vadnais Heights utility supplies the remaining 7%.
The other 97 municipalities pump groundwater to meet their
demand. Approximately 500 municipal wells serve 1.2
million people. Another 13 wells are planned to be installed
in the early 1990's. The municipal wells have a combined
capacity of 734 mgd but it is not likely that all systems will
run at full power at the same time. In addition to municipal
wells, roughly 10% or 225,000 persons of the region's popu-
lation depends on their own wells. Roughly 42.5% of the
population uses surface water, 57.5% uses groundwater.
2
L\4;�'
The average daily withdrawal from both surface and ground
water is 283.7 mgd with the highest demand of 710.7 mgd.
Since the entire water supply system including surface and
ground water is designed for a capacity of 9175 mgd, there
is ample capacity to meet peak demands. During the years
from 19841991 more groundwater was pumped to bring the
daily average to 293 mgd. This probably happened because
of the drought 1986-1988. Since then we have experienced
wetter conditions; and although the population has increased
by five percent, the average daily water demand rose only
by two percent.
Surface Water and Ground Water Considerations The
Mississippi River is the primary source of surface water. Its
central location, good water quality, and plentiful waterflow
make it especially suitable to service the core cities. The
water of the Minnesota River is of poor quality and the St.
Croix, a Scenic River, has restrictions on its use.
Rain and melted snow replenish surface water much faster
than groundwater, making it an obvious fust choice to
satisfy increases in demand. However, drawbacks are obvi-
ous: Drought and contamination have the potential to seri-
ously limit water supplies. Then emergency storage capacity
and ability to clean the water become issues. St. Paul has
storage capacity in the chain of lakes for about seven days
and with augmentation from wells, 30 days, while Minneap-
olis has storage within its distribution system that could
supply its customers for only one day. In times of decreased
waterflow the concentration of fertilizer, pesticide residue,
sediment, oil, grease and other pollutants washed into the
Mississippi from agricultural and residential properties can
be much higher than normal and even reach dangerously
high levels making treatment more difficult and expensive.
Groundwater comes from aquifers that he beneath much of
the metropolitan area. Aquifers are parous, waterbearing
layers of rock and sand. They are interspaced with aquitards,
or solid rock layers that separate the aquifers horizontally
much like a set of shallow nesting bowls. The fust aquifer
(the one closest to the surface) is the called the "Drift"
aquifer. The glacial drift consists of coarse and fine grained
sediments. This is the most accessible aquifer but also the
easiest to contaminate and it is the layer most private wells
tap into. It supplies 10% of the area's groundwater. The first
bedrock layer used for water supply is the St. Peter aquifer
followed by the Prairie du Chien -Jordan Aquifer (PDCJ).
The*PDCJ is the workhorse among the aquifers because it
supplies 2/3 of the groundwater that is withdrawn in the
Metropolitan Area. The remaining 24% is pumped from
greater depth, from the St. Lawrence-Franconia/Ironton-
Galesville and the Mt. Simon -Hinckley aquifer or from a
combination of several units accessed by multi -aquifer wells.
Projected Future Residential Water Use The Metropoli-
tan Council projects that residential water use will increase
17% in the 20 years from 1990 to 2010. Industrial use is
projected to rise 9% during the same time span. The largest
growth in the region is expected to occur in a ring around
the central cities where groundwater is presently the primary
source of supply. In many of the future growth areas in the
western half of the region, the Prairie du Chien -Jordan
aquifer is not present or exists only as a thin layer. This is
especially true in the northern and western suburbs. Here the
drift is used or drilling has to be done into much deeper
aquifers. Some communities in these locations have already
experienced some symptoms of limited groundwater avail-
ability. So the question becomes: Should the availability of
water be a criterion in approving new developments in order
to avoid a crisis down the road?
Industrial and Commercial Use While most industrial and
commercial demands are met by privately owned wells,
approximately 30% of water supplied by municipalities, 83
mgd, goes to supply industrial and commercial customers.
Portions of individual community water supplies used for
commercial and industrial purposes vary from 0 to 58%
(Anoka). The largest users of the self supplied surface water
are four NSP power plants located in Burnsville, Minneapo-
lis, St. Paul and Oak Park Heights.
Pr Ing The four basic pricing mechanisms for municipal
water are often layered with service charges, minimum
charges with or without set volumes of water, and different
rates for summer and winter use.
PRICING
Single Block - Only one rate is charged for all
water used during a billing period.
Decreasing Block - Lowered per unit rates are
charged as volume use increases.
Increasing Block - Higher per unit rates are
charged as volume use increases.
Flat Rates - The same charge is applied during a
billing period, no matter how much water is used
Single block pricing is the most popular mechanism fol-
lowed by decreasing block. Only 6 metro suppliers use
increasing block pricing even though it is regarded by many
as a way to encourage water conservation. Four suppliers
3
used flat rates which is regarded as offering no incentives to
conserve water. However, the Metropolitan Council found
that even in a community using increasing block structure,
the price for 1,000 gallons was lower than some cities using
the single block system. Even unmetered water can be more
expensive than metered. The best way to make comparisons
is to look at the price a municipality charges per 30,000
gallons, the approximate amount used by a residence in a
billing quarter. The highest rate of $169.98 is charged by
Elko using a single block plus base charge pricing method
The lowest rate of $16.20 is charged by Hampton using a
decreasing block with minimum charge pricing method The
average price (using the summer price, if applicable) was
$41.74 per 30,000 gallons of water. The average cost of
water is $1.39 per 1000 gallons or one-tenth of a cent for a
gallon in 1993.
Costs for water may increase in the future. Aging infrastruc-
ture, especially in the core cities, will require future expendi-
tures to maintain and upgrade the system. Also increasingly
more stringent requirements of the federal Safe Drinking
Water Act (SDWA) have led to costly testing and remedia-
tion to remove pollutants. Some ask at what point is the
expense of meeting new mandates greater than the benefit
achieved According to the St. Paul Water Utility May 1994
issue of Pipelines, the US Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) estimates the total national cost of water system
compliance with SDWA mandates at $1.4 billion a year.
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES THAT AFFECT
REGIONAL WATER SUPPLIES
There are a large number of agencies with some role affect-
ing the water supply in the region. Some entities with more
immediate, dominant authorities are described below.
The MN Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has the
greatest authority over the use of water in the state and is
responsrble for its conservation, allocation and development
It grants permits to appropriate or withdraw water from
surface and groundwater for any usage exceeding 10,000
gallons a day or 1 million gallons a year. Allocation of
water is based on state law according to the following priori-
ties:
1). domestic water supply and power production as provided
for in contingency plans
2) consumptive use of less than 10,000 gallons a day
3). agricultural irrigation, and processing involving consump
tion over 10,000 gallons a day
4). power production in excess of contingency plans
5). other uses involving consumption in excess of 10,000
gallons a day.
6). nonessential uses.
The DNR is responsible for determining aquifer safe yields,
developing county geologic atlases in coordination with the
Minnesota Geological Survey, cooperating in projects with
the US Geological Survey, mapping groundwater sensitive
areas, conducting groundwater investigations, and collecting
and analyzing hydrologic data.
The MN Department of Health (MDH) is responsible for
ensuring a safe drinking water supply through implementing
the standards of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act
(SDWA), monitoring water supplies, developing a state
wellhead protection plan, defining health risk limits for
substances that degrade ground water, and administering the
state's well code.
WELLHEAD PROTECTION
A state wellhead protection plan is required by
the SDWA and the 1989 MN Ground Water
Protection Act. MDH has developed draft rules
requiring public water suppliers to define surface
and subsurface areas for protection around the
wellhead (where the well is located) through which
contaminants are likely to move toward the well.
An inventory of potential sources of contamination,
monitoring sources of contamination, managing
existing and proposed land and water uses that
pose a threat, and an emergency response plan will
be required. The program will phase in public
water suppliers between January 1995 and June
2001.
The MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is responsible
for meeting federal and state water quality standards for
surface water and groundwater, establishing effluent limits
on municipal and industrial wastewater discharges, adminis-
tering the state's superfund law, regulating tanks, and re-
sponding to spills. It has a large number of programs dealing
with point (end of a pipe) and nonpoint (diffuse runoff)
source pollution, surface and groundwater protection, and
solid and hazardous waste.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is lead
agency for responding to pesticide or fertilizer spills. Its
program includes water monitoring for pesticides and fertil-
izers and regulation of their sale, use, and disposal. The
MDA also participates in statewide nonpoint pollution con-
trol programs.
4
The Metropolitan Council is responsible for a water man-
agement plan for the region. The focus previously had been
in planning for waste treatment and surface water manage-
ment to meet federal water quality standards. Following the
drought, the 1989 Legislature mandated the Council to
develop a short-term and long-term water supply plan for the
region and to continually update it, thus making it an on-
going function. Planning authorities were given to the Met-
ropolitan Council by the 1993 Legislature (Chapter 186
discussed below) to develop guidelines and review a newly
mandated water supply component in the local comprehen-
sive plans,
The following agencies have less direct regulatory control on
the water supply system but nevertheless have significant
impact because of their role in management of surface and
ground water. Their influence is directed toward local and
individual actions that preserve the quality of the water:
The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) provides
oversight for Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD)
and Watershed Management Organizations (WMO), and
approves the voluntary program of metropolitan county
groundwater plans.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) are local
units of government, usually based on a county unit, that
manage and direct conservation programs protecting soil and
water resources in rural and urban settings. The district often
provides technical assistance to other planning agencies.
