HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 11-30-1995PN�
NOVEMBER 30, 1995
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS ....
1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER:
DECEMBER 5 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
City Council Chambers
DECEMBER 19 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
City Council Chambers
2. NEW COUNCIL MEMBER ORIENTATION, MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 5:30
P.M., Bass Lake Meeting Room, lower level, City Administration Center.
3. CHARTER COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING, MONDAY, DECEMBER 4,
7:00 P.M., Public Safety Training Room.
4. PLYMOUTH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7,
7:30 P.M., Public Safety Training Room. (M-4)
5. CITY EMPLOYEES HOLIDAY LUNCHEON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 11:00
A.M. - 1:00 P.M, Radisson Hotel. City offices will be closed during this time.
6. CITY OF PLYMOUTH BLOOD DRIVE, MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1:00 P.M. -
4:00 P.M., Public Works Parking Lot. To schedule an appointment, contact Judy,
509-5071. (M-6)
7. TWINWEST DECEMBER EVENTS. Attached are notifications of the December
TwinWest Coffee Break Sessions. (M-7)
S. MEETING CALENDARS -- December meeting calendar is attached. (M-8)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION M]EM0
November 30, 1995
Page 2
1. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
a. Weekly Building Permit Report for Commercial/Industrial/Public and Use Types. (I-
la).
b. Project Status Report. (I -lb)
2. CHARTER COMMISSION VACANCY
a. Notice of vacancy on the Plymouth Charter Commission. (I -2a)
3. MINUTES
a. Plymouth Human Rights Commission, November 2, 1995. (I -3a)
4. NEWS ARTICLES. RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS. ETC.
a. Notice that the Metropolitan Council is taking applications from Twin Cities residents
interested in serving on the council's Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee.
(I -4a)
b. Notice from Hennepin County Public Works Department on the establishment of a nine
member Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC), and soliciting applications
from persons interested in participating in the committee. (I -4b)
c. Plymouth City News Release concerning homestead filing. (I -4c)
d. League of Minnesota Cities November 24, 1995 CFties Bulletin. I -4d)
e. Notice from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency of the closure of the site file on
the former Ag -Lite facility, 4901 W. Medicine Lake Drive, Plymouth. (I -4d)
L Plymouth City News Release announcing acceptance of applications for the Police
Cadet Apprenticeship Program (CAP). (I -4f)
g. Plymouth City News Release announcing a bottle cap collection program in elementary
schools for the D.A.R.E. program. (I -4g)
h. Plymouth City News Release reminding residents of fire precautions during the holiday
season. (I -4h)
i. Plymouth City News Release announcing extended holiday hours for the Plymouth
Dial -a -Ride program. (I -4i)
j. Report from Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council on the Success By 6
program. (I -4j)
k. Star Tribune news story about property taxes and the Truth in Taxation meeting process
in the Twin Cities. (I -4k)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
November 30, 1995
Page 3
5. CITIZEN CONIMUNICATIONS POLICY - CORRESPONDENCE
a. Letter to Mayor Tierney from the Talen family about concerns they have over
increasing traffic and development of Xenium Lane. The letter has been forwarded to
Fred Moore. Also attached is Kathy Lueckert's acknowledgment of the letter. (I -5a)
b. Letter from Donald (Bill) McMoore about assessments for street work, and private
streets. The letter has been forwarded to Fred Moore. Attached is acknowledgment
from Kathy Lueckert, as well as correspondence from Congressman Jim Ramstad, who
received the original letter. (I -5b)
c. Letter from John Miller to the Mayor expressing concerns about increased property
taxes. The letter has been forwarded to Dale Hahn. Attached is the acknowledgment
from Kathy Lueckert. Action on a private street policy is scheduled for the Regular
Council Meeting of December 5. (I -5c)
A status report on all correspondence is attached.
6. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Letter from David Hagen to Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt. (I -6a)
b. Letter from Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Matthew Smith. (I -6b)
c. Fax/letter from Greater Minneapolis Daycare Association Community Outreach
Coordinator Grace Norris to the Mayor & the Council. (I -6c)
Dwight Johnson
City Manager
Plymouth Human Rights Commission
December 7, 1995
Agenda
I. Call to Order
H. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. Old Business
a. 1996 Work Plan
b. Willow Creek Apartments Issue
V. New Business
a. Report on conversation with Mort Ryweck
VI. For Information
a. Metropolitan Livable Communities Act --City of Plymouth Goals
VII. Adjourn
Give the Gof z f e this Holiday season!
rA�'
Donate Blood
CITY OF PLYMOUTH BLOOD DRIVE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1995
1:00 PM -4:00 PM
BLOODMOBILE WILL BE PARKED AT
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT,
CONTACT JUDY AT 509-5071.
MEMORIAL
�C BLOOD CENTER
my� OF MINNEAPOLIS
Coffee Breaks - December
GOLDEN VALLEY — Tuesday, December 5
Mail Boxes, Etc., 8014 Olson Memorial Hwy, (Golden Valley Shopping
Center, Highway 55 and Winnetka Avenue)
® Mail Boxes Etc. has all the support services your business needs, from packing
MAILBOXES ETC. and shipping to providing a business address for mail and package receiving, to
being your one-stop source for copies, faxes, office supplies and more.
ST. LOUIS PARK — Wednesday, December 6
The Prudential, 600 South Highway 169, Suite 1000, (Interchange Tower,
10th Floor; NW corner of Highways 169 and 394)
The P r u d e nt i a l =,/ Prudential Preferred Financial Services: A Division of The Prudential
Insurance Company of America.
WAYZATA — Friday, December 8
Anchor Bank, 1055 East Wayzata Boulevard, (Located at 101 North and
Old Wayzata Blvd., - one block south of 394 off the 101 North exit)
ANCHOR BANK N.A. Looking to grow your business? What a coincidence, so are we. A full service
community bank with offices in Wayzata, Plymouth and Eden Prairie.
CRYSTAUNEW HOPE — Wednesday, December 13
Cardell Floral, 2740 North Douglas Drive, (Located in Lamplighter
p o Square on the corner of Douglas Drive and Medicine Lake Road)
F/ora/
Make a lasting impression wth your customers and friends! Say it with
flowers from Cardell.
HOPKINS — Friday, December 15
�,SI N NJ, Sisinni Mainstreet Bakery, 922 Mainstreet, (Located on the corner of 10th
Mainstreet and Mainstreet; the old RLK Associates location)
Bakery Specializing in fresh baked European breads, pastries, cheesecake and tortes
and offering a wide array of deli items.
PLYMOUTH — Tuesday, December 19
Jewelry World Company, LTD., 4190 Vinewood Lane North, (Located in
w0rcD <<0
the Rockford Road Plaza Shopping Center at 494 & Rockford Road next
to Rainbow Foods and just across from Target Greatland)
JEWELRY WORLD COMPANY LTD.
Jewelry World Co., LTD. offers all TwinWest members the largest selection of
fine upscale jewelry pieces, loose diamonds, gems, and gold fashion selection,
"DIAMOND AND GOLD BROKERS"
along with expert fine jewelry repair and custom design service.
