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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 08-24-1995AUGUST 24, 1995 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS .... 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST: AUGUST 24 5:00 P.M. COUNCIL BUDGET STUDY SESSION Public Safety Training Room AUGUST 28 6:00 P.M. PRIVATE STREET SUBCOMMITTEE Council Conference Room 6:00 P.M. CITY TREE SUBCOMMITTEE Public Safety Training Room 7:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Joint Meeting with Metropolitan Council members Public Safety Training Room ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST 31 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL BUDGET STUDY SESSION Public Safety Training Room ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER: SEPTEMBER 5 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING City Council Chambers CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO August 24, 1995 Page 2 2. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER (coni.): SEPTEMBER 12 7:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Public Safety Training Room TOPICS: Set preliminary levy for 1996 Budget; Establish 1996 Budget public hearing dates; Downtown Plymouth; Council Chamber renovation final plans; and Citizen Survey results ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SEPTEMBER 19 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING City Council Chambers 3. COUNCIL CANDIDATE FILINGS OPEN -- TUESDAY, AUGUST 29. Filings for Wards 2 and 4 and one At Large Council position will open at 8 a.m., Tuesday, August 29. Candidate filings close on Tuesday, September 12 at 5 p.m. 4. BOARD OF ZONING --THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 7:00 P.M., City Council Chambers. 5. GROUNDBREAKING - SERVICES/INDUSTRY COMPLEX AT THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ADULT CORRECTIONS FACILITY -- WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 11 A.M. An invitation from Hennepin County Commissioners on a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Programs and Services/Industry Complex at the Adult Corrections Facility is attached. Please call Laurie (5080) if you plan to attend. (M-5) 6. PLANNER FORUMS - "What the Livable Communities Act means to your city" The Metropolitan Council and Association of Metropolitan Municipalities are co- sponsoring two planner forums on implementing the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act. The forums, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, will be held Wednesday, August 30 at the Golden Valley Brookview Golf Course Community Center, and Thursday, August 31 at the Maplewood Community Center. A copy of the meeting notice/agenda is attached. Registrations to attend the forum can be made through Laurie. (M-6) 7. METRO MEETINGS ---- The weekly calendar of meetings for the Metropolitan Council and its advisory commissions is attached. (M-7) 8. MEETING CALENDARS -- August and September meeting calendars are attached. (M- 8) 1. DEPARTMENT REPORTS a. Weekly Building Permit Report for Commercial/Industrial/Public and Use Types. (I -la) 2. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS. ETC. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO August 24, 1995 Page 3 a. Reprint of August 23 Star Tribune article, "Suburbanites back subsidized housing." (I -2a) b. Reprint of August 22 Star Tribune article, "Breakaway suburban bus lines flourishing. " (I -2b) 4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY - CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter from Wayne Fadden, 16905 5th Avenue North, concerning the traffic signal at County Road 101 and 14th Avenue. Fred Moore's letter to Hennepin County requesting a traffic signal study is also included. (I -4a) b. Letter from Ellen Feuling, 1506 Weston Lane, regarding storm water drainage concerns. (I -4b) A status report on all correspondence is also attached. 5. CORRESPONDENCE a. Memo from Dan Faulkner regarding article in August 16 Plymouth Sailor on the 1995 Street Reconstruction Project. (I -5a) b. Letter from Bruce Kallevig, Kaltec of Minnesota, 14025 23rd Avenue North, to Mayor Tierney concerning Metro Mobility service in the Plymouth area. (I -5b) c. Letter of appreciation from the Plymouth Civic League for the City's contribution supporting Music in Plymouth. (I -5c) d. Letter from Mary Schrock, Minnesota Orchestral Association, regarding inaugural concerts and special events welcoming the Orchestra's new Music Director, Eiji Oue. (I -5d) Dwight Johnson City Manager Planner Forums: What the Livable Communities Act means to your city "Roll up your sleeves." You're invited to learn more about implementing the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act, and what it means for you and your city. It's a working session on the goal -setting process and hands-on review of incentives and funding. Call Vera Johnson at 291-6633 to register.�- • Wednesday, August 30, 1995, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon Golden Valley Brookview Golf Course Community Center 200 Brookview Parkway, Golden Valley • Thursday, August 31, 1995, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon Maplewood Community Center, Room C 2100 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood • September Staff Forums (dates & locations to be announced) More on implementing Livable Communities, roundtables on transit redesign, regional growth options and the unified budget. Watch for more information. Co sponsors: 40 association of metropolitan municipalities Metropolitan Council Working for the Region. Planning for the Future Agenda ' 1. Overview of the Act 2. Benefits of Participation a. Your city's options 3. Steps to Participation a. City Resolution b. Develop affordable and life -cycle housing goals and agreements 4. Time Lines 5. The Goal Setting Process a. The Metropolitan Council approach 6. The Action Planning Process 7. When will money be available and what can it be used for? 8. Where we go from here/evaluation c 2 METRO MEETIN A weekly calmdar of meetings and agenda items for the Metropolitan Council, its advisory and standing com—ffW= , tnd three regional commissions: Metropolitan Airports Commission, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, and Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Meeting times and agendas are occasionally changed. Questions about meetings should be directed to the appropriate organization. Meeting information is also available on the Metro Information Line at 229-3780 and by computer modem, through the Twin Cities Computer Network at 337-5400. DATE: August 18, 1995 WEEK OF: August 21 - August 25, 1995 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Special Meeting/Community Development Committee - Monday, August 21, Noon, Room IA. The committee will continue its Aug. 14 meeting discussion on the Greenfield plan amendments. Transportation Committee - Monday, August 21, 4 p.m., Chambers. The committee will consider: Transportation Advisory Board bylaws amendment; Roseville Area Circulator contract amendment and contract extension; BE -Line contract extension; Transportation Display, Inc. advertising contract extension and amendment; request to set public hearings