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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 05-04-1995MAY 4, 1995 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS .... I. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR MAY: MAY 8 7:00 P.M. GENERAL COMMUNITY MEETING Topic: Open Space/Trails Referendum and other City Projects and Programs - City Council Chambers Following WARD MEETINGS Public Tufo Mtg . Room locations for Ward Meetings will be posted in City Center foyer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAY 16 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING City Council Chambers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAY 24 5:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Canvass Results of May 23 Special Election City Council Chambers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. HRA SPECIAL MEETING -- MONDAY, MAY 8, 6:30 P.M., City Center Large Conference Room. (M-2) 3. PUBLIC MEETING ON CHARTER AMENDMENTS -- TUESDAY, MAY 9, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers. 4. CHARTER COMMISSION -- TUESDAY, MAY 9, following public meeting, Council Conference Room. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE -- TUESDAY, MAY 9, 7:00 P.M., City Center Large Conference Room. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO MAY 4, 1995 Page 2 6. PLANNING COMMISSION -- WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers. 7. D.A.R.E. GRADUATIONS -- A listing of D.A.R.E. graduation dates and locations is attached. (M-7) 8. PLANT SALE -- SATURDAY;, MAY 13, Parkers Lake Park, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 9. TWINWEST CHAMBER "STATE OF THE CITY" COFFEE BREAK -- TUESDAY, MAY 16, 7:30 A.M., City Council Chambers. (M-9) 10. METRO MEETINGS ---- The weekly calendar of meetings for the Metropolitan Council and its advisory commissions is attached. (M-10) 11. MEETING CALENDAR -The May meeting calendar is attached. (M-11) > . .......... V�.:....1T�..�...�.�ak"................ ...:.:::::::. 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 the Arbor Day (Mayl7) Plymouth Creek replanting project. (I- 3. MINUTES & AGENDAS: a. Environmental Quality Committee, April 11, 1995. (I -3a) 4. CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter from City Attorney's office to Barbara Cox giving an update on the current law on the regulation of train whistles by municipalities. (I -4a) b. Letter from Shawn Huckleby, U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development, on the results of the on-site review of Plymouth's Community Development Block Grant program. The review was conducted on March 28 - 30. (I -4b) c. Memo from Sergeant Larry Holzerland and Sara Cwayna, on the plan for a traffic enforcement program in the South Shore Drive area. (I -4c) d. Letter from Representative Richard Stanek, to Kathy Lueckert, commenting on the property tax freeze proposal. (I -4d) e. Letter to Tom Hill, Plymouth/Wayzata Boys Baseball, from Eric Blank, thanking members of the organization for meeting with the Youth Sports Study Committee, and extending an invitation to participate in the May 17 annual park tour. (I -4e) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO MAY 4, 1995 Page 3 f. Memo from City Assessor Nancy Bye regarding 1995 residential property value distribution. (I -4f) g. Memo from IMS Manager Stan Birnbaum regarding information system issues. (I - 4g) h. Letter from Suburban Rate Authority Counsel, Holmes and Graven, regarding the proposed SRA 1996 budget. (I -4h) i. Letter from Bob Renner, Municipal Legislative Commission, on Livable Communities Compromise communications. (I -4i) j. Letter from James Tiller, Attorney representing Hollydale Golf Course, regarding drainage issues involving the Lundgren Brothers preliminary plat. (I -4j) Dwight Johnson City Manager PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY MEETING May 8, 1995 7:00 P.M. I. Welcome and Introductions II. Current Issues in Plymouth A. Open Space/Trails Referendum B Wayzata High School C. Downtown Plymouth --mini survey D. Traffic Enforcement Activities E. Sump Pump Program F. Green Lawns/Blue Water Video III. Questions and Answers Mayor Tierney City Staff Eric Blank Eric Blank Anne Hurlburt Craig Gerdes Dale Hahn Dwight Johnson Dwight Johnson - Adjourn to Ward Break-out Sessions - IV. Ward Break-out Sessions Rooms: Council Chambers Public Safety Training Room Council Conference Room Lower Atrium or Large Conference Room Time Allotted 20 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 25 minutes 40 minutes Staff members will rotate between ward sessions to answer any specific questions. Fred Moore will provide construction updates as appropriate. ME Alt PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND L EDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NOTICE OF SP IXIAL .MEETING MONDAY, MAY 89 1995, 6:30pm PLYMOUTH CITY HALL, 3%0 PLYMOUTHS BOULEVARD A special meeting of the Board of Commissioi i tzs of the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority is hereby called for the time and p:,= indicated above to consider the pending IRS public auction of the property at the northeas corner of Rockford Road (County Road 9) and Fembrook Lane, North. Questions regarding this special meeting can b referred to Edward Goldsmith, HRA Supervisor at 550-5047 or at Plymouth ity Hall, 3400 Pl, mouth Boulevard, Plymouth, MN 55447. -�-- Dated: May 3, 1995 David Crain, Chair Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authori y Posted: %lay 4, 1995 D.A.R.E. GRADUATION SIGN-UP LIST. May 9th (Tuesday): Gleason Lake Elementary -- 7:00 p.m. Nicholas Granath Craig Gerdes Greenwood Elementary -- 1:25 p.m. Joy Tierney Craig Gerdes May 11 th (Thursday): Pilgrim Lane Elementary -- 1:30 p.m. Chuck Lymangood Craig Gerdes Sunset Hill Elementary -- 2:00 p.m. Joy Tierney John Ward Sunny Hollow Elementary -- 7:00 p.m. Carole Helliwell John Ward May 12th (Friday): Oakwood Elementary-- 2:00 p.m. Tim Wold Craig Gerdes May 17th (Wednesday): Kimberly Lane Elementary -- 2:00 p.m. David Anderson Craig Gerdes May 18th (Thursday): Zachary Lane Elementary -- 1:45 p.m. John Edson Craig Gerdes May 23rd (Tuesday): Plymouth Creek Elementary -- 1:30 p.m. John Edson Craig Gerdes May 30th (Tuesday): Birchview Elementary -- 1:00 p.m. John Edson Craig Gerdes ;ift-1 CfTY 7"rUSTAL 1OFLOUIST. City of Golden Valley n GAS Y OT W HO 0 TWI NWEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE State of the City Coffee Breaks Tuesday, May 2 Crystal City Hall - Co-sponsored by: McManus Babcock & 4141 Douglas Drive Company Ltd. Wednesday, May 3 St. Louis Park City Hall 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard McManus Babcock & Company Ltd Tuesday, May 9 Golden Valley City Hall - Co-sponsored by: Marquette Bank 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley Tuesday, May 16 Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Wednesday, May 17 Minnetonka City Hall 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard Tuesday, May 23 Hopkins City Hall 1010 South First Street Thursday, May 25 Wayzata City Hall 600 East Rice Street Wednesday, May 31 New Hope City Hall 4401 Xylon Avenue North AlfMarquette Bank � Golden Valley During May, TwinWest brings its Coffee Breaks to city hall for a "State of the City" presentation from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. This is your opportunity to hear about local happenings while enjoying the usual coffee, rolls and networking with fellow members. The presentations will include new and proposed developments, public improvement projects, proposed ordinances and other matters that affect businesses in our communities. The "State of the City" Coffee Breaks are always TwinWest's most highly attended and informative Coffee Breaks of the year. Please join us! METRO MEETINGS A weekly calendar of meetings and agenda items for the Metropolitan Council, its advisory and standing committees, and three regional commissions: Metropolitan Airports Commission, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, and Metropolitan Spoits Facilities Commission. Meeting times and agendas are occasionally changed. Questions about meetings should be directed to the appropriate organization. Meeting information is also available on the Metro Information Line at 229-3780 and