Watershed Management Organizations (WMO) are form-
ed on a hydrologic basis and 'include organizations formed
under the Watershed District (WD) statutes as well as
organizations formed by local joint powers agreements.
There are 46 WMOs in the region (11 Watershed Districts
and 35 joint powers agreements) which were established to
implement the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act
of 1982 through development and administration of their
The Vadnais Lake Area WMO is involved in a
project with the St. Paul Water Utility to improve
the quality of water draining from Lambert Creek
into Vadnais Lake, part of St. Paul's water system,
through a series of wetland improvements to
prevent taste and odor problems caused by
quantities of algae in the water.
own water management plans. Local governments develop
local plans in conformance with these WMO plans. A sec-
ond generation of plans are due in 1995.
Counties in the metropolitan area were given authority in
1987 to voluntarily prepare and adopt county groundwater
plans following approval by BWSR. At this time six of the
seven metro counties are in varying stages of preparation.
Carver and Dakota have approved plans which have been
adopted by the counties. Hennepin has an approved plan but
the county has not adopted it as yet. Ramsey's plan is being
reviewed by local governments before submission to BWSR
while those for Scott and Washington are still in draft
stages. Anoka is doing a groundwater assessment but will
not have it reviewed and approved by BWSR. Although
groundwater plans are linked to the WMO Planning process,
implementation is through the locally adopted water manage-
ment plans_
PLANNING THAT AFFECTS REGIONAL WATER
SUPPLY
Drought Response Plan One of the more immediate needs
during the drought was development of a response plan. A
matrix was developed by the Governor's Drought Task Force
in the summer of 1988. It specifies the actions to be taken
by agencies when the 72 hour flow of the Mississippi River
at Anoka reaches 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), 1,200
cfs, 1,000 cfs and 750 cfs. Affected agencies included the
DNR, the Minneapolis and St. Paul water utilities, Metropol-
itan Waste Control Commission (now incorporated into the
Metropolitan Council as a result of the metro reorganization
by the 1994 Legislature), NSP and the Mississippi Headwa-
ters Board. Actions are to be coordinated with the Corps of
Engineers. As the severity of the drought increases, volun-
tary and then mandatory restrictions on the use of water
occur. The plan, however, does not address groundwater
shortages that could occur at the same time.
Amendments to the Metropolitan Land Use Planning Act
of 1976 The Metropolitan Council's findings from its man-
dated studies on the regional water use and supply were
incorporated in the 1992 report, "Twin Cities Metropolitan
Area Water Supply: A Plan for Action." Among options
discussed for governmental structural changes was making
water supply another regional system (parks, transportation,
sewers and airports are the original four) which would re-
quire local comprehensive plans to be consistent with the
regional plan. The Metropolitan Council members, respond-
ing to concerns of the municipalities, proposed instead that
water supply become a component of the public facilities
section of the local comprehensive plans.
Chapter 186 of the 1993 MN Session Laws reflects this
approach and amends the Metropolitan Land Use Planning
Act of 1976- It requires that local plans include a water
supply component in the public facilities section which
1.7
1 Lk;A-
contains:
a description of the existing water supply system including
future changes and/or additions for projected population
and industrial and commercial growth
a statement of the community's objectives, policies and
standards for operating the water supply system
a conservation program
indication of joint efforts with neighboring communities or
other official entities to share water sources and treatment,
interconnection for routine or emergency supply, pursuit of
alternative supplies, and water source protection
a statement of water supply problems, especially those that
would impact other communities or the region
a wellhead protection plan if served by groundwater
an implementation program that indicates the manner in
which the community will carry out its public facilities
plan-
The 1993 law states that local plans are to be submitted to
the Metropolitan Council and adjacent communities for
review and comment by January 1, 1996. The Council will
submit the plan to the county for review if the community
relies on ground water supplies and if the county has an
adopted ground water plan. A community officially adopts
the plan after review and comment by the Council.
Other Chapter 186 mandates also extend to all public water
suppliers in the state which serve more than 1,000 people.
They must submit contingency plans for water shortage or
water contamination emergencies and conservation plans to
reduce demand, and evaluate rate structures that encourage
conservation and a public education program. These plans
are to be submitted by January 1 1996 for approval by the
DNR. The Metropolitan Council and DNR worked cooper-
atively in preparing the plan guidelines to avoid duplication
of effort in the Metro area.
Minnesota Water Plan In addition to these initiatives, the
MN Environmental Quality Board (EQB) developed the
Minnesota Water Plan in 1991 with a goal of defining
principles, policies, and actions needed for an integrated
water management approach.
PROTECTING THE QUALITY OF OUR WATER
SUPPLY
Surface Water Risks- The Mississippi River While cycli-
cal droughts affect the amount of water coming into the
region, the possibility of spills poses a threat at any time to
the supply. A contamination event could threaten both the
Minneapolis and St. Paul supply systems and the communi-
ties they serve. A preliminary inventory of the Mississippi
River upstream of the Minneapolis and St. Paul water in -
takes showed that 35 roads, 8 rail lines and an oil pipeline
cross the river, all are potential risks for chemical spills. The
MPCA warned in 1990 that industry's response to a major
river spill would likely be slow because of understaffing and
lack of specialized equipment.
The River Defense Network To study the issue of contam-
ination events of the Mississippi River, the EQB requested
the Corps of Engineers (CE) to conduct a Section 22 Water
Planning Program study and named the Metropolitan Council
as study manager. The three year study report Water Supply
and Spill R Apse Management for the Mississippi River
Upstream of the Twin Cities was released in 1993. Based on
the study, the state now has a computerized list of 1250
chemical storage facilities, rail and highway crossings and
parallels, and pipeline crossings that could be the source of
contamination. In addition, a computer model called Riverine
Emergency Management Model (REMM) was developed by
CE to track plumes of contaminants and their concentration
as they move downstream. A geographic information system
(GIS) was also developed to identify opportunities to confine
and divert contaminants along the length of the river up-
stream of the water intakes of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
'The report recommended formation of a "River Defense
Network' (RDN) composed of industry, river users, local
responders, state regulatory agencies and others concerned
about the condition of the river. This is a cooperative net-
work which would coordinate fust response to spill emer-
gencies and also train and educate personnel to prevent
emergencies occurring in the first place. The Network is still
in its early stages without formal structures but operates with
a facilitator from the Mississippi Headwaters Board which
acts as fiscal agent. The Legislative Commission on Minne-
sota Resources (LCMR) has recommended that several
technical items be funded for the RDN in 1995 and per-
formed by the CE. Future finding will need to rely on
participants and private foundations. Meanwhile, the 1993
Legislature mandated the Metropolitan Council, DNR and
MDA to jointly prepare an emergency response program for
the Mississippi River and report to the legislature by March
1, 1996.
Responsibility for repotting and recovering spilled materials
belongs to the industry experiencing the event. Local fire
and police departments usually are first on the scene of
events and have primary responsibility for public safety and
evacuation of an area affected by a spill. The MPCA is the
primary state agency overseeing cleanup operations of oil
and chemical spills; the MDA is lead agency for pesticide or
fertilizer spills. In 1992 the state established the Minnesota
Duty Officer in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety,
Division of Emergency Management which maintains a 24
hour spill notification hotline. The DNR investigates the
2
effect of the spills on fish and wildlife. The federal govern-
ment usually does not become involved unless the spill is
beyond the capabilities of the state to respond. Primary
federal responders would be the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), US Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency (FEMA) and the US Fish and Wildlife
Service (FWS).
Ground Water Risks It is estimated that 16 percent of the
Prairie du Chien -Jordan aquifer is polluted and that there
may be as much as 230 billion gallons of contaminated
groundwater in the combined aquifers under the Metropoli-
tan Area. This is about three times the volume of groundwa-
ter used in a year. The region now has 90 sites on the
MPCA Permanent List of Priorities for superfund cleanup.
There are other sources of groundwater contamination in-
cluding leaky storage tanks, malfunctioning septic systems,
and improperly applied pesticides and fertilizers. The esti-
mated 260,000 abandoned wells in the metro area are an-
other potential threat.
The Minnesota Ground Water Protection Act of 1989
Minnesota followed a nationwide trend to develop a compre-
hensive law to deal with ground water problems. Conserva-
tion elements in the act, however, were probably inspired by
the 1988 drought. Among some of the provisions of the act
were wellhead protection requirements, establishing health
risk limits, stricter well code provisions, elevating power
production as a priority use, prohibition on new once -
through water cooling systems (later amendments phase out
current systems by 2010), prohibition on using the ML.Simon
Hinckley aquifer except for drinking water (water is over
1,000 years old), a statewide program regulating pesticides,
and establishing an agricultural chemical response and reim-
bursement account to be used to cleanup spills of agricul-
tural chemicals. The Act also created the Legislative Water
Commission (LWC) to review state water policy and pro-
grams and to make recommendations for legislative action.
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES TO INCREASE WATER
SUPPLY
The Metropolitan Council's mandated studies included op-
tions to augment water supplies. The options explored
ranged from building new reservoirs, using water released
from Mississippi Headwaters Reservoirs (estimates range as
long as 8 to 10 weeks to get to the Twin Cities), piping
water from abandoned Mesabi Iron Range pits, adding
storage capacity into the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, build-
ing storage into Minneapolis' chain of lakes, and intercon-
necting St. Paul and Minneapolis water supplies. The Coun-
cil looked at several scenarios to increase Minneapolis'
current one day supply to a 3 day emergency supply. One
alternative of developing groundwater wells near Minneapo-
lis' looped distribution system would require new treatment
plants to treat the ground water before it is introduced and
mixed with the surface water supply. Another alternative
was to interconnect with St. Paul to access a supply of extra
water stored in the Rice Creek chain of lakes. Such an
interconnection would be useful for only short tern sharing
because of the large demand needs of the Minneapolis sys-
tem. Longer term solutions might be a consortium to use the
Mesabi Iron Range abandoned pits and a regional distribu-
tion/interconnection system permitting use of surface water
more widely while reserving groundwater more for emer-
gency needs.