MINNETONKA — Wednesday, December 20
Borders Book Shop, 1501 Plymouth Road, (In Bonaventure by the Leeann
Chin Restaurant and across from Ridgedale Shopping Center)
BBOOK SHOP'
oy- rs-
Introducing our corporate gift program. Call 595-0687 for details.
Coffees Breaks run from 7:30-9:00 a.m. with no reservations!
® OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
December 1995
revised 11/27/95
DATE: NOVEMBER 30, 1995
TO: DWIGHT JOHNSON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CARLYS SCHANSBERG, DATA CONTROL/INSPECTION
CLERK
SUBJECT: BUILDING PERMIT ISSUED REPORT FOR
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/PUBLIC & CHURCH USE TYPES
NOVEMBER 23, 1995 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 1995
Permit #69272 was issued to Carlson Industries for tenant finishes at 13120 County
Road 6, valuation $111,600.00.
PERMITLIST LIST OF PERMITS ISSUED PAGE 2
1.1/30/95 AGING DAYS
FROM 11/23/95 TO 11/29/95
PIN NUMBER CLASS OF WORK DATE PERMIT #
APPLICANT NAME LEGAL USE TYPE ISSUED PERMT.TYPE
SITE ADDRESS DESCRIPTION OUTLOT/TRACT
UNIT# STATE LICENSE # VALUATION TOTAL FEE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 118 22 42 0013
AMERICAN REMODELING
10000 28TH AVE N
0002406
35 118 22 33 0004
DAVE BERRY CONST
12600 SUNSET TR N
00009204
TEAR OFF
REPAIR 11/28/95 70487
LOT BLK SFD BUILDING
LLS24QQ420013
$2,733.00 $55.37
REPAIR 11/29/95 70499
LOT BLK SFD BUILDING
11 2 WILSHIRE GARDENS
$2,800.00 $55.40
22 118 22 41 0013
REPAIR
11/29/95 70503
SELA ROOFING
LOT
BLK
SFD
BUILDING
3040 ROSEWOOD LA N
11
1
WESTMINSTER
0001050
$4,550.00 $74.28
TEAR OFF
16 118 22 14 0064
REPAIR
11/29/95 70515
J N E HOMES INC
LOT
BLK
SFD
BUILDING
14325 42ND AVE N
2
2
KINGSVIEW HEIGHTS
3RD
3475
$5,000.00 $74.50
REPAIR GARAGE DAMAGE AFTER AUTO DROVE THROUGH
27 118 22 42 0001 REPAIR 11/29/95 69272
CARLSON INDUSTRIES LOT BLK INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
13120 CO RD NO 6 LLS27QQ420001
3475 $111,600.00 $1,180.27
PLANS ATTACHED, CREATING SEPARATE TENANT SPACES,
25 118 22 43 0030 ALTERATION 11/28/95 70243
MONRAY WINDOWS INC LOT BLK COMMERCIAL BUILDING
9907 13TH AVE N LLS25QQ430030
0005111 $5,700.00 $136.50
PLANS ATTACHED - MON RAY INC, INTERIOR OFFICE
DATE: November 22, 1995
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager through
Fred G. Moore, P.E. , Director of Public Works
FROM: Daniel L. Faulkner, P.E. City Engineer
SUBJECT: PROJECT STATUS REPORT
BACKGROUND: Enclosed are the status reports provided by the consultants
performing engineering services in the City. The Approve Payments List, Report No.
120 is also enclosed. The following is a summary of the consultants' Project Status
Reports. The Erosion Control Status Report is also included for your information.
1. SRF CONSULTING GROUP, INC.:
City Project No. 011 - Northwest Boulevard (45th Avenue to Schmidt Lake
Road) and Schmidt Lake Road (Northwest Boulevard to Pineview Lane) is
complete and payment is being processed.
(See Map - C)
City Project No. 031 - County Road 24 and Medina Road is complete through
the Phase I portion. Phase II construction is complete except for minor
punchlist work.
(See Map - E)
City Project No. 213 - Schmidt Lake Road (Northwest Boulevard to Fernbrook
lanel is complete except for minor punchlist work.
(See Map - F)
City Project No. 310 - New County Road 9 (Trunk Highway 55 to Vicksburg
!An-ej is complete except for minor punchlist work. The roadway was open to
traffic on October 27, 1995.
7
SUBJECT: Project Status Report Ib
Page No. 2
(See Map - G3)
City Project No. 406 - Trunk Highway 55 North Frontage Road and South
Shore Drive is complete except for minor punchlist work
(See Map - G5)
City Project No. 310 - New Traffic Signal at New County Road 9/Relocated
County Road 24/1runk Highway 55 is complete except for minor punchlist
work.
(See Map -G3)
City Project No. 415 - Westbranch 3rd Addition (east of Dunkirk Lane and
north of proposed County Road 9) is complete except for boulevard restoration
and the wearing course which will be placed in 1996.
(See Map N-1)
City Project No. 417 - 1995 Trail Improvements has been halted for the winter
due to wet and freezing weather conditions. The only portion of the first phase
to be paved this year was on Northwest Boulevard north of 42nd Place.
Construction operations will resume next spring. The pedestrian traffic signal
scheduled for installation mid -way between 54th and 55th Avenue on Northwest
Boulevard will be bid in the spring. A draft preliminary engineering report for
the second phase of the trail bond improvement was submitted to City staff for
review and comment.
(See Map N-2)
City Project No. 502 - Peony Lane .H. 55 to County Road 47) is proceeding
with construction of the by-pass lane. Due to conflicts with the City's
northwest trunk sewer project and the weather, bridge embankment operations
are suspended until spring of 1996. An amendment to the preliminary
engineering report for Peony Lane was submitted to staff as a draft for review
and comment.
(See Map - B)
City Project No. 402 - CSAH 9 ¢-494 to Polaris Lane) will now be bid as a
State Aid project as the City will use MSA funding for their portion of the
project costs. The County is finalizing the revisions as necessary for State Aid
approval and a bid opening is anticipated early in 1996 with construction to
begin in the spring of 1996.
(See Map - B-1)
G:ENGIGENERAL\MEMOSkPROJSrAT.DOC
SUBJECT: Project Status Report
Page No. 3
2. BONESTROO, ROSENE ANDERLIK AND ASSOCIATES, INC.:
Citv Proiect No. 906 - Medina Road Trunk Watermain Improvements (between
Vicksburg Lane and Dunkirk Lane) is currently on hold pending a determination
on the location of Medina Road in this area. The plans and specifications are
approximately 80% complete.
(See Map - L)
City Project No. 907 - Vicksburg Lane, Schmidt Lake Road and Fernbrook
Lane Street and Utility Improvements has been completed through the Phase I
portion which includes Fernbrook Lane from 45th Avenue to Schmidt Lake
Road. A final pay request will be submitted to City staff soon following a final
inspection prior to Phase I project close-out. Phase II of this project, which
extends Schmidt Lake Road westerly from Fernbrook Lane to Vicksburg Lane
has had a preliminary report prepared and submitted to staff for review in
August 1992.
(See Map - M)
City Project No. 214 - Xenium Lane Street and Utility Improvements (Xenium
Lane to Northwest Boulevard south of County Road 9) is under way as the State
Aid plans were prepared by the developer's engineer and were approved by the
Office of State Aid. A preconstruction meeting was held on October 31, 1995
and grading and utility installations are continuing.