by computer modem, through the Twin Cities Computer Network at 33775400. DATE: April 28, 1995 WEEK OF: May 1 - May 5, 1995 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Finance Committee - Thursday, May 4, 4 p.m., Room 2A. The committee will consider: the 1994 Performance Evaluation Report submittal to Legislature; authorization to issue a request for proposal for a consultant for financial system needs development; review budget calendar; and other business. Legislative Coordinating Committee (TENTATIVE) - Friday, May 5, Noon, Room IA. TENTATIVE MEETINGS THE WEEK OF MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 5, 1995 Community Development Committee - Monday, May 8, Noon, Room IA. Sewer Rate/Cost Allocation Task Force - Tuesday, May 9, 7:30 a.m., Room 2A. Environment Committee - Tuesday, May 9, 4 p.m., Room 2A. Transportation Technical Advisory Committee to the Transportation Advisory Board - Wednesday, Mav 11, 9 a.m., Chambers. Land Transportation Committee - Thursday, May 11, 1:30 p.m., Room 2A. SPECIAL MEETING: Finance Committee - Thursday, May 11, 3:30 p.m., Room 2A. Metropolitan Council - Thursday, May 11, 4 p.m., Chambers. Committee of the Whole - Thursday, May 11, immediately following the Council meeting. Lower Minnesota River Technical Advisory Group - Friday, May 12, 9:30 a.m., location to be determined. Legislative Coordinating Group - Friday, May 12, Noon, Room IA. The Metropolitan Council is located at Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul. Meeting times and agenda are subject to change. For more information or confirmation of meetings, call 291-6447, (TDD 291- 0904). Call the Metro Information Line at 229-3780 for news of Council actions and coming meetings. METROPOLITAN AIRPORTS COMMISSION Planning and Environment Committee - Tuesday, May 2, 1 p.m., Room 301, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh Terminal, Wold -Chamberlain Field. The committee will consider: May ADNE levels; final contract payments on the Glycol storage facility and 1993-94 Part 150 sound insulation program; contract bids received for the Revenue Control building and beacon rehabilitation at the St. Paul Downtown Airport; ratification of acceptance of grant offers; review of upcoming construction project bids; Lindbergh Terminal passenger waiting area rehabilitation; Crystal long-term comprehensive plan presentation; Airlake Airport south building area; reliever airports philosophy; Differential Global Positioning System ground station; consultant interviews for dual track airport planning process economic analysis; and other business. Metropolitan Airports Commission offices are located at 6040 28th Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55450. For more information, call Lynn Sorensen at 726-8186. METROPOLITAN SPORTS FACILITIES COMMISSION Intergovernmental Relations Committee - Tuesday, May 23, 8 a.m., Sheraton Midway Inn, 400 N. Hamline Ave., St. Paul. The committee will consider legislative issues 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 Lori Peltier, 335- 3310. r � OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS May 1995 Sunday...y Tuesday Wednesday.. ..Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 PLANE PLYMOUTH ENTRANCE WAYS -1-494 & Carlson Parkway 7�b0 PM $G1AR0OF f (Recanveried) i,Ct3uiIm�ieii 100 PM COUNCIL MEET IN = Council Chsmbers 7:00 PM Downtown Plymo- uth Workshop - Council Chambers 7:30 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Pub. Safety Training Room 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 PLANT SALE - Parkers Lake Park 9 ant. - 6p.m 6:30 PM Special HRA Mtg - Large Conf. Rm 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE - Pub. Safety Trng Room 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chambers PUBLIC INFO. MEETING ON OPEN SPACErrRAILS REFEREN DUM - 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers; WARD MEETINGS follow 7:00 PM PUBLIC MTG ON CHAR - TER AMENDMENTS -Council Chambers CHARTER COMMISSION following Public MtO -Council Coat Rm 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 City Center Counter Open for Absentee Doting -1- 3 p.m. 7:30 AM TwinWest Chamber "State of the City" Coffee Break - Council Chambers 7:00 AM PLYMOUTHHOUSING ALLIANCE - Council Con,. Rm. 7:00 PM HRA - Council Chambers 1: 00 PMARBOR DAY - 7:00 PM COUNCIL MEE ' ING - Council, Cltambe' Plymouth Creek School 7:00 PM PACT - Pub. Safety Library PARK TOUR - Leave City Center 4 p.m. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 PLYMOUTH TOWNE SQUARE -RECEPTION, 2:00 P.M.; OPEN HOUSE, 3:00 - 5:00 P.M. City Center Counter Open to 7p.nL -Absentee Voting SPECIAL CITY ELECTION -Polls Open 7 a.m.; Close 8 p.m. 500 rM SPECIAL COUN , fC MEETirIc GgWt cil"7aambera;F,. 7:00 PM BOARD OF ZONING - Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION - Council Chambers 28 30 31 April June Memorial Day (Observed) City Offices Closed S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 2 3 4 5 6 7 E 1 2 3 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 7:00 PM Downtown Plymo- uth Workshop - Council Chambers Rev. 5/4/95 DATE: MAY 4, 1995 TO: DWIGHT JOHNSON, CITY MANAGER �n FROM: CARLYS SCHANSBERG, DATA CONTROL/INSPECTION CLERK SUBJECT: BUILDING PERMIT ISSUED REPORT FOR COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/PUBLIC & CHURCH USE TYPES APRIL 27, 1995 THROUGH MAY 3, 1995 Permit #66274 was issued to Opus Corporation for construction of a new building at 13100 15th Avenue North, valuation $3,120,000.00. Permit #65918 was issued to A P Technology Mgmt. for remodeling of Protein Design Labs at 3955 Annapolis Lane North, valuation $330,000.00. Permit #66061 was issued to Olson Company for remodeling of existing office space at 14600 21st Avenue North, valuation $100,000.00. PERMITLIST LIST OF PERMITS ISSUED 05/04/95 AGING DAYS FROM 04/27/95 TO 05/03/95 r PAGE 2 PIN NUMBER CLASS OF WORK DATE PERMIT # APPLICANT NAME LEGAL USE TYPE ISSUED ERMT.TYPE SITE ADDRESS DESCRIPTION OUTLOT/TRACT UNIT# STATE LICENSE # VALUATION TOTAL FEE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 118 22 32 0026 GATES ROOFING 2990 NORWOOD LA N 0006783 30 118 22 11 0060 STEVEN L & BRENDA E HUKRIEDE 2330 CO RD NO 101 0006783 27 118 22 43 0017 OPUS CORP 13100 15TH AVE N 29 118 22 42 0083 PLYMOUTH ROOFING 1799 BLACK OAKS LA N 0005358 REPAIR 04/27/95 66225 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 7 3 WESTMINSTER $3,500.00 $64.75 ADDITION 05/03/95 66259 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING LLS30QQ110060 $3,000.00 $90.60 NEW CONST 05/02/95 66274 LOT BLK INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LLS27QQ430017 $3,120,000.00 $81,735.17 REPAIR 05/01/95 66276 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 3 3 CHELSEA WOODS 2ND $3,700.00 $105.80 PERMITLIST LIST OF PERMITS ISSUED 05/04/95 AGING DAYS FROM 04/27/95 TO 05/03/95 PAGE 4 PIN NUMBER CLASS OF WORK DATE PERMIT ## APPLICANT NAME LEGAL USE TYPE ISSUED ERMT.TYPE SITE ADDRESS DESCRIPTION OUTLOT/TRACT UNIT# STATE LICENSE ## VALUATION TOTAL FEE --------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 118 22 22 0059 SCOTT MULLIN CONST 3430 ZIRCON LA N 0006290 28 118 22 13 0028 GEORGE P & PHYLLIS A NORGREN 2005 JUNEAU LA N 0006290 �✓ 15 118 22 31 0008 A P TECHNOLOGY MGMT 3955 ANNAPOLIS LA N 28 118 22 13 0004 OLSON COMPANY 14600 21ST AVE N 35 118 22 43 0018 MARTINE, LENORE 11700 RIDGEMOUNT AVE N 08 118 22 44 0037 GREGORY J & MICHELLE S PULLES 4625 XENE LA N ADDITION 05/03/95 65731 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 3 3 CHURCHILL FARMS 5TH $7,500.00 $167.10 ADDITION 05/02/95 65910 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 43 1 CIMARRON EAST $12,096.00 $243.65 ALTERATION 04/28/95 65918 LOT BLK COMMERCIAL BUILDING 1 1 PLYMOUTH BUS CTR 3RD $330,000.00 $7,248.42 ALTERATION 05/02/95 66061 LOT BLK INDUSTRIAL BUILDING LLS28QQ130004 $100,000.00 $1,105.17 ADDITION 04/28/95 66082 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING LLS35QQ430018 $3,500.00 $105.70 ADDITION 05/03/95 66096 LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 7 1 AUTUMN HILLS $4,000.00 $105.95 19 118 22 14 0031 ADDITION 04/28/95 66116 MARK L & KAREN A FRANKEL LOT BLK SFD BUILDING 17810 32ND PL N 16 3 HEATHER RUN $7,000.00 $152.00 For Immediate Release May 3, 1995 For More Information: Paul Buck, 550-7462 