on proposed fare increase; airport dual track planning process briefing; update on Metro Mobility Seward and Hiawatha shuttle; and other business. Environment Committee - Tuesday, August 22, 4 p.m., Chambers. The committee will consider. Vadnais Lake WMO Water Management Plan; establish payment plan for the city of Farmington to assist with their 1995 sewer charge increase; capital budget items—agency unified capital budget process, overview of proposed 1996- 2000 Environmental Services capital improvements program and 1996 capital budget; and other business. Regional Briefing on Livable Communities Act (for local government staff and elected officials) - Tuesday, August 22, 7 p.m., Chambers. (NOTE TIME CHANGE). Special Meeting/Metropolitan Council -Tuesday, August 22, 5 p.m., Room 2A The council will discuss matters associated with the independent investigation of the Metropolitan Council's Transit Operations conducted by Special Counsel Thomas Heffelf nger. This meeting may be closed to the public pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 471.705, subdivisions Id(b) and ld(e). Chair's Informal Breakfast Meeting with Council Members - Wednesday, August 23, 8 a.m., Sheraton Midway, Bigelow's Restaurant, I-94 at Hamlin, St. Paul. (CANCELED) Housing and Redevelopment Authority Advisory Committee - Wednesday, August 23, 8:30 am., Room IA. Regional Briefing on Livable Communities Act (for local government staff and elected officials) - Wednesday, August 23, 7 p.m., Minnetonka City Hall Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka. (NOTE TIME CHANGE). Metropolitan Council - Thursday, August 24, 4 p.m., Chambers. The council will consider: approval of —7 declaration of Blaine extension as no longer necessary for Metropolitan interceptor system; preliminary right-of- way acquisition loan fund application from city of Maple Grove for protective buy of outlot A, Apple Street 1 addition, with the I-94/Weaver Lake Road right-of-way (Radintz property); designation of urban revitalization and stabilization zones (Livable Communities Act); amendment to 1995 Unified Planning Work Program; acceptance of Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission 1994 annual report; requests to proceed --(1) to increase dollar amount of the original resolution authorizing interagency capital agreements for installation of bus stop signage, and (2) to establish relations and authorization for reimbursement through interagency maintenance agreements; request of set public hearings on proposed fare increase; certification of 1995 proposed operating levy to the county auditors for Truth in Taxation; certification of proposed operating levy for the Commission of Revenue; certification of proposed 1995 transit levies to the county auditors for Truth in Taxation; certification of proposed 1995 transit levies to the Commissioner of Revenue; certification for the county auditors of proposed 1995 right of way loan fund levy and/or levy for tax base revitalization account of Livable Communities Fund; certification for Commissioner of Revenue of proposed 1995 right of way loan fund program levy and/or levy for tax base revitalization account of Livable Communities fund; certification to the county auditors for Truth in Taxation requirements of proposed "fiscal disparities" levy for tax base revitalization account of the Livable Communities fund; certification to county auditors for Truth in Taxation requirements of 1995 levy (formerly Mosquito Control Commission Levy) for demonstration account of the Livable Communities fund; authorization directing cancellation of tax levies for sewer bonds issued and assumed by the Metropolitan Council and payable from Common Bond fund; authorization directing adoption of deficiency tax levy on the city of Wayzata; authorization directing cancellation of tax levy for general obligation solid waste bonds; authorization to issue a bank balance surety bond; approval of contract award for perpetual inventory software; Greenfield Overall Comprehensive Plan update; authorization to enter into contract regarding grant from Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources; authorization to extend contract with N- Viro Minnesota; approval of screening criteria for vendor pre -qualification for Blue Lake Plant and Seneca Plant Solids Handling Services; and other business. Committee of the Whole - Thursday, August 24, 5 p.m. or immediately following the Council meeting, Room IA. The committee will discuss evaluation criteria for alternative development scenarios. TENTATIVE MEETINGS THE WEEK OF AUGUST 28 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1, 1995 Community Development Committee - Monday, August 28, Noon, Room IA. Regional Blueprint Blue Ribbon Task Force - Monday, August 28, 2 p.m., Room IA. Forum on Metropolitan Livable Communities (cosponsored by Metropolitan Council and Association of Metropolitan Municipalities) - Wednesday, August 30, 10 a.m., Golden Valley Brookview Golf Course Community Center, 200 Brookview Pkwy., Golden Valley. Washington County Local Governments and Schools Dialogue with the Metropolitan Council Committee Chairs and District Representatives - Wednesday, August 30, 7 p.m., Washington Co. Government Center, County Board Room, 14900 61st St. N., Stillwater. Forum on Metropolitan Livable Communities (cosponsored by Metropolitan Council and Association of Metropolitan Municipalities) - Thursday, August 31, Maplewood Community Center, Room C, 2100 White Bear Ave., Maplewood. Metropolitan Radio Board - Friday, Sept. 1, 9 a.m., Metropolitan Mosquito Control District Office, 2099 University Ave., St. Paul. 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. �A METROPOLITAN PARKS AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION Commission Meeting with LCMR legislators - Tuesday, August 22, 1 p.m., Room 5, State Office Building. Commission Tour of Harriet Island, Lilydale Regional Park and Big Rivers Regional Park - Tuesday, August 22, immediately following meeting with LCMR legislators. 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 Special Meeting/Commission Meeting - Monday, August 21, 10:30 am., Room 303, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh Terminal Building, Minneapolis -St. Paul International Airport. The commission will consider the development of the following existing airports: Washington National/Dulles, Pittsburgh, and Phoenix Special Meeting/Planning and Environment Committee - Monday, August 21, 12:30 p.m., Room 303, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh Terminal, Wold -Chamberlain Field The committee will consider: FIS lease/funding update; contract bids received for FIS development -caissons, structural steel, insulation removal; and Lindbergh Terminal interior rehabilitation for 1995. Commission Meeting - Monday, August 21, 1 p.m., Room 303, West Mezzanine, Lindbergh Terminal, Wold -Chamberlain Field. The commission will consider: recommendation on airport leases; FAA presentation on recognition of MAC DBE participation; dual track schedule; financial analysis workshop presentation; August ADNE levels; final contract payments on Comm/Ops Center at MSP and 1993-1995 Part 150 Sound Insulation Program; contract bids received for Green concourse