Most of these alternatives have economic, political, social
and environmental consequences. In some cases the institu-
tional structure is lacking to proceed with implementation.
There are many obstacles to interconnection: lack of any
central authority to plan or build such an interconnection,
cost of such a project, differing water treatment practices,
community resistance to changes in the taste of the water
and probably most important, loss of local control. Suppliers
have invested in their distribution systems and need the
revenues to pay for and operate them.
In the meantime, the Metro Council found in an 1993 inven-
tory that there are over 60 small subregional interconnections
to deal with emergency conditions. Other suppliers expressed
interest in looking into some form of interconnection.
The Council noted that there are several regulatory authori-
ties but few with long term planning authority for the use
and management of water supplies for the region. Place-
ments of wells are not coordinated. They are planned to
meet the need of supplying water to a community, rather
than on efficient use of the groundwater system. Ground
water use at capacity will reduce surface flow of the Missis-
sippi River because water levels in the bedrock aquifers
which supply some surface water will be lowered. By 2010
we will be using over 1/2 of the capacity of the system
which the USGS estimates to be 650 mgd of which 62 mgd
is not useable without treatment because of contamination.
CONSERVATION: STRETCHING WATER SUPPLY
"Foremost in any plan to supplement existing
supplies is wise use or conservation of the
resource. We absolutely cannot look- elsewhere for
water before eliminating all of the waste from our
own water use practices. " Alternative Sources of
Water for the TCMA: Working Paper No. 1,
Metropolitan Council, 1991
VA
The abundance of usable water has led us to believe that we
cannot experience a water shortage. Yet as demand outstrips
supply, we will be faced with the fact that though water
renews itself, it cannot be created. In addition, if we abuse
and pollute our waters, the usable percentage will actually
decrease. Many cities have already experienced temporary
shortages, and if our supply cannot keep pace with growth,
these problems will become chronic. Since water is a neces-
sity and a finite resource, it may be time to consider conser-
vation as an alternate water source.
Conservation aims at a reduction in water use or water loss,
and advocates using water wisely and efficiently, avoiding
waste, and preserving the quality of the water without un-
necessarily curtailing use. Conservation:
preserves the resource and ensures future availability
reduces need for expanding wastewater treatment plants
postpones or eliminates need to develop new sources of
water
saves operating costs, energy use and capital investments
encourages water supply efficiency to maximise water use
helps utilities cope with short-term water shortage emer-
gencies.
Supply Management Conservation occurs when a utility
conserves water by altering practices within its own system
and under its control without involving users. Often these
programs are part of good management, if they are cost
effective and easy to implement. Supply management pro-
grams include metering, leak detection and repair programs,
pressure reduction, and watershed management for source
protection.
Demand Management involves cooperation between users
and the utility aimed at reducing the use of water. Users
must be convinced that reductions in water use are necessary
or a mandate to conserve must be issued by the supplier.
Most users need to be given an incentive to conserve. De-
mand management programs include metering, pricing pro-
grams, regulations (sprinkling restrictions and plumbing code
changes to install water saving devices) and public educa-
tion.
Water conservation has been federal policy since 1978 when
President Jimmy Carter directed all federal agencies to
consider water conservation as a national priority and to
incorporate it into their programs. Minnesota has expressed
its commitment to conservation through the Minnesota Water
Plan and directives to the DNR to develop a conservation
plan. The 1993 Legislative session changed state policy
from discouraging treatment and reuse of water for non -
consumptive uses to encouraging such practices.
Though several agencies and statutes address conservation
issues, like other facets of water management, there is no
single organization to oversee and coordinate efforts. Con-
servation is a small part of each agency's overall program,
and not the prime purpose of any. Besides lacking coordina-
tion and high priority, conservation efforts often fail for
financial reasons. Sometimes the sale of water generates
revenue for the supplier that is then lost with conservation.
This can be remedied by revenue neutral pricing — increas-
ing the per unit price of water at a time of decreasing use to
maintain constant revenues. Sometimes conservation mea-
sures require an initial investment that is not considered
economically feasible, even though some savings will be
realized in the long term. Education programs may require
an investment that may not have immediate quantifiable
results. Generally the incentive to institute change and learn
to conserve comes about because of a temporary water
shortage. By developing and implementing conservation
plans, we may be able to ensure wise use of our resource
and avoid a serious crises.
LOOKING AHEAD
The region has adequate water supply but needs to address
protection and wise use of the resource. While droughts are
of real concern, the threat of contamination is perhaps of
even greater concern and requires emergency response and
contingency plans for alternative supplies.
A process has been established to begin to plan for the
region's water supply. It will take sonic time to see whether
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
550 RICE STREET
ST. PAUL, MN 55103
(612) 224-5445
Anoka/Blaine/Coon Rapids
Arden Hills/Shoreview
Bloomington
Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Park/Osseo/Maple Grove
Crystal/New Hope/East Plymouth
Eastern Carver County
Edina
Fridley
Golden Valley
Mahtomedi Area
Minneapolis
Minne[onka/Eden Prairie/Hopkins
New Brighton
Northern Dakota County
Richfield
Robbinsdale
Roseville/Maplewood/Falcon Heights
St Croix Valley
St Louis Paris
St Paul
Scott County
South Tonka
WarAta/Plymouth
Westonka
White Bear/North Oaks
Woodbury/Cottage Grove
Z
`�_
the 1993 amendments to the Metropolitan Land Use Plan-
ning Act of 1976 are an effective approach to meet those
needs or whether some other stronger regional role, such as
malting water supply a regional system, will be needed.
Many issues remain to be addressed. If there is a need for a
regional conservation goal, how would it be carried out?
Who should establish the goals and should they be mandated
or voluntary? Decisions to rely more on surface water, a
continuing resource, rather than groundwater, a depletable
resource, would require regional decision making and imple-
mentation through a system of regional interconnections.
Decisions limiting growth to areas with water availability
will have major implications for local communities.
Hard decisions on policy and implementation awaits the
metropolitan area as it moves to ensure an adequate, safe
water supply.
CMAL wishes to thank Gary Oberts of the Metropolitan Council
for providing materials and comment during the preparation of
this report. Thanks is also due to the MN Department of Health,
the MN Department of Natural Resources, the MN Pollution
Control Agency, the MN Environmental Quality Board the Board
of Water and Soil Resources, the MN Senate Council and
Research Office, the Minneapolis Water Department, the St. Paul
Water Utility and several local water departements who also
provided information during the course of the study..
Published by Contributions to the
League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ST. PAUL, MN 55103
Permit No. 3200
On hold
Coon Rapids Council tables train whistle ban ordinance for 60 days
by Peter Bodley
Managing editor
An ordinance banning train whistles in the
city of Coon Rapids has been put on hold.
The Coon Rapids City Council has tabled the
ordinance for 60 days so that further discus-
sions with Burlington -Northern Railroad can
take place.
Burlington -Northern officials have made it
clear that the railroad is unlikely to adhere to
the ordinance provisions because they be-
lieve new federal laws take precedence.
In a letter to the council following
a meeting between Burlington -
Northern officials and Council
members Larry Jorgensen and
Jerry Newton Dec. 27, attorney
James Hamilton, representing the
railroad, threatened to challenge
the ordinance, if adopted, pre-
sumably in court.
But Jorgensen and Newton fo-
cused on what they felt was a con-
ciliatory and cooperative tone in
other parts of the letter and in the
meeting in calling for the 60 -day wait.
In the letter, Hamilton said that Burlington -
Northern was not unsympathetic to resi-
dents' conerns.
The ordinance would prohibit train crews
from sounding their horns or whistles while
traveling through Coon Rapids "except as a
warning of imminent and immediate danger
to life or property."
The council proposed the ordinance in re-
sponse to complaints by a number of resi-
dents who live alongside railroad tracks
about excessive use of whistles from trains
passing through the city. They claimed that
it was detrimental to their quality of life and
property values.
Burlington -Northern denied any excessive
use of train whistles, according to audits con-
ducted by operating officers, said Tim God-
sil, terminal superintendent.
It is also Burlington-Northern's position that
any local or state action has been superceded
by federal legislation signed into law Nov. 2
by President Bill Clinton.
Among its provisions, the law gives the fed-
eral government complete
control over the sounding of train whistles at
highway/railroad grade crossings. There are
10 of those in Coon Rapids.
The council is aware of the law. But it be-
lieves there is a window of opportunity for
the city to have its own ordinance in place
because the Secretary of Transportation has
up to two years to draft the regulations to im-
plement the legislation.
Any exemption from the federal law would
have to be approved by the transportation
secretary and would need the support of both
the city and railroad company.
The meeting that Newton and Jorgensen had
with railroad company officials was the first
step in that process, the council members
said. "There is a chance to work with
Burlington -Northern, and tabling the ordi-
nance will give us time to have these dis-
cussions and come to a conclusion," Jor-
gensen said.
"We feel Burlington -Northern is willing to
talk with us, to try and work something out,"
Newton said.