Students, Parents, Teachers to Help City of Plymouth Plant for the Future Plymouth City Forester Paul Buck expects this year's Arbor Day in Plymouth to be the biggest yet. The City is joining forces with Plymouth Creek Elementary School students to undertake a large replanting project. The project will include about 1,000 people. Arbor Day activities will be on Wed., May 17 at Plymouth Creek Elementary School, 16005 - 41st Ave. N. The planting project will begin at 10 a.m. and continue throughout the day. The official Arbor Day ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. The public is encouraged to participate in one or both parts of the day. Students, teachers, parents, city officials and residents will plant 1,700 trees, shrubs, saplings and flowers. The Arbor Day planting had been planned on a smaller scale along Plymouth Creek but it grew into a larger event as a result of a routine creek maintenance project that caught the attention of the Plymouth Creek School students. Because Plymouth Creek was flooding upstream, the City had plans to dredge the creek. The project required the removal of some trees in an area the students used as a nature/education area. When the students learned of the project, they contacted city officials to let them know how important the site was to them and their school. "This year's project was truly inspired by community activism, specifically the students of Plymouth Creek School. What started as routine maintenance of Plymouth Creek became much more. We heard the students' voices and were able to work with them to address their concerns," Buck said. "It was a great example of a community working together to solve a problem and improve the environment. We ultimately dredged the creek, but because we had the interest, energy and effort of the students we are able to do more than restore the disturbed areas as we originally planned. With their hard work, we will be able to enhance the area. I think this has been a good learning experience for all involved," Buck added. Plymouth Creek Principal Carol Bryant agrees. "The students turned their activism into stewardship and are making a lasting statement by reforesting their school environment. The focus has shifted from what needed to be disturbed to solve flooding problems to what we can do as citizens to restore and actually improve the natural environment," she said. The students will plant a: Windbreak/buffer along the west side of the school playfield. Wildlife sanctuary along the creek; Butterfly garden; and Native prairie grass community. "The students, teachers and families of Plymouth Creek School can feel proud that they have alerted the City to the importance the creek plays not only to wildlife but to the education of our students. As a result of the students' efforts, the City wanted to work in partnership with the school to not only restore the area disturbed by the creek dredging but to go farther. It has worked with the students and school administrators to design and plant along both sides of the Plymouth creek," said Cathy Bruer-Thompson, PTA Earth Day/Arbor Co -Chair. 991111 '1� " '' a MIlVLJTES ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE MEETING NO. 37 TUESDAY, APRIL 115, 1995 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Members - Mary McKee, Rita O'Donnell, David Shea, Jeffrey Shopek, Sharon Meister, Bridgett Jodell. Staff Ex -officio -Dan Faulkner; Shane Missaghi, Councilmember-Tim Wold, ABSENT: Members - Craig Twinem, Staff Ex -officio -Eric Blank The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Mary McKee. The minutes from the March meeting were approved as received. OLD BUSINESS ♦ REPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON FISH HOUSE STANDARDS POSTED SIGNS AND AS POINT OF PURCHASE Signs regarding fish houses were well posted and nicely designed. A thank you should go to Eric Blank for a job well done. Permits are available at local outlets where fishing licenses are sold (i.e.: baitshops) as well as courthouses. A list can be obtained from the DNR for all Plymouth sites where licenses are sold. Place this topic on the fall agenda. ♦ STENCILING OF CATCH BASINS Shane shared a packet on how to do stenciling. Several groups were suggested to help with the stenciling. They are: Boy Scouts - (Mary has been in contact with two troop leaders), Lake Associations, Neighborhood Committees, Schools, and 4- H clubs. A cover letter inviting their help should be devised to send to these groups. Permission from industries needs to be obtained before any stenciling can be done before any stenciling can be done on their property. Other suggestions included using lake association groups, students older than elementary age. It was suggested that a small project be completed just to assure its success. IMPLEMENTING THIS PROGRAM: 1. City Council needs to be in agreement with work plan. 2. Need 15 people for 4 hours to paint 50 catch basins. 3. Start with one area such as Plymouth Blvd., Parkers Lake, or South Medicine Lake. 4. Get funds approved from City Council: Stencils $250.00 Paint $ 75.00 Safety Equipment $200.00 Other $ 25.00 TOTAL $550.00 This is a one time charge for pilot program 5. Target date to begin is late May or early June. The Committee reviewed and approved the work plan. City Council needs to adopt the Program as well. The Committee recommended that staff ask the City Council at their May 2 meeting to approve the plan. ♦ REPORT ON VISIT TO WATER QUALITY TASK FORCE Tim reported on the activities of the Water Task Force. The Water Task Force has focused on issues such as phosphate free fertilizer, sump pump connections, and general water quality education project. Consideration is being given to creating an ordinance governing commercial fertilizer applications to limit the phosphorus content. The May 23 bond election for funding trail construction and open space purchase was also discussed. ♦ COMMUNICATION VEHICLES BETWEEN COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE Change format of Environmental Quality Committee's Minutes to make reading easier for Council. Issues reach the EQC through staff members. Tim will ask how other committees get their information to the City Council. He also mentioned he would appreciate a call from the chairperson whenever he can't make a meeting to stay informed of the meeting results. NEW BUSINESS ♦ REPORT ON PRAIRIE RESTORATION A suggestion was made to have an article on how to do buffer zones in a 1996 newsletter. French Park has 1 1/2 acres near the Visitor Center. Coon Rapids has an expert, Karen Colby, on prairie restoration. Professional slides and training can be obtained through this person. The City's weed ordinance also needs to be revisited. It was suggested that the City could develop a list of acceptable plantings and provide this to developers. It was noted that the new Plymouth County Library will have prairie grasses planted. ♦ MUSIC IN PLYMOUTH Dave will get in contact with Eric for suggestions on what to have for the booth. Dave will come back to the next meeting with this information. He would like to include information on prairie grasses. The Committee consensus was that we need a "draw" to attract people to our booth. ♦ BEGIN REVIEW OF THE SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN This topic will be discussed at a special meeting scheduled for April 20 at 5:00 p.m. The draft RFP was handed out for review at the special meeting. ♦ VIDEO ON WATER QUALITY "GREEN LAWNS AND BLUE LAKES" This video was watched and the Committee agreed that it is a good video. The video is airing as often as possible on Community News on Northwest Cable, Channels 23 and 41 and at schools. ♦ ADDITIONAL COMMENTS Rita suggested that there is a need for a brochure on wetland buffers and plant types for developer education in order to meet the requirements of the Wetland and Erosion Control Ordinances. Mary suggested this be discussed at the next regular committee meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Submitted by: Diane Moyes T 3� CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUCHS, P. (01"'Lli �i Attorneys at 1_mv Thomas J. Campbell Roger N. Knutson Thomas \l. Scott Gary G. Fuchs James R. Wid ton Elliott B. Knetsch Ms. Barbara Cox City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Re: Train Whistle Ordinance Dear Ms. Cox: (612) 452-5000 Fax (612) 452-5550 May 1, 1995 Ands" \tchowcll 110chlcr Told L. Ni,sen \1at;euc+ite \i. \1cC:11ron Gc,n;,c T. Stej,hcn>on Pursuant to your request, Roger Knutson asked that I review the current law regarding the regulation of train whistles by municipalities. In 1994, Congress enacted and amended the High -Speed Rail Development Act, 49 U.S.C. § 20101, et seq. The High -Speed Rail Development Act, as amended in November 1994, directs the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate regulations requiring the sounding of a locomotive horn at every crossing. 