restroom and interior rehabilitation, regional/HHH Terminal flooring replacement, ground transportation control system connection, 1995 miscellaneous construction at MSP, Anoka Co./Blaine airport maintenance building addition, Airlake Airport maintenance building reroofing, and Part 150 sound insulation program for July bid cycle; review of upcoming construction project bids; auto rental shuttle alternatives recommendation; discussion of review of joint Eden Prairie/MAC staff report on Flying Cloud development; special Planning and Environment Committee meeting; stormwater management/1996 NPDES permit requirements; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency funding agreement; request for corporate hangar development at MSP; RFP commercial development at Airlake; illegal operator process; recommendation regarding concession lease extensions; Sun Country update; long distance pay phone contract extension; renew of window cleaning contract; second quarter budget variance; Heads Up; selection of 1995 auditors; internal and concessionaire audits; 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. OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS August 1995 Rev. 8/24/95 9) - OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS September 1995 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday August Oclobef 1 2 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 IS 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 3 5 6 7 8 9 Labor Day - City Offices Closed 7 i 1, M COUNaL MEET. i�r Ou11Cll G9wmbersr 7:30 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Pub. Safety Training Room 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 AUTUMNARTS FAIR -10 A.M. - 6 RAI.. Parkers Lake Park 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE - Pub. Safety Trng Room 00pM,5p C lirCOUNCII ,- °MEETIIV `CHy'Goaneq �' Council Candidate Filings Close - 5 P.M. 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION - Council Chambers 7:00 PM PRAC - Council Chambers 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7 00 PM COUN(II MEETIlVGz := Casacil';Chamber._. ',. 7:00 PM PACT - Pub. Safety Library 7:00 PM HRA - Council Chambers 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chambers 7:00 PM COUNCH, CANDI- DATE INFORMATION SESSION - Public Safety Training Room 7:00 PM BOARD OF ZONING - Council Chambers Rev. 8/24/95 t rTr el ...i n a bu + WEDNESDAY/August 23/1995 NEWSPAPER OF T,H E -T W I N C 1 T-1 BSS,1 " Suburbanites back subsidized housing* (at least in theory) But costs, proximity worry many By Mike Kaszuba Staff Writer The suburbs have become a place where the idea of affordable hous- ing is more appealing than the real- ity: ■ Most suburbanites dont want taxes raised to pay for it. ■ They're less likely to want to live next to it than central -city residents are. ■ Most don't think that developing suburbs should be penalized if they don't provide it. But as a policy, the Star Tribune/ WCCO-TV Minnesota Poll has found, those in the Twin Cities sub- urbs, in proportions nearly equal to those found in Minneapolis and St. Paul, now overwhelmingly favor a plan to disperse affordable housing by building it evenly throughout the metropolitan area. tate the ties: d the ;sroads tives, still does not see affordable housing as a top -of -the -list issue. Growth and development, two per- ennial concerns, remain two of the most pressing topics in subur- bia, while crime, jobs and educa- tion are seen as far more important than affordable housing for both urban and suburban citizens. govemments Please tell mi think Is the bi A. "Continue concentrating most subsidized 15% 15% 17% 14% i housing in certain areas in the central cities." B. "Spread out subsidized housing in small 18 13 23 18 Cgroups of units and individual houses all over Minneapolis and St. Paul, with relatively 1 little subsidized housing in the suburbs." I.. ............. ..........I............................ C. "Disperse subsidized housing throughout 63 67 57 64 the metropolitan area, including the suburbs, r but not allow any large concentration in any community." .............................:.................................. No opinion 4 5 3 4 Source Stor T metro areaJufy minus25J�1pM'ldlllespWM-0al the House assistant minority leader. Abrams, who has fought attempts - to force suburbs to build more af- fordable housing, said it simply "isn't viewed as one of the most important issues in the suburbs." "It just doesn't hit the radar screen," he said. Still. 64 percent of those in the suburbs, compared The poll found a metropolitan area "Not surprising at all," said Rep. with 57 percent in St. Paul and 67 that, despite widespread news me- Ron Abrams, an Independent -Re- percent in Minneapolis, believe that dia coverage and legislative initia- publican from Minnetonka who is affordable housing in the future Star Tribune Graphic/Jane Friedmann should be spread across the Twin Cities area, with no one city shoul- dering the burden, according to the poll. Only 14 percent of those in the suburbs said subsidized housing — housing made affordable because of government subsidies — should continue to be concentrated in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Poll continued on page 6A 6A. Wednesday/August 23/1995/Star Tribune tPoll/ Most in suburbs take a dim view of concentrating subsidized housing Continued from page 1A .=I t -shatters the myth that people in suburban communities do not sup- port regional solutions," said Frank Hornstein of the Alliance for Metro- politan Stability, which pushes for more affordable housing in the sub- urbs as a key to stemming the decline r of the central cities. s Added Tom Egan, the mayor of Ea- �an: "I find [it interesting] that there 1s_ s a similarity in attitude ... between Many of the suburbs and the two core cities." More revealing, however, is whether anyone would want to live next door to an affordable -housing develop- ment once it comes to the neighbor- hood. The poll showed that suburban residents, by a significant margin over those in St. Paul and Minneapo- lis, were more inclined to say no. Seventy-three percent of those in Minneapolis and 72 percent in St. Paul said they would not object to living next to subsidized housing. In the suburbs, 58 percent — still more than half— said they also would not object But more than one in four living in the suburbs, 26 percent, said they Vrould strongly object to living next door. .