(See Map - N)
City Project No. 308 - Dunkirk Lane Street and Utility Improvements (Old
Rockford Road to New County Road 9) has been completed and a final pay
request will be submitted to City staff for review following a final inspection
with City staff prior to project close-out..
(See Map - 02)
City Project No. 601 - 26th Avenue Street Improvements (Kilmer Lane to
Medicine Ridge Roadl is complete except for minor punchlist work which
remains to be completed.
(See Map - 04)
City Proiect No. 212 - 3 Million Gallon Hollvdale Water Tower (Schmidt Lake
Road and Vicksburg) had the Preliminary Report accepted at the
September 20, 1993 City Council meeting and the Council directed staff to set
up a public meeting on this project.
(See Map - 05)
SUBJECT: Project Status Report I D
Page No. 4
City Project No. 509 - Plymouth Creek Channel Improvements (Vicksburg
Lane adjacent to Plymouth Creek Elementary School) is nearly complete except
for final grading and removal of previously excavated spoils which will be
completed later this winter when the ground is frozen.
City Project No. 523 - 12th Avenue North (extending east of Ferndale and
ending in a cul-de-sac) has been authorized by the City Council and final plans
are currently being prepared. The proposed schedule anticipates approval of
plans and specifications at a December City Council meeting with the project to
be bid early in 1996 with construction to begin in the springtime.
(See Map - D)
3. SHORT-ELLIOTT-HENDRICKSON, INC.:
City Project No. 503 - NW -19 Trunk Sanitary Sewer (Kimberly Lane
Elementary west to Peony Lane north to proposed Wayzata High School) is
proceeding but is behind schedule due to wet conditions. This work has been
coordinated with the Peony Lane Bridge Embankment Project in order to keep
Peony open to through traffic. It is anticipated the installation will be
completed within the next month.
(See Map - V)
The Water Resource Management Plan is proceeding and Project Manager Mark
Lobermeier has recently met with the City's Water Resource Engineer to discuss
their schedule and coordinate the necessary data gathering phase of the study.
A mission statement for the plan has been finalized and approved by the City's
Environmental Quality Committee and it will be offered for City Council
approval at a December meeting.
4. CITY DESIGN TEAM:
City Project No. 501 - 1995 Street Reconstruction Program has been completed
except for some minor punchlist work. The public assessment hearing for the
reconstruction project was held on October 24, 1995 and nearly all assessments
were adopted with the exception of some twin homes in the Cedar Ridge
Addition south of County Road 9 and west of Fembrook Lane. At the
November 21, 1995 Council meeting these assessments were adopted as
recommended by staff.
(See Map - P)
5. THE APPROVED PAYMENTS LISTING is attached as Report No. 120 for
your information.
G:ENG\GENERAL\MEMOS\PROJSTAT.DOC
SUBJECT: Project Status Report
Page No. 5
6. THE MONTHLY EROSION CONTROL STATUS REPORT is attached for
your information.
Daniel L. Faulkner, P.E.
attachments: Status Reports
Approved Payments Listing
Map
fl.r" :\l:T:� AT T-1
N tb
CITY OF E
SCALE OF MILES
PLYMOUTH- S Q
6s y�as_y'
gr�K�r�i3s'tiSB:?IEx��6il.'-sdla�i?� Z:Pixsa:..>;a=.:dtd'a4:::
cam[
PA*KC S
No i; TilN�, W- 4
g j.; -. r. - , r4
1
STREET MAP �,°�
`
FI
�■■�.��7a�
I �
��l 1��I
�—
•
i
T __ _
`�`
Ali'
�
J
,It
cam[
PA*KC S
No i; TilN�, W- 4
g j.; -. r. - , r4
1
STREET MAP �,°�
HICo n s u l t i n g Group, Inc.
Transportation ■ Civil • Structural • Environmental ■ Planning ■ Traffic . Landscape Architecture ■ Parking
MEMORANDUM
TO: Fred G. Moore, P.E.
City of Plymouth
FROM: Jim Dvorak, P.E.
Tim Phenow, P.E.
DATE: November 13, 1995
SUBJECT: PROJECT STATUS REPORT
The following are brief descriptions of the status of active projects assigned to us:
Northwest Boulevard (45th Avenue to Schmidt Lake Road)
Schmidt Lake Road (Northwest Boulevard to Pineview Lane)
City Project No. 011
SRF No. 0901340
The project is complete and final payment is being processed.
County Road 24 and Medina Road
City Project No. 031
SRF No. 0921643
Phase I construction is complete. Minor punch list work remains to complete Phase II.
Schmidt Lake Road (Northwest Boulevard to Fernbrook Lane) o,
City Project No. 213 r''
SRF No. 0921675 � ' ' �1".'/V �
Minor punch list work remains to finish the project. �1 4 1995
New County Road 9 between TH 55 and Vicksburg Lane �• _
City Project No. 310
SRF No. 0931781
Major work items are complete and the roadway was opened to traffic on
October 27, 1995. Minor punch list work remains to complete the project.
SRF Consulting Group, Inc.
One Carlson Parkway North, Suite 150, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55447-4443
Telephone (612) 475-0010 ■ Fax (612) 475-2429
Fred G. Moore, P.E. - 2 - November 13, 1995 I
�i
TH 55 North Frontage Road and South Shore Drive
City Project No. 406
SRF No. 0941991
Minor punch list work remains to finalize this project.
County Road 9/County Road 24th/TH 55 Signal
SRF No. 0942029
Minor punch list work remains to finish to project.
West Branch 3rd Addition
City Project No. 415
SRF No. 0942078
Paving of the bituminous base course is complete. Restoration of the boulevards is
continuing. The wearing course will be placed in 1996.
Park Bond Trail Improvements
City Project No. 417
SRF No. 0942080
Construction of the first phase of the project was halted due to wet and freezing
weather conditions. The only segment of trail paved this year was on Northwest
Boulevard north of 42nd Place. Construction operations will resume next spring.
A draft preliminary engineering report for the second phase was submitted to staff for
review and comment.
Peony Lane (TH 55 to County Road 47)
City Project No. 502
SRF No. 0952227
Bypass construction is continuing, but because of conflicts with the trunk sanitary
sewer project and the weather, embankment operations are suspended until spring
of 1996.
An amendment to the preliminary engineering report was submitted to staff as a draft
for review and comment.
Fred G. Moore, P.E.
CSAH 9 Landscape Design
City Project No. 402
SRF No. 0952203
- 3 - November 13, 1995
-I�
A final plan was submitted to City staff for approval.
Northwest Boulevard Pedestrian Signal
SRF No. 0952294
Comments on the plans have been
being made and construction will be
by June 1, 1995.
J RD/TDP/smf
received from City and County staff. Revisions are
scheduled such that the signal will be operational
cc: Dan Faulkner, City of Plymouth
Dan Campbell, City of Plymouth
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Attn: Mr. Daniel L. Faulkner
Re: Project Status Report
File No. 70
Dear Dan:
1
9 0
CO
y ' rr...,�,v�
i%Ll ti
j
The following status report has been prepared for all current BRA/City of Plymouth projects.
