HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 03-23-1995MARCH 23, 1995
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS ....
1. CITY MEETING SCHEDULE FOR APRIL:
APRIL 4 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
City Council Chambers
APRIL 10 5:30 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
Public Safety Training Room
Topic: Recognize Volunteer Members of
City's Boards, Committees and
Commissions
7:00 P.M. BOARD OF REVIEW
City Council Chambers
APRIL 18 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
City Council Chambers
APRIL 24 7:00 P.M. Reconvene BOARD OF REVIEW
City Council Chambers
2. LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES -- 1995 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE --
Thursday, March 30. The League's annual Legislative Conference will be held at the
Radisson St. Paul Hotel. The program for the conference is attached. Council members
planning to attend should call Laurie to be registered. (M-2)
3. NW HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL ANNUAL MEETING -- Thursday,
April 27. Advance notice for the NWHHSC Annual Meeting is attached. (M-3)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
MARCH 23, 1995
Page 2
4. METRO MEETINGS ---- The weekly calendar of meetings for the Metropolitan Council
and its advisory commissions is attached. (M-4)
5. MEETING CALENDARS - The April meeting calendar is attached. (M-5)
1. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
a. Weekly Building Permit Report for Commercial/Industrial/Public and Use Types.
(I-1)
2. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS. ETC.
a. City news release on Human Rights Commission vacancy. (I -2a)
b. Reprint of March 23 Star Tribune on "Urban Poverty.". (I -2b)
c. Reprint of March 23 article from Star Tribune regarding proposed legislation to
repeal income tax exemption for interest on state and municipal bonds. An Action
Alert from the League of Minnesota Cities is also attached. (2-c)
3. MINUTES:
a. Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, March 16, 1995. (I -3a)
4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY - CORRESPONDENCE
a. Letter from Fred Moore responding to Mr. Steven Chase, 11901 23rd Avenue North,
regarding abandonment of alley to a private drive. (I -4a)
b. Letter from Fred Moore responding to Mr. Randy Mayer, Mayer Mobile, regarding
fleet motor oil. (I -4b)
c. Letter from William Rademacher, 5700 Vagabond Lane, concerning the Peony Lane
alignment project. (I -4c)
A status report on all correspondence and inquiries is also attached. T-'� d
5. MEMOS & CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Letter from Cathy Fischer, Community Librarian, Plymouth Library, on a May 9
organizational meeting for the Friends of the Library group. (I -5a)
b. Letter from Saundra Spigner resigning from the Human Rights Commission. (I -5b)
c. Letter from Jim Solem, Metropolitan Council Regional Administrator, on the pending
publication of a new Metro Council report, Opening Doors to Affordable/Life-Cycle
Housing. (I -5c)
d. Letter to City Manager from newly elected Representative Richard Stanek. (I -5d)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
MARCH 23, 1995
Page 3
e. Letter to Mayor Tierney from Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton requesting
support for SF 1019 and HF1156, the "Metropolitan Livable Communities Act." (I -
5e)
f. Letter from Greg Moore, Executive Director, Northwest Suburbs Cable
Communications Commission, on the proposed transfer of ownership from King
Videocable to Continental Cable Vision. The Cable Commission has scheduled a
public hearing on the proposed transfer for April 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Brooklyn
Center City Hall. (I -5f)
g. Letter to Representative Todd Van Dellen from City Manager regarding the
installation of crossing arms at the Pineview Lane railroad crossing. (I -5g)
Dwight Johnson
City Manager
March 24, 1995
Ed Albro
4105 Fernbrook Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Ed,
Q\ —\
The Plymouth City Council wishes to recognize you for your volunteer efforts on
behalf of the City as a member of a board, committee, or commission. Please plan on
attending a reception on Monday, April 10 at 5:30 PM in the Plymouth Public Safety
Building. At the reception, the City Council will extend its appreciation to current
members of boards and commissions for their commitment to serving Plymouth. In
addition, retiring members will receive tangible thanks for their service.
We look forward to seeing you on April 10. An RSVP by April 6 will be most
appreciated. My number is 550-5013.
Sincerely,
Kathy L eckert
Assistant City Manager
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
Plan to attend the...
r
Tentative Program
9:15 a.m. President's message
M. -
1-!
League of Minnesota Cities
League of Minnesota Cities
1995
Legislative
Conference
Thursday, March 30
Radisson St. Paul Hotel
11 East Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55101
9:30 a.m. State revenues, the Governor's budget, and cities
Will 1995 be a landmark year for city finances?
10:30 a.m. In-depth discussion of legislative events
11:30 a.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Briefing on legislative issues
League staff will brief you on the most important issues to discuss with your legislators
2:00 p.m. Meet with your legislator at the State Capitol (transportation furnished)
Schedule a time in advance or contact Andrea Atherton at the League to help set
a meeting with your legislator.
Page 12
LMC Cities Bulletin
*I
1995 Legislative Conference
Thursday, March 30
Radisson St. Paul Hotel
1995 Legislative Conference Registration Form
City
Name
Name
Name
Title
Title
Title
Please print or type)
Registration fee: Member city officials — ❑advance $30 Non members — ❑ advance $45
❑on-site $45 F-1 on-site $60
Special Needs: If you are disabled and require special services or transportation, or if you have
special dietary needs, please attach a written description to this registration form.
Fee includes conference registration and luncheon.
Make check payable and mail to
Finance Department–LC
League of Minnesota Cities
3490 Lexington Avenue North
St. Paul, MN 55126
1995 Legislative Conference Housing Form
Organization�ggue of Minnesota Cities
Function 1995 Legislative Gonference Dates March 29-30, 1995
All requests for the above group must be received by Call for room availability
Name Company (Please printortype)
Address as First
City
Sharing room with
Signature
State Zip
No. of persons
Phone Number
Month I Day I Year 1 1 th I Day I Year
Arrival Date Arrival Time Departure Date
Check in time 3:00 p.m. Check out time 12:00 P.M.
Accommodations will not be confirmed without a check for the first night's deposit or
use your credit card number to guarantee your reservation. You will be charged for the
first night if reservations are not canceled 48 hours prior to arrival.
Credit card #
OAmex O Visa O Mastercard
Expiration date (Please check one)
Special Reduced Rates for
Members Only
$72 Single
$72 Double (2 people)
Q 7 Special Housing Request: If you have special housing needs, e.g. wheelchair
(� accessible room, etc. please attach a written description to this housing form.
Make check payable and
mail to the
Radisson Hotel St. Paul
11 East Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55101
March 17, 1995 Page 13
M�3
Mark Your Calendars!
April 27, 1995
5:30 p.m.
Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council Annual Meeting
featuring George Latimer
and the 'Invest Northwest" Awards Ceremony!
recognizing volunteers who have contributed to the betterment of the Northwest Hennepin area
Invest Northwest Nominations due March 22!
Call for more information
493-2802
-q
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„f
Open Space Commission, and Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Meeting times and.,ag�tidas ar.
occasionally changed. Questions about meetings should be directed to the appropriate organization. Yldeeting
information is also available on the Metro Information Line at 229-3780 and by computer modem, through
the Twin Cities Computer Network at 337-5400.
DATE: March 17, 1995
WEEK OF: March 20 - March 24, 1995
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
Transportation Committee - Monday, March 20, 4 p.m., Chambers. The committee will consider:
authorization to execute Mn/Dot limited use permit bus turnaround at TH96 and Stewart Avenue
in White Bear Lake; setting of revised public hearing date for the 1995 MCTO capital budget;
clean fuels Minnesota program; Aviation Development Guide adoption; 1995 dual -track planning
grant for Dakota County township; Transportation Advisory Board's draft comments on the
recommendations from the State Advisory Council on major transportation projects report; and
other business.
Sewer Rate Cost Allocation Task Force - Tuesday, March 21, 7:30 a.m., Room 2A.
Polluted Site Work Group - Tuesday, March 21, 4 p.m., Room 113 and 1C.
Housing and Redevelopment Authority Committee - Wednesday, March 22, 9:30 a.m., Room 2A.
The committee will consider: Eden Prairie Housing -Opportunities -Partnerships -Employment
(HOPE) demonstration program; briefing on Hollman consent decree; appointment of vice chair
and secretary; establish regular meeting time and day(s); orientation plan; and other business.
Executive Committee - Thursday, March 23, 8 a.m., Kelly Inn, Benjamin's Restaurant, I-94 at
Marion, St. Paul.
Nominating Committee and Council Chair - Thursday, March 23, 3:45 p.m., Carroll Conference
Room.
Metropolitan Council - Thursday, March 23, 4 p.m., Chambers. The council will consider:
Lakeville comprehensive plan amendment for MUSA land trade; revised Section 8 project -based
assistance program request for proposals; fiscal year 1995 McKinney Act applications; application
for Shelter Plus Care Program and contract for housing services from Mental Health Resources,
Inc.; setting of the revised public hearing date for 1995 Metropolitan Council Transit Operations
capital budget; legislative position paper on regional transit bonding; selection of HomeChoice
counseling provider; city of Minnetrista comprehensive plan amendment for MUSA addition for
Williams Planned Unit Development; request for Metropolitan Council approval of change in
Environment Committee meeting days; Providers Advisory Committee bylaws; Transportation
Accessibility Advisory Committee bylaws; Aviation Development Guide public hearing report;
Metropolitan Mobility Circulator demonstration; update on discussions between the Metropolitan
Airports Commission and City of Eden Prairie regarding the Flying Cloud Airport expansion; and
other business.
-A- 4
Chair's Informal Meeting with Council Members - Friday, March 24, 8 a.m., Sheraton
Minneapolis Metrodome, Anchorage Restaurant, 1300 Industrial Blvd. at 35W, Minneapolis. `
Legislative Coordinating Committee (TENTATIVE) - Friday, March 24, Noon, Room 1A.
TENTATIVE MEETINGS THE WEEK OF MARCH 27 THROUGH MARCH 31, 1995
Community Development Committee - Monday, March 27, Noon, Room 1A.
Blue Ribbon Task Force on Blueprint Handbook - Monday, March 27, 2 p.m., Room 1A.
Special Reception with Keynote Speakers of Growth Management Program - Tuesday, March 28,
5 p.m. (tentative), Radisson Hotel South and Plaza Tower, I-494 and Highway 100, Bloomington.