In calling for the 60 -day layover of the ordi-
nance, Newton and Jorgensen said that the
train whistles are not so much of a problem
in the winter months because residents gen-
erally have their windows closed and are not
out in their yards.
Discussions with Burlington -Northern
would focus on safety issues, Newton said,
and city staff has been asked to outline pos-
sible safety measures to offset any whistle
ban. "If we want to try and get any exemp-
tions from the federal law, we have to work
with Burlington-Nordiem," Jorgensen said.
' s
-M Scom--
{
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Y.
CITY OF
January 19, 1995 PLYMOUTR
Mr. Randy Mayer
Mayer Mobil
762 Highway #55
P.O. Box 205
Medina, MN 55340
Dear Mr. Mayer,
Thank you for your January 18 letter to Mayor Tierney. With regard to your
questions regarding the City's experience with petroleum products used by our fleet
vehicles, Mayor Tierney has asked Fred Moore, Public Works Director, to respond.
You can expect a response from Mr. Moore by February 2.
Thanks again for your letter. Please give me a call on 550-5013 if you have not
received a response by February 2.
Sincerely,
Kathy Lueckert
Assistant City Manager
cc: Fred Moore, Public Works Director
C/R, file
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
Z
Mobil MAYER MOBIL PHONE
(612) 478-6041
762 HWY. #55, P.O. BOX 205-`FA)�r
MEDINA, MINNESOTA 55340 (62)'478-601.,
January 18, 1995
Mayor Joy Tierney
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Mayor Tierney:
This letter is to confirm our conversation of this morning and to put in
writing some of my concerns.
As you know I am a lifelong resident of Plymouth as are my father and
grandfather. I have had the privilege of supplying the City of Plymouth with gasoline,
diesel fuel, and motor oil since 1974. My company also supplied the heating oil for fire
station one and the old city hall from the sixties until they eventually converted to natural
gas. In short the City of Plymouth is an old and valued customer. I became the city's
supplier of gasoline, diesel fuel, and motor oil during the Arab oil embargo of 1974.
Product was in short supply and the city could not find supply at any price. I found
product and have supplied the city with quality Mobil products at a fair price until six
months ago. I was asked to price my product with the county bid, which I could not do
and maintain the quality products I feel the city should be using. This leads me to several
questions that I have for the manager of Public Works.
1) Have you had any injector problems with your gasoline or diesel engines?
2) Does your current motor oil meet caterpillar specifications and warranty requirements?
3) If it does, how long does it meet those requirements after it is put in service?
4) Have you lost any warranty because your oil does not meet caterpillar requirements?
5) Have you had to change service intervals to maintain warranty ?
6) Have you noticed increased oil consumption among your vehicles? Have you checked?
7) Are you using a brand name product with a track record?
8) If you are using a quality product why do you feel it is necessary to purchase and use
expensive oil additives?
Mayor Tierney I am not writing in an effort to retain a customer. I am asking
these questions because I take pride that Plymouth is my home and a class A city. I am
proud of the way the city has evolved over the past fifty years. I don't want to see it's
sizable fleet of vehicles and the effort it takes to keep them running put in jeopardy in an
effort to save a buck. Quality and service have a price. It has been my experience in the
petroleum business that you get what you pay for. My concern is that a pattern is being
established by several city managers. That price is not one of their concerns, it is their only
concern. Whether it be in painting vehicles, purchasing lubricants, or hiring prosecuting
attorneys these decisions have a long term cost . I just hope that the managers who are
making these decisions are around to take responsibility for their actions, because one
thing is for sure, we the taxpayers will be asked to foot the bill.
Mobil
MAYER MOBIL
762 HWY. #55, P.O. BOX 205
MEDINA, MINNESOTA 55340
PHONE
(612) 478-6041
FAX
(612) 478-6013
If the council is serious about saving money perhaps a private management
company should be hired to make these decisions because they could be held accountable.
This would help control the largest and fastest growing expense the city has, salaries,
pensions, and benefits of our growing city staff.
Thank you for your time and I hope I am wrong in my perception of the direction
this city is heading.
Since " y,
Randy Mayer
�b
f
"* y
CITY OF
PLYMOUTH+
January 19, 1995
Mr. Mark Denis, President
Mr. Dennis Holmquist, Development Committee Member
Medicine Lake Lutheran Church
3110 East Medicine Lake Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Mssrs. Denis and Holmquist,
Thank you for your recent letter to Plymouth City Council Members regarding the
City's new wetland ordinance and your property at 11115 Old Rockford Road. Mayor
Tierney has asked Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director, to respond to
your letter. You can expect a response from Ms. Hurlburt by February 2.
Thanks again for your letter. Please give me a call on 550-5013 if you have not
received a response by February 2.
Sincerely,
&q IWOV
Kathy Lueckert
Assistant City Manager
cc: Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director
C/R file
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
_:. sb
January 13 1995 \'
Plymouth City Offices
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN. 55447
s.1
Dear Honorable City Council Members:
Regarding: New wetlands ordinance, as it relates to the
property (4.3 acres) at 11115 Old Rockford Road,
Plymouth, Minnesota
We must address several issues with you at this time. First and
foremost, the issue of the City of Plymouth water treatment plant
on the north side of Old Rockford Road, directly across from our
property. From the initial 3-4 years of the plants existence, tens
of thousands of gallons of water were run from the treatment
plant on a monthly basis and through the culvert that runs under Old
Rockford Road, midway across the north end of our property. Since
the beginning of water treatment operation, a deep ravine (7 feet
deep beginning at the mouth of the culvert) was cut into our land
and gradually descending to a point of approximately 300 feet out
into our property, where the water simply was absorbed into our
land. This area where the ravine developed, has been an area where
a grassy knoll had been from the beginning of time, as known by the
community. Under all rainfall conditions prior, there had never
been any such erosion of the land under our ownership since 1986,
nor under the previous long term ownership of the property. Your
people filled that ravine in with fill brought in by City of
Plymouth trucks and dozers in November, 1994. Over the course of
time since the opening of the City of Plymouth water treatment
plant, you have supercharged our site with this excessive water
runoff created by the plant.
Secondly, on May 9, 1990, we received permission from the City of
Plymouth Planning Commission for construction of a church and
Christian Day School for grades K-8. Additionally, we had also
received approval for a parking lot that would have covered nearly
half of the area you now choose to define as "wetlands". Not only
as wetlands, but "medium quality" wetlands, where we might add, none
ever existed before. On May 21, 1990, the City of Plymouth Council
approved the same site plan as the Planning Commission had earlier
approved on May 9, 1990.
S
Thirdly, since that time, construction plans had been placed on
hold, and in fact, in 1993, we placed the property on the market for
sale at $115,000. A formal offer had been received in 1993 for
nearly $100,000, but it was thought not to be enough money for the
site. As the most recent 6-8 months (prior to the date of this
letter) have passed, numerous other buyers have voiced interest in
the property, but expressed concern over pending governmental
changes coming, that might be applied to the site via the new,
proposed wet- lands regulations. Now, in December, 1994, we
received another formal offer; this time for $63,000. This was from
a buyer, who, once again, was expressing concerns of how diminished
the actual number of building pads on our site would be in light of
the new wetlands ordinances. We formally request that you review
this entire matter, and allow our property to be categorized as it
had been at that point in time, May, 1990. We feel there is a gross
mis-handling of our property by governmental agencies the past
8 years and that violations have occurred and liberties have been
taken with our property. There most certainly has been, in our
estimation, and as Medicine Lake Lutheran Church member, Judy Dyrud,
expressed in her formal address to the Plymouth City Planning
Commission in December, 1994, a taking of value in this instance by
Local Government. Please note the attached articles from recent
publications. And, yes, please respond in the month of January,
1995.
V�e/r,,y Sincerely,
� 400-�
Mark Denis
Medicine Lake Lutheran Church, President
3110 East Medicine Lake Blvd.
Plymouth, MN. 55441
P e: 544-9 7
nni�s Ho quist
Medicine Lake Lutheran Church
Development Committee Member
CC. Mr. Fred Moore, Director, Public Works
CC. Barb Sennes, Planning Supervisor
CC. Representative Warren Limmer
CC. Rod Grams, U. S. Senate
CC. Bill Luther, U. S. House of Representatives
-v--, 5b
22A W SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1994
GOP contract fine print may have big iMpact".
Enforcing new
environmental laws
could be prohibitive
HEATHER DEWAR
WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON
Ouse Republicans are consid-
ering a sweeping measure that
would permit private landowners
to demand cash from Washington
if a government regulation reduc-
es the value of their land by 10
percent or more.
The little -noticed plan responds
to growing rage among landown-
ers, particularly in the West, who
feel environmental laws like the
Endangered Species Act have un-
fairly restricted their chances to
make money- from their land.
But the measure, contained in
the fine print of the Contract With
America signed by House Republi-
cans, could have enormous im-
pact.
A spokesman for the Interior
Department calls the proposal
"the real nightmare on Main
Street," forcing the government to
pay landowners who balk at obey-
ing existing laws that limit devel-
opment on their property.
An aide to a key Senate backer
says its ripples would be felt far
beyond the environmental realm.
And a Republican budget analyst
says experts who tried to figure
out its effect on the federal deficit
simply threw down their pencils
and moved on.
"Nobody could figure out how
much it would cost," said Arthur
Sauer, a Republican staffer on the
House Budget Committee. "Most
people figure that just having it in
law would discourage the govern-
ment from doing anything that
would cost anything."