PRELIMINARY REPORTS
Project 212 - 3 Million Gallon Hollydale Water Tower:
The City Council accepted the Preliminary Report at its September 20, 1993 meeting and directed
Staff to set up a public meeting on the project which has not yet been scheduled.
Project 907 - Vicksburg Lane, Schmidt Lake Road and Fernbrook Lane Street and Utility
Improvements, Phase 2:
This project has been split into two phases. Phase 1 has been completed on Fernbrook Lane from
45th Avenue to Schmidt Lake Road. A draft Preliminary Report for the entire project has been
submitted to the City in August 1992. Following City review, we will finalize the Preliminary Report
for Phase 2 of the project.
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Medina Road Trunk Water Main Improvements:
The project is currently on hold, pending receipt of all necessary easements and right-of-way.
Project 523 - 12th Avenue North:
We are currently in the process of completing the plans and specifications. The following schedule
has been set for the improvements:
Complete Plans and Specifications ................ October 31, 1995
Acquire Easements ........................... December 1, 1995
Approve Plans and Specifications,
Authorize Advertisement for Bids ................ December 5, 1995
2335 West Highway 36 ■ St. Paul, MN 55113 m 612-636-4600
Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer
BonestrooOtto
G. Bonestroo, P.E.
Howard A. Sanford, P.E.
Michael C. Lynch, P.E.
Brian K. Gage, P.E.
Robert W. Rosene, P.E.`
Keith A. Gordon., P.E.
James R. Maland, P.E.
F. Todd Foster, P.E.
Rosene
Joseph C. Anderlik, P.E.
Robert R. Pfefferle, P.E.
Jerry D. Pertzsch, P.E.
Keith R. Yapp, P.E.
Marvin L. Sorvala, P.E.
Richard W. Foster, P.E.
Scott J. Arganek, P.E.
Douglas J. Benoit, P.E.
®Anderlik
P.E.E
PE. P.E.
n, P.E.
&
GI nnr R Cook, P.E.
Robert C. Ru sek, A.I.A.
Mark R Rolfs, Cecilio
Olivier, P.E.
Associates
Thomas E. Noyes, P.E.
Robert G. Schunicht, P.E.
Jerry A. Bourdon, P.E.
Mark A. Hanson, P.E.
Mark A. Seip, P.E.
Gary W. Morien, P.E.
Kent J. Wagner, P.E.
Paul G. Heuer, P.E.
Susan M. Eberlin, C.P.A.•
Michael T. Rautmann, P.E.
Paul J. Gannon, A.I.A.
John P. Gorder, P.E.
Engineers & Architects
• Senior Consultant
Ted K. Field, P.E.
Thomas R. Anderson, A.I.A.
Daniel J. Edgerton, P.E.
A. Rick Schmidt, P.E.
Dan D. Boyum, P.E.
Jeffrey J. Ehleringer, P.E.
James R. Rosenmerkel, P.E.
Dale A. Grove, P.E.
Joseph R. Rhein, P.E.
Donald C. Burgardt, P.E.
Philip J. Caswell, P.E.
Lee M. Mann, P.E.
Thomas A. Syfko, P.E.
Mark D. Wallis, P.E.
Charles A. Erickson
November 15 1995
Frederic J. Stenborg, P.E.
Miles B. Jensen, P.E.
Leo M. Pawelsky
Ismael Martinez, P.E.
L. Phillip Gravel, P.E.
Harlan M. Olson
Michael P. Rau, P.E.
Karen L. Wiemeri, P.E.
Agnes M. Ring
Thomas W. Peterson, P.E.
Gary D. Kristofitz, P.E.
James F. Engelhardt
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Attn: Mr. Daniel L. Faulkner
Re: Project Status Report
File No. 70
Dear Dan:
1
9 0
CO
y ' rr...,�,v�
i%Ll ti
j
The following status report has been prepared for all current BRA/City of Plymouth projects.
PRELIMINARY REPORTS
Project 212 - 3 Million Gallon Hollydale Water Tower:
The City Council accepted the Preliminary Report at its September 20, 1993 meeting and directed
Staff to set up a public meeting on the project which has not yet been scheduled.
Project 907 - Vicksburg Lane, Schmidt Lake Road and Fernbrook Lane Street and Utility
Improvements, Phase 2:
This project has been split into two phases. Phase 1 has been completed on Fernbrook Lane from
45th Avenue to Schmidt Lake Road. A draft Preliminary Report for the entire project has been
submitted to the City in August 1992. Following City review, we will finalize the Preliminary Report
for Phase 2 of the project.
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Medina Road Trunk Water Main Improvements:
The project is currently on hold, pending receipt of all necessary easements and right-of-way.
Project 523 - 12th Avenue North:
We are currently in the process of completing the plans and specifications. The following schedule
has been set for the improvements:
Complete Plans and Specifications ................ October 31, 1995
Acquire Easements ........................... December 1, 1995
Approve Plans and Specifications,
Authorize Advertisement for Bids ................ December 5, 1995
2335 West Highway 36 ■ St. Paul, MN 55113 m 612-636-4600
City of Plymouth
Mr. Daniel L. Faulkner
Page -2-
November 15, 1995
00,
-Ib
Award Contract ............................... January 16, 1996
Begin Construction ................................ Spring 1996
Complete Bituminous Base and Restoration ............. July 1, 1996
Complete Final Street Surfacing ...................... Spring 1997
ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Project 601 - 26th Avenue Street Improvements:
Some of the punchlist and striping work remains to be completed.
Project 509 - Plymouth Creek Channel Improvements - Neumann Enterprise:
The final grading and removal of the previously excavation spoils will be completed later this winter
when the ground is frozen.
Project 308 - Dunkirk Lane Street and Utility Improvements - S.M. Hentges:
All of the work has been completed and the final pay request will be submitted to the City soon.
Project 907, Phase 1 - Fernbrook Lane Street and Utility Improvements - Ryan Contracting:
A few punchlist item remain to be completed. The final pay request will be submitted to the City
soon.
Sincerely,
BONESTROO, ROSENE, ANDERLIK & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Shawn D. Gustafson, P.E.
cc: OGB MLS GRC
RGS JKI WE
APPROVE PAYMENTS
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
FROM 10/24/95 TO 11/21/95
REPORT NO. 120
4 26th Avenue N. - St. Imp.
Valley Paving, Inc.
601 10/12/95 10/16/95
11,208.25
1 1995 Seal Coat Program
Allied Blacktop Company
--- 8/14/95 10/31/95
125,769.50
4 1995 Street Recon. Proj.
NW Asphalt
501 10/31/95 11/1/95
475,940.43
APPRVPMT.DOC
DATE: November 22, 1995
TO: Daniel L. Faulkner, City Engineer
FROM:> Darrell Johnson, Sr. Engineering Technician - Drainage
SUBJECT: EROSION CONTROL STATUS REPORT
Attached is the Erosion Control Status Report revised November 22, 1995.
So far this year, there has been sixteen penalty fines of $200 each for noncompliance
with the Erosion Control Ordnance. Additionally, there have been numerous phone
calls to both builders and developers as well as placing Stop Work Orders on several
homes currently under construction.