Growth Management, Looking Back, Moving Forward" Program sponsored by Metropolitan
Council, Minnesota Chapter -American Planning Assn., Sensible Land Use Coalition, And
Builders Ass:. Of Minnesota - Wednesday, March 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Radisson Hotel
South and Plaza Tower, I-494 and Highway 100, Bloomington.
Sewer Rate Cost Allocation Technical Advisory Committee - Thursday, March 30, 10 a.m., Rooms
1B and 1C.
Committee of the Whole - Thursday, March 30, 3:30 p.m., Room 1A.
Legislative Coordinating Committee (TENTATIVE) - Friday, March 31, 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 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION
Commission Meeting - Tuesday, March 21, 4 p.m., Chambers. The commission will consider:
Coon Rapids Dam and walkway repair status report; Hennepin Community Works presentation;
adoption of process and criteria for the Americans with Disabilities Act retrofit projects and
natural resource development projects; Regional Trails Policy Plan update; legislative update on
regional park issues; 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 may occasionally be changed. To
verify meeting schedules or agenda items, call 291-6363.
METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION
Commission Meeting Monday, March 20, 1 p.m., Room 303, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh
Terminal Building. The commission will consider: election of officers (vice-chairman, treasurer,
and secretary); New Airport draft final alternative environmental document; airport leases
recommendations; MASAC update; NWA route collateral substitution; March ADNE levels; Sun
Country Airlines maintenance hangar; FIS report; final contract payments on 1994 MSP pavement
rehabilitation, 1993 Lindbergh terminal interior rehabilitation, mechanical consolidation at the
valet garage, carousel luggage security, facility management office addition, miscellaneous asbestos
abatement, 1994 landside bituminous at MSP, inbound roadway signage at MSP, Airport Noise
Operating Monitoring System, 1993/1994 Part 150 sound insulation program; semi-final payment
,AA- 4
on MAC contract; discussion on change order on security checkpoints location contract; bids
received on contracts for Runway -4 -22/11R -29L intersection reconstruction and Part 150 sound
insulation program for February; draft environmental assessment report for Anoka County/Blaine
Airport ATCT; and other business.
Commissioner Workshop - Thursday, March 23, 8 a.m. to noon, Javelin Room, Decathlon Club.
There will be a discussion on the 1996 MAC objectives.
Metropolitan Airports Commission offices are located at 6040 28th Av. S., Minneapolis, MN
55450. For more information, call Lynn Sorensen at 726-8186.
METROPOLITAN SPORTS FACILITIES COMMISSION
Special Commission Meeting - Tuesday, March 21, 9:30 a.m., Commission conference room. The
commission will consider Target Center -City of Minneapolis requests, the 1994 audit and other
business.
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 may be changed. To verify meeting
information, please call Jane Brenny, 335-3310.
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
April 1995
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
6:00 PM CHARTER CO-
MMISSION - Public
Safety Training Room
y�y
�' V �ttlDllB•
7:30 PM HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMLSSION -Pub. Safety
Training Room
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
9:30PMSPECULCOUN %
t
.,
7:00 PM ENVIRONMEN-
TAL COMMITTEE -
Pub. Safety Trng Room
7:00 PM PLANNING
COMMISSION - Council
Chambers
7:00 PM PRAC -Council
Chambers
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
7:00 PM PACT - Pub.
Safety Library
7:00 PM HRA - Council
Chambers
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
60 M O
_ Coif .._
7:00 PM PLANNING
COMMISSION - Council
7:0o PM BOARD OF ZONING -
Council Chambers
Chambers
30
March May
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 l4 15 16 17 18 19 20
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
26 27 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 31
3/8/95
L_
DATE: MARCH 23, 1995
TO: DWIGHT JOHNSON, CITY,MANAGER
FROM: CARLYS SCHANSBERG, DATA CONTROL/INSPECTION
CLERK
SUBJECT: BUILDING PERMIT ISSUED REPORT FOR
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/PUBLIC & CHURCH USE TYPES
MARCH 16 THROUGH MARCH 22, 1995
There were no permits issued during this time period for the above mentioned types.
For Immediate Release For More Information:
March 21, 1995 Laurie Ahrens, 550-5015
Plymouth Seeking Applicants for Human Rights Commission
The City of Plymouth is seeking applicants from Ward 3 to serve on the Human
Rights Commission. The person who is selected to fill the position will fill a term
which runs through Jan. 31, 1997. Applications are due April 12.
Ward 3 is in the southeast area of the city around Medicine Lake. It is bounded
by I-494, Old Rockford Rd., Zachary Ln., 36th Ave. N. , Hwy. 169 and the south city
limits.
For an application, call City Clerk Laurie Ahrens at 550-5014. Be sure to leave
your name, mailing address and phone number.
-30-
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
Thursday/March 23/1995
/-26
Starlili
uneEdtoriai
uriman poverty
The need for a bipartisan solu '
"Only
DFLers and Independent -Repub-
licans t n
in the Minnesota Legislature
would stop talking past each other
about urban poverty and start talking
with each other — then maybe they
could also get together to forge the
necessary common solution. The two
sides seem generally to agree that the
problem exists and needs to be fixed.
But so far each seems determined to
solve it in its own way and in the
other's back yard.
The difference became clear the other
day when three IR representatives,
Todd Van Dellen of Plymouth, Tim
Pawlenty of Eagan and Ron Abrams of
Minnetonka introduced their "Metro-
politan Anti -Poverty Plan." The bill,
they say, is intended to shift the focus
of the debate away from making more
affordable housing available in wealthy,
fast-growing suburbs and toward more
jobs creation, work -skills development
and blight cleanup in the urban core
and older suburbs.
Their plan seems a sincere effort to
address a real need. As they contend, it
will take more to overcome the twin
problems of poverty and urban decay
than just giving poor people a greater
choice in where to live.
But as DFLers contend, it's not just the
Poverty that's a problem; it's also the
concentration of poor people into a few
central -city and inner -ring suburban
neighborhoods. And the need is not just
to give people who are already trapped
in those poverty ghettoes an opportuni-
ty to move out, it's also to give others
an alternative to having to move in.
The need, in other words, is for some of
both — the affordable housing ap-
proach so far embraced mainly by DFL-
ers, and the more direct attack on pov-
erty and decay contained in the IR bill.
Also needed- is 4 cooling of partisan
rhetoric, less demonizing of the opposi-
tion and its motives and a greater will-
ingness on both sides to see the legiti-
mate merits of the other's ideas. There
are encouraging signs that this may be
starting to happen. The IR bill is'one
indication. Another is the revival in the
House of the affordable housing bill co-
authored by Sen. Ted. Mondale and
Rep. Dee Long, both DFLers.
Many had thought the Mondale-Long
bill could be the basis for bipartisan
agreement before it was defeated a
week ago on a virtual party -line vote in
Long's Local Government and
Metropolitan Affairs Committee. But the
bill was brought up Tuesday for a second
vote, and this time it passed. Now the IR
b=11 should have no trouble getting a fair
hearing in the same committee.
In presenting their proposal, the three
IR lawmakers said they were making
the effort even though the issue of ur-
ban poverty wasn't a high priority with
their constituencies. Perhaps not. But
by their action, the three have clearly
demonstrated their own recognition of
the issue's vital importance to the met-
ro area as a whole.
Having come this far, IR legislators
now must join their DFL colleagues in
finding enough points of agreement on
how to deal with urban poverty to form
the basis for a single bill that can win
bipartisan approval. On that much
both sides can be sure: The issue won't
be resolved any other way.
Thursday/March 23/1995/Stat Tribune
2B •■ -
Tax exemption on bonds
issued by state may end
Under a new proposal, residents who Repeal of the exemption has another
buy bonds issued by Minnesota gov- side effect: an estimated $9.1 millior
ernments could lose their state . tax increase in state revenues for the next
exemptions on interest income from two years.
those bonds.
The bill, introduced by Ann Rest,
DFL,New Hope and chairwoman of
the House Tax Committee, has
alarmed state bond dealers and local
government officials, who contend
that the proposal would raise the cost
of borrowing for governments and
discourage Minnesotans from invest-
ing in local projects.
But advocates of the bill contend that
the state may have no choice. A court
challenge to a similar tax exemption
in Ohio could lead to the U.S. Su-
preme Court striking down such ex-
emptions. If that happens, Minnesota
may be liable for as much as $30
million 'to plaintiffs who claim such
exemptions are unconstitutional.
The repeal would not be effective
until July 1, but it would apply to the
resale of existing bonds.
The League of Minnesota Cities op-
poses the bill, and the bond indus-
try's national newsletter, the Bond
Buyer, said Rest's bill had "sparked
jitters" in the national market. Citing
the potential liability to the state,
Morrie Anderson, Gov. Arne Carl -
son's chief of staff, said the repeal
"may be very prudent." However, he
said the governor has not adopted an
official position.
A hearing on the proposal is sched-
uled for 10 a.m. today in Room 200
of the State Office Building in St.
Paul.
Lql 0
League of Minnesota Cities
3490 Lexington Avenue North
`t. Paid, MN 55126
(612)490-5600
TO: Mayors, Managers and/or Clerks
From: Gary Carlson, Director of Intergovernmental Relations
Subject: H.F. 1380: Elimination of tax-exempt status of state and municipal bonds
T.I.F. Hearings Scheduled
Dato: March 20, 1995
On March 15 Representative Ann Rest (DFL -New Hope) introduced a bill that would eliminate the state
income tax exclusion for interest on bonds issued by the state and local governments in Minnesota. The
bill was co-authored by Thomas Bakk (DFL -Cook), Edgar Olson (DFL,-Fosston), Don Ostrom (DFL -St.
Pctcr), and Jean Wagenius (DFL -Minneapolis). The bill would affect obligations issued or sold after
July 1,1995, or obligations acquired by a Minnesota taxpayer after July 1, 1995.
The bill will have two major impacts. First, it will result in significantly higher borrowing costs for the
state and local governments because investors will not realize the income exclusion. According to
public finance experts, the bill could increase bond interest rates by 114 % to 3/4 % (25 to 75 basis
points). Second, the bill will increase state income tax collections. According to the state's tax
expenditure budget, the state could increase state income tax collections by approximately $50 million
per year if all state and local bonds were affected. However, the income tax impact would be much less
in the first year of implementation because existing bonds would only be impacted if they are resold after
July 1, 1995.