49 U.S.C. § 20153(b).. The High -Speed Rail Development Act contains provisions for exceptions to the requirement for audible warnings as well as for waivers and exemptions. 49 U.S.C. § 20153(c) and (d). The Secretary has not, however, promulgated such regulations. Recent federal lawsuits have addressed the validity of city ordinances that prohibit railroads from sounding audible warnings (whistles or horns) at railroad grade crossings and the fines imposed for violation of the ordinances. The railroads have argued that the High - Speed Rail Development Act preempts cities from prohibiting the use of train whistles. However, the two most recent federal cases to address this issue have concluded that, until the Secretary of Transportation promulgates regulations requiring the sounding of a locomotive horn at every crossing, their 'is no federal law that preempts a municipality's right to prohibit or regulate a railroad's use of audible warnings at a grade crossing. These court cases indicate that the amended High -Speed Railway Act of 1994 was the likely catalyst for the railroads' decision to resume sounding audible warnings despite ordinances. In addition to the foregoing argument, the railroads asserted that the cities were preempted by federal regulations requiring that lead locomotives have an audible warning device of specified capabilities. However, the courts disagreed holding that the regulation of the use of equipment is distinct from limiting the possession of the equipment or regulating the equipment itself. Suite 317 • Engandiile Office Center 1 3,ti0 C()1_1,o1_,1tc Center Cun'c Eat ui, `1N 55121 Ms. Barbara Cox May 1, 1995 Page 2 While these cases tend to support a municipality's regulation of railroad audible warning devices, it is only a matter of time before the Secretary of Transportation complies with the High Speed Rail Development Act and promulgates rules requiring the sounding of whistles or horns at grade crossings. Such rules would preempt a municipality's regulation of the sounding of railroad audible warning devices. Until the Secretary of Transportation promulgates such rules, it would appear that the City may charge railroads for violations of the City ordinance. However, since the federal legislation is very recent and there are very few cases on the subject, the railroad could conceivably challenge the City ordinance. The City would then be involved in a costly lawsuit, which might be a waste of time and money should the Secretary of Transportation promulgate the rules mandated by the High -Speed Rail Development Act. I would also like to direct your attention to the recent decision by the Newport City Council not to adopt an ordinance that completely bans the sounding of train whistles from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The city council expressed concerns regarding the City's liability in the event an accident occurs when a railroad engineer fails to blow the whistle in reliance on a City ordinance. Very truly yours, CAMPBELL; KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUCHS By �i/2 Cl'�i✓ 11'� Andrea M. Poehler AMP cc: Mr. Dwight Johnson �'I Mr. Dwight Johnson City Manager City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr. Johnson: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Minnesota State Office 220 Second Street South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-2195 SUBJECT: On Site Monitoring Community Development Block Grant Program This letter discusses the results of our review of Plymouth's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This review was conducted on March 28 - 30, 1995. The monitoring was conducted by John Swanson of my staff. It included an examination of program files and documents, and site visits to homes that received First Time Home -Buyers or Rehabilitation assistance and to a park that received improvements that were financed with CDBG funds. In addition we spoke with Ms. Ann Hulburt, Director of Community Development; Mr. Ed Goldsmith, HRA Supervisor; and Mr. Milt Dale, Housing Specialist, and Mr. Larry Jacobson, Assistant Finance Director. The following projects were reviewed: A. First Time Homebuyers B. Housing Rehabilitation C. Community Action Suburban Hennepin (County) D. Park Improvements E. Hammer Residences, Inc. F. The Community Home Program G. Community Builders Each project was reviewed to ensure that it was an eligible, that it met with one of the program's national objective, and that it complied with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act, when applicable. Overall, we are pleased with the manner in which the City/HRA staff are administering the CDBG program. We observed several improvements in areas that in our last monitoring were noted as problems. Any discussion of program deficiencies should be within the context that the City has a generally well run program. Earlier we provided to your staff a six page detailed DRAFT report of the conclusions reached as a result of the monitoring. The report contained three (3 ) findings of non- compliance__ _It also contained four (4) "concerns". A "concern" generally pertains to an -. --L� !,- 2 issue that has not resulted in a violation of a statutory or regulatory requirement.. However, if the issue were to go uncorrected, it would likely lead to such a violation. Your staff have already responded to each of the findings and concerns that were raised in the DRAFT report. We believe there is Pomerit to re -raising to you now those m-a�fers w�ic we elieve have been resolved. If you would li e more rn orma ion a ouT-the indings n concerns w is emerged from the monitoring, we would gladly discuss them with you or you may obtain a copy of the DRAFT report from your staff. Our reviews have an important goal other than compliance monitoring. This is the provision of technical assistance in the administration of the program. A considerable amount of time was devoted to this goal. We do not want to summarize all the technical assistance discussion that was held. However, as you are aware, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is undergoing some significant reinvention efforts. Two of these efforts are detailed in the attached report, as we think they may have some impact on the direction of Plymouth's CDBG program. First, the Department has worked to make easier the use of CDBG funds for economic development activities. Secondly, the Department is increasing its efforts to provide assistance to the homeless and to those that are danger of becoming homeless. It is attempting to do this with communities as each of them develops its own Continuum of Care for homeless individuals and families. appreciate the cooperation and courtesy your staff extended to mine during his visit. Each individual was helpful in providing the needed information, and in resolving matters that arose. If you have any questions about the information contained in this report, please contact John Swanson at 370-3022. Sincerely yours, Shawn G. Huckleby Director, CPD Division Attachment cc: Ed Goldsmith, HRA Supervisor Milt Dale, Housing Specialist f; DATE: April 25, 1995 TO: Chief Gerdes FROM: Sgt. Hozerland and Sara Cwayna SUBJECT: 1995 Traffic Enforcement Effort, Southshore Drive We met today to discuss a plan for a traffic enforcement program in the Southshore Drive Area. We have decided to go home to home (@50 homes) in this area with printed information the upcoming work of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. Working with Helen Lafave, we have designed a flyer and an informational brochure to be provided to the Plymouth Southshore community and, if appropriate, to the Medicine Lake City Council for review and adaptation