The Bassett Creek Watershed conducted erosion control inspections on October 18,
1995. Of the 51 sites inspected, they found 38 to be in compliance with erosion
control practices and 13 to be in violation. Due to the onset of winter months and
frozen conditions, the Bassett Creek Watershed has stopped erosion control inspections
until next spring.
attachment
cc: Fred G. Moore
Shane Missaghi
SfATRM.MC
11/22/9s 1995 EROSION CONTROL PENALTIES
SUBD)( 1OX
CONTACT `PERSON
»200
200
200
200 ..
200
200
Autumn Hills 2nd Add.
Dave Hinners
7/10/95
473-1231
Fence
Bass Lake Estates 3rd
John DeVries
550-1346
Bass Lake Terrace 3rd
Vern Reynolds 425-6442
Larry Marofsky 566-4570
Bitoerin
Chris Censki
498-7915
Boulder Crest
Dane Swenson or Fritz
473-8511
Boulder Ridge 2nd & 3rd
Betsy Krutzig
559-3271
Camelot Overlook
Jack Menkveld or
Ken Gust 786-6000
Cavan Meadows
Chuck Dillerud/Tony Eiden
9/29/95
550-7633
Street
Courtyards of French Creek
David Newman
757-2926
Courtyards of Plymouth Oaks
Chuck Dillerud
550-7633
Eaglewood
George Seagraves
454-4663 x118
Fernbrook Woods 2nd
Fred Haas
884-1926
Forster Preserve II
Tom Graham or Jake Enebak
6/9/95
9/27/95
546-8216
Street
Street
French Ridge Park
Tom Graham or
Jake Enebak 546-8216
Golfview Estates
Bernie Barr
9/11/95
559-0085
Street
i�
11/22/95 1995 EROSION CONTROL PENALTIES
SUBDIVISION .._.; '
CONTACT PERSON
200
200
200
200
200 `
200
Harrison Place on Bass Creek
Dan Hunt
8/21/95
822-4042
Fence
Heather Run
Dave Hinners
473-1231x69
Hickory Hills
John DeVries
7/28/95
11/13/95
550-1346
Street
Street
Holly Creek 2nd
Craig Scherber
4/26/95
6/29/95
428-8400
Street
Fence
Holly Creek 3rd
Craig Scherber
428-8400
Holly Creek 4th
Craig Scherber
428-8400
Hunters Bluff
Steve Bohl
8/25/95
720-6505
Street
Inverness Add.
Henry Lazniarz
296-8824
Kingsview Heights 3rd
Paul or Keith Harstad
636-3751
Nanterre
Jim Fenning 473-1999
Richard Bloom 936-7925
Orchards of Plymouth
Chuck Dillerud
550-7633
Parker's Lake North 8th,9th,&10th,
Sandy Williams or Scott
11th
trailer # 473-1406
Pintail Villas
Don Jensen 638-0534
Doug Fiala 452-1329
Plymouth Oaks
Chuck Dillerud 550-7633
9/29/95
11/6/95
Terry Dahlstrom 557-4571
Street
Fence
Plymouth Ponds Business Park
Brad Moen
550-1961
i
11/22/95 1995 EROSION CONTROL PENALTIES
SIiBDIVISION `
CONTACT PERSON
200
200
200
200
200::.
200.
Ponderosa Woods 3rd
A.J. Poppelaars
925-2761
Quail Hollow
Homer Thompkins or
Pam Backer 627-0823
Rockford Estates
Pat Goff
482-0767
Rockford Glen
Don Jensen 638-0534
Tom Graham 546-8216
Savannah
Dave Henners
473-1231
Shores of Kreatz Lake
Chuck Dillerud
550-7633
Sugar Hills 2nd, 3rd
Marty Harstad
636-9991
Swan Lake South
Tom Graham or Jake Enebak
546-8216
The Ponds at Bass Creek
Dan Hunt
7/28/95
8/21/95
8/25/95
822-4042
Street
Fence
Street
The Ponds at Bass Creek 2nd
Dan Hunt
822-4042
Trenton Ponds
Jim Zachman
544-8172
Walnut Grove Pond
Earl Fisher
473-0706
Wellington Park
Vern Donnay 531-0714
Paul Donnay 531-0601
Westbranch 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Bill Pritchard
1544-73333
ET'
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 30, 1995
CIA
kZ9
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kathy Lueckert, 509-5052
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR VACANCY
ON PLYMOUTH CHARTER COMMISSION
Applications are being accepted from Plymouth residents to fill a vacancy
on the Plymouth Charter Commission. Chief Judge Kevin Burke of the Fourth
Judicial District Court will make the appointment. Judge Burke will accept
applications through Jan. 10, 1996.
Interested Plymouth residents should submit a letter of interest to:
Kevin S. Burke, Chief Judge
Fourth Judicial District Court
Hennepin County Government Center
Minneapolis, MN 55487
If you have questions, call Assistant City Manager Kathy Lueckert at 509-5052.
-30-
PLYMOUTH A Beauti{u[PCace To Live
Plymouth Human Rights Commission
November 2, 1995
Minutes
Present: Gary Anderson, Ginny Clark, Jackie Fraedrich, Claudelle Carruthers, Harvey Guttmann, Laurie
Levi, Earl Peterson, Rebecca Ribich
Excused: Mitzi Heath, Assistant City Manager Kathy Lueckert
Absent: Bill Dix, Lisa Memberr
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Ms. Ribich. Mr. Anderson recorded minutes.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes of the October 5, 1995 meeting were approved as presented.
Approval of Agenda:
Ms. Ribich requested an amendment to the agenda to add Item V. b. 1995 Annual Report. The
agenda as amended was approved.
Old Business: '
A. Brainstorming for 1996 Work Plan- The Committee reviewed several suggestions for a
theme for the HRC in 1996.
Claudelle Carruthers and Laurie Levi arrived at 7:40 PM.
Ms. Ribich led a discussion on the suggested themes. Ms Fraedrich stated she felt that `Building a
Peaceable Community" implied that we didn't currently have one, and that "Encouraging a Peaceable
Community" suggested that we have a ways to go to achieve that. Ms Levi moved that we adopt
"Plymouth: A Peaceable Community" as the theme for 1996. Ms. Clark seconded. The motion carried
with Ms. Carruthers opposed. Ms. Carruthers stated that she didn't feel it was a bad idea, but only that she
was concerned that more brainstorming wasn't done. Mr. Guttmann said that he agreed with Claudelle's
comments and that we need the steps in place to link to the theme. At this point the Committee decided
that we should break into brainstorming groups after all of the items on the agenda had been dealt with.
New Business:
A. Willow Creek Apartments- Mr. Peterson summarized the complaint from CV
-Willow Creek Apartments. He indicated that the final report was mailed to the
Manager on 11-2-95. He said that there are 10 tenants who have disabilities and that the facilities appear
to be wheelchair accessible. He indicated that one blacktop ramp is in need of repair, which is to be done
next Spring. Ms. Carruthers asked what our follow-up process would be to ensure that the ramp work was
completed. It was suggested that a follow-up letter or phone call be sent to the apartment management next
Spring as a reminder. A suspense item for the April 1996 meeting should be created. Ms. Fraedrich asked
about the apartment manager's response to the HRC involvement. Mr. Peterson said the Manager
responded
favorably. Ms. Ribich noted that the management of the apartment was very responsive and that they were
going to put a reminder in the apartment complex newsletter about parking restrictions and handicapped
access. The Committee thanked Mr. Peterson and Ms. Ribich for their involvement and representing the
HRC in a successful outcome.