The bill will have its first hearing on Thursday, March 23, in the House Sales and Income'rax Division
of the Tax Committee. If enacted, this bill would significantly increase local government borrowing
costs because investors would no longer be able to exclude the interest income from their state taxable
income.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, SENATOR AND THE BILL'S AUTIIORS AND
DEMAND THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE II.F.1380
*** Attention: Tax increment Developments ***
The House Property Tax Division will be hearing H.F. 147, H.F. 824 and H.F. 1354 --all bills that would
further restrict tax increment financing. Please refer to earlier editions of our Bulletin for details on these
bills. It would be extremely beneficial to our efforts if you or another city official could attend the
hearing. The hearing will be Tuesday, March 21 at 10.00 a.m. in Room 200 of the State Office Building
. Also on Tuesday, the Senate Tax Committee will be hearing a bill by Senator John Hottinger to
eliminate the LGA/HACA TIF penalty. That hearing will be held at 4:00 p.m. in Room 15 of the State
Capitol.
TO' d ZTO' oN 9T : ST S6_O.Z JPW_ _ 9896-06b—Z19: X31 S3I113 NW JO _n3 9H3_1 _.
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
March 16, 1995
Page 11
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Bildsoe, Fiemann, Johnson, Priebe, Wahl and
Willegalle; staff Blank, Mittelstaedt, and Pederson; and visitors Kent Severson, Mr.
and Mrs. Zettel
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Wahl and seconded by Commissioner Willegalle to
approve the minutes of the February meeting as presented. The motion carried with all
ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. Kent Severson, from Plymouth -Wayzata Youth Baseball. See
item 5f.
b. Staff. Sara Mittlestaedt, Plymouth Seniors Coordinator, made a presentation on the
Plymouth Senior Citizen program sponsored by the City of Plymouth and Senior
Community Services (SCS). She explained that she is an employee of Senior
Community Services and that the City of Plymouth contracts with SCS for her services,
20 hours per week. Sara explained that her background is in teaching and that for
many years she taught art. She had never worked with seniors prior to being hired by
SCS. She stated that SCS is funded by the United Way and in order for that funding to
continue, she has to fulfill certain goals and objectives. Senior Community Services
offers a variety of programs to the seniors living in the western suburbs including
nutritional education, health education, fitness classes, recreational opportunities, trips
once a month, 55 Alive Defensive Driving classes, which upon completion by persons
over 55, gives them a 10% reduction in their auto insurance premiums. Sara explained
that these classes are extremely popular in Plymouth, are offered once a month
throughout the year, and always fill to capacity. Sara stated that there are two active
senior clubs in Plymouth; one with 150 members and one with about 40 members.
They meet at the West Medicine Lake Community Club and St. Mary of the Lake
Catholic Church. These clubs are very socially oriented and have many different sub-
groups, such as the Plymouth Rockers, a senior choir, which has performed at
numerous events like Music in Plymouth, the Fire and Ice Festival, the Minnesota State
Fair, etc. There is also a very active craft group, which makes a variety of crafts and
sells them at the Autumn Art Festival, sponsored by the City. Sara stated that the
Plymouth seniors are also very active in the community, volunteering their time at
special events and helping other seniors. Last year, the Plymouth seniors volunteered a
total of 14,000 hours. Sara concluded her presentation by inviting the Park
Commission to attend a special concert on Sunday, April 9. The concert will feature
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 12
—T —'s a,
the Minneapolis Community College Gospel Choir, and is being presented by the
Plymouth Seniors and Senior Community Services. Sponsors of the concert are the
Minnesota Humanities Commission, the City of Plymouth and Wayzata Community
Education.
c. Others. Mr. and Mrs. Zettel, residents of the Seven Ponds development, attended the
Park Commission meeting, because they had a concern about the wood chip trail that
crosses over a marsh. During the initial design process of the park, a floating wooden
bridge was proposed to be constructed over the marsh. The purpose of the bridge was
to get people over the marsh to the park. The DNR approved a wood chip path rather
than the proposed bridge. The Zettel's property runs along this part of the trail and
they have had some problems with people trespassing on their lawn. Director Blank
commented that this park isn't finished yet, and if it's necessary put up a split rail fence
along the trail to keep people out of the marsh, we will do it.
4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION
Council accepted the PRAC annual report for 1994.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Private swimming 1 ool update. Classic Lake Aquatics indicated in a letter to PRAC
that they expect to have a feasibility report from St. Thomas, with regard to a pool, by
May 1 st and would like to present the findings to PRAC at their June meeting.
b. West Medicine Lake Park update. Director Blank stated that bids are being opened on
March 20 for the removal of trees and brush in the area of the new road. He also
commented that the numerous permits that are required from the different agencies may
delay the construction of the road by a few months.
c. Unique open spaces - review funding options. Director Blank stated that the Council
approved the recommendations of PRAC and the Open Space Committee to proceed
with the acquisition of four properties and directed staff to research possible funding
methods. Director Blank explained that the Council held a special work study session
on March 13 to review various funding methods, including a bond referendum. After
studying the capital improvements program budget, staff presented a few options for
the Council to consider as a way to fund the acquisition of the open space as well as
funding additional trail improvements. It was determined that the open space
properties could be acquired for about $2 million and the trails could be done for $1
million. Director Blank then explained the options and how each would affect the
average Plymouth taxpayer with a $150,000 home. He further commented that all
options will require an election, which the majority of the Council prefers to hold in
May. Option 1 is to issue general obligation bonds for $3 million. This will increase
the taxes of the average Plymouth homeowner by about $8 per year. This method also
saves all existing community improvement funds for future purposes, such as
purchasing a golf course, building a swimming pool, an ice arena, a senior center, etc.
Option 2 spends $3 million from the Community Improvement Fund, which would
have no tax increase, but leaves a much lower balance in the CIF for long-term future
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 13
7 J CL -
projects. Option 3 combines the issuance of $2 million in bonds with spending $1
million from the CIF. This would have a minimal tax increase on the average
homeowner and only a slight impact on the Community Improvement Fund. Director
Blank stated that the Council favors option 3. He stated that the Open Space
Committee met on March 14 and recommended option 1, with all $3 million coming
from the general obligation bonds and no CIF funds being spent. Commissioner Priebe
asked how much money was in the Community Improvement Fund at this time and
how it is replenished. Director Blank said that the balance at this time is approximately
$10 million, and it is replenished as bond sinking funds expire. Commissioner Bildsoe
expressed his concern over holding a bond referendum for all $3 million, explaining
that school referendums in other cities have been failing lately. He doesn't think the
taxpayers will be very favorable about any tax increase, so he prefers option 3. He
also stated that if a bond referendum is held, it should be done in the spring rather than
in the fall, because the rates are good now, but they have the potential to go up
substantially in the coming months. Commissioner Fiemann asked Director Blank
which trails were to be included in the referendum. Director Blank displayed a map of
the City and pointed out the trails that could be constructed, which equal approximately
11 miles. To complete the entire trail system as proposed would cost approximately
$3.5 million, according to Director Blank. Commissioner Priebe asked Director Blank
if a motion from PRAC, recommending that Council proceed with the acquisition of
open space, would be helpful. Director Blank indicated that it was not necessary, but
said the Commission was welcome to make such a motion.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER PRIEBE AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER WAHL RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
PROCEED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF FOUR OPEN SPACE SITES AND THE
TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS AND TO FUND THESE PROJECTS BY THE METHOD
THEY DEEM APPROPRIATE.
Commissioner Johnson stated that he disagreed with the Open Space Committee's
recommendation to fund the entire $3 million with general obligation bonds. He
prefers Option 3, where a portion of the money would come from Community
Improvement Funds. He doesn't think it's right to increase the taxes of the current
residents of Plymouth to pay for something that will be beneficial to future residents as
well. After further discussion, the majority of the Commission came to the conclusion
that option 3 was their preferred method of funding. They then questioned if they
should make a motion endorsing option 3 and amend their first motion. After a short
discussion, it was decided that it wasn't necessary to do that. A vote was then taken on
the orginal motion which passed with all ayes.
Commissioner Priebe asked if PRAC should attend the meeting on March 21. Director
Blank invited any commissioners who were available to attend the meeting to show
their support.
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 14
7 2 tt.,
d. Playfield/highschool update. Director Blank stated that the bids for grading the site
would be accepted in May and that he is attending numerous meetings on this project
now as it progresses.
e. Study of youth sports facilities update. The first meeting of the youth sports task force
is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22. The task force consists of representatives from
Wayzata Community Education, Robbinsdale Community Education, the City Council,
City staff and PRAC.
f. Adopt proposals for paving hockey rink, two volleyball courts at Parkers Lake and
batting can proposal from Plymouth -Wayzata Youth Baseball. Director Blank briefly
reviewed this item and went over the costs associated with paving the hockey rink and
installing the volleyball courts. The paving of the rink at Plymouth Creek Park is
estimated to cost $17,500 and the sand volleyball courts at Parkers Lake should run
about $3,500. He then introduced Kent Severson, a representative of the Plymouth -
Wayzata Youth Baseball Association. Mr. Severson explained that batting cages would
be an important and very beneficial addition to their youth baseball program. They
allow three to four batters to practice at once, which is an efficient use of time, teams
can take batting and/or pitching practice without tying up a field, and if built on
pavement overlaid with carpet, they can be used shortly after a rain. This allows teams
to practice without tearing up the fields. He predicts that they would be used five to
six times a week by the baseball association, and when not being used by that
organization could be scheduled for use by Park and Recreation programs or by the
general public. The first phase of the project includes two batting cage nets, a paved
area, outdoor carpeting, security fence, and electrical wiring and is estimated to cost
$16,500. Mr. Severson has requested that the City contribute half of this amount, with
the youth baseball association contributing the other half. The second phase of the
project, to come at a later date, would include an equipment building and lighting.