Just one and a half pages long,
the draft bill is so obscure that
only a few policy wonks say
they've actually read it. It is
tucked near the end of the text of
the Republicans' Job Creation and
Wage Enhancement Act, under the
banner of private property rights
protection and compensation."
The proposal makes it easy for
any private landowner to make a
claim. If the federal government
imposes land restrictions that
could lead to lost profits of 10
percent o- more, the landowner
simply writes a letter to the agen-
cy involved. Within six months the
agency must respond with an offer
of money, and it must hold off on
enforcing the regulation that
caused the problem.
The idea harks back to the Con-
stitution's Fifth Amendment,
which forbids government from
taking private land without com-
pensation.
Members of the burgeoning
property rights movement say
that right is virtually absolute —
that landowners should be able to
fill wetlands on their property, or
clear land that shelters endan-
gered species, or exercise mining
or grazing rights to the fullest.
They say federal environmental
laws have left them the land but
taken away its value, and they are
demanding compensation for lost
profits.
A wild idea with no chance of
becoming law? Maybe, but the
proposal has powerful friends. It's
the brainchild of Rep. Dick Ar-
mey, R -Texas, the incoming House
majority leader.
Armey also is a founding mem-
ber of the Congressional Property
Rights Coalition, a year-old House
caucus that already boasts 166
members. Its Senate counterpart
has signed up 14 backers so far.
The Republican co-chairman of
the Senate's property rights cau-
cus said the provision, or some
similar one. is part of the mandate
won by Republicans in last
month's election.
"This new 104th Congress is re-
flective of a national mandate that
has a strong environmental ethic,"
said Idaho Sen. Larry Craig at an
informal hearing this week.
"We're not out to pillage the envi-
ronment, but what we're seeing
now is environmental extremism.
What we'll be talking about is
moving the pendulum back to the
center." 7 '
But environmentalists say this
kind of law would sow chaos in the
nation's daily life,' gutting impor-
tant environmental, health and
safety regulations that the Ameri-
can people strongly support.
For example, said attorney Jo-
hanna Wald of the Natural Re-
sources Defense Council, the pro-
posal could force the Federal
Aviation Administration to aban-
don its height restrictions on build-
ings near airports — or pay a
fortune to anyone who wants to
build a highrise along a busy flight,
path. -
Many of the property rights
groups that have sprung up across -
the country over the past decade.
have the financial backing of tim
her interests, mining companies,:
agribusinesses and other tradition- _
al opponents of environmentgl,
regulation. Environmentalists nova .
say they made a big mistake by:
failing to realize the populist
peal of the property rights argu-
ments.
rguments.
"Frankly, we were asleep at the,
switch," _said Michael Francis, a
Washington -based activist at the.,
Wilderness Society.
-'T'- S ck.'
CITY OF
PLYMOUTH+
January 12, 1995
Mr. Darren A. DeMatthew
11440 41 st Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Mr. DeMatthew:
I received a copy of your recent letter to Mayor Tierney which addressed some Public
Safety issues. The Police Department provides a modern, effective law enforcement
agency, responsive to community needs on a 24-hour basis. The department is
responsible for the equal protection of all persons and property, fair and just enforcement
of all applicable laws of the State of Minnesota and ordinances of the City, the
preservation of peace and order, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension
of offenders, and training and education programs for officers and citizens. The
department also assists citizens with animal control, public nuisances, and service calls
such as home and vehicle lockouts. Plymouth police officers responded to 23,418
incidents in 1993, and 1994 incidents are estimated at 24,167.
In regard to your question about officers using the fire stations as police precincts, most
emergency service is provided by officers on roving patrol in marked squads throughout
the city. The City is divided into areas with officers working the shift assigned to an area.
The fire stations, as well as the main office are all available and used by officers for
report writing, breaks, and call-backs during their shift. The City has an authorized
strength for 1995 of 54 sworn officers and 6 community service officers who work
various shifts in an effort to provide maximum coverage for service to the community.
I do appreciate your comments and if you have any further questions, please do not
hesitate to call me at 550-5161, or write at the address listed below.
Sincerely,
l
ig C. Gerdes
Director of Public Safety
PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 - TELEPHONE (612i 550-5000
January 4, 1995 CITY OF
PLYMOUTH+
Darren A. DeMatthew
11440 41st Avenue N
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Mr. DeMatthew:
Mayor Tierney has forwarded your letter dated December 30 to me for review and comment.
You requested some information with regard to the Civic Center ice arena proposal.
The property for a future civic center/ice arena has been set aside in Plymouth Creek Park
immediately north of City Center. Recently, the City Council has charged the Park and
Recreation Advisory Commission with preparing a report outlining the needs for future youth
recreational/athletic needs. This committee will be formed in January and will be meeting
sometime in early February. The results of this committee's work will to a large degree
influence the Council's decision to pursue ice arenas or other community recreation facilities.
In the future, articles with regard to the committee's work will be highlighted in the City's
newsletter.
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter. If you have any further questions, please
do not hesitate to give me a call at 550-5131.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EB/np
cc: City Manager
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
=- Sc-..
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 he an increased number of social
problems that will need to be dealt with.
Finally, I drive on Hwy. 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 ITwy.
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 JIwy. 169 to County Road 101 since
it is a tinnesota Highway? Has anyone else besides myself ever brought this
,)oint to the attention of the city before?
7'hankyou for taking your time to read this and it would be much
r1npreciated if I could get some feedback concerning the questions and sug-
gestions that I have brought into the open.,
Sincerely,
IJarren A. DePlatthew
/_144(0 c fj.rt- �h/e N
�yrnou�h , n-tiv. �s��fl
Gordon Hanson
4300 Trenton Lane #111
Plymouth, MN 55442
Dear Mr. Hanson:
Mayor Tierney has forwarded your letter dated December 31 to me for review and comment.
Your request is for the City to consider develop a community gardening program in Plymouth.
In the mid 1980's we offered such a program on a vacant piece of park property in northwest
Plymouth. The program was in existence for three or four years, but eventually died because
of people's inability to get water to their product. It's a good program, which I ran very
successfully in my previous community of Maplewood, where I was Director. We thought
that it would catch on in Plymouth and be successful here also. Unfortunately, because of the
lack of water supply, the demand for plots dwindled year by year.
My staff and I will look at this program again and determine whether or not we have a piece
of property we think will be more successful this time than what we had in 1985. If the
opportunity exists for having a garden program, we will certainly implement it.
Thank you for calling this idea to our attention. If you have further questions or suggestions,
please do not hesitate to give me a call at 550-5131.
Sincerely,
Eric J. Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EB/np
cc: City Manager
Superintendent of Parks
We Listen • We Solve . We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
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,
I 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 piows 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, ,
Z1
i Gordon Hanson
c,d
.6
January 17, 1995 CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
Vivian Starr
6060 Annapolis Lane
Plymouth, MN 55446
Dear Ms. Starr:
Mayor Tierney has forwarded your letter dated January 5 to me for review and comment. You
asked if a snowmobile trail on County Road 47 would have any impact on a bike path
requested from Lake Camelot to Northwest Boulevard. The City's decision to allow or not
allow snowmobiles on County Road 47 will have no bearing on whether or not the City builds
a bike trail on County Road 47. If, however, the City builds that off-road trail, snowmobiles
would be prohibited from driving on that bike trail.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call at 550-5131.
Sincerely,
f",A� &��
Eric J. Blank, Director
Parks and Recreation
EB/np
cc: City Manager
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH SOULEVA.RD • PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
VIVIAN F. STARR
6060 Annapolis Lane North
Plymouth, Minnesota 55446
61
Mayor Joy Tierney
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mayor Tierney:
Thank you for your response to my voice mail message
regarding the proposed snowmobile usage of the streets of
Lake Camelot Estates. I also received responses from Carole
Helliwell and Nick Granath. I appreciate their replies.
The news of this proposed change arrived with very little
lead time for our neighborhood to form a consensus.
On the one hand are those who oppose allowing snowmobiles
use of the streets because of concerns of safety (remember
our new stop signs?), noise, and property damage to yards
and our extensive private park and trail areas. Might we
become a thru way for people living north of us in Maple
Grove who want to reach County Road 47? Might people living
deeper in the city find our neighborhood a convenient place
to park their cars and snowmobile trailers?
On the other hand are those neighbors who feel they should
be allowed to ride their snowmobiles from their garage to
the highway, County Road 47.
Upon due reflection, I and a number of people I have spoken
to are in the middle. I have no problem with my fellow
residents of Lake Camelot Estates using the streets to get
to 47. But because of the safety and other concerns, I
would like to see that usage limited by city ordinance to
members of Lake Camelot Estates Homeowners Inc.. A speed
limit would be a useful additional restriction.
If you try to satisfy both viewpoints by imposing
residential restrictions, would such an ordinance withstand
a court challenge?
By the way, if you create a snowmobile trail along County
Road 47, does that impact our long standing request for a
bike path from Lake Camelot to Northwest Blvd?
Sincerely
Vivian F. Starr
95REG.XLS
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Blank
Darren A. DeMatthew
Civic Center/Ice Arena
12130194
113195
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Barren A. DeMatthew
Pub. Safety Concerns
12130194
113195
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Barren A. DeMatthew
Transportation
12130194
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Gordon Hanson
Community garden plots
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Dr. Robert May
19th Avenue - Traffic speed
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Vivian Starr
Bike path - Lk Camelot/ NW Blvd
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Mark Denis]DennisHolmquist
Wetlands Ord/1 1115 0. Rackfd Road
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Randy Meyer
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Page 1
18545 20th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
January 10, 1995
Plymouth City Council
3480 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Council:
I greatly support the recently approved ordinance restricting the use of snow mobiles to designated areas
in Plymouth.