Mr. Peterson then stated that the apartment manager subsequently raised a question about Metro Mobility
not providing transportation for senior citizens and disabled citizens at no cost. This issue was raised
regarding the inability of some of the tenants to get to the polls to vote. Ms. Carruthers asked if the
2- 3 a
Plymouth Dial -a -Ride organization was considered as a solution. Mr. Peterson indicated that the manager
was looking for a no cost transportation option. He suggested that we publish information in the Plymouth
News and the SAilQt at least 1 month before elections about the availability of absentee ballots.
B. 1995 Annual Report -Ms. Ribich suggested that we take the report that Laurie Levi had
submitted at the September 7, 1995 HRC meeting and use it as the basis for the report to be submitted to
the City Council in January 1996. Ms. Levi said she would update the report and present it at the
December 7,1995 HRC meeting for discussion.
For Information:
A. Reports on Livable Communities and Elm Creek Cluster Planning -Re: Affordable
Housing in Plymouth- Ms. Ribich suggested that the HRC become knowledgeable of
the issues regarding affordable housing. Ms. Carruthers commented on a new rental townhouse
development in Plymouth for low income people which was not Section 8 housing. Ms. Ribich mentioned
the 12th annual Human Rights Conference was being held on December 8th. Anyone interested in
attending should contact Ms. Lueckert.
At 8:30 PM the HRC broke into 2 working groups to develop the 1996 work plan components of:
1. Communication Strategy
2. Conflict Resolution Process
The HRC agreed to regroup at 8:55 PM to report and adjourn.
At 8:55 PM there were brief reports by each group on progress. It was agreed that there would be
continued reporting and discussion at the December meeting.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 9 PM.
�-Metropolitan Council_
" Working for the Region. Planning for the Future
For Immediate Release: 70
1 �
Contacts Ken Reddick v
Metropolitan Council
(612) 291-6422 (Voice) E
(612) 291-0904 (TDD)
Metropolitan Council Taking Applications for Position
on Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee
ST. PAUL—Nov. 17, 1995--71he Metropolitan Council is now taking applications from Twin Cities
residents interested in serving on the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Accessibility Advisory
Committee.
Candidates must be residents of the northern and suburban part of Hennepin County. In
In addition, applicants must be consumers of special transportation services or advocates for the
disability community.
The 13 -member committee advises the Council in the development of policies and service
concepts for accessible transit, including Metro Mobility, a "door -through -door" public transit
program. The committee also works to meet the requirements of the federal Americans With
Disabilities Act.
Members volunteer their time and talents, and are reimbursed for miscellaneous expenses.
Call Mary Fitzgerald of the Council staff at 229-2700 for more information or an application form.
Applications are due Dec. 8.
-30-
2:10 East Fifth Slrccl SI, Paid. Mlnncsota 55101 16:14 16121 291 6859 Fax 291 6550 I'1)1}/'I"IY 291 0904 Moro Info Line 229-:17H0
Mt hiptnl 01,1 rt"tufhl Nntph.pi
Hennepl"n ountEqual Opportunity Employer
November 21, 1995
Mr. Dwight D. Johnson
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Johnson:
Resolution No. 95-11-778 (attached) by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners
established a nine member Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC). The purpose of
the WMAC is to examine ways to streamline and simplify the existing regulatory system.
The WMAC will consist of two local elected officials, one member each of a watershed district
board of managers, a joint powers watershed management organization board, the Hennepin Soil
and Water Conservation District Board, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the
Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and one
Hennepin County Commissioner serving as chair.
The WMAC will begin meeting in January 1996, and will meet twice a month for three months.
The committee will complete its work by approximately April 1, 1996. Meetings will be held
from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Meetings will
be held at the Environmental Services Building, 417 North Fifth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The committee will review the existing water management and regulatory system, review
recommendations prepared by Hennepin County staff in response to County Board Resolution
#94-11-850R1, identify and discuss water management and regulatory alternatives and prepare a
recommendation for the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners.
I encourage you to share information concerning this opportunity with your City Council.
Persons interested in participating on this committee should complete the enclosed form and
return to:
Janet Leick, Division Manager
Environmental Management Division
Department of Public Works
417 North Fifth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1309
Department of Public Works
417 North Fifth Street Recycled Paper
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401- 1309
(612)348-6846 FAX:(612)348-8532
Mr. Dwight D. Johnson
November 21, 1995
Page 2
Forms must be received at the above address no later than December 11, 1995. Thank you for
assisting Hennepin County establish the Water Management Advisory Committee.
Sincerely,
Janet Leick
Division Manager
Attachments
iZlza�
RESOLUTION N0.
95-11-lis/L K
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Hilary, seconded
by Commissioner Opat:
BE IT RESOLVED, That a 9 -member Water Management Advisory Committee be
appointed for the purpose of examining ways to simplify the existing regulatory
system, and that the committee consist of 2 local elected officials, 1 member
each of a watershed district board of managers, 'a joint powers watershed
management organization board, the Hennepin Conservation District Board, the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Board of Water and
Soil Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and 1 Hennepin County
Commissioner serving as chair; and
$E-�� fE-R--l�ES01.�!•E-D-�- T•hat--ap�i-rpt,�ar�ts�ha��ada-i-r��•c�:-d�acz_rttth-tba
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committee will meet twice a month for
three months with worst to be completed by approximately April 1, 1996.
Commissioner Tambornino moved to amend by inserting the words "streamline
and" before the word "simplify." The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Hilary and adopted unanimously (Andrew absent).
Commissioner Johnson moved to strike the second resolving clause, seconded
by Commissioner Opat and adopted unanimously (Andrew absent).
Commissioner McLaughlin moved an amendment to make it a ten member committee
with a representative of an environmental organization. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Tambornino and the vote was as follows: YEAS: Tambornino,
Andrew, McLaughlin; NAYS: Steele, Opat, Hilary, Johnson. Motion failed.
The question was on the adoption of the resolution as amended and there
were Seven YEAS and No NAYS as follows:
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
YEA NAY OTHER
Mike Opat
X
Sandra Hilary
X
Mark Andrew
X
Randy Johnson
X
Mary Tambornino
X
Penny Steele
X
Peter McLaughlin, Chair
X
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
ATTEST: NOV 0 7 1995 x`
HENNEPIN COUNTY
WATER MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Name:
Residential Address:
Business Address:
Residential phone:
Facsimile number:
Occupation:
Please send my mail to:
Statement of interest:
Business phone:
Residence Business
Please complete the statement of interest section in the space provided and return the
completed form to:
Janet Leick, Division Manager
Department of Public Works
Environmental Management Division
417 North 5th Street, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN 55401-1309
CItA
CITY OF
PLYMOUTFF
For Immediate Release For More Information;
November 22, 1995 Jan Olsson, 509-5355
Homestead Filing Deadline Nears for New Homeowners
Homeowners no longer need to file for homestead annually. If you have
previously filed and have not moved, sold or rented your residence, you remain on
record as homesteaded. Only new owner/occupants must file.