Director Blank stated that he supports this project and agrees that it would be an
efficient use of the space at Parkers Lake Playfield. He recommended that the City's
contribution be limited to $6,500, because of the unknown costs at this time associated
with the ninth playfield project. He also recommended that the City and youth baseball
association draw up an agreement whereby the cages become the property of the City,
so that the miaintenance and liability would be our responsibility. The City would then
also be responsible for scheduling its use, giving the youth baseball association first
priority. Mr. Severson was asked if the youth baseball association had ever done any
fund raising. He stated that they hadn't in the past, but that he has been working on
two fundraisers; selling caps and cookies.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FIEMANN AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER PRIEBE TO ACCEPT STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION FOR
PAVING A HOCKEY RINK AT PLYMOUTH CREEK PARK, INSTALLING SAND
VOLLEYBALL COURTS AT PARKER.S LAKE PARK, AND THE ADDITION OF
TWO BATTING CAGES AT PARKERS LAKE PLAYFIELD. THE MOTION
CARRIED WITH ALL AYES.
PRAC Minutes/March 1995
Page 15
6. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
There was no Commission presentation.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
There was no staff communication.
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
T - C�,
March 17, 1995
Steven H. Chase
11901 - 23rd Ave. N.
Plymouth, MN 55441
SUBJECT: ABANDONMENT OF ALLEY
SOUTHERLY OF 11900 BLOCK 23RD AVENUE
Dear Mr. Chase:
I am responding to your petition and letter dated February 25, 1995 requesting that the City
abandon the alleyway adjacent to the properties included within the petition. As you stated in
your petition, this is an alley and the City does not provide maintenance on alleys. Since the
three property owners use this for driveway access, they are responsible for providing
maintenance.
In your petition you are requesting that this alley be abandoned to a private drive with equal
egress for all contiguous residents. If the City gives up our right to the alley by vacating the
alley, the City cannot grant private driveway rights to the area.
The City does not actually own the alleyway, but was granted its use as an alley as part of the
plat of your addition which is called Penwalk Addition. If the City gives up our rights to use
the property as an alley, then the property becomes part of the lots on either side of existing
alleyway. The alleyway is 14 feet wide, this would mean that seven feet would go to the
properties along 23rd Avenue and seven feet would go to the City owned park property to the
south. The one-half of the alley property going to the lots to the north would only be that
adjacent to the individual lot, and therefore, the easterly parcels would not have the right to
access across the westerly parcels to get to their driveways. In any vacation of the alley, the
City would have to reserve our rights for the existing sanitary sewer and public utilities
(electric and telephone) that are currently within the alley.
Since the alley is used by three properties, it would be my recommendation to the City
Council not to vacate it as a public alley. If it were vacated as a public alley and the
property owners who received ownership of the land did not grant easements to each other,
you would lose the right to access your property from this area. The petition which you
submitted did not contain the signature of the property owner immediately adjacent to the
north/south street, Ives Lane. Although the City could vacate the alley after a public
hearing, if they chose not to enter into private access agreements, you would no longer be
able to use the former alley.
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
-7 -- � 0—
Steven H. Chase
Page Two
The City has vacated public streets or alleys, but they have all been areas where no one was
using them for access. Since three properties are using this alley as an access, I do not
recommend its vacation.
Please let me know if you would like me to present your petition to the City Council and
schedule a public hearing to vacate the alley. If you would like to discuss in more detail
what happens if the alley is vacated, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Fred G. Moore, P.E.
Director of Public Works
cc: Kathy Luecke Assistant City Manager
March 1, 1995
Steven H. Chase
11901 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Mr Chase,
PCITYCOF
PUMOUTR
Thank you for your February 25 letter. I am sorry you did not receive a response to
your March 5, 1994 letter in which you and your neighbors request an alley
abandonment along the south side of your properties. Your letter has been referred to
Fred Moore, Public Works Director, for follow up and a response. You can expect a
response from Mr. Moore by March 15.
Thanks again for your letter. Please give me a call on 550-5013 if you have not
received a response by March 15.
Sincerely,
Kathy Lueckert
Assistant City Manager
cc: Fred Moore, Public Works Director
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
February 25, 1995
City of Plymouth
Attn: City Manager
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55441
SUBJECT: ALLEY ABANDONMENT TO PRIVATE DRIVE
Honorable Mayor, Council and Staff:
Enclosed find copies of a letter and petition which we addressed to you in the
past.
We have never received any communication at all regarding this request. What
is the status?
Thank you.
teven H. Chase, et al
11901 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55441
557-7019
- L4 o—
March 5, 1994
City of Plymouth
Attn: City Manager
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55441
SUBJECT: ALLEY ABANDONMENT TO PRIVATE DRIVE
Honorable Mayor, Council and Staff:
We are residents of 23rd Avenue North in Plymouth. Recently we contacted your office
regarding the roadway along the south side of our.properties. (See enclosed map of
detailed area.) We requested some necessary repairs and maintenance due to the
condition of the roadway.
Per your enclosed letter, we were informed that this roadway is actually an alley and
the City does not provide any maintenance or improvements to alleys within the City.
Due to the fact that we are to provide any necessary maintenance and be responsible
for all costs incurred, and due to the fact that this is not a thoroughfare and is used only
by residents whose homes are adjacent to this alley, we hereby request that this alley
be abandoned to a private drive with equal egress for all contiquous residents.
The petitic:ners agree any future maintenance to said private drive will be incurred
according to running foot basis of property owner.
Please find the following signatures petitioning this request. Feel free to contact us with
any necessary questions and/or information. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Steve. H. Chase, et a!
11901 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55441
557-7019
Address Date
/J"
=" LIQ.
February 25, 1995
City of Plymouth
Attn: City Manager
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55441
SUBJECT: ALLEY ABANDONMENT TO PRIVATE DRIVE
Honorable Mayor, Council and Staff:
Enclosed find copies of a letter and petition which we addressed to you in the
past.
We have never received any communication at all regarding this request. What
is the status?
Thank you.
Steven H. Chase, et al
11901 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55441
557-7019
March 5, 1994
City of Plymouth
Attn: City Manager
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55441
SUBJECT: ALLEY ABANDONMENT TO PRIVATE DRIVE
Honorable Mayor, Council and Staff:
We are residents of 23rd Avenue North in Plymouth. Recently we contacted your office
regarding the roadway along the south side of our properties. (See enclosed map of
detailed area.) We requested some necessary repairs and maintenance due to the
condition of the roadway.
Per your enclosed letter, we were informed that this roadway is actually an alley and
the City does not provide any maintenance or improvements to alleys within the City.
Due to the fact that we are to provide any necessary maintenance and be responsible
for all costs incurred, and due to the fact that this is not a thoroughfare and is used only
by residents whose homes are adjacent to this alley, we hereby request that this alley
be abandoned to a private drive with equal egress for all contiquous residents.
The petiti,-ners agree any future maintenance to said private drive will be incurred
according to running foot basis of property owner.
Please find the following signatures petitioning this request. Feel free to contact us with
any necessary questions and/or information. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Stere„ H. ChSse, et al
11901 23rd Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55441
557-7019
Address Date /
!lCto '20 "'11 s r4�y
J 191J a�� /J
K
m
C)
Z
m
March 23, 1995
Mr. Randy Mayer
MAYER MOBILE
762 Highway No. 55
P.O. Box 205
Medina, MN 55340
Dear Randy:
Z-LIb
CITY OF
PLYMOUTH
Tom Vetsch, Maintenance Superintendent, and I have compjeted the research to
respond to your letters of January 18, February 24, and March 13 to either Mayor
Tierney or City Manager Dwight Johnson concerning motor oil used by the City of
Plymouth.
Attached is a March 17 memorandum from Tom Vetsch answering 12 questions in your
letters. Also, additional information is provided concerning other checking which Tom
did in making our decision to change oil suppliers. Included with Tom's memorandum
is a letter from Fuel Oil Service Company, the supplier of our current product.
If you have any additional questions, or do not consider that we have responded
adequately to your past letter, please contact me in order that I can arrange a meeting
with you, City Manager Dwight Johnson, Tom Vetsch, and myself. My direct City
phone number is 550-5080.
Sincerely,
Fred G. Moore, P.E.
Director of Public Works
enclosure
cc: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
lathy Lueckert, Assistant City Manager
Tom Vetsch, Public Works Superintendent
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
LI b
DATE: March 17, 1995
TO: Fred Moore, Director of Public Works
FROM:f , Tom Vetsch, Superintendent of Public Works
SUBJECT: FLEET MOTOR OIL
After receiving the letter from Randy Mayer, Mayer Mobil, dated February 24, 1995
you and I met with a Mike Svobodny from Fuel Oil Services, who is currently
supplying our motor oils. We went over all information that.I covered in early August
1994 when we were considering purchasing motor oils off the "State Contract". We
again asked questions about liability, testing, reverification of users, API certifications,
additives, and a whole variety of questions pertaining to the history of their company
and their success.
Attached you will find a letter from Mike Svobondy who is the sales representative for
Fuel Oil Services. You will note that most of our questions were answered by Mr.
Svobondy and the other answers to our questions were satisfied through contact with
other people from various agencies.
Through receiving Mr. Mayer's letters, there are sixteen questions I would like to
address. The first questions are from the letter dated January 18, 1995.
1. Are we experiencing any injector problems. . No
2. Are caterpillar specifications and warranty requirements met Yes
3. How long does our current oil met the requirements while in service We
don't know how long the oil would meet the requirements while in service. What we
do know is that during our service intervals, it has met the manufacturers requirements.
This is found out through oil analysis, which are performed by Cleveland Technical
Institute in Golden Valley.
..f - 1.1 a
4. Was there any loss of warranty? No
5. Have we had to change service intervals? No
6. Have we noticed more oil consumption? No
7. Are we using a brand name with a track record? Yes, refer to letter from
Mike Svobondy Fuel Oil Services dated March 14, 1995. This explains the years of
service the company has been in business. In addition, they have been allowed to rebid
and have been successful in being awarded the State Bid for at least the last five years.
8. Are we using any more additives? No, we have used an oil fortifier for a
number of years. This has continued since the change of oil. There has been no
change with the additives since changing to the United Hyde Oil. Our lead mechanic is
a believer in oil additives. We used the same additive with the Mobil product.
The questions from Randy Mayer's letter dated February 24, 1995:
1. Who supervises the blending? McCollister's (packager of United Hyde) has their
own laboratory. They use the same technical support obtained from many. major
additive companies.