I, therefore, oppose any amendment to this ordinance, expanding the restricted. areas. I understand
there is to be an appeal to allow snow mobiles on Parkers Lake. The city has done a great job of
providing open spaces for community use. I bike and walk around Parkers Lake. I feel that park lands
should be free to be used by all. The noise and speed created by snow mobiles are not conducive to use
by many.
I hope you will not vary your decision.
Sincerely,
Ann Harris
January 13, 1995
a'- Le b
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Mr. Rudy Marti
1855 Troy Lane
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
RE: Petroleum Tank Release/No Corrective Action Required
Site: Marti Residence, 1855 Troy Lane, Plymouth
Site ID#: LEAK00007359
Dear Mr. Marti:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Tanks and Spills Section (TS)
staff has reviewed the limited data provided by you in the report received on
August 18, 1994, for the above -referenced site.
The report titled Excavation Report Worksheet provides documentation on
petroleum contamination detected during the performance of the tank excavation.
The following information was provided in the report received by MPCA TS staff:
1. On May 6, 1994, one 1,000 -gallon underground storage tank used for heating
oil was removed. A small hole was observed on the top of the tank.
2. During excavation, approximately 0.5 cubic yards of impacted soil was
intermixed with the clean soil and replaced into the tank basin.
3. A total of one soil sample was collected from the bottom of the completed
excavation and analyzed for benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, xylenes, and
diesel range organics. Concentrations of all parameters were below
detection limits.
Based on the data provided by you in the report(s) referenced above, the MPCA TS
staff will not require an additional investigation or corrective action at this
time for the petroleum contamination described above. MPCA staff reserves the
right to reopen this file and require additional work if in the future more work
is determined by MPCA staff to be necessary. If you, or other parties, later
come upon any evidence ofcontamination other than what was previously reported,
you are required by Minnesota law to notify the MPCA immediately.
The contents of this letter only refer to information reported to the MPCA TS
staff for the activities described above. This letter does not address other
types of contamination that may be present at the subject property. This letter
does not release any party from liability for the petroleum contamination under
Minn. Stat. § 115C. (1990), or any other applicable state or federal law.
520 Lafayette Rd. N.; St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; (612) 296-6300 (voice); (612) 282-5332 (TTY)
Regional Offices: Duluth • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Marshall • Rochester
Equal Opportunity Employer • Printed on recycled paper containing at least 10% fibers from paper recycled by consumers.
Mr. Rudy Marti
Page 1
January 13, 1995
If you have any questions the regarding the contents of this letter, please call
me at 612/247-8586.
Sincerely,
Mike D. Nelson
Project Manager
Cleanup Unit III
Tanks and Spills Section
MDN:tf
CC: Chris Bratsch, Peer Environmental, Minneapolis
Laurie Ahrens, City Clerk, Plymouth
Joe Ryan, City of Plymouth
Greg Lie, Hennepin County Solid Waste Officer
=: to b
AlkMinnesota Pollution Control Agency
January 18, 1995
Mr. Gary Smith
10620 40th Avenue North
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
RE: Petroleum Tank Release Site File Closure
Site: Gary Smith Residence, Plymouth
Site ID#: LEAK00006566
Dear Mr. Smith:
We are pleased to let you know that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) Tanks and Spills Section (TLS) staff has determined that your
investigation and/or cleanup has adequately addressed the petroleum tank release
at the site listed above. Based on the information provided, the TLS staff has
closed the release site file.
Closure of the file means that the T&S staff does not require any additional
investigation and/or.clean-up work at this time or in the foreseeable future.
Please be aware that file closure does not necessarily mean that all petroleum
contamination has been removed from this site. However, the T&S staff has
concluded that any remaining contamination, if present, does not appear to pose
a threat to public health or the environment.
The MPCA reserves the right to reopen this file and to require additional
investigation and/or cleanup work if new information or changing regulatory
requirements make additional work necessary. If you or other parties discover
additional contamination (either petroleum or non -petroleum) that was not
previously reported to the MPCA, Minnesota law requires that the MPCA be
immediately notified.
You should understand that this letter does not release any party from liability
for the petroleum contamination under Minn. Stat. ch. 115C (1992) or any other
applicable state or federal law. In addition, this letter does not release any
party from liability for non -petroleum contamination, if present, under Minn.
Stat. ch. 115B (1992), the Minnesota Superfund Law.
The monitoring wells for this site should be abandoned in accordance with the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Well Code, Chapter 4725. If you choose to
keep the monitoring wells, the MDH will continue to assess a maintenance fee for
each well.
Because you performed the requested work, the state may reimburse you for a
major portion of your costs. The Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act establishes
a fund which may provide partial reimbursement for petroleum tank release
cleanup costs. This fund is administered by the Department of Commerce
Petrofund Board. Specific eligibility rules are available from the Petrofund
Board at 612/297-1119 or 612/297-4203.
520 Lafayette Rd. N.; St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; (612) 296-6300 (voice); (612) 282-5332 (TTY)
Regional Offices: Duluth • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Marshall • Rochester
Equal Opportunity Employer • Printed on recycled paper containing at least 10% fibers from paper recycled by consumers.
Mr. Gary
Page 2
January
Smith
18, 1995
is LO b
If future development of this property or the surrounding area is planned, it
should be assumed that petroleum contamination may still be present. If
petroleum contamination is encountered during future development work, the MPGA
staff should be notified immediately.
For specific information regarding petroleum contamination that may remain at
this leaksite, please call the T&S File Request Program at 612/297-8499. The
"Leak/Spill and Underground Storage Tank File Request Form" (T&S Fact Sheet ##36)
must be completed prior to arranging a time for file review.
Thank you for your response to this petroleum tank release and for your
cooperation with the MPCA to protect public health and the environment. If you
have any questions regarding this letter, please call me at 612/297-8582 or the
site hydrogeologist Steve Geyen at 612/297-8602.
Sin erely,
a ryn Seri r
Project Manager
Cleanup Unit III
Tanks and Spills Section
RN: JS: tf
Steve Gee
yen
Cleanup Unit II
Tanks and Spills Section
CC: Laurie Ahrens, City Clerk, Plymouth
Richard Kline, Fire Chief, Plymouth
Tim Goodman, Hennepin County Solid Waste Officer
Leslie Mateffy, P.E., Mateffy Engineering, Inc., New Brighton
January 18, 1995
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Mr. Vance C. Demong
10626 40th Avenue North
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
RE: Petroleum Tank Release Site File Closure
Site: Demong Residence, 10626 40th Avenue North, Plymouth
Site ID#: LEAK00006596
Dear Mr. Demong:
We are pleased to let you know that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) Tanks and Spills Section (T&S) staff has determined that your
investigation and/or cleanup has adequately addressed the petroleum tank release
at the site listed above. Based on the information provided, the T&S staff has
closed the release site file.
Closure of the file means that the T&S staff does not require any additional
investigation and/or clean-up work at this time or in the foreseeable future.
Please be aware that file closure does not necessarily mean that all petroleum
contamination has been removed from this site. However, the T&S staff has
concluded that any remaining contamination, if present, does not appear to pose
a threat to public health or the environment.
The MPCA reserves the right to reopen this file and to require additional
investigation and/or cleanup work if new information or changing regulatory
requirements make additional work necessary. If you or other parties discover
additional contamination (either petroleum or non -petroleum) that was not
previously reported to the MPCA, Minnesota law requires that the MPCA be
immediately notified.
You should understand that this letter does not release any party from liability
for the petroleum contamination under Minn. Stat. ch. 115C (1992) or any other
applicable state or federal law. In addition, this letter does not release any
party from liability for non -petroleum contamination, if present, under Minn.
Stat. ch. 115B (1992), the Minnesota Superfund Law.
The monitoring wells for this site should be abandoned in accordance with the
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Well Code, Chapter 4725. If you choose to
keep the monitoring wells, the MDH will continue to assess a maintenance fee for
each well.
520 Lafayette Rd. N.; St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; (612) 296-6300 (voice); (612) 282-5332 (TTY)
Regional Offices: Duluth • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Marshall • Rochester
Equal Opportunity Employer • Printed on recycled paper containing at least 10% fibers from paper recycled by consumers.
S- Lob
Mr. Vance C. Demong
Page 2
January 18, 1995
Because you performed the requested work, the state may reimburse you for a
major portion of your costs. The Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act establishes
a fund which may provide partial reimbursement for petroleum tank release
cleanup costs. This fund is administered by the Department of Commerce
Petrofund Board. Specific eligibility rules are available from the Petrofund
Board at 612/297-1119 or 612/297-4203.
If future development of this property or the surrounding area is planned, it
should be assumed that petroleum contamination may still be present. If
petroleum contamination is encountered during future development work, the MPCA
staff should be notified immediately.
For specific information regarding petroleum contamination that may remain at
this leaksite, please call the T&S File Request Program at 612/297-8499. The
"Leak/Spill and Underground Storage Tank File Request Form" (T&S Fact Sheet #36)
must be completed prior to arranging a time for file review.
Thank you for your response to this petroleum tank release and for your
cooperation with the MPCA to protect public health and the environment. If you
have any questions regarding this letter, please call me at 612/297-8582 or the
site hydrogeologist Steve Geyen at 612/297-8602.