If you are a new owner/occupant, you must own and occupy by Dec. 1,
1995 and homestead by Dec. 15, 1995. This will make you eligible for the
homestead credit for taxes payable in 1996,
If you have questions, call 509-5350, Mon. - Fri., 8 am. - 4;30 p.m.
-30-
nt v.-1-11 .. . -r r,..r ..
League of Minnesota Cities
Cities Bulletin
Number 35
November 24, 1995
LMCIT to return $8.8 million to member cities
Workers' Compensation rates reduced 25 percent
Tom Grundhoefer
Members of LMCIT's property/
casualty programs will share one of the
largest dividends ever distributed. The
LMCIT Board of Trustees approved a
dividend of $8.8 million at a busy
November 8 meeting.
"The dividend is 10 percent more
than last year and brings the total
returned to member cities over the last
nine years to just over $66 million,"
said Pete Tritz, LMCIT Administrator.
"This year's dividend can be attributed
primarily to continued good claims
results and a re-evaluation of past
years' claims reserves in light of recent
favorable claims experience." Member
cities will dirrctly receive the dividend
checks in mid-December
In another major action, the Board
voted to reduce Workers' Compensa-
tion Rates by 25 percent. This signifi-
cant reduction is possible because of
the favorable claims trends brought
about by cities' effective loss control
efforts and recent legislative reforms.
Increased investment income is also a
significant factor in allowing the Board
to control premiums.
The Board also increased the
annual premium credit for cities
participating in Workers' Compensa-
tion Managed Care from five to 10
percent. A recent study shows signifi-
cant cost-saving for cities working with
a managed care organization.
More good news for LMCIT
member cities includes a reduction in
premiums by an average of five to six
percent in the property/casualty
program. The Board approved the rate
changes after reviewing recent favor-
able loss trends and reduced cost for
excess liability coverage. The rate
changes will affect coverage written or
renewed on or after November 15,
1995. By coverage area, rates changes
will be as follows with some adjust-
ments for individual city experience:
• Municipal liability rates will
decrease nine percent,
• Optional excess liability coverage
will go down 30 percent,
• Primary property coverage will
decrease five percent, while rates
for property values over $500,000
will remain unchanged,
• Auto liability rates will go down
by eight percent; and,
• Auto physical damage coverage
will increase by 36 percent.
There will be no change in rates
for the petrofund supplement, boiler
and machinery, bond, or open meeting
law defense coverages.
"Besides substantially reducing the
rate levels for excess liability coverage,
the Board also directed that these
premiums will now be experience -
rated," said Tritz. "This should further
reduce the cost for cities with good loss
experience." In light of these changes,
cities that have previously not carried
the excess liability coverage may want
to look a-ain at this option.
Again this year, the LMCIT Board
approved a number of coverage
enhancements -- many in response to
comments and suggestions from
member cities. They include:
• Automatic property coverage for
miscellaneous small equipment.
• "Fail safe" property coverage
designed to protect cities even if
they inadvertently fail to schedule
a particular building or piece of
equipment.
• Optional coverage for utility poles
and wires.
• Elimination of the "Utility Failure
to Supply" exclusion.
• Elimination of the exclusion for
liability arising out of the breaking
low hazard dams.
• Coverage for claims arising out of
the professional services of a city
attorney who is a city employee.
Cities will receive greater detail on
these and other coverage changes in the
next few weeks. R1
Contents
LMCIT to return $8.8 million to member cities ........................ 1
Policy recommendations of Weber-Brandl report
Jim Miller Tim Busse
address state's impending fiscal crisis ....................................
3
Department of Labor and Industry requesting
Associate Executive Director
information and opinions on prevailing wage rules ...............
4
4MFund update.........................................................................
4
Winds of change blow through Policy Adoption
Conference..............................................................................
5
Cities set 1996 action agenda ....................................................
6
Wellhead protection rules..........................................................
8
Could your community be an All -America City
andCommunity?.................................................................... 8
Put media to work on community crime
prevention............................................................................... 8
Minnesota water line expands service statewide ....................... 9
Random Acts of Kindness Week 1996 ................................. :..... 9
1995 Salary and Benefit Surveys ....:.......................................... 9
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency announces
recipients of 1995 low-income housing tax
creditprogram......................................................................
10
IISAC seeks city representatives .............................................
10
Met Council taking applications for
federal transportation funds ..................... :............................
10
Guidelines for Preparing City Budgets 1996 ...........................
11
Municipalads.:........................................................................
13
Training/Conferences...............................................................
15
The Cities Bulletin is a publication of the League of Minnesota Cities and includes
an update of state legislative, administrative and congressional actions that affect cities. It
also includes reviews of metropolitan area issues by the Association of Metropolitan
Municipalities.
League intergovernmental relations staff members are available to answer your
questions concerning legislation relating to cities.
Executive Director Editors
Typesetting and design
Jim Miller Tim Busse
Gayle Brodt
Erica Norris
Associate Executive Director
Circulation
Sharon Klumpp
Laurie Brown
League of Minnesota Cities, 145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103
Phone: (612) 281-1200; (800) 925-1122; Fax: (612) 281-1299; TDD: (612) 281-1290.
Page 2
Board of Directors 1995-96
PRESIDENT
Karen Anderson
Mayor
Minnetonka
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Frank Salerno
Mayor
Ely
SECOND VICE PRESIDENNT
Samantha Orduno
City Administrator
Mounds View
DIRECTORS
Joe Biemat
Councilmember
Minneapolis
Chuck Canfield
Councilmember
Rochester
Robert J. Demuth
Mayor
Worthington
Sharon Feess
Councilmember
Brooklyn Park
Delvin Haag
Councilmember
Buffalo
Lyle Hanks
Mayor
St. Louis Park
Kenneth Hartung
City Administrator
Bayport
Blaine Hill
Clerk -Treasurer
Breckenridge
Roberta Megard
Councilmember
Saint Paul
Douglas Peterson
Mayor
Bemidji
Joy Tierney
Mayor
Plymouth
EX OFFICIO
Chuck Winkelman
LMC Past President
Mayor
St. Cloud
Joan Campbell
AMM President
Councilmember
Minneapolis
%4 Printed on recycled paper
LMC Cities Bulletin
�a
Policy recommendations of Weber-Brandl
address state's impending fiscal crisis
Gary Carlson
With the federal government
bracing for a shutdown and massive
federal aid cuts looming on the
horizon, Governor Carlson unveiled the
policy recommendations of the Weber-
Brandl effort titled "An Agenda for
Reform." The report makes recom-
mendations to the governor and
Legislature on dealing with the state's
impending fiscal crisis.
The governor initiated the Weber-
Brandl effort when he released his
budget for the state's 1996-1997 fiscal
biennium in January. At that time, the
state Department of Finance was
projecting a substantial revenue
shortfall for the 1998-1999 biennium
with the imbalance growing even larger
in the 2000-2001 fiscal biennium. In
addition, early activity of the 104th
Congress seemed to indicate that the
state could face additional fiscal
pressures if federal programs were
reduced to balance the federal budget.