See Fuel Oil Service Company letter dated March 14, 1995.
2. Was the oil mixed for testing. No. We took a sample of used Mobil oil and later a
used United Hyde oil sample from the same truck. We were careful that we had the
right oils being tested. The new oil samples were not taken from our bulk storage
where they could have been mixed.
3. Why were tests run in November, two months after the first purchase? We felt we
did sufficient homework before changing oil suppliers with references we checked and
information provided to us. The reason for the tests were just to confirm our original
thoughts verifying that we are using oils that will meet our engine specifications. It had
been a plan of mine to start doing oil analysis's regularly as prevent maintenance.
4. Pertaining to references, particularly to UPS and the City of Eden Prairie.
UPS is a user of United Hyde Oil. The confusion may be that they do use some Mobil
products but I am not certain of their application. UPS has used United Hyde motor oil
for about eight years. The City of Eden Prairie gave Fuel Oil Services a verbal
commitment to use United Hyde Oil and at a later time decided to go with a local oil
supplier. Recently I have learned that the City of Burnsville is a new user of United
Hyde Oil. They are taking advantage of the cooperative purchasing done by the State
of Minnesota. Their former oil was Unocal, which I believe was awarded the State
Contract for motor oils prior to McCollister in about 1988 or 89.
T- Li'�
Additional questions raised by Mr. Mayer that I would like to respond to:
1. How long does the oil meet API Specs after put in service? I don't know how long
the oil would meet API Specifications. It has met the manufacturers specifications for
their recommended service intervals. I also know that from the oil samples we have
taken that the oil was still within acceptable limits. The most recent sample was a
squad car. We had the oil analyzed after the oil had been in service for 3,000 miles.
The results came back as "continue to use". Other samples we have taken were from a
John Deere engine in a back hoe and a Caterpillar engine in a single axle dump truck.
These samples all came back "continue to use" even though the oil was changed by our
service intervals.
2. Have we started to see any increased oil consumption? No. In checking with the
mechanics, they have not noticed any difference in consumption of oil or anything else
different since changing suppliers.
3. Check with each reference you were given to verify. I did not speak to every
reference listed but I did speak to who I thought would be the largest users. They were
Gene Valley, he is with MnDOT Metro Area Shop Supervisor, long time user of
United Hyde with no problems. Dave Bengray, Shop Supervisor for Hennepin
County, they have been using United Hyde Oil since it was awarded the State Contract
with no problems. I spoke to Dale Meyer, the Administrator of the Contractor of the
State of Minnesota. I asked him if United Hyde would be allowed to rebid when the
contract needs to be renewed and he informed me that he has no reason to believe that
it was not a good quality oil and providing service that users need.
4. What checking did we do in advance of change? I made the above listed contacts in
addition to getting the API Certifications from McCollister Oil Company. In addition
to that, I had conversations with Mr. Mayer that we were considering purchasing off
the state contract. Mr. Mayer refrained from bringing up all the questions that he has
since we have made the change. I understand that Randy Mayer had conversations
with the City Mechanics, about changing oil suppliers and again Mr. Mayer did not
bring up the fact that we would be putting our equipment at such risk.
Mr. Mayer indicated in his letter dated January 18, 1995, that he became the City's oil
supplier in 1974. I recall that until 1979 or maybe 1980 our oil supplier was an
independent supplier. We used an oil called "C & H". We had no problem with this
little known name and would have continued with C & H had it remained available.
When the city switched from C & H to Mobil oil, we did not notice any changes in
our engines performances.
In summation, as I indicated in my first memo to you that this oil is under a trial basis.
At this point we have no reason to believe that it will not serve as a satisfactory
lubricant for our engines. All of the oil samples taken thus far have come back with
acceptable results. We are very much aware of the fact that quality motor oils will
greatly impact the success or failure of our equipment. We are very aware that we
have made an oil change, so we are more inclined that ever to be looking for increase
in oil consumption, sludge buildups, whatever the case may be.
Also, as mentioned earlier, I always felt that Mobil Oil was a very good product. We
still think Mobil Oil is a very good product, but at this point we have no reason to
believe that we are not using a quality product.
As a side issue, governmental agencies are encouraged more than ever to participate in
cooperative purchasing. In the case of the State of Minnesota, we pay $350 a year to
be part of the cooperative purchasing program. There is strength in quantity for
purchasing power. If we do not continue to participate in cooperative purchasing
programs either with the State of Minnesota, or with Hennepin County they soon will
disband and there will be no cooperative purchasing whereby every agency will be out
buying product by themselves. This is not to say that we blindly jump on the band
wagon with everything being bid, but purchase with them when we feel quality, service
and price are being met.
If you have any further questions please contact me.
FUEL OIL SERVICE COMPANY, INC.
QUALITY PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
290 ATWATER STREET ST. PAUL, MN 55117 TEL. (612) 488-7201
Mr. Tom Vetsch
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Tom Vetsch,
March 14, 1995
T L) 6
Thank you for taking the time to discuss the lubricant situation. I realize it is
a sensitive issue for you. I hope I addressed all points of concern to your satisfac-
tion.
The city of Eden Prairie had made a verbal commitment to me to pur-
chase United 15W40, but eventually decided to go with a local Mobil supplier.
United Parcel Service, however has been a customer for about 8 years. I have
copies of invoices for your inspection.
. In regards to Quality and Reliability of McCollister & Company a sixty year
veteran in the lubricant business. McCollister had supplied jobbers like us since
1932 and packaged for Sears, Montgomery Wards, D.A. Lubricants and Prestone
since 1966° In recent years they have established a reputation selling products to
the center pivot industry in Nebraska, trucking companies including; UPS, manu-
facturers of hydraulic components and many State, City and County govern-
ments. McCollister & Company sold nearly 4 million gallons of product in 1994.
McCollister has been doing business with the State of Minnesota for nearly 6
years and have established a reputation for good service and quality products.
McCollister has the same additives found in products from major oil com-
panies. McCollister products have an A.P.I. license and all other necessary ap-
provals. Technical support is obtained from major additive companies and many
base oil suppliers including Mobil. McCollister & Company's laboratory is second
to none and they carry product liability insurance in the normal course of busi-
ness. We welcome all questions you may have and hope we can continue to
work with you and the City of Plymouth
Sincere) ,
Mike vobodny
es Representative
,Radema c4m eoaoaactea, 17sec.
6272-74 BOONE AVENUE NORTH
BROOKLYN PARK, MINNESOTA 55428-2793
Phone 612-536-9600 • Fax 612-536-1198
March 22, 1995
Mr. Fred G. Moore
Director of Public Works
Plymouth City Center Building
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
c -
Re: Peony Lane Alignment - City Project No. 502
Dear Mr. Moore:
I reside at 5700 Vagabond Lane, in Plymouth. As a
property owner, tax payer and voter, I wish to advise you
that I object to Alternative No. 5 outlined in your February
28, 1995 letter for the reasons given below:
Alternative No. ,5 represents a major deviation from
what the city has planned for years with respect to Peony
Lane, and it raises serious issues of pubic safety not
present in Alternatives 1 through 4. Alternative No. 5 also
would involve the construction of approximately two
additional miles of roadway, representing substantial cost
to the tax payers which is not justified in light of the
more direct routes represented by Alternatives 1 through 4,
among other factors.
I am also extremely concerned over the lack of (and/or
unwillingness of city representatives to make public)
detailed facts, at or prior to the March 15, 1995 meeting,
regarding the feasibility, projected cost, relative safety
issues, and other factors material to each of the five
alternatives. As a taxpayer and voter, I would like to be
specifically advised as to why a deviation from the city's
-r _ 4e,
Page 2
comprehensive plan with respect to connecting Peony Lane
with Lawndale Lane, is now being considered. What
circumstances have arisen to cause this?
Si cerely,
William C. Rademacher
WCR/dms
CC: Mayor of Plymouth, Joy Tierney
Council Member, David A. Anderson
Council Member, Tim Wold
Council Member, Nicholas P. Granath
Council Member, John W. Edson
Council Member, Chuck Lymangood
Council Member, Carole J. Helliwell
City Attorney, Roger Knutson
Planning Dept., Barb Senness
95REQ.XLS
H
Page 1
CITIZEN REQUEST TRACKING
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1
Blank
Darren A. DeMatthew
Civic Centerlice Arena
12130194
113195
1/13195
114195
2
Gerdes
Darren A. DeMatthew
Pub. Safety Concerns
12130194
113/95
1/13195
1112195
3
Moore
Darren A. DeMatthew
Transportation
12130194
113195
1/13195
114195
4
Blank
Gordon Hanson
Community garden plots
113195
113195
1/17195
114195
5
Moore
Dr. Robert May
19th Avenue - Traffic speed
119195
119195
1123195
1123195
6
Blank
Vivian Starr
Bike path - Lk Camelot/ NW Blvd
119195
119195
1123195
1/17195
7
Hurlburt
Mark Denis/DennisHolmquist
Wetlands Ord/1 1115 0. Rockfd Road
1117195
1119195
211/95
211195
8
Moore
Randy Meyer
Fleet vehicles - petro product./service
1/19195
1/19195
2/1195
211195
B -B
Moore
Randy Meyer
Additional issues - fleet vehicles
2/27195
2127195
3120/95 (r)
3123195
10
Hurlburt
Nancy Cree
Wetlands Ord/NW Plymouth
216/95
218195
2/15195
219195
11
Johnson
Larry Dowell, TwinWest Chamber
LMC referendum levies
219195
219195
2/16195
2/13195
12
City Attorney
Brian Knox
Access to Gleason Lake
2121195 (PF)
2/21195
317195
317195
13
Moore
Steven Chase
Alley Abandonment
311195
311195
3115195
3117195
14
Moore
Peter FlinWanice Symchych
Peony Lane Alignment
3122195
3123195
3129195
1 15
Moore
lWilliam Rademacher
Peony Lane Alignment
3123195 1
3123195 1
3/30195
1
H
Page 1
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Hennen iCounty
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Mr. Dwight Johnson
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Dwight,
March 15, 1995
It was a real pleasure to talk with you and Joy and Kathy yesterday about the
Plymouth Library and possible cooperation between the Library and the City. I
came away from our meeting with some valuable information and I hope you did
too.