�, "l think it's dangerous and disturb- ing," said Hornstein, who viewed the response as a key to the issue. "There's this incredible polarization in society that is existing right now that has to do with race and class lines." Mary Critelli, a 12 -year resident of Plymouth, said she thinks affordable housing should continue to be con- centrated in Minneapolis and St. Paul. "There's so much that could be done in the inner city. They're doing some, but not a whole lot," said Critelli, who was raised in north Minneapolis. "At one time it was a nice town, a nice community and stuff. We moved out [about the time of] the [1967] riots," she said. Critelli was among those who strong- ly agreed that the suburbs should not have to pay to help correct the prob- lems in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She said her suburban school district is having to hold "referendum after referendum" to keep operating. "I think each government should [use] its own monies," she said. Fifty-three percent of those in the suburbs, according to the poll, agreed that the suburbs should not have to help out the central cities financially. In Minneapolis, 65 percent thought the suburbs should help; in St. Paul, the figure was 58 percent. i In something of a contradiction, however, when suburbanites were asked if everyone in the metro area should share the cost of ensuring a high quality of life in the central cities, 55 percent agreed or strongly agreed. On the issue of affordable housing, the poll found that there was little difference of opinion between those living in developed as opposed to developing suburbs — those living in, say, Orono as opposed to Richfield. The gaps were much greater between those in the central cities and the suburbs than between suburbanites themselves. And that was not surprising to Sarah Dorn, an 18 -year-old living in Min- neapolis whose views on affordable housing clashed with those of many suburban residents in the Minnesota Poll. As an incoming freshman at the University of Minnesota and a politi- cal moderate, Dorn favors dispersing affordable housing metrowide and penalizing suburbs that don't build it, and she strongly feels that suburbs should help Minneapolis and St. Paul financially. "I feel that they're part of the city. It's the metro area," she said. Dorn also said her answers may be colored by her own experience. She once lived in affordable housing and, while attending a private school in Richfield, felt that she was stigma- tized because of it. "I felt I was put down more in the suburban environ- ment, and judged more," she said. The Minnesota Poll found that younger people, those with more for- mal education, DFLers and liberals. were more likely than other groups to favor spreading affordable housing throughout the Twin Cities. Conserv- atives and those with less formal edu- cation were more likely to want it concentrated in Minneapolis and St. Paul. There were, of course, exceptions, such as Michael Michaud. Michaud, a conservative politically, lives in West St. Paul and favors distributing affordable housing evenly throughout the Twin Cities area. He also thinks suburbs should help financially with the problems of Minneapolis and St. Paul. "My house is a block from the border [with] the city of St. Paul," he said. "My property value is held down because St. Paul's values are down ... Those folks in the [farther out] suburbs are having added values to their homes because of the burden being paid by St. Paul." Facts about the poll Results for this series of articles are based o Star Tr' bu..XCCO-TV Minnesota Poll c ducted July 14 to 30 by telephone with 1,: adults in I 1 counties. This poll consisted of three independent san pies of households in Anoka. Carver, Chisag Dakota. Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scot Sherburne. Washington and Wright counties. Researchers completed 506 interviews in 5 Paul, 513 in Minneapolis and 504 in the ha ante of the I Icounty area. Interviewers rai domly selected one respondent from eat household. To analyze total results, the three samph were weighted to reflect their correct propo tion in the entire I Icounty area. When Mit neapolis or St. Paul poll results were analyze individually, results were not weighted for g, ography. All samples were weighted for age, gender, rat and education to reflect 1990 census propos tions. The weighting also accounted for house hold size and the number of phone lines goin into a household. For results based on the metrowide samph margin of sampling error is no greater that plus or minus 2.5 percentage points at a 9 percent confidence level. Margins of samplin error for Minneapolis and St. Paul or suburba results individually are no greater than plus c minus 4.4 percentage points. Margins of sam piing error for smaller groups, such as resident of developing suburbs, are larger. In addition to random error, results may b influenced by things such as question order wording and the practical difficulties of con dueling any poll, which include the effect of public opinion of news events that may haw occurred during the interviewing period. Project Research Inc. conducted the interview ins for the Star Tribune from its facilities it Minneapolis. The Minnesota Poll is directs by Assistant Managing Editor Rob Daves• wlu can be reached at daves@startribune.com vii the Star Tribune's Internet connection. Ht encourages e-mail but might not be able u respond to all messages. Findings are avadabh by appointment at Star Tribune offices. 42: Portland Av. S., Minneapolis. -.Residents give only lip service to to subsidized., 23 affordable housings Despite backing the dispersal of subsidized housing, many Twin Cities . residents, especially in the suburbs, are not Willing to support it with tax money and object to living near subsidized housing. Penalizing suburbs 4 that don't allow affordable housing to be build garners the support of a majority in Minneapolis and St. Paul, but only about a third of suburban. folk. "Here are some questions about n housing in the metro area. Which Balance comes closest to your opinion?" Minute- St. 11 -county Total apolis Paul Metro s A. "Communities should have affordable 50% 57'k 54% 48% housing for those with lower incomes mixed 1 among more expensive housing for those with higher incomes." B. "Communities should have some 4434 39 4 6 neighborhoods that are mainly for k affordable housing and others that are more 1 A. for expensive housing." •......................... ...................-....................,.. i No opinion 6 9 7 6 ' s Balance Minne- St. 11 -county Total apolis Paul Metro "Developing ; Agree strongly 35% 45% 47% 31% suburbs that don' Agree not strongly 11 14 9 10 �. allow affordable not strongly 16 16 16 16 T!" housing to be built ' Disagree strongly 36 21 22 40 should be penal- ized somehow." No opinion 2 4 6 3 "I would be willing : Agree strongly 22% 31% 24% 21% to pay higher taxes Agree not strongly 15 17 18 14 if the money is Disagree not strongly 13 11 14 13 used to provide Disagree strongly 48 38 41 50 more affordableNo opinion 2 3 3 2 xi housing in the city.": y' "I would object to Agree strongly 24% 15% 18% 26% ` living next to any Agree not strongly 11 8 7 12 kind of subsidized Disagree not strongly 26 22 24 28 housing." Disagree strongly 36 51 48 30 No opinion 3 4 3 4 "People who live In : Agree strongly 36%, 21% 27% 39% the suburbs should Agree not strongly 14 12 10 14 NOT have to help Disagree not strongly 17 13 17 18 pay for Minneapolis: Disagree strongly 31 52 41 27 and St. Paul : No opinion 2 2 5 2 problems." , Source: Star Tribune/WCCO-TV Minnesota Poll of 1,523 adults in the Twin Cities -metro area July 14-30, 19%. Margins of sampling error: no greater than plus or -minus 2.5 percentage points for all respondents; no greater than plus or minus 4.4 -points for results based on any of the three areas. Star Tribune Graphic/Jane Friedmann StarTriloun TIJESDAY/August22l 5 NEWSPAPER OF THE TWIN CITIES F Breakaway; suburban bus lines flourishing Interest grows in sharing wealth By Laurie Blake Staff Writer The