Sincrely,
K thryn Seier
Project Manager
Cleanup Unit III
Tanks and Spills Section
RN: JS: tf
Steve Geyen
Hydrogeologist
Cleanup Unit II
Tanks and Spills Section
CC: Laurie Ahrens, City Clerk, Plymouth
Richard Kline, Fire Chief, Plymouth
Tim Goodman, Hennepin County Solid Waste Officer
Leslie Mateffy, P.E., Mateffy Engineering, Inc., New Brighton
S 6 C,
I
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: January 18, 1995
TO: Councilmember Nick Granath
FROM: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Procedure for considering South Shore Drive traffic improvements
You have recently inquired about the procedure for considering projects for traffic
improvements along South Shore Drive. At a recent meeting with some neighbors in
the area, the possibility of blocking the road to through motor vehicle traffic at the
bridge was discussed. Other options may also be possible. I would suggest that the
following general procedures and timetables should be pursued.
1. City engineering staff should conduct an in-house review of several aspects of the
project including:
a. informally reviewing the feasibility of establishing needed turnarounds on
both sides of the bridge if traffic is cut-off at the bridge.
b. reviewing any available traffic data or studies which would show if any
unusual burden would be placed on the intersection with Highway 55 if South Shore
Drive is cut-off at the bridge. Updated traffic counts may be needed.
c. reviewing any information in the response from the City of Medicine Lake
to the proposal that can be evaluated with relatively minor commitments of
staff/consultant time.
d. consider the possibility that South Shore Drive should be included as a part
of the City's general street reconstruction program if turnarounds are constructed.
Frame: Completion by February 10, 1995
2. The results of the additional research should be presented to the entire
neighborhood. A written report should be mailed to all residents abutting South Shore
Drive. A neighborhood meeting with city staff to discuss the information and the
options with the residents could be organized by the City
Time Frame: Completion by March 3, 1995
= oc
3. The neighborhood should indicate its interest in continuing with a project and
various options. This could be done either at a neighborhood meeting, through a City
survey of residents, or through a citizen petition process.
Time Frame: Completion by March 14, 1995.
4. The information, including neighborhood input, should be formally presented to the
City Council. If the Council wishes to proceed with a project, a feasibility report
would be authorized.
Time Frame: City Council meeting of March 21, 1995.
5. The Council would receive the feasibility report, including costs, and decide
whether or not to proceed with design and bidding for the project.
Time Frame: City Council meeting of April 18, 1995
Note: The City of Medicine Lake should be kept informed throughout the process.
cc: Mayor and City Council
V�q
January 13, 1995 ,
? `•t 9
•r y
Mayor & City Council of Plymouth
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth City Hall
Plymouth, MN 55447
To the Governing Body:
Heresy has it that our Water Quality Committee (WQC) is about to be disbanded for lack of productivity. However,
after three years of information gathering and assimilation, the WQC feels it has reached a good working
relationship between its engineering and environmental members. We created our own work plans, made
recommendations, when we felt there was a need, and built our own data base with little or no extra cost to the
city.
WQC accomplishments for 1994 are summarized below:
PUBLIC EDUCATION (Continued from 1993...)
* Write, reviewed and approved articles for monthly inclusion in P1Mouth News or other local journals.
(New materials this year were on erosion control, wetlands preservation and the milfoil treatment)
* Distributed literature and discussed water quality issues at "Music in Plymouth" city booth.
WETLAND ORDINANCE:
* Collected, organized and reviewed wetland ordinances from five other municipalities
* Identified purpose, scope & goals of a wetlands ordinance & suggested developing a wetlands map
* Affirmed the goal of ecological integrity, including the protection of water quality & wildlife habitat
* Requested the ranking of wetlands and varying buffer depths where appropriate
* Recommended that 30' to 50' buffers plus regular set backs exist next to wetlands
* Reviewed the public forum's schedule on the wetlands ordinance & attended meetings when possible
* Retired from active participation once staff indicated that they had an interim ordinance in place and
were using outside consultants with the planning commission to finish the task.
OTHER WATER QUALITY ISSUES:
* Recommended to City Council that a study of options identified in the "Basset Creek Watershed
Management Commission's Diagnostic Study of Parkers Lake" be approved
* Requested updates on the Surface Water Management study
* Reviewed Shoreland Management Plan
FERTILIZING AND SOIL SAMPLING
* Continued work begun in 1993 on deleterious effects of excessive phosphorous use on water quality
* Approved forms developed and used by WQC in 1993 for collection of soil samples and agreed to assist
in this years' efforts with soliciting & collection of samples(actual 30 volunteer hours and 150 miles)
* Reviewed the HCP soil sample report stating that 90% of the soils sampled needed no phosphorus and
S 10a
recommended that John Barten bring this report to city council
* Invited lawn service providers to WQC meeting to discuss the survey's recommendations and review the
availability & distribution of phosphorous free fertilizer/educational material for the public
* Requested staff develop a video highlighting survey's conclusions and recommendations for lawn care
& management to be shown on cable and available for public use.
* Attempted to cooperate in a phosphorous free fertilizer sale but lack consensus
EROSION CONTROL:
* Reviewed photos taken by resident documenting erosion control problems during and after heavy
rainfalls at construction sites
* Reviewed Plymouth's Erosion Control policies.
* Recommended to City Council the Erosion Control Policy be strengthened: 1) record of violations be
commutative, not yearly as currently organized, and 2) chronic violations be published in newspaper
CHANGE OF COMMITTEE SCOPE/CITY MANAGERS CHARGE
* Reviewed City Manager's letter outlining areas of other environmental areas to be under WQC's scope
* Researched and discussed potential areas by topic, including air, noise and light pollution, EAW & EIS
reviews and paneling a citizen's forum for recycling
• Held an interim meeting to critique a pending EAW: a) WQC member walks site, b) engineering and
environmental concerns are addressed, and c) first letter on concerns is sent to consultants
* Recommended to City Council that the name of WQC be changed to Environmental Quality Committee
and that its scope and goals be changed likewise. (City Council tabled this recommendation on 12/5/94)
I hope this summary reflects the committees contribution made in conjunction with the "1994-1995 City Council
Goals and Objectives Work Plan". With the guidance of Barb Senness and Dan Faulkner, City Engineer, we felt
that the Water Quality Committee's accomplishments for 1994 fulfilled Major Goal III on the Council's Work Plan
for improved citizen participation.
The WQC would like to see its scope expanded into an Environmental Quality Committee, as suggested in City
Manager Dwight Johnson's letter of February 1, 1994. I think I can speak for the group, when I say that we've
enjoyed the participation and thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Mary McKee
Chairperson, Water Quality Committees
cc: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
Dan Faulkner, City Engineer
Barb Sennes, Planning Supervisor
Water Quality Committee Members
City Council Members
City of Plymouth
Dear Council Members:
I have been attending the Park Advisory Commission meetings in
order to try and obtain a park for our walking neighborhood #17. I am
happy to say that it looks like they have reached a solution so that our
children will have access to a park in their neighborhood, that does not
mandate crossing roads with high traffic and fast speeds.
In attending these meetings I have been made aware of a couple of other
issues. One of these issues is trails. It is my understanding a motion
has been passed to approve four trails, one of which is Old Rockford Road
to Peony. I want to let you know that this was another very important
issue with the residents in my neighborhood. I would hope that this trail
could be put at top priority. This road has a fast speed limit, curves, no
shoulder to walk on and yet has TWO ELEMENTARY schools right off of it.
With the addition of the High School, I see a tremendous need for safer
roads and trails in our area.
The park that has been approved by the Park Advisory Commission is
wonderful in the fact that children will not have to cross busy streets.
We are thankful to have a park that children will be able to get to without
having to cross busy, high speed roads. This park will be accessible
walking the perimeter of our neighborhood. The fact that it is not
centrally located is not such a big issue, but I feel to be fair to our
residents in Golf View I need to put a plug in for safe trails. If you
have tried to walk Old Rockford Road from Vicksburg to Holly Lane you will
see what I mean.
I realize Northwest Plymouth is developing by leaps and bounds. I plan to
continue to attend whatever meetings I can in order to help facilitate
positive changes. Trails are a necessity when you are talking about a
neighborhood that is bordered by Vicksburg with a speed limit of 50 mph,
Old Rockford Road, and soon to be Schmitt Lake Road. I know we will be
seeing older children biking and walking to the High School. This area
needs to be safe for them as well.
Considering the fact that no trails have been initiated in Northwest
Plymouth, the addition of the new high school and Schmitt Lake Road, your
attention to this issue will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mona J. Domaas f:
Walking Neighborhood #17
15910 46th Avenue North C"
Plymouth, MN 55446.•
612/557-0908
M �O
Eric -
I wanted to thank you for your professionalism through this
whole ordeal. You were always respectful, courteous, prompt to
answer my questions, and helpful. I realize it is no easy matter
to have residents breathing down your back. I thought you were
always very professional in your responses to our concerns. I just
wanted you to know I appreciated the way I was treated through this
whole process. Thanks for your professionalism!
Mona
cc: Mayor Tierney
J.
10
Dear PRAC MEMBERS,
I want to thank you for approving a park on Site #3. I
know our residents will be thrilled to have a park that children
can get to without crossing fast and busy roads. Even though
this park is not centrally located, just being able to access it by
walking the perimeter is wonderful! Our neighborhood is
surrounded by fast busy roads, with additional roads coming
(Schmitt Lake Road). We appreciate the thoughtfulness given to
the issue of safety. We appreciate your time, attention and
thoughtfulness given to this issue. Thank you again!