A meeting to organize the Friends of the Library group has been scheduled for May
9, at 7:00 p.m. in the dining room of the Towne Square Apartments. This
information has been sent to Helen LaFave for publication in the Plymouth News.
I appreciate your offering to find room in City Hall for us if we couldn't arrange
the meeting at Towne Square, but the manager there was very cooperative.
I look forward to building a strong relationship between the Library and the City.
The information kiosk will be a wonderful start!
Sincerely,
Cathy Fischer
Community Librarian
Plymouth Library
Hennepin County Library Administrative Offices
Ridgedale Drive at Plymouth Road Recycled Paper
12601 Ridgedale Drive
Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305-1909
(612) 541-8530
MAR -20-1995 14:02 FROM PROBATION DIVISION III TO 95505060 P.02
S- 5L
March 201,1995
Mayor Joy Tierney
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mayor,
Please accept this letter of resignation from the Human Rights Commission. As you
know, I am now seated on the Planning Commission, and because of that appointment I
am compelled to resign from the H.R.C. I am requesting the opportunity to remain on
the commission until a replacement for me is found.
Once again, I thank you and the city council for the opportunity of serving on the
human Rights Commission.
KS- may,
aundra Spigne
TOTAL P.02
Metropolitan Council .1. -- J C-
Working for the Region, Planning for the Future
r
March 16, 1995
TO: Local Government Key Contacts
I'm writing to inform you about the pending publication of a new Metropolitan Council report,
Opening Doors to Affordable/Life-Cycle Housing. The report contains data about Twin Cities area
local government activities and progress in providing affordable and life -cycle housing in their
community. You will be mailed a copy as soon as it is printed.
The report will enable each city to compare its housing situation with like communities. It
suggests issues local governments might want to address. The report also contains a brief check
Est of actions cities might consider taking.
The Council will use the information as the basis for developing guidelines for its reviews of local
comprehensive plans and as a point of departure for discussions with cities about ways to
encourage the development of affordable and life -cycle housing.
The Council will soon be initiating public discussion of what the guidelines should be. We plan on
using our Regional Blueprint Handbook Task Force, which has representatives from local
government, and our Community Development Committee as focal points for discussion.
We look forward to working with you as the process goes forward. If you have questions, please
call Chuck Ballentine of the Council staff at 291-6521.
Sincerely,
Sol
Re 'onal Ltrator
230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1634 (612) 291-6359 Fax 291-6550 TDD/TTY 291-0904 Metro Info Line 229-3780
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Richard W. Stanek
State Representative
District 33B
Hennepin County
March 21, 1995
Minnesota
Qt
House1
Representatives
COMMITTEES: JUDICIARY; EDUCATION; U OF M FINANCE
Dwight Johnson, City Manager
City of Plymouth - City Hall
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Dwight:
I've always believed successful governing comes from all levels of government working
together to tackle tough political issues. As your state representative, I want,to build the
foundation for a strong working relationship with you.
It is my intention to work hard and listen to the citizens of my district. Through our work
together as public servants it is my hope that the citizens of our district will receive
appropriate representation in St. Paul.
I look forward to visiting with you. If you have any questions or comments, please don't
hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
Richard W. Stanek
State Representative
14890 91"Ave., Maple Grove, Minnesota 55369 (612) 420-4497
State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1298 (612) 296-5502
IR FAX (612) 296-8803
sem®:
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
350 South Fifth Street - Rm 331
Minneapolis Minnesota 55415-1393
(612)673-2100
Fax (612) 673-2305
SHARON SAYLES BELTON
MAYOR
March 21, 1995
Mayor Joy Tierney
Office of the Mayor
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd
Plymouth, MN 55447-1482
Dear Mayo iern�
minneapolis
city of lakes
For the last three years, this region has been undergoing an extensive debate on the problems
surrounding the concentration of poverty and how this is detrimental to the entire region. While a
growing consensus seems to be emerging as to the extent of the problem and the long-range danger it
poses to the entire region, there has been little agreement to possible solutions. In particular, a
number of legislative solutions have evoked severe negative reactions. These legislative battles are
increasingly dividing the region into two distinct "camps" with no progress being made towards
dealing with the problem.
Senator Mondale and Representative Long have introduced a bill entitled the "Metropolitan Livable
Communities Act" (SF1019 and HF1156). The bill attempts to address a number of facets of the
overall problem including cleanup of polluted lands, the funding of innovative alternative development
projects, and the development and maintenance of affordable and life cycle housing throughout the
metropolitan area. In developing the bill, the authors attempted to enact two principles: minimize
new or increased taxes by identifying existing fund sources which could be redirected, and maximize
local control. While some of the specific funding sources could be controversial, the public policy
objectives appear to be solid (included is a bill summary plus a chart of how the fund works).
The bill does tie a community's ability to retain all of the growth in high value homestead taxes to an
effort related to achieving affordable housing. Unlike some past approaches, this bill attempts to be
sensitive to individual community needs in three ways: it defines high value as twice the average
value for each community; it deals with only 40% of the future growth in this value; and it puts in
place procedures so that all of the value can be retained by communities to address their own needs.
TDD (612) 673-2157 IT"�] IIIF
}� j, ® Post CoRecycled u ePaper 30%
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER l
# ��
Letter regarding Metropolitan
Livable Communities Act
Page Two
March 21, 1995
Senator Mondale in a speech before a Citizens League breakfast commented that in the best of all
worlds, the main metropolitan "livability fund" would receive no funds from this source since all
communities would be retaining the funds.
The bill certainly does not go as far as some would like -- it undoubtedly goes further than some
would wish. It does seem to create a framework upon which the region can move forward. I would
urge your support for the bill. Visible support of this bill is important since the divisions at the
legislature on this topic are so pronounced that any action will be extremely difficult to achieve.
Rather quick support is needed given the tight timelines the bill is under in the legislative process.
Again, I think this bill is an important step forward and I urge your support. If you have any
questions, give me a call. Any questions I can't answer, I can certainly get the needed answers from
my staff.
Sincerely,
' Sharon Sayles Belton
Mayor
Enclosures
Senate Counsel & Research
G-17 STATE CAPITOL
ST. PAUL. MN 55155
(612) 296.4791
FAX (612) 296.7747
JO ANNE ZOFF SELLNER
DIRECTOR
COUNSEL
PETER S. WATTSON
JOHN C. FULLER
BONNIE L BEREZOVSKY
DANIEL P. MCGOWAN
KATHLEEN E. PONTIUS
GEORGE M. MCCORMICK
HANS I. E. BJORNSON
KATHERINE T. CAVANOR
CHRISTOPHER 0 STANG
KENNETH P. BACKHUS
MEUSSAJOHNSON
TOMAS L STAFFORD
JOAN E. WHITE
LEGISLATIVE
ANALYSTS
WIWAM RIEMERMAN
DAVID DIEL
MARK L FERMANICH
RANDAL S. HOVE
GREGORY C. KNOPFF
PATRICK J. MCCORMACK
DANIEL L MUELLER
JACK PAULSON
CHRIS L TURNER
AMY M. VENNEVOTZ
MAJA WEIDMANN
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Senate
State of Minnesota
Members, Metropolitan & Local Government Committee
Amy M. Vennewitz, Senate Research (296-7681) 0v
March 13, 1995
SUBJECT: Summary for S.F. 1019-A4, Delete -Everything Amendment
(Mondale)
ARTICLE 1
METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUN=S ACT
Section 1. Metropolitan Livable Communities Advisory Board.
Subdivision 1. Established; Membership. Establishes a metropolitan
communities advisory board consisting of nine members appointed as follows:
three members appointed by the Governor, three members appointed by the
Senate rules committee, and three members appointed by the Speaker of the
House. None of the members may be legislators, and at least one member must
represent each of the following: the University of Minnesota's design center for
the American urban landscape, a foundation that participates in urban re-
development, metro area municipalities, and a community-based organization
with experience in redevelopment.
Subd. 2. Compensation. Requires the Metropolitan Council to pay board
members per diem for days on which they attend an authorized meeting.
Subd. 3. Administrative Support. Requires the Metropolitan Council to
provide meeting space, staff, and administrative support for the board.
Subd. 4. Powers and Duties. Requires the board to:
(a) establish criteria for the uses of the fund established in section 2;
(b) establish guidelines for the use of the livable community demonstration
projects account;
(c) establish guidelines governing who may apply for a grant or loan from the fund;
(d) prepare and submit an annual plan to the Council for distribution of the fund;
and
(e) prepare and submit to the Legislature and the Council an annual plan on the use
of the livable communities fund.
Section 2. frefl . A q,�" Q-" u Yr 5 fcZe—; A�
Subdivision 1. General. Establishes the livable communities fund and three accounts
within the fund: the tax base revitalization account, the livable communities demonstration
account, and the local housing incentives account.
Subd. 2. Tax Base Revitalization Account. Requires the Council to credit the funds
provided under article 2, sections 4 and 15, to a tax base revitalization account within the
livable communities fund for the purpose of cleaning up polluted lands and for providing the
local match for the Department of Trade and Economic Development's polluted land grant
program.
Subd. 3. Livable Communities Demonstration Account. Requires the Council to
credit to the livable communities demonstration account the proceeds of the tax levied under
this subdivision and subdivision 4 for the purpose of funding the initiatives specified in
section 1, subd. 4, paragraph (b). Allows the Council to levy a taxon all taxable property
in the metropolitan area for the fund. The levy for 1996 may not exceed 83 percent of the
Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission's levy for 1995 multiplied by an index for
market valuation increases. The levy for 1997 and thereafter may not exceed the 1996 levy
multiplied by an index for annual market valuation increases. The account shall also receive
83 percent of the commission's homestead and agricultural credit aid for 1996 and
thereafter.
Subd. 4. Mosquito Control District Assets. Requires the Metropolitan Mosquito
Control Commission to deposit in the livable communities* demonstration account the
proceeds of the sale of certain assets as required under article 2, section 18.
Subd 5. Local Housing Incentives Account; Distribution. Requires the Council to
credit to the local housing incentives account the revenues a municipality chooses to
distribute under paragraph (c), clause 1. Requires the revenues to be used to expand and
preserve life -cycle and affordable housing.