news is upbeat from the 12 see- ond-ring suburbs that are running their own bus systems. Burnsville opened an attractive new transit center last month. Eden Prairie, Chaska and Chanhas- sen have just bought a fleet of 23 new buses. And all five systems, whose sponsor- ing cities broke from the metrowide operation during the 1980s, report that ridership is growing and that support from local property taxes is strong. By contrast, the Metropolitan Coun- cil Transit Operations (MCTO), the core bus system serving the rest of the Twin Cities, is cutting service, raising fares and losing riders. Seeing the difference, the question policymakers face is what, if any- thing, to do about it. Some, including Rep. Myron Orfield, DFL,Minneapolis, want to force the 12 suburbs and their tax money back into the MCTO. Transit continued on page 8A 8A. Transit/ Unit on the issue proves difficul 1?1 e results have-oeen posmve. Once Maple Grove started its own routes, ridership grew from 200 be- fore 1990 to 1,100 riders a day now. ySouthwest Metro Transit, which serves Eden Prairie, Chaska and Chanhassen, carries between 500,000 and 600,000 riders a year, up from 2,000 in 1990. And its reverse com- t muting service, taking people from Minneapolis to suburban jobs, began with just five riders in 1992 and now tocome by carries 400 to 450 passengers a day. t Continued from page 1A Others, including Rep. Charlie Wea- ver, IR Anoka, want to allow more nsecond-ring suburbs to become tran- fsit entrepreneurs by kicking in a state f subsidy for communities that don't have a tax base strong enough to i launch their own service. 1 A third group, including Metropoli- 1 tan Council Chairman Curt Johnson, wants to keep the suburban ridership growing while reaching a better un- deistanding with those cities about when and how much of their proper-ty tax money may be used for the larger bus system. "We see it as a regional system in ,which we don't really pit one part >against the other," Johnson said. "We're trying to unite the people 1 who want to see public transporta- tion get better." Put unity is not coming easily to this tissue. ,In the 1980s, the cities of Plymouth, Maple Grove, Chaska, Chanhassen, ;Shakopee, Eden Prairie, Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Prior Lake, !Savage and Rosemount said they re- lceived such poor service from the old Metropolitan Transit Commission that they sought legislative permis- ,Aon to "opt out" of paying for the MTC and use their property tax reve- nue to pay for their own service instead. Plymouth Metrolink provides 2[0,000 rides a year, up 10 percent from last year. Shakopee counts 5j,000 riders a year on its communi- ty dial -a -ride and commuter van pools. And the Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Walley, Prior Lake, Savage and Rose- n(ount coalition, called the Minneso- ta,,Valley Transit Authority, expects tcjp"rovide 1.2 million rides this year. D" Although the central bus system is in trbiible, suburban officials do not apologize for their successes. "T4 could have put every passenger into limousines for what we were plying" under the old MTC system, said Apple Valley Mayor Will Bran- nieg. It was not convenient; the hours were set by somebody else. We said, 'Give us our taxes back and we will pay into the regional system wait is appropriate.' " "We're probably doing a better job of managing our resources. It's hard to feel, guilty about that," said John Sweeney, transit administrator for 14' Plymouth Metrolink. If Plym- outh had not left the MTC, "I'm convinced the Plymouth residents wouldn't have the service that they have today." The MCTO service to second-tier suburbs that did not opt out indicates that Sweeney is right. "Anoka, Coon Rapids and Blaine have to fight for every bus," Weaver said. "It's a long drive and we are kind of on the outskirts of the metro- politan area and we have had to work hard to get decent, reliable consistent service. And we don't have these big fancy stops. We are standing out freezing in the cold while these other [opt -out] communities have shelters." But Weaver is against forcing the opt -out communities back into the core system. "It's good to have the opt -outs to the extent that they have shown that you can run a cheaper, more successful bus system," he said. Orfield, in Minneapolis, wants to re- turn the opt -out communities to the bus system, even if that means sacri- ficing their ridership, because they have nearly "40 percent of the re- gion's tax base," he said. "I'm fully in support of white collar workers commuting by bus, but in an era of limited resources people [who] don't have cars should be the first in line to get bus service," he said. "Where do all the people who desper- ately need buses live? They live in �j l s and first -ring suburbs." Chaska lav a'yor Bob'Roepke said he resents Orfield's pitting the central cities against the suburbs. The es- sence of the debate is who controls the transit property tax money, Roepke said. "It's our position that those are local property tax dollars used to support transit," he said. "We opted out of the transit system in the first place so we could improve the system for the same or less money and we've been able to do that." Orfield may say the suburbs are just looking out for themselves, Roepke said, but "we don't agree that that's true. It's so frustrating when we have been able to improve the transit sys- tem, get it to be more successful and get people more aware of it, and use it as a community builder," Roepke said. Tuesday/August 22/1995/Star Tribune Suburbanites report no interest, no need to ride MCTO buses If upstart suburban systems aren't St. Paulites said they use the bus enough of a headache for the Metro- system regularly. politan Council Transit Operations POINO), suburbanites' near-univer- The poll, taken July also f of 1,523 Sal refusal to take the bus can only metro -area residents, also found that compound the pain. for all the complaining amongoestion, Citians about highway Attempts to entice suburban com- t is ue forts a hot -button only tiny minort. public routers onto the bus haven't pro - policy ducedsignificant numbers, a Star Tribune / WCCO-TV Minnesota Asked oi est con- fronting the Twin Citi,ransporta- Poll has found. tion ranked last, cited by only 2 Per - Only 3 percent of suburbanites in the cent of those polled; it ranked be. 11-county Twin Cities metropolitan hind, in order, crime, the quality 01 area said they ride the bus regularly; andli education,able housing. jobs 80 percent said they never do. Although poll respondents who don't — Bob Von Sternberl ride the bus cited more than a dozen reasons, the most frequent answers indicate that transitlcis have an persuaded people thata adequate substitute for a private ve- hicle. Six out of t0 suburbanites who don't ride the bus said that they have a car, .,have no need to ride the bus," or that it's inconvenient. While Minneapolis and St. Paul resi- dents ride the bus proportionately more often than their suburban counterparts, those who don't gave the same reasons in almost the same percentages. Within the central cities, 18 percent of of Minneapolitans and 16 pe August 17, 1995 Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, Minn 55447 Attention: City Manager I am a lifelong resident of the Plymouth/Wayzata area, currently residing in Burl Oaks, 16905 5th Avenue North. In my 61 years, I have seen much change to the area. The primary changes have been due to growth in population of the area. Having been a City Manager and Mayor (at different times) of Wayzata, I know the pressures of growth. One pressure of growth is traffic and the associated problems dealing with traffic. I have been watching and anticipating a change to the traffic light that is South of County 6 on Highway 101. But nothing has happened which is why I am writing this letter. I believe a very serious traffic problem exists at that intersection. 