The chart to the right reflects
estimates prepared by the state Depart-
ment of Finance for the upcoming two
bienniums. The- chart shows that
expenditure commitments will exceed
available revenues by $1.5 billion per
year by fiscal year 2001. If current
estimates of federal cuts are realized,
the revenue shortfall could increase by
an additional $1 billion per year by
fiscal year 2001. However, the state
must balance its budget every two
years and, therefore, the trendline
projections may overstate the problem
that will exist by fiscal year 2001.
Nevertheless, the state will have to take
action that could involve significant
cuts to existing programs.
According to the report, the state
of Minnesota will not be able to
manage its way out of the impending
fiscal crisis. To deal with the situation,
Weber-Brandl suggests rethinking the
way government provides service to
Minnesotans. The report recommends
changes to introduce competition,
community and concentration for the
services government provides. The
report outlines 39 specific recommen-
dations that deal with broad areas of
the state budget including K-12
education, post -secondary education,
criminal justice, health care, property
taxes and local government aid. All of
the recommendations are grounded in
five broad principles.
• A target should be set for spend-
ing, and targets should be estab-
lished for all major expenditure
areas.
Eligibility for government benefits
should be limited to the most
needy.
• Funds should go to citizens, not
bureaucracies.
• Expand choices for government
officials.
• Enable families and communities
to provide some services.
Probably the most visible compo-
nent of the recommendations of the
Weber-Brandl project involves voucher
report
programs for K-12 education. The
report recommends that low-income
parents be permitted to receive educa-
tion vouchers that could be used at
private schools, parochial schools or
for independent learning or home
schooling. The voucher is seen by
some as a way to increase the quality of
public education by introducing choice
by consumers into the education
process.
City recommendations
The agenda for reform report
includes six specific recommendations
for property tax and local government
aid reforms. The report recommends
that the state's property tax relief
monies be concentrated on needy
individuals, not local governments. In
other words, rather than provide LGA
and HACA payments to cities, property
tax relief should be provided directly to
property owners through an expanded
See Weber-Brandl, page s
Minnesota's Revenue -Spending Gap
$26.0
Spending
$25.0
Revenues
$24.0 _.. _.
' Rev w/Fed
$23.0 ......
$22.0
$21.0
$20.0
$19.0
$18.0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
November 24, 1995 Page 3
Department of Labor and Industry requesting y
information and opinions on prevailing wage rules
Joel Jamnik
The Commissioner of the Depart-
ment of Labor and Industry is seeking
information or opinions from cities and
other sources outside the agency in
order to propose rules relating to the
determination of prevailing wage rates
for state -funded construction projects.
The proposed amendments change the
way the department implements the
prevailing wage statute which provides
that persons employed on state -funded
construction projects are compensated
according to the value of the work
performed. The wage statute also
provides that the wages paid to
laborers, workers and mechanics be
comparable to similar work in the
community.
The rules to be amended concern
the procedures survey contractors and
other interested parties use in order to
determine the minimum prevailing
wage rates that are required on state -
funded construction projects. The
proposed amendments' purpose is to:
4M Fund update
An investment alternative sponsored by
the League of Minnesota Cities
What Is the 4M Fund?
The 4M Fund is a short-term money market fund specifically designed to address the
comprehensive cash management needs of Minnesota cities and their instrumentalities.
Backed by the objectives of providing safety, liquidity and a competitive yield, the Fund is
comprised of the highest quality, short-term investments allowable under Minnesota
Statutes 475.66.The short-term nature of the Fund serves to minimize the effect of changes
in interest rates.The Fund is managed and serviced by Insight Investment Management and
MBIA -Municipal Investors Service Corporation.A fixed rate program administered by Dain
Bosworth Incorporated is available to 4M Fund participants, offering such alternatives as
certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury and agency securities and commercial paper.
Market update—November 6 through November 15, 1995
The bond market has been preoccupied with the budget standoff this week and has not
focused on the latest release of economic numbers. On November 15, a large coupon
interest payment date, the Fed Funds rate jumped to 5 15/16 percent, well above the 5.75
percent target rate. However, yields in the money market sector are changed little. There is
a sustained belief that the Federal Reserve Board will lower rates, but not before the budget
debate has subsided. Another ease by the Fed seems to be anticipated by the market based
on current yields in theTreasury Bill market and the recent drop of nine and 12 month LIBOR
rates.
Daily Rates— November 6 through November 15, 1995
'Interest rates are net of all applicable fees.
Daily interest compounding, free checking, Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment systems and
investment educational opportunities are among the services offered by the Fund. For more information,
please call Stefanie Adams of Insight Investment Management at (800) 333-0813 or (612) 371-7275.
Page 4
• Provide a selection process to
ascertain the number and value of
projects utilized in the wage
survey,
• Make wage determinations for
commercial -type construction
projects once each calendar year,
• Define the area for highway and
heavy type wage determinations as
multi -county regions,
• Expand the existing list of trades
and occupations used to determine
prevailing wage rates,
• Provide a method to determine
prevailing wage rates for labor
classifications new to the construc-
tion market, and,
• Provide a method to determine
prevailing wage rates for labor
classifications being used on a
project, but not represented in the
wage determination.
Construction workers, contractors,
and units of state and local government
engaged in state -funded construction
projects would be affected by the rules.
Interested persons or groups may
submit written data and views to:
Eric Oelker
Labor Standards Division
Minnesota Department of Labor
and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
FAX: (612) 215-0104
Oral statements will be received
during regular bus ness hours over the
telephone at (62; 296-6452 and in
person at the above address. All
statements or information will be
accepted until further notice is pub-
lished in the State Register.
The Department of Labor and
Industry does not currently have a
prepared draft of the rules. If you wish
to receive a draft once it is prepared, or
if you wish to be placed on the
agency's workers' compensation rule
mailing list, please contact Eric Oelker
at (612) 296-6452. EE
LMC Cities Bulletin
Interest
Average Maturity
Interest
Average Maturity
Date
Rate'
of Portfolio
Date
Rate'
of Portfolio
11/6
5.39%
22 days
11/10
5.36%
22 days
11/7
5.37%
22 days
11/13
5.35%
18 days
11/8
5.38%
22 days
11/14
5.37%
22 days
11/9
5.36%
22 days
11/15
5.38%
25 days
'Interest rates are net of all applicable fees.
Daily interest compounding, free checking, Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment systems and
investment educational opportunities are among the services offered by the Fund. For more information,
please call Stefanie Adams of Insight Investment Management at (800) 333-0813 or (612) 371-7275.
Page 4
• Provide a selection process to
ascertain the number and value of
projects utilized in the wage
survey,
• Make wage determinations for
commercial -type construction
projects once each calendar year,
• Define the area for highway and
heavy type wage determinations as
multi -county regions,
• Expand the existing list of trades
and occupations used to determine
prevailing wage rates,
• Provide a method to determine
prevailing wage rates for labor
classifications new to the construc-
tion market, and,
• Provide a method to determine
prevailing wage rates for labor
classifications being used on a
project