in their community. As we door knock the community, we will provide flyers to the residents who are home and will discuss with them and ask for their assistance with our effort to reduce traffic speed in their neighborhood. For those residences in which the occupants are not home, we will write down their address and mail to them a brochure of the program. The information on the brochure and flyer will be presented in bullet form under the headings of: Issue -Almost one out of two vehicles are being driven in excess of the speed limit on Southshore Drive. Community Impact -Life safety issues and a deterioration of the quality of life in this neighborhood Police Action Plan -Strict Traffic Law Enforcement, Traffic Ticket and Insurance Penalties, Digital Speed Display Unit, Posting of Traffic Enforcement Signs Be a Good Neighbor -Obey Traffic Speed Limits, Wear Your Seatbelts, Drive Sober, Speak to all Drivers in Your Home, Be Alert to Pedestrian Traffic. Providing Information to the Police/For more Information. Helen plans to have the first draft of our brochure and flyer completed by Wednesday, April 26 and we will provide you with a copy as soon as it is completed. -L— tet' Q/ South Shore Drive Issue We need your help. Traffic along South Shore Drive is moving too fast. A recent speed survey showed many vehicles traveling ten miles or more above the speed limit. The Plymouth Police Department is targeting this area for strict compliance with traffic laws. Impact • Such speeds are not only dangerous, they deteriorate the quality of life in the neighborhood. • Almost one out of every two vehicles is moving faster than the speed limit. Action Plan • The Police Department plans strict enforcement of traffic laws. • Speeding violations will be given little or no tolerance along with other violations that may be observed. • Consequences: The fine for moving violations are: A. $70.50 for first violation. B. $82. for second violation. C. Increased car insurance premium. Be a Good Neighbor • Obey speed limit. Discuss traffic safety with all of the driverswig your family. • Drive sober. • Use seat belts. • Be aware of pedestrian traffic. Ifyou witness a violation of traffic law, obtain the license number and description of the vehicle and driver. Please notify the Trak Enforcement Unit at SSO-SM' SoG y DATE: April 26, 1995 TO: Director Craig Gerdes r FROM: Lt. Thomas Saba SUBJECT: Historical Perspective Of The Plymouth Police Answering Calls In The City Of Medicine Lake: The Hennepin County Sheriff's Department has always been responsible for answering law enforcement calls for service in the City of Medicine Lake. Routine calls and reports were never a problem for the county. Medical and other emergency calls often presented a problem in response time by the county. Hennepin has few patrol units and a large area to cover. Often they are so far from Medicine Lake that time becomes critical. The Plymouth Police Department has a long history of serving the emergency service needs of the people of Medicine Lake by mutual aid assistance to the county. In the early 1980's, if my memory is correct, it could have been late 1970's, the Plymouth City Manager, James Willis, and the Plymouth City Council, researched the isssue of the Plymouth Police responding to calls in Medicine Lake. Their concern was that the calls were becomming too numerous and there was no remuneration for Plymouth. In other words, the question was asked, Are they taking advantage of the situation? A study was conducted and a lengthy dialog took place between the two cities. Plymouth sought some form of compensation from Medicine Lake. Every proposal and compromise was unsatisfactory, too expensive, for Medicine Lake. An order was issued from the City Council, City Manager, Chief of Police to police officers. Do not respond to calls in Medicine Lake. Formally, the order was not to respond to any calls. Informally, the officers said they couldn't let someone die because of this issue. The practice became that officers would respond to life threatening medical emergencies and calls for help from another officer or deputy. This general practice continues today. Richard W. Stanek State Representative District 33B Hennepin County April 27, 1995 Kathy Lueckert Assistant City Manager City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Kathy: '��TIII; SI; •..Minnesota I€House of Representatives COMMITTEES: JUDICIARY; EDUCATION; U OF M FINANCE Thank you for contacting me regarding your opposition to the Senate property tax freeze proposal and your concern with the effect it would. have on your community. I share your uneasiness over the impact this will have on your current budgeting strategy and your long- term project development. As you know, a bill to freeze property taxes was passed by the Senate and sent to the House as part of HF 602. This measure has not received support from members of the House Independent -Republican Caucus or the Democratic House leadership. We must remember that a property tax freeze is not reform. I believe that a property tax freeze without reform will not lift the crushing burden of taxes or provide a funding source for education. It will, however, have. a drastic impact on community education and local services. This plan will only, force iocai governments to cut services, put off construction spending and further increase taxes once the freeze is lifted. We should be working toward meaningful reform and not use political maneuvering to postpone the tough decisions that we were elected to make by using a spending control mandate on local units of government. Last week, the House DFL proposed a constitutional amendment as part of their response to the freeze. While attractive in its vaguely written form, it does not show leadership by elected officials, is not specific as to where the state will get the $3 billion to fund 100% of school expenses and will not effect spending or force reform until 1998. At this time, I do not support the Senate's proposal to freeze property taxes or the constitutional amendment in their current forms. I hope that we can achieve property tax reform in some other fashion that will provide immediate relief. 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 �w Property Tax Freeze Page Two In an effort to provide additional funding for schools, the House Republicans have proposed using the additional $91 million recently found available for property tax relief. This will bring the relative current state share of public education to 62%. While this is not perfect, it will help us toward removing the burden of education financing from the property tax and increasing the state contribution. Sincerely, Richard W. Stanek .5� State Representative ��' District 33B (Maple Grove/Plymouth) 10 r� 1 a � t a+; April 28, 1995 CITY OF PLYMOUTH+ Tom Hill Plymouth/Wayzata Boys Baseball 3045 Alvarado Ln N Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Tom: On behalf of the Youth Sports Study Committee, I would like to thank you and the other members of your organization for taking the time to meet with the committee. The committee has found the wealth of information you provided to be of utmost interest and importance in their better understanding of the youth sports needs of our community. In the months ahead, as the committee continues its work, I am sure that your input will be quite valuable. At this time, I would to extend an invitation to you and other members of your committee to join the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission and City Council on the annual park tour which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, at 4:00 in the afternoon. During this tour, we will be visiting many of the facilities that were discussed at the study sessions. It will also provide you another opportunity to interact with the mayor and council members with regards to youth sports needs in our community. If you would like to register for the tour, just call my secretary, Nancy, at 550-5130. Again, thank you for your time and effort on this matter. We will be in touch with you as the study and review goes forward. Sincerely, Eric J. Blank Director of Parks & Recreation FO-1-Tre cc City Manager City Council Park Commission We Listen • We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 ,1 J DATE: May 3,1995 TO: Joy Tierney, Mayor FROM: Nancy Bye, City Assessor WA SUBJECT: 1995 Residential Property Value Distribution . The attached graph and figures illustrate Plymouth's 1995 residential property value distribution. This includes all residential property types in the city except for apartment units. This breakdown was provided to us by the Hennepin County Assessor's office. cc: Dwight Johnson, City Manager Kathy Lueckert, Assistant City Manager Dale Hahn, Finance Director Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director Ed Goldsmith, Housing Supervisor PLYMOUTH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUE DISTRIBUTION 1995 60.00% 671 3.82% $50,0001 to $100,000 4,019 22.88% $100,001 to 200,000 9,997 56.91 % Y 2,359 13.43% $300,001 to $400,000 436 2.48% $400,001 to $500,000 67 0.38% Over $500,001 16 0.09% 50.00% 40.00% x ci 30.00%- 20.00% 10.00% � 0.00% Under $50,0001 $100,001 $200,001 $300,001 $400,001 Over $50,000 to to to to to $500,001 $100,000 200,000 $300,000 $400,000 $500,000 VALUE $ VALUE # OF HOMES PERCENT Under $50,000 671 3.82% $50,0001 to $100,000 4,019 22.88% $100,001 to 200,000 9,997 56.91 % $200,001 to $300,000 2,359 13.43% $300,001 to $400,000 436 2.48% $400,001 to $500,000 67 0.38% Over $500,001 16 0.09% TOTAL 17,565 100.00% 1L_ 42 DATE: May 2, 1995 TO: Dale Hahn FROM: Stan Birnbaum SUBJECT: Current directions After my first two months here, and after conducting a comprehensive review with the Information Systems Steering Committee, I would like to suggest that we pursue three critical issues aggressively: Updating our core applications, all of which are at the end of their life cycle. believe that migrating any one of these systems is a mid-sized project. However, migrating all eight applications becomes a very large project. We will also make significant, long-term decisions about key vendors and hardware/software/database platforms in the course of this process. While we will be able to move the least challenging of these applications from the mainframe as early as this summer, and can make continued progress throughout calendar year 1996, I expect that we will not be able to move the last of the applications until the end of 1997. 2. Managing our A -series Unisys system resources through the end of the migration process. While it is clearly in our interests to move away from proprietary systems, we cannot `implug" the Unisys A -series system until we reach the tail end of our migration process. Unisys' pricing is extremely unfavorable to users of old technology. We pay prices for hardware support and on-going software licensing that far exceed these costs with newer technology. At the same time, our limited tape and disk resources impede our operational efficiency. We perform many tasks manually, with regular monitoring of system resources, that could be automated with additional disk space and a better tape backup solution. It is very possible that we can update this class of equipment, reduce the monthly operating costs, and save the city z- �o costs over the remaining 30 -month `window" during which we need A -series capability. 3. `Muscling up" our network environment. Our network infrastructure was purchased to meet the requirements of about a dozen users in 1991. Since that time, our user count has increased more than eight -fold. The range of tasks we do on the network are far more demanding, and will become increasingly more demanding as we look to integrate imaging technology and graphical systems (including GIS). Currently, network limitations make it nearly impossible to pursue a number of current strategies. We are working on solutions for both the server environment as well as how we handle the physical data traffic both to resolve current problems and give us a low-cost, manageable growth path for the intermediate-term future. I believe that these directions will quickly become concrete proposals and suggestions for implementation. I look forward to working with you and the Council as we pursue solutions for the City's needs. TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators, Delegates and Alternates FROM: Holmes & Graven, Chartered SRA Counsel DATE: May 1, 1995 RE: Proposed SRA 1996 Budget s- 4 JAMW M. STROMMEN JAMES J. THOMSON, 3R. LARRY M. WERTHEIM BONNIE L. WD.RINS GARY P. WINTER JOE Y. YANG DAVID L. GRAVEN (1929.1991) OF COUNSEL ROBERT C. CARLSON ROBERT L. DAVD)8ON WELLINGTON H. LAW T. JAY SALMEN Attached is the proposed 1996 SRA Budget recommended by the SRA Board for approval by the City Council of each SRA Member. This process will be completed at the July 19, 1995 SRA Quarterly Meeting when the SRA Board votes to finally approve an SRA 1996 Budget. We urge you to review this information carefully and discuss it with your Mayor and Council. We intend that the material attached to the budget .will answer some of the questions the Council may have regarding recent activities of the SRA and the anticipated issues underlying the budget items. Thank you for your attention to this matter. JMS:cam Attachments JMS87295 SU160-3 HOLMES & GRAVEN CHARTERED Attorneys at Law 470 Pillsbury Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 ROBERT A. ALSOP (612) 337.9300 RONALD H. BATTY STEPHEN J. BUSUL Facsimile (612) 337-9310 JOHN B. DEAN MARY G. DOBBINS STEFANIE N. GALEY CORRINE A. HEINE JAMES S. HOLMES WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL DAVID J. KENNEDY JOHN R. LARSON CHARLES L. LEFEVERE JOHN M. LEFEVRE, JR. 337-9233 ROBERT J. LINDALL ROBERT C. LONG M B M 0 R A N D U N TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators, Delegates and Alternates FROM: Holmes & Graven, Chartered SRA Counsel DATE: May 1, 1995 RE: Proposed SRA 1996 Budget s- 4 JAMW M. STROMMEN JAMES J. THOMSON, 3R. LARRY M. WERTHEIM BONNIE L. WD.RINS GARY P. WINTER JOE Y. YANG DAVID L. GRAVEN (1929.1991) OF COUNSEL ROBERT C. CARLSON ROBERT L. DAVD)8ON WELLINGTON H. LAW T. JAY SALMEN Attached is the proposed 1996 SRA Budget recommended by the SRA Board for approval by the City Council of each SRA Member. This process will be completed at the July 19, 1995 SRA Quarterly Meeting when the SRA Board votes to finally approve an SRA 1996 Budget. We urge you to review this information carefully and discuss it with your Mayor and Council. We intend that the material attached to the budget .will answer some of the questions the Council may have regarding recent activities of the SRA and the anticipated issues underlying the budget items. Thank you for your attention to this matter. JMS:cam Attachments JMS87295 SU160-3 -41'7 April 19, 1995 1996 Suburban Rate Authority Proposed Budget 1995 Assets: Cash and Investments (12/31/94) $25,076 Receivables (1995 assessments) 64,800 Interest Income (estimate as of 12/31/95) 2,000 TOTAL $91,876 Anticipated 1995 Expenses: 1994 and 1995 Minnegasco Cases legal $4,000 expert 1,000 1995 NSP Electric and Gas Matters legal 6,000 expert 3,000 Legislative Matters 10,000 Local Calling Area Investigation 4,000 Electric and Gas Franchise Matters 5,000 Legislative Study of Franchises 14,000 General (fees and disbursements) 18,000 TOTAL Reserve at December 31, 1995: $26,876 1996 Assets: Carryover from 1995 $26,876 Membership Assessment ($400 per vote) 64,800 Interest Income (estimate as of 12/31/95) 2,000 TOTAL $93,676 Anticipated 1996 Ext)enses: Minnegasco legal $ 7,000 expert 3,000 NSP legal 10,000 expert 4,000 Telephone- legal 8,000 expert 1,000 Legislative Matters 9,000 General Matters (fees and disbursements) 18,000 ($60,000 ) Reserve at December 31, 1996: $33,676 JMS68238 SU160-3 T_ 1 SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY ANNUAL REVIEW 1994 The following is a brief summary intended for the city councils of Suburban Rate Authority ("SRA") member cities. It highlights the major activities and achievements of the SRA during 1994. The SRA is a joint powers association of 32 Twin Cities suburban municipalities that monitors rates and rate design issues of electric, gas, telephone utilities and Metropolitan Council Wastewater Services. The SRA was very active and successful in several far-reaching issues affecting member city ratepayers and Minnesota cities generally. Telecommunications Lejaislation In the fall of 1994, the SRA Board authorized counsel to participate in legislative issues affecting cities relating to the