101 is a four lane highway as you know. With the 2 shopping centers that exist at either side of 101 (South of 6) causing traffic, you need to install turn arrows allowing traffic to turn into either of those shopping areas. I travel that road every day and have seen too many close calls where cars have forced their way across the traffic lanes, often causing close calls. So I ask that you consider correcting a problem that will cause a major accident. I use the word will because it will happen. Sincerely, Wayne Fadden fe August 21, 1995 CITY OF PLYMOUTR Tom Johnson, P.E. Transportation Planning Engineer HENN COUNTY DEPT. OF TRANSP. 320 Washington Ave. South Hopkins, MN 55343-8468 SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL COUNTY ROAD 101 AND 14TH AVENUE Dear Tom: Enclosed is a copy of a letter which the City received from a Plymouth resident concerning the traffic signal at County Road 101 and 14th Avenue. As referenced in the letter, this traffic signal serves a commercial area on either side of County Road 101. This resident states that he believes there is a very serious traffic problem since there is not phasing for turning movements at this intersection. I believe because of the closeness of this intersection to the major intersection at County Road 6 and Highway 101, both signal systems are interconnected. I am requesting that the County do a traffic signal study to determine if there is the need and warrants for separate phasing for turn movements at the County Road 101/14th Avenue intersection. If the study does indicate that the need exists, I would also like to know when the County could program the signal for modification. If there are any questions or if you need any additional information from the City, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Fred G. Moore, P.E. Director of Public Works enclosure cc: Kathy Lueckert, Assistant City Manager S/F: 10/1/95 We Listen • We Solve • We Care JOHNSON.DOC ' nAOO PI VI1/Inl I -r" Mr1111 MIA 011 . fll 1 .—i. --A —A n -r - r t rnunw1r ire. n1 r. -n -- .. 1506 Weston Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 August 14, 1995 Michael Stulberg Plymouth City Planning Commission 6010 Troy Lane Plymouth, MN 55446 Dear Chair Stulberg, I am enclosing pictures of our property at 1506 Weston. Lane taken on Monday, August 7, 1995. Our property is located one half block northwest of the Vicksburg and County Road 6 intersection. These pictures of our backyard were taken 12 hours after the rain had ceased. The depth of the water at its deepest point is two feet. As you can see, the standing water covers our property as well as that of 1510 and partially covers the property north of that lot. We are, in effect, a holding pond for the water that cannot flow through the system. It is not a temporary pond; the water sits there until it is drained by city crews. This makes our backyard unusable for many days. As you can tell by the pictures, there is, or I should say "was", a garden and play area. Sink holes are now forming from the standing water and our trees are suffering. For 17 years, we have been trying to deal with a water situation on our property. Plymouth has developed our yard from having a natural swale to now having a drainage system that is supposed to handle a greater volume of water and a much faster flow of water. As Plymouth grows, there have been consistent street upgrades (Vicksburg and County Road 6) and additional housing developments that contribute to our handling of the drainage. Each "improvement" is supposed to be the answer; it isn't. This plan counts on all aspects downstream being effective. More often that not, they are plugged or overloaded. At least twice a year, our yard is flooded and has to be drained. The Public Works department is very cooperative and helpful; however, the problem has to be remedied. My property's value is severely affected. I doubt I could even sell it. I love my house and location. 7 L -\b However, I feel that I have been left to deal with this problem myself as the City grows. I realize this problem might be new to this Planning Commission, but it is not new to the City and Fred Moore. I am asking your Commission to consider residents and property that have long been established when recommending approval of new developments. I think a monster has been created here. I am copying this letter to each Commission member. Please share the pictures with them. Thank you for your time and consideration. This is a matter of vital importance. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Ellen Feuling 475-9027 �`•`�}"�.�� -` �F :+we'd � "j +�-a-« . ._ , . � �: - - _ - - . ' fit" 1 f 1 74, �►► g.. j .i• + r ..; .. •yi. ? -4 ~, tet: � ;• ',� �>.: �, � .fit , ••. -;ice �r '� +i� � � � • aim '��..t . i �' '�. r» August 24, 1995 Ellen Feuling 1506 Weston Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Feuling: We are in receipt of your letter to Planning Commissioner Michael Stulberg concerning the storm water drainage problems you have been experiencing on your property Your letter and accompanying photographs will be shared with Plymouth City Council Members. In the meantime, City Manager Dwight Johnson has asked Fred Moore, Director of Public Works, to respond to your letter. You can expect a response from Mr. Moore by September 1. Thank you for your letter. Please give me a call on 509-5052 if you have not received a response by September 1. Sincerely, Kathy Lueckert Assistant City Manager cc: Fred Moore, Public Works Director C/R. file We Listen • We Solve • We Care 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 • TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 95REQ.XLS rage i CITIZEN REQUEST TRACKING .. . ............... .......... ............. ............ ............. ............ ........ ...... .................... ................. ..................................... .................. ..... ..... a fire. ............... ....... ............ ........ — .......... X: ......... ...... ........ ........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ ......... . .. .. . . ...... . ......... .................................. .......... % % .% %% ........ ........ .. ................. ............................. .............................. ... . ....... 1OW: ace We S.. 'd. DAtef. .......... ....................... ...... ............... ........ . ....... :0 ...... . ..... ........ .............. ........................... 