(a) Requires the Council to negotiate with each municipality in the metropolitan area
to establish affordable and life -cycle housing goals and to identify actions a
municipality may take to meet its goals. Each municipality must annually report
to the Council the tax revenues levied under paragraph (e), the portion of the
revenues .spent on meeting housing goals, and how the revenues support the
municipality's housing goals.
-2-
(b) Specifies that a municipality that is in compliance with its housing goals may
retain the tax revenues under paragraph (e) to maintain existing affordable and
life -cycle housing.
(c) Requires a municipality that is not in compliance with its housing goals to either
distribute the revenues calculated under paragraph (e) to the local housing
incentives account or to retain the revenues to develop affordable and life -cycle
housing as approved by the Council.
(d) States that a municipality that is already spending an amount equal to or greater
than the amount calculated under paragraph (e) on affordable and life -cycle
housing is not required to spend an additional amount.
(e) 1. Requires each county assessor to determine each municipality's average
residential homestead market value for 1993. Defines this value, multiplied by
two, to be each municipality's "market value base amount."
2. Requires the county assessor to determine for both 1994 and the current
assessment year which homestead values within a municipality exceed the base
amount. Defines the aggregate net tax capacity by which the municipality's
homestead market values exceed the base amount as the "net tax capacity excess
amount."
3. Requires the assessor to annually certify each municipality's average total net
tax capacity tax rate.
4. Requires the Council to annually notify each municipality of its affordable and
life -cycle housing opportunities amount. Defines this amount to be equal to 40
percent of the amount by which the net tax capacity excess amount for the current
year exceeds the amount for 1994, multiplied by the municipality's average total
net capacity tax rate for the current year.
Section 3. 2025 Report. Requires the Council to report to the Legislature by January 1996
on the probable development patterns .in the metropolitan area by the year 2025 under
various growth scenarios. Requires the report to consider impacts on counties adjacent to
the seven -county area.
Section 4. Application. Makes the article applicable in the seven -county metropolitan area.
Section 5. Effective Date. Makes the article effective the day after final enactment and for
taxes levied in 1995 and payable in 1996 and subsequent years.
-3-
_s
ARTICLE 2
NUSCEI LANEOUS AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Local Match Requirement. Changes the local match required from a
municipality's general fund for grants under section 116J.551 from 18 percent to 5 percent
of the project cleanup costs; and allows the rest of the local match to be paid with regional,
state, or federal money in addition to tax increment funds.
Section 2. Loans for Acquisition. Changes two references to the tax authorized under
subdivision 3 for right-of-way acquisition to be the tax authorized for right-of-way acquisition
and subsequently deposited in the right-of-way acquisition loan fund according to subdivision
3a.
Section 3. Tax. Requires the Council to levy a tax for right-of-way acquisition and for the
tax base revitalization account in the livable communities fund. (This tax is now optional
on the part of the Council.) Deletes language limiting the tax levy. (This language is later
reinserted under section 4.)
Section 4. Distribution of Tax Proceeds. Requires the tax proceeds from section 3 to be
deposited first in the right-of-way acquisition loan fund in an amount not to exceed the
amount needed to meet anticipated disbursements, and to produce a fund balance equal to
twice the amount of the property tax limitation. Any remaining amount must be deposited
in the tax base revitalization account in the metropolitan livable communities fund.
Section 5. Establishment of District; Purpose; Area; Governing Body. Limits the mission
of the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District to the control of disease caused by mosquitos,
disease -vectoring ticks, and black gnats.
Section 6. Specifies that the Metropolitan Mosquito Control Commission may undertake
only disease control programs in the district.
Section 7. Specifies that the commission may employ a director to develop the disease
control programs, and that the director shall have studied both entomology and epidemiology
and shall be either an entomologist or an epidemiologist.
Section 8. Allows the commission to contract for services to carry out disease control
programs.
Section 9. Provides that commission members receive per diem in the amount specified in
section 15.059, subd. 3. ($55).
Sections 10 - 13. Add the word "disease" before "control program" to clarify that the
commission's activities may relate only to disease control.
-4-
�:[-5e-
Section 14. Budget; Tax Levy. Limits the Mosquito Commission's levy in 1996 to an amount
not to exceed 17 percent of the previous year's levy and for taxes payable in 1997 and
thereafter to an amount not to exceed the previous year's levy multiplied by a factor for
market valuation increases. Specifies that the commission's homestead and. agricultural
credit aid base is permanently reduced by 83 percent of the certified amount. Allows the
commission to levy a tax of not more than $500,000 to pay for control measures for a health
emergency due to the outbreak of disease caused by mosquitos, gnats, and ticks.
Section 15. Livable Communities Fund.
(a) Requires the Hennepin County auditor to certify Bloomington's interest payments
for 1987 for the bonds sold for highway improvements near the Mall of America.
(b) Requires that for taxes payable in 1996 through 1999 the Hennepin County
auditor must certify the difference between the amount needed by Bloomington
for the current year's interest payments and the 1987 amount.
(c) Requires the Ramsey County auditor to annually ,add the amount under
paragraph (b) to its areawide portion of the levy calculated for fiscal disparities.
(d) Requires the Ramsey County auditor to annually distribute the amount under
paragraph (b) to the Council for deposit in the tax base revitalization account of
the livable communities fund.
Section 16. Areawide Tax Rate. Requires the county auditor to certify by August 25th each
year the amounts calculated for the Bloomington highway bond interest payments and the
amounts calculated under section 15.
Section 17. Certification of Values; Payment. Requires the administrative auditor for each
county to certify the difference between the total distribution levy, including the amount
calculated under section 15, and the total tax on the contribution value.
Section 18. Metropolitan Mosquito Control District; Partial Liquidation of Assets.
Requires the Mosquito Control Commission to, within one year, sell assets of the district that
are not needed under its reduced scope of authority. Requires the proceeds to be deposited
in the tax base revitalization account of the metropolitan livable communities fund.
Section 19. Citation. Names this bill the metropolitan livable communities act.
Section 20. Application. Makes the article applicable in the seven -county metropolitan
area.
Section 21. Effective Dates. Makes the article effective the day after final enactment and
for taxes levied in 1995 and payable in 1996 and subsequent years.
AMV.jb
-5-
METROPOLITAN LIVABLE
COMMUNITIES FUND
TAX BASE
REVITALIZATION
ACCOUNT
: Polluted land
clean -u
(1) Right -of -Way Acquisition
Loan Fund (R.A.L.F.)
(2) Mall of America
Commercial -Industrial
Surcharae
LIVABLE
COMMUNITIES
DEMONSTRATION
► ACCOUNT
PURPOSE: Fund innovative
alternative development projects
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
(1) 83% of Mosquito Control
Levy
(2) Mosquito Control District
Assets
LOCAL HOUSING
INCENTIVES
ACCOUNT
'URPOSES: (1) Creation of
affordable and life cycle housing
hroughout metro area and
2) maintenance of existing
affordable housing
:n1IGt*`C nC 01IAIMC.
40% of Growth in Homestead
Net Tax Capacitv Excess
l`
I
LA
fu
NORTHWEST SUBURBS CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(612) 536-8355
March 21, 1995
Dwight Johnson
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
PIymouth, IMd 5544-1
Dear Dwight:
4 -
It was recently announced that control of the cable system now
owned by King Videocable will be transferred to Continental Cable
Vision. The proposed transfer needs to be approved by the
Commission in accordance with state and federal law. I would ask
that you bring this to the attention of the Mayor and City
Council.
We have scheduled a public hearing to discuss the proposed
transfer for April 6, 1995, a Thursday evening at 7:00pm, at the
Brooklyn Center City Hall.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this transfer you
may write or phone me or attend the hearing.
I have included a list of questions which the Commission has
asked Continental to respond to. If you have any questions
regarding the list, please phone me at 533-8196. Thank You.
Sincerely,
Gro -a Moore, Executive Director
N¢rr-hwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission
Enclosure
Brooklyn Center 0 Brooklyn Park 9 Crystal 0 Golden Valley • Maple Grove • New Hope • Osseo 0 Plymouth 0 Robbinsdale
ATTACHMF = c
7— zp
NORTHWEST SUBURBS CABLE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
6900 Winnetka Avenue North
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(612) 536-8355
TO: NORTHWEST SUBURBS CABLE COMMISSION
1 1114 F1 K0*,i pre] D V (*Is) ,I
DATE: FEBRUARY 8, 1995
RE: PENDING TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP FROM KING VIDEOCABLE TO
CONTINENTAL
In December of 1994 it was announced that Continental Cable was
purchasing the cable systems around the country owned by King.
While we've been notified of this impending sale we have not
received the formal notification required by federal law. We
expect to receive this formal notification at any time.
In anticipation of the sale and transfer of ownership which must
be approved by the Commission I would suggest that we, as we've
done in the past, delegate the review and negotiation aspects of
the transfer to the Negotiating Committee and then have the
Committee report back to the full Commission with their
recommendations) for consideration by the full Commission. The
Committee is currently comprised of the following Commissioners:
Jack Irving, Chair; Bill Blonigan; Mary Gwin-Lenth; Gerry
Splinter; and Ray Stockman.
In addition to the pro -forma aspects of the proposed transfer I
suggest we discuss the following issues:
* the Commission's right or option to purchase the cable
system, -known as the Right of First Refusal. This was the option
used by the Commission in 1989 that resulted in a $5,000,000
settlement to the Commission not to exercise its option.
* Continental's plans to increase channel capacity and/or to
rebuild the cable system to offer interactive services and to be
able to monitor viewership of channels electronically.
* Continental's plans to offer computer based services which
are available now or in the near future such as; Internet and
Prodigy Plus.
* Continental's plans to improve the quality of signals
returning to its headend from remote sites on its system some of
which are frequently used such as; city halls and others which
are infrequently used such as; school gymnasiums or to use
microwave as an alternative.
Brooklyn Center • Brooklyn Park • Crystal 0 Golden Valley • Maple Grove • New Hope 0 Osseo 0 Plymouth • Robbinsdale
* Plans to offer free, universal service, comprised of all
access and local origination channels and local broadcast
channels, to all residents passed by the cable system.
* Plans to change, modify, or strengthen the present
community television effort and to sell ads on channel 12 and
split the revenue from such ad sales with NWCT. Plans to market
your service in part by promoting community television.