alternative telephone regulation bill (local service de -regulation) then expected to be offered in the 1995 legislative session. The SRA assisted the lobbying efforts of the League of Minnesota Cities in two important issues relating to that legislation: clarifying and broadening the police power of cities in the new competitive environment for a local telephone service and addressing cities rights to compensation for telecommunications utility use of public property. As of the date of this report, those SRA supported issues have been incorporated into the bill which passed out of both the Senate and House Committees and is being debated in the legislature at the time of this Review. The Department of Public Service will be authorized by this bill to issue a comprehensive report by February 15, 1996 recommending a uniform state policy on franchise fees for use of public property by utilities. Currently no telecommunications companies to pay franchise fees to Minnesota cities and the law is unclear regarding the rights of cities to require fees over and above regulatory cost. The SRA advocated a clarification on this issue and actively assisted in the inclusion of this study, in lieu of the right to require franchise fees in the current bill. The SRA will be actively involved in the DPS study if this bill passes. Model Telecommunications Permit Ordinance The SRA also drafted a model telecommunications permit ordinance to establish uniform requirements regarding important issues to cities in the new competitive telecommunications environment: permit fees, location and relocation requirements, repair requirements, performance bonds, Gopher State One information and other provisions. The telephone deregulation bill language broadening city police power would further ensure the enforceability of these telecommunications permit ordinances. The Minnesota League of Cities has requested that the model permit ordinance be used as a basis for the League's model ordinance for distribution to its members. Minnegasco 1994 Rate Case The SRA won a significant victory for residential ratepayers served by Minnegasco in limiting increases in the fixed customer service charge Minnegasco sought. In 1993 Minnegasco won a 67% increase (from $3 to $5) in a fixed non -usage based customer charge for its residential customers. This increase was augmented by the elimination of a credit for gas usage. In the 1994 filing, Minnegasco sought again to increase its $5 charge to $6, stating that it intended to continue these increases in subsequent rate filings. The SRA was the sole party to criticize this increase as contrary to conservation goals established by the legislature and otherwise unsupported by evidence in the record. The DPS supported the increase. The PUC agreed with the SRA and denied Minnegasco's increase, citing conservation concerns and lack of customer acceptance. This PUC decision has ramifications for both gas and electric utilities and places a greater burden on the utilities in future rate filings to justify an increase in non -usage based charges. JMS87296 SU160-3 f 1995-96 SRA Projects & Anticipated Protects To assist in the 1996 SRA Budget review process, the following is information describing the types of issues the SRA is currently addressing and those in which we believe the SRA will be involved to protect residential business, and city government ratepayers of SRA members. Given the quantity of important issues, it is possible that the SRA will be required to focus only on two of three of these issues to stay within its budget constraints. These matters are in addition to the General budget item that usually carries the largest component of any SRA annual budget. The General category includes quarterly meetings, member and non- member communications and on-going identification of new issues that may arise. 1. UTILITY FRANCHISE FEE LEGISLATIVE STUDY. Assuming passage of the telephone deregulation bill as it currently reads, the SRA will play an active and important role in the DPS study of franchise fees in gas, electric, telephone and cable services in Minnesota. This issue is clearly of great importance to SRA members and to all Minnesota cities. It will provide a forum for cities to make their case for the discretionary right to charge franchise fees for use of public property by telecommunication utilities. 2. GAS - ELECTRIC RATE INCREASES. It is anticipated that Minnegasco will file for a general rate increase later in 1995. The SRA will intervene and monitor issues that may affect SRA cities, specifically including the residential customer service charge which the SRA succeeded in limiting in the 1994 Minnegasco case. It is not known at this time whether NSP will seek a general rate increase in 1995. Historically, NSP has sought general rate increases every two years and has not filed since 1993. 3. LOCAL TELEPHONE CALLING AREA INVESTIGATION. The 1994 legislature authorized a PUC investigation of local telephone calling area policy in Minnesota. The PUC commenced this investigation in 1994 and hearings will be held in the fall of 1995. The SRA's dual interest in these proceedings is to maintain the existing uniform calling rate across the metro area and to ensure the scope of toll free metro calling, which is the largest in the United States. There is no proposal thus far presented that would jeopardize either of those SRA concerns. The primary focus of this proceeding is to establish the size of out -state toll-free calling area and policies. 4. GAS -ELECTRIC MODEL FRANCHISE. Several SRA cities are negotiating with NSP for new franchise agreements. The increasingly deregulated gas and electric service environment creates a need for review of the previously approved SRA model franchises. The SRA will review the need for revisions to its model ordinance to better assist SRA members in negotiating new franchise agreements. 5. LONG-TERM ELECTRIC SERVICE CONTRACTS. Cities collectively comprise a significant electric load for municipal services such as street lighting and municipal pumping. The increasingly deregulated environment raises new issues regarding the source of energy and city ability to negotiate discounted long-term rates in exchange for commitment to electric energy. The SRA is exploring this issue as it may benefit SRA cities. .�ms87296 su160-3 05/03/95 14:52 MESSERLI KRAMER 4 612'505060 MUNICIPAL L( LFGISLATf VE C0MMTgSION llll' MO DATE: May 3, 1995 TO: MLC Operating Committee FROM: Bob Denner, Jr. RE: Livable Communities Compro- : rise N0.652 P02 1800 Fifth Street Towers 150 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-4218 Telephone: (612) 672-3600 Facsimile: (612) 672-3777 Please find attached a copy of a memo from ; 3enator Ted Mondale to Senator Ed Oliver. Also attached is Senator Oliver's response. The provision suggested by Senator Mondal is a very positive step toward arriving at a compromise. Senator Oliver has not accept( -1 this language. He believes the 85%. calculation should only be applied against c' 4es that receive matching funds (fiscal disparities losers). As drafted, all cities in I!ie metro area would have to achieve an 8510 compliance rate. Senator Oliver's concern is that eommunitiEs such as Richfield, Blaine and Columbia Heights (examples only) could, due to their ' ack of voluntary participation, cause the mandatory prgvision to blink on. It is my s ,nse that Senator Mondale will accept language which will alleviate Senator Olive , 's concern. Conceptually, this provision is one that -the MLC mayors agreed to as point fiv- in their April 28 letter to Governor Carlson. Once them I datory" versus "voluntary" p{ licy is agreed to, it is much more probable that an agree ent can be reached between A parties involved in this dispute. This bill will be discussed on the floor of the Senate -n Friday or Saturday of this week. The House companion bill authored by Rep. esentative Long passed out of the House Tax Committee yesterday on a voice vote. Mosi , if not all, of the IR committee members voted no. The bill was re-referred to the House Vi ays and Means Committee. I will send you revised engro$sments of the Senate and House versions in the near future. HUH;�p;1101�.1.Wb1� Member Cities: Apple Valley, Bloomir ;ton, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Plymi