'd 1 Blank Darren A. DeMatthew Civic CenteriIce Arena 12130194 113195 1113195 1/4195 2 Gerdes Darren A. DeMatthew Pub. Safety Concerns 12130194 113195 1113195 1/12195 3 Moore Darren A. DeMatthew Transportation 12130194 113195 1113195 1/4195 4 Blank Gordon Hanson Community garden plots 1/3195 113/95 1117/95 114/95 5 Moore Dr. Robert May 19th Avenue - Traffic speed 119195 1/9195 1/23/95 1123195 6 Blank Vivian Starr Bike path - Lk Camelot/ NW Blvd 119195 119195 1/23195 1117195 7 Hurlburt Mark Denis/DermisHolmquist Wetlands Ordill 1115 0. Rockf d Road 1117/95 1119195 211195 211195 8 Moore Randy Meyer Fleet vehicles - petro product./service 1119195 1119195 211195 211195 B -B Moore Randy Meyer Additional issues - fleet vehicles 2127195 2127195 3120195 (r) 3123195 10 Hurlburt Nancy Cree Wetlands Ord1NW Plymouth 2/6195 2/8195 2115195 219195 11 Johnson Larry Dowell, TwinWest Chamber LMC referendum levies 2/9195 219195 2116195 2113195 12 City Attorney Brian Knox Access to Gleason Lake 2121195 (PF) 2121195 317195 317195 13 Moore Steven Chase Alley Abandonment 311195 311195 3115195 3117195 14 Moore Peter FlintiJanice Symchych Peony Lane Alignment 3122195 3123195 3129195 3129195 15 Moore William Rademacher Peony Lane Alignment 3123195 3/23195 3130195 3129195 16 Moore R. D. Taylor Water & Sewer Assessments 4118195 4118195 4125195 5112195 17 Hahn R. D. Taylor Asmt Deferral/Green Acres 4/18/95 4/18195 4125/95 4/25195 18 Blank Steve Meyer Tree Removal Assessment 4/18/95 4118/95 4125195 4118195 19 Lueckert Stan Stevens Train Noise[Whistle 4119195 4119195 4126195 4121/95 20 Blank Kerry Anderson Recreation Center/Community Pool 4126195 4/26195 512195 514/95 21 Moore Bradley Kalin Schmidt Lake Road 515/95 518195 5115195 5123195 22 Moore Julie Hoyme Watering restrictions 518195 5115195 5125195 5123% 23 Blank George Wilson Fertilizer - Parkers Lake 5115/95 5115195 5122195 5117195 24 Hurlburt H.B. Hayden Letter of Credit requirements 5115195 5115195 5125195 5123195 25 Hahn Mary Jo Asmus Property Market Value Review 5118195 5119195 5130195 5123195 26 Blank Steven Bernhardt Ice Arena 5124195 5125195 612195 5126195 27 Moore Harry Stark 1994 Street Reconstruction Program 5129195 612195 6112195 616195 28 Moore Carl Hedberg Opening of Xenium Lane 515195 616195 6116195 713195 29 Hahn Robert Peterson Sump pump ordinance 5129195 616195 6116195 618195 30 Gerdes Andrew Mackenzie Speeding violation 716195 7115195 7124195 7117195 31 Blank George Wilson Sidewalk/Trail - Carlson Parkway 812195 813195 8114195 8115195 32 Moore Kerry Anderson Highway 55 access 818195 818195 8118185 33 Moore Robert S. Peterson Sealcoating of Streets in Kingswood 8114195 8114195 8124/95 34 Moore Wayne Fadden Traffic Signal at Co. Rd 6 & Hwy 101 8118195 8121195 911/95 8121/95 rage i DATE: August 21, 1995 TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager FROM: Daniel L. Faulkner, City Engineer SUBJECT: ARTICLE IN AUGUST 16, 1995 PLYMOUTH SAILOR REGARDING STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT CITY PROJECT NO. 501 There was an article on the front page of the August 16 Plymouth Sailor stating that there has been poor communication with the affected residents where the City's contractor is currently working west of Larch Lane and south of Schmidt Lake Road. I am aware of one incident that occurred during the week of August 7 in the area of 49th and Magnolia. We did talk to the affected resident and apologized for the miscommunication and subsequently sent out a letter on August 11 to all the residents in this immediate area. A copy of this letter and the list of those receiving it is attached along with a map of the area for your information. We try very hard to keep the citizens affected by our street reconstruction project informed, particularly when it affects their driveway access. The Plymouth Sailor news article resulted from this type of a concern, which was unfortunate for the affected resident, but also unfortunate for City staff as I don't believe this correctly reflects our communication efforts. Please let me know if you would like to discuss this further. attachments cc: Fred G. Moore Ron Quanbeck DJOHNSONIM August 11, 1995 PLYMOUTR «PIN* «NAME» «ADDRESS 1 «CITY, «ST* «aP* SUBJECT: 1995 STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT CITY PROJECT NO. 501 Dear Resident: I would like to thank you for your cooperation during construction on your street and apologize for the inconveniences due to this construction. I anticipate that, depending on the weather, subgrade excavation and placement of the rock base for 49th Avenue and adjacent cul-de-sacs will be completed next week. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at 509-5925 or Dan Campbell at 509-5522. Sincerely, Ronald S. Quanbeck, P.E. Civil Engineer cc: Fred G. Moore, Director of Public Works Daniel L. Faulkner, City Engineer Daniel K. Campbell, Sr. Engineering Technician We Listen • We Solve • We Care LARcHFM,noc 1TU OP1t 11 C\/n fill - —'/�'ri'—I, • —'l.hll.-1n — - TCI -1 — r--I- SCHMIDT • •, /Re"111�w C'.4:,s 4Bai'll- /i,144tr FULL WIDTH MILL AND OVERLAY EDGE MILL AND OVERLAY PROPOSED DRAINTILE 1995 STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT MAINTENANCE DISTRICT 29 PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA FIGURE 6 w z U Of 61 THE ATTACHED LETTER WAS SENT TO THE FOLLOWING (LARCHDTA) CITY PROJ. 501 1111822320047 GEORGE L SCHEINOST 4925 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320050 ROGER & JANA HARGREAVES 4910 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320066 KENT E STREETS 4895 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320071 JEAN M SAWINA 12325 49TH AVE N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 11822320106 x%iCHARD & INEZ WOLFE 4880 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320045 DANIEL & JOELLE WEISS 12410 49TH AVE N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320048 JOHN P & KATHLEEN M VANDANACKER 4930 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320051 MARY C GARBUTT 12310 49TH AVE N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320067 TIMOTHY O & ELIZABETH S KOCH 4885 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320072 JEFFREY S BELL & JANE E BRASHAW 12315 49TH AVE N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320046 RANDY & DENISE PLACHECKI 4915 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320049 RICHARD & CATHRYN KUUMAM 4920 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320065 EFIM & ASYA AKERMMAN 12425 49TH AVE N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320070 DANIEL & SUSAN KELLY 4890 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 1111822320105 MICHAEL A & I A GREENSTEIN 4875 MAGNOLIA LA N PLYMOUTH, MN 55442 August 21, 1995 Mayor City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 ..L Dear Ms. Joy Tierney Kai " OF MINNESOTA Metro Mobility has been providing services to a Kaltec employee for the past 4.5 years. We are currently in a situation however, that I thought you should be aware of. We have an employee who is going to be affected by your discussion on further Metro Mobility service in the Plymouth area. Mr. Guy Marcucci is a quadriplegic. He was injured in an accident within days of his 21' birthday. He had spent nearly 20 years in institutions and nursing homes when he was allowed money to receive training as a CAD drafter. By using a headset and moving his head, he moves