I will probably be following issues in the future. I can see
that if as a resident, you don't stay involved, your area can be
forgotten. With Northwest Plymouth growing by leaps and
bounds I hope to stay apprised of the issues. I know trails are
another particular concern, especially with the residents of Golf
View Estates in our walking neighborhood. Old Rockford Road
is fast, has curves and no shoulder. I agree with their concern
and hope to follow this trail issue, pressing for Old Rockford
Road to be a priority.
Thank you again. Most of you were very receptive, open
to discussion and helpful! I appreciate the respec y"ulness.
Mona Domaas
Walking Neighborhood #17
�Z' LDF
NORTHWEST HENNEPIN ��-/\ HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL
Planning, Research, a Coordination of Human Services
/ *: `.
MEMO TO: Community Members
MEMO FROM: Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council �~
DATE: January 3, 1995
SUBJECT: "Invest Northwest" Awards
Once again, we need your help to identify people and
organizations that have made outstanding contributions improving
the lives of residents of Northwest Hennepin by helping to make
human services more available and accessible. This -is your chance
to thank those people and organizations.
Please consider which persons) and/or organization(s) you
could nominate for -.the award. Please base your nominations on the
following criteria:
1) Innovation and creativity in meeting human service needs.
2) Sustained activity in meeting human service needs over a
period of time (not necessarily in just one role or capacity).
3) Inspiration of others to get involved in meeting human service
needs
4) Tangible progress resulting from the activity of the person or
organization.
Nominees can be individuals or organizations from non-profit,
business, government, church or other sectors of Northwest Hennepin
County. Up to five awards will be given. Northwest Hennepin Human
Services Council Advisory Commissioners, Executive Board members,
staff and their families are not eligible.
Nominations are due in the office of Northwest Hennepin Human
Services Council by 4:00 p.m. on March 22, 1995. The nominations
will be reviewed by a committee made up of citizen representatives
(from our Advisory Commission), city representatives (from our
member cities), and past recipients of the award. Notification of
awards will during the second week of April and recipients will be
honored at the Annual Meeting of the Northwest Hennepin Human
Services Council in late April.
Thank you
for your
assistance in giving thanks
back to our
community!
BROOKLYN CENTER
CORCORAN
GOLDEN VALLEY MAPLE GROVE
PLYMOUTH
BROOKLYN PARK
CRYSTAL
HANOVER NEW HOPE
ROBBINSDALE
CHAMPLIN
DAYTON
HASSAN OSSEO
ROGERS
7601 Kentucky Avenue N. • Brooklyn.Park, MN 55428
(612) 493-2802
GRAHAM LAND DEVELOPMENT CO
GRAHAM DEVELOPMENT CO.
GRAHAM LAND CO.
JANCO, INC.
January 18, 1995
Honorable Mayor Joy Tierney
and
City Council Members
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
RE: French Ridge Plat by Janco, Inc. - Proposed Roadway
Between Xenium and Vinewood Lane
Dear Honorable Mayor Tierney and City Council Members:
As you may know, Janco, Inc. has signed a purchase agreement with
the Begins, et., W. W. Haarstick Trust U -A and Audrie B. Cebula
relating to approximately 28.729 acres of property that is located
generally at Vinewood Lane and Xenium Avenue. Through the last couple
of months I have had several meetings with City staff concerning our
proposed plat and development issues related thereto. One of those
development issues is the fact that the City of Plymouth has desired
for some time to build a road through this proposed platted area that
would run from Xenium Avenue to Vinewood Lane. I understand that it
has been difficult in the past for the City to work with those several
different property owners because of the fact that there were several
different property owners, etc. However, since I have a purchase
agreement over the parcels involved, hopefully I will be able to
facilitate what the City wants to achieve as part of my subdivision of
this property. In any event, Fred Moore has indicated to me that he
was under direction by the City Council to acquire the appropriate
right of way by condemnation (since negotiations with the underlying
fee owners apparently have not been successful to date) and that the
City was to acquire the property by May 1 by quick take proceedings.
It is my understanding that the City had intended to acquire 21.16
acres (the whole property affected by the proposed right of way)
versus just acquiring what was needed for the right of way itself.
Apparently the right of way itself requires approximately .78 acres
but the entire parcel that the City was thinking of condemning is
approximately 21.16 acres. Of course, in the event the City has to
condemn that property, then the City would be exposed to extensive
costs relating to attorneys, engineers and planners and of course may
have to pay substantial awards especially since the City is taking
21.16 acres and not just the .78 acres that it actually needs for
right of way.
10201 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 220 Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305 612-546-8216 Fax 612-546-1721
Honorable Mayor Tierney and
City Council Members
January 18, 1995
Page 2
We have kept City staff informed concerning the status of our
acquisition of this property and the planning issues related thereto.
Unfortunately the fact that the City Council had previously directed
Mr. Moore to acquire this property in fee by quick take by May lst
causes numerous problems relating to the finalization of the platting
process, our eventual acquisition of this property in fee and our
ability to work something out with the City staff that would allow the
City to acquire the .78 acres (which is what the City really needs)
instead of the entire parcel (21.16 acres).
In a recent meeting with the City staff, it was my understanding
that Mr. Moore believed that if the property were acquired in fee (the
whole property if necessary) by June lst (by quick take) then the City
still would be able to build its road during the 1995 construction
season. However, as I think City staff acknowledges, it would be far
superior for the City (and far less costly) if Janco, Inc. were able
to obtain the appropriate approvals for the development of its
property, and then as part of the entire development contract, work
out the appropriate agreement whereby Janco, Inc. would dedicate this
right of way (in excess of that required by this development) and pay
the appropriate amount for the construction of its fair share of that
roadway all as part of the development agreement. Based upon our
discussions with staff, we believe that all of this is doable, but
again if there is a May lst quick take date, then it may be that we
will no longer be in a position where we can close on the property and
accomplish those things that the City Council and staff would like us
to accomplish.
Therefore, this letter requests that the City Council amend its
prior direction to staff to state that the City staff is to take those
steps appropriate so that the City will have ownership of the entire
parcel (assuming that we are not able to develop our property
ourselves which we do not anticipate) by June 1, 1995. The City staff
would commence the appropriate quick take proceedings but have the
Court establish June 1 as the date of ownership versus May 1. Janco,
Inc. in the interim will continue to proceed as fast as possible to
obtain the recommendation of the Planning Commission and hopefully
approval by the City Council of the plat and other appropriate
approvals. Once that is accomplished, which we hope can be
accomplished in March or April at the latest, then by early May Janco,
Inc. should be able to close on the property and sign the appropriate
developers agreement with the City to make sure that the City is able
to obtain its .78 acres of right of way at the lowest possible cost to
the City.
Honorable Mayor Tierney and
City Council Members
January 18, 1995
Page 3
If you would like me to attend the Council meeting at which this
matter may be discussed, please advise.
Very truly yours,
JANM, NC.
Thomas J. Gra am
Vice President
TJG:er
cc: Bruce D. Malkerson, Esq.
Attorney for Janco, Inc.
Fred Moore & Barbara Sennis
City of Plymouth
=. LO
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.... . .. .......
Aft, ir - -
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N: -Ao
V
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 1995
To: Roger Knutson, Fred Moore via - facsimile
fax 452-5550 fax 550-5060
Subject: Schedule for Xenium. Rodd Extension Quick Take
cc: Mayor, Council Members, City Manager & Staff
.Summ=
• As you are aware, I have been asked by the Xenium neighborhood residents to help them
track the progress of street improvements (Xenium Road Extension). Mr. Moore has already
provided information on this to me. I have an additional request.
Action
• !City Attorney.: Please provide whatever schedule you can (assuming no prejudice to the City)
for the Quick Take Condemnation.
• City Engineer: Please provide your estimated construction schedule for this project.
Background
* Thank you both for your special assistance on this matter
— end
CAMPBELL KNUTSON SCOTT & FUCHJ.
Attorneys at Law
Thomas J. Campbell
Rooer N. Knutson
T1a�unas M. Scutt
Gare G. Fuchs
James R. Walston
Elliott B. Knetsch
Eli_abeth A. Lun_er
Andrea McDowell Poehler
Mr. Nicholas P. Granath
Councilmember
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447-1482
Re: Xenium Lane Extension
City Project 214
Dear Nick:
(612)452-5000
Fax(612)452-5550
January 18, 1995
VIA FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
AND REGULAR MAIL
In response to your fax letter dated January 18, 1995 regarding a schedule of
the condemnation on the Xenium Road Project, the Petition for condemnation was
filed with the Hennepin County Court yesterday (January 17). The case has been
assigned to Judge Peter Lindberg. We have scheduled the initial petition hearing for
March 28th. Service on many of the respondents will have to be by publication.
Publication is due to start this Friday, January 20, 1995 in Finance and Commerce.
Service on the remaining parties has already started. In addition, the ninety -day
"quick take" notice is included in the publication and will also be sent this week by
certified mail to those respondents for whom we have addresses. The 90 days for the
"quick take" will run in late April (between April 20th and 24) depending on when
the certified mail goes out.
I have ordered an update of the appraisals from Brad Bjorklund, the person
who did an appraisal of this property for the City in October 1992. I expect those
appraisals to be completed in the next two to three weeks.
Suite 317 • Eagandale Office Center • 1.380 Corporate Center Curve • Ea"an, MN 55121
Mr. Nicholas P. Granath
January 18, 1995
Page 2
I trust that this responds to your request. If not, please feel free to call me.
Very truly yours,
CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT
& FUCHS, P.A.
91
GGF:cjh
cc: Mr. Dwight Johnson
Mr. Fred Moore