uth, Roseville, Shoreview, Woodbury 05/03/95 14:53 MESSERLI KRAMER i 612'505060 N0.652 903 IT TED A, MONDALE Senator 44th District Room 226 Sate Capitol Building Avenue Senate + 75 Constllutinn St. Paul. MN 55155.1606 (612) 297-806-S State of Minnesota Facsimile: (612) 296.6511 May 2, 1995 TO: Senator Ed Oliver Senator Ted Mondale FROM; RE: S.F.10t9-AhgkWjj=hg AL4,. "Volunt Corr�Pli The disagreement as to this bill, as currently dr;:fted, is basically it's mandatory "use -it or lose -it" feature. The provision states that if a c iy does not spend the required amount on agreed to housing activities within three yea! s, the money would go into a regional pool. In essence, the amendment changes the progrE!n to voluntary compliance. Only if the metropolitan cities fail to voluntarily comply w'11 the mandatory mechanism kick in, and then, for only one year. The voluntary mechanism in the amendment works as follows: ,After the first three years a calculation .3 made. If, at the regional level, at least 85% of the funds identiflc I for affordable and life -cycle housing have, in fact, been sp(, at on these activities, then ail the money in escrow 13 released, even to those cities which have not been spend :)g their money on agreed activities. There are two major policy benefits to this an yndment: 1. Cities will encourage other citier to be in compliance in order to keep the program vclluntary. This will encourage dialogues and cooper :ttion among communities and will keep compliance activities at the local level; 2. The 15010 out will be a strong it ..',entive for the Metropolitan Council to be reasonable when iiegotiating with cities over goals. I hope you will find that this approach answe is the legitimate concerns of those opposed to this provision. cc: Senator Belanger Senator Robertson Committees - Vice Chair. N, trOpolitan and'Awal Government Chair, Subcommittee on ',IctropoEitarl Affairs • member, Fnvironntent and Natural I;esources • Member. Gaming /t4,„Ird Pgvr Regulation - Mcmber, TW and Tax Laws • Chair, Hennepin r.,s "'r Aw. Count Delegation CM,, -et ra+r. 05/03/95 14:53 MESSERLI KRAMER 4 612'505060 N0.652 PO4 EDWARD C. OLIVER Senator - District 43 121 Sttiie office: Building St. Paul, Minnesolu 55155 (612) 296.4817 May 3, 1995 TOs Senator -Ted Mondale FROMs Senator Ed Oliver Senate State of Minnesota RE: Amendment to S.F. 1C 19 Thank you , for your 5-2 note a>> -j your proposal that the 85% cover theformula amounts available to Ali metropolitan manic ipaties . Last evening I shared your proposal with a member of the Governor*s staff. It is his Tlnderstanding that the Governor would not be inclined to favor_ your proposal. The Gove or's offices is hapyj with the voluntary system which I presen d to you with a marAd up copy of S.F. 1pl9. The Governor office also has bo-.ght in to the three-year voluntary Compliance period u=sing the formula amounts of those cities that apply for and rec.-Ave the matching amount from the Local Housing Incentives Accoint. This approach puts the spotli_5ht on cities.such as Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Maple Gr►ve, etc. These cities have borne the brunt of the criticism an.I are now set up to perform or. else. I urge you to consider adopting this approach as it has broad support among IR senators and approval by the Governor's office. I will see the Govexaor personally to make sure that he fully understands and ends ,,:seats this program. EOspr i�il Rrprinl Arpn ��,. l�nr• Chanhassen • DCephave�� •Eden Pi irie l3xcclsior •Greenwood Minnetonka Minnetonka Bench • Orono • Sho ,wood • Tonka Bay 0 Victoria • Woodland MAIN OFFICE 145 HAMEL ROAD FARMERS STATE BANK BLDG. HAMEL, MINNESOTA 55340 JAMES E. TILLER ATTORNEY AT LAW (6 12) 478-6767 May 3, 1995 Mr. Dwight Johnson Plymouth City Manager 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 In Re: Lundgren Brothers Soo Line East File No. 94090 Dear Mr. Johnson: Preliminary Plat CORCORAN OFFICE BY APPOINTMENT FARMERS STATE BANK BLDG. CORCORAN, MINNESOTA 55340 I am an attorney representing Hollydale Golf Inc. with regard to the above referenced Lundgren Brothers preliminary Plat. A substantial portion of the surface water from the proposed platted area will drain through Hollydale Golf Course Inc. property. This is the seventh recent plat in which water is routed through Hollydale Golf property. The increased water volume has resulted in permanent water ponding between the golf course and County Road 9. years prior to development, water would temporarily pond In after a heavy rain and would exit through the County Road 9 culvert with the remainder gradually seeping into the ground. The new developments have increased the water volume dramatically and it flows into the area at a steady, if delayed, rate which causes the area to remain at a high level at all times. This increased water ponding creates a condition where there is no reserve capacity to hold water, and in the event of a heavier than normal rain the Deziel's foresee flooding of their golf course property. �, _ Mr. Dwight Johnson Plymouth City Manager In Re: Lundgren Brothers Preliminary Plat Soo Line East May 3, 1995 - Page Two Flooding of the golf course could cause severe economic loss to the Deziel's even if the flooding was somewhat temporary. Loss of income from play, debris removal and grass restoration, and in an aggravated case, killing of the sod if under water for more than several days, would cause damages which we believe would be the responsibility of the City. The proposed Lundgren Plat will add additional water to the Deziel property and aggravate an already tenable situation. In addition, Hollydale has incurred potential monetary liability based on a threatened lawsuit by a resident of Northbrook Addition due to Hollydale's cleaning of the - drainage ditch of brush and trees. This ditch maintenance is necessary to maintain flow of the water in the event of a heavy rainfall. The City does not have drainage easements over a portion of the ditch just north of County 9. My client's believe easements are necessary when the City continues to add water volume to this drainage area. Hollydale Golf Inc. opposes the Lundgren subdivision until the City obtains drainage easements for the entire ditch between Hollydale Golf and County 9 so that the City can perform maintenance of the ditchway. Hollydale Golf also believes the City must not use the area as a permanent ponding area, but rather the area should revert to its, former function as temporary overflow holding area for heavier than normal rains. This holding area has always functioned as a "reserve", in its present use there is much less reserve capacity. One way to handle the extra water volume would be to place a smaller culvert lower than the current culvert under 9, this would allow the area to drain down slowly after heavy rain and to restore its, use as a reserve for storage of water on a temporary basis. J" - L� J Mr. Dwight Johnson Plymouth City Manager In Re: Lundgren Brothers Preliminary Plat Soo Line East May 3, 1995 - Page Three Hollydale feels the City has not fully addressed the drainage implications of the Lundgren project. Until the drainage issues are resolved Hollydale respectfully opposes the Lundgren Brothers development. Sincerely, JES E.iTILLER, A TORN Y AT LAW Copy To: Hollydale Golf Lundgren Bros. Construction Inc. Michael Stulberg Linda Oja Virginia Black Allen Ribbe Barb Stimson Saundra Spigner JET: ma r PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY MEETING May 8, 1995 7:00 P.M. I. Welcome and Introductions II. Current Issues in Plymouth A. Open Space/Trails Referendum B Wayzata High School C. Downtown Plymouth --mini survey D. Traffic Enforcement Activities E. Sump Pump Program F. Green Lawns/Blue Water Video III. Questions and Answers Mayor Tierney City Staff Eric Blank Eric Blank Anne Hurlburt Craig Gerdes Dale Hahn Dwight Johnson Dwight Johnson - Adjourn to Ward Break-out Sessions - IV. Ward Break-out Sessions Rooms: Council Chambers Public Safety Training Room Council Conference Room Lower Atrium or Large Conference Room Time Allotted 20 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 5 minutes 25 minutes 40 minutes Staff members will rotate between ward sessions to answer any specific questions. Fred Moore will provide construction updates as appropriate.