the cursor on the CAD drawing on the screen. By blowing air through a puff tube, he gives the mouse click command to complete his drawing commands. When contacted by Minneapolis Rehabilitation Center, Kaltec, an equal opportunity employer, agreed to hire Mr. Marcucci to allow him to perform as a CAD drafter in a professional engineering environment. He has been a dedicated employee. His performance is good. He is cheerful, always has a positive attitude and is well liked by his co-workers. They have voluntarily provided assistance with his special needs. We would like him to remain with Kaltec as an employee. However, should Metro -Mobility or a similar service no longer be able to provide access to this area, Mr. Marcucci will not be able to get to work. If he is unable to work, he will not be able to continue to live independently. He may then need to return to the institutional or nursing home type of care. In view of the progress Mr. Marcucci has made in making a useful contribution to society and the importance of the maintaining at least as much independence as he has been able to achieve, I urgently request that you consider his plight in your judgment of any changes to the service presented by companies such as Metro -Mobility. I would like to invite you to visit Mr. Marcucci at Kaltec so you can see firsthand the work he is capable of and his achievement. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Bruce E. Kallevig, P.E. President cc: Mark Fuhrman The Plymouth Civic hea�tte 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth. Minnesota 55447 X,, August 18, 1995 City of Plymouth Plymouth, i ul 55447 Attn: Joy Tierney 5C.." A5 On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Plymouth Civic League, we wish to express our thanks to you for your generous gift of $10,000.00 to support Music in Plymouth in 1995. Your contribution helped make the annual summer concert an overwhelming success this year. Each year for the past 23 years we have put on Music in Plymouth for an evening of outdoor entertainment. The main feature every year has been the Minnesota Orchestra. Also included in the evening has been a variety of local and regional musical groups. For a number of years, we have been ending the evening with an outstanding fireworks display. We can only do all of this for the community through help from your contributions. Thank you again for your support. Please keep this receipt as a record of your tax-deductible gift. Sincerely, Sue Jackson Treasurer Minnesota Orchestra 1111 Nicollet Mall The Minnesota Orchestral Association Edo de Waart Music Director j Minneapolis, MN 55403 Mayor Joy Tierney 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Dear Mayor Tierney: j 1-56p9 <f. FAX: (612 -0838 August 18, 1995 In just six short weeks the Minnesota Orchestra will be officially welcoming its new Music Director, Eiji Oue. We have planned a week-long celebration entitled "Fanfare for a New Era," and a flyer listing these events is enclosed. Our inaugural committee has planned events that are community -wide; from St. Paul to Minneapolis, from families to the downtown working crowd to the regular subscription patrons. We have received generous community support from businesses in both cities. We invite you to participate in one of our public celebrations by attending and encouraging those you work with to attend. Our goal is to make this fanfare a true "Minnesota Welcome" with people from all facets of Minnesota life participating. We invite you to attend the Navy Island, Crystal Court or Lake Harriet Concerts, which are those public concerts free to the community. You are also invited to attend the opening night subscription concerts on September 13 and 14, but you must purchase a concert ticket to attend those celebrations. If you would like ticket information for the subscription concerts or are planning to attend any of the free public concerts, please feel free to call our Director of Public Affairs, Karl Reichert, at 371-5643. Help us celebrate this major milestone in the Minnesota Orchestra's history! Sincerely, fR_"S"d:�- Mary chrock Chair Eiji Oue Inaugural Committee Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra Founded 1903 Music Directors: Emil Oberhoffer 1903-1922 • Henri Verbrugghen 1923-1931 • Eugene Ormandy 1931-1936 Dimitri Mitropoulos 1937-1949 • Antal Dorati 1949-1960 • Stanislaw Skrowaczewski 1960-1979 • Sir Neville Marriner 1979-1986 Nicky B. Carpenter, Chairman of the Board David J. Hyslop, President PIONFERPRESS An REGIONAL PLANNER Metropolitan Council ' making a comeback rthout fanfare, the much -mal- igned Metropolitan Council is Council will making important progress toward re- require establishing itself as an effective, effi- cient and responsive planning and greater. coordinating agency for the region. support, less The council's task was not made' t any easier by 1994 law that greatly sniping from expanded its role, giving it the operat- governor, ing responsibilities previously handled State by the region's transit and sewage lawmakers, treatment agencies. That legislation threatened to drown the agency in local officials. . operational minutia, diverting its atten- tion from planning and big -picture concerns. So far, that doesn't appear to be happening. In the 1995 session, council officials played a major role in passing leg- islation designed to increase the supply of affordable housing in the region. Now the agency has begun working coopera- tively with local officials, seeking to negotiate affordable - housing goals for each community. Council members also are trying to develop a new strate- gy for managing the expected growth of the region over the next 25 years, meeting with local officials both inside and outside the seven -county area. The council's effort wisely recognizes that urban sprawl does not respect artificial lim- its like the outer boundaries of the seven metro counties. Meanwhile, the council has been attempting to fully absorb its new operational responsibilities, Identify areas of administrative overlap and seek ways to stretch its finite resources even farther. Toward these ends, it has: ■ Negotiated a new contract with the unionized employees of the region's sewage treatment plants that will permit greater flexibility in scheduling, and will produce major labor savings. The council also is exploring the idea of solic- iting private bids for the construction and operation of future treatment plants to determine if this approach is less costly. ■ Undertaken a major redesign of bus service to eliminate.'�'V the most heavily subsidized routes and put more transit lars where the riders are. It also is pushing in labor negotia- � ... tions to ease limits on the use of part-time drivers — to maintain service in peak hours without having employees sitting around the rest of the day." ■ Studied the central administrative services of the. merged council with an eye toward significant staff reduc- tions next year. Under new Chairman Curtis Johnson and Executive:n... Director James Solem, the Metro Council has developed new i. energy and purpose. But to complete their task, council offi- - cials will require greater support and less sniping from the governor, state lawmakers and local officials. u L