Continental's position with respect to having a check -off on each
monthly bill so that subscribers can voluntarily contribute to
NWCT.
*Plans with respect to the utilization of space within or
the sale of the Maple Grove and Plymouth hub sites.
* Plans with respect to altering the present situation
wherein a corporate executive, customer service representatives,
dispatch, service personnel and vehicles, and sales and marketing
personnel are located at 6900 Winnetka Ave No.
March 23, 1995
Representative Todd Van Dellen
291 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Dear Representative Van Dellen:
On Wednesday, March 22, 1995, we verified that the long-awaited crossing arms have
now been installed at the Pineview crossing in Plymouth by the CP Rail Company. As
you know, the residents in the area have been waiting for over two years for this event.
We appreciate your drafting of HF 1054 to address this and similar issues. After
reading the bill, it seems like good public policy to us. Cities should have some
reasonable course .of action to address safety concerns where public streets and
highways cross the railroad tracks.
With the installation of the crossing arms at Pineview, the urgency and priority of this.
legislation is certainly diminished at this time. We know you are very busy with
important legislative initiatives and would understand if you felt that time or energy
spent on this bill would detract from other legislative priorities.. However, we do
continue to support the draft of HF 1054 as good policy and would encourage you to
pursue it if your other priorities allow enough time.
Thanks for your assistance on this issue.
Sincerely,
Dwight D. Johnson
City Manager
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: March 23, 1995
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Summary of Events
Cluster Planning. The cities of Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove both adopted the
scope of work for the Met Council's cluster planning process, just as we did Tuesday
evening. The Met Council will meet Monday at noon to review the cities' resolutions
and authorize continued funding of design for the Elm Creek sewer.
Pineview Crossing. The crossing gates are now up (and presumably working) at the
Pineview crossing of the Soo Line tracks. We have waited over two years for this
project. It may not be a coincidence that the project was completed just as legislation
was introduced on our behalf by Representative Todd Van Dellen to address this issue.
Pager Numbers for Staff Members. Both Kathy and I have begun using pagers, 1
partly to assure that we can be reached for urgent or emergency messages. Craig
Gerdes has always had a pager and we found out that Roger Knutson also has one.
Please write these pager numbers down if you wish for future reference:
Dwight Johnson 641-7655
Kathy Lueckert 641-7661
Craig Gerdes 641-7667
Roger Knutson 740-5475
Plymouth Creek drainage project. All tree work was completed while the kids were
out of school from March 9-12. However, the silt removal work was completed only
on the upper, northwest portion of the creek (west of the school and south of Co. 9).
This is because the weather got too warm too fast, and the equipment could not
function. The contractor will come back during the summer when conditions are dryer
and pile up the dirt on site. The pile will then be removed next winter, since that will
take the heavy trucks again.
Absence from the City. I will be taking leave time to accompany my wife on a
business trip to Washington D.C. beginning March 30th. I will be gone from
Thursday, March 30 through Tuesday, April 4. If my planes are on time, I will be
back just in time for the April 4 Council meeting. Kathy Lueckert will be available
throughout the time I am gone. I will leave my hotel location with Kathy and the
office.
9 March 1995
Council Member Nicholas P. Granath
2600 Oakview Lane
Plymouth MN 55441
Dear Council Member:
C�
At the end of January 1994 I closed my business (Smiling Moose IHR Photo) in Waterford Plaza
because of a lack of traffic. I spent three years of 70 hour work weeks and all my money trying to get the
business to a decent profit level of 50 rolls of film per day. I reached only 25 rolls per day.
I proceeded to sue the City of Plymouth for not allowing signs out on Hiway 55 and for a certain
arbitrary nature in its handling of the mall. The case was thrown out of court by Judge Alton who said I
most likely would have gone out of business anyway as most small businesses do and therefore would
have a hard time showing my failure was the fault of the City or of Ryan Properties ( whom I also sued.)
I won't belabor this scenario because my story is not unique - I was just another of many small business
persons who tried and failed. But I would like to suggest something that may help others in the future.
When I was starting my business I had many things to do. One of the many was to check with the City
concerning signs and other things. Never during any of my talks with the staff members of the various
City departments was I told what the City had in mind for the Waterford Mall. When I did inquire of
staff members concerning the reasons for the restrictions on signs and other rules, I was referred to the
rules and told the rules were the reason.
Then later in my research to try to find the reason for the mall not working (a view shared by a council
member at a council meeting), I came across information from various and sundry sources by intent and
chance that led me to the microfilmed minutes of the Planning Commission. From those, I picked up a
hint that the City did not intend Waterford to be successful.
Later, in and affidavit by Chuck Dillerud, I learned the City never intended Waterford to be a magnet for
traffic from Hiway 55 nor did the City intend signs for the mall be placed where they could be seen easily
from Hiway 55. This information was told to the builder and landlord, Ryan, during meetings that were
not recorded.
Zoning maps were and are available to the public, but they are somewhat vague as to their real world
meaning and logical explanations were not forthcoming from City experts.
r
The point is this: The City took the time and had the resources to come and check every electrical outlet
in my lab to insure I was in compliance with the rules. The City made sure my bathroom was rule
perfect. (I had to lower my towel dispenser four inches to comply with the rules to help the disabled.)
The City required knowledge of every bush and parking lot space and even the size and placement of any
tent used in any outside sales promotion (and, of course, the City's permission was needed to hold any
outside sales promotion.)
With this in mind, I would like to know if it would be unreasonable to ask the City to enact some kind of
rule or pass a law or take some action to require the City to let the individual business interested in any
given mall know what the City has in mind for that mall?
Small business owners are not idiots. And they are not real excited about being thought of and treated
like sure losers and marketplace throwaways. They have expertise in their field and they use it to help
their customers who rely on that knowledge to get their money's worth.
But small business owners do not have the means to drag a lawyer and/or an expert along with them
everywhere they go during business formation. Just as the customer relies on the small business owner,
the small business owner must rely on powers such as the City and the Landlord to receive full
knowledge about the space their business will occupy. (The honesty issue begs another long discourse, so
I will limit this discussion to knowledge.) In this mission, the City has failed. I would have never have
chosen Waterford had I been told by the City or the Landlord of the restrictions placed on the mall by the
City.
The City has given itself the power to intervene in the marketplace and the power to enforce that
intervention. Nothing short of a total revolution will change that. But along with power comes
responsibility. And in my view, that responsibility requires the City to take active, not passive, steps to
let the people know the total reach of that power.
John G. Kildahl
9p—�L"V
14500 34th Ave N #338
Plymouth MN 55447
612-551-0731
A copy of this letter has been sent to all Council Members.
CITY of
PLVMOUTR
Sunday, March 12, 1995
Mr. John G. Kildahl
14500 34th Ave. N. #338
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Kildahl:
Thank you for your letter of 9 March 1995. I am very sorry to hear that your
business did not continue. Working in a small law firm as I do, perhaps I can
empathize a little more with you story.
I believe you make three points: 1) before starting your business you investigated
the applicable ordinances at City Hall concerning "signs and other things," 2)
subsequent to this you also researched Planning Commission minutes in an attempt to
determine what the City "had in mind" for Waterford Mall, and 3) your business
failed for lack of traffic flow. You also suggest that the City [Council] take some
action to require the City inform businesses interested in any given location what the
City intends for that location in the future.
I will forward copies of your letter to all Council Members the City.
senior staff so that your suggestion anti the concerns you highlight are given a an
fair hearing.
As you have put a serious proposal to me and provided an explanation with it, I
will return the favor of my thoughts on this matter.
I do agree with you that existing legal restrictions upon land should be reasonably
and affordably accessible to prospective businesses, regardless of size. And if I find a
way to improve this accessibility, I will certainly advocate changes in the City of
Plymouth on your behalf and all others similarly situated. (As I don't know what
knowledge Ryan may have had and failed to tell, if that happened at all, or what duty
they were under, I can't address that).
With your indulgence I will share with you that I cannot agree, however, that the
City "did not intend Waterford to be successful," as you state, nor that the City failed
to disclose "what it had in mind."
We Listen • We Solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
Regarding what the City intended: First, it seems to me that absent a written
resolution, any conclusion that the City wanted Waterford Mall not to succeed is only
someone's interpretation, whether based on comments made at the Planning
Commission or on Dillerud's subjective evaluation, or it is mere speculation. For
example, because the City in fact allowed a major industrial building to go up six
blocks from my house is not proof that the City intends to drive me out of my house.
Secondly, if in fact any government absent a lawful reasons intended an existing
business to fail just because it did not want it there, this would be an unjust taking
under the Constitution and as such a violation of our most basis laws.
Regarding what the City may have "had in mind," I do agree that uncertainty in
knowing how government, other businesses or neighbors may affect a given piece of
property in the futures is a major problem for business forecasting and it may even be
fatal. However, there is no such thing, in my opinion, as knowing or disclosing what
the City will do next year, the year after that and so on, nor should there be. There are
only predictions based on existing knowledge, some of which is inaccessible by
definition (the minds of the Council members, for example) or difficult to learn
(discussions in the various governing bodies which do not amount to taking action,
for example).
It seems to me that City is governed by elected folks such as myself and we are
replaced on a regular basis by voters like you who often reflect changing priorities.
Even the Council cannot in many cases legally bind future Councils. The same goes
for private independent decision making agents, like your landlord. Perhaps the
situation is somewhat analogous to the actions of the Federal Reserve. For instance, I
can't plan to finance a loan in two years time having at present all the knowledge I
will need to make the final decision because the Fed won't promise what the interest
rates will be then. Maybe they should, but if they were then it will certainly result in
less freedom of operation for the Fed, not necessarily an outcome in the best interest
of the national economy.
Having said this, I hope you will appreciate my candor on this matter. As I said, I
do agree with you that good access to existing conditions, restrictions, or taxes as well
as pending conditions, restrictions or taxes ought to be readily available to any small
business person in our City. In addition, I will look into what access is currently
available to prospective businesses. Finally, I will certainly welcome any further
suggestions you have on this matte. Thank you and good luck in the future.
We Listen • We solve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000
CITV OF
PLYMOUTF+
Sincerely,
)44"-0—
Nick Granath,
Plymouth City Councilmember, Ward 3
City voice mail 550-5092
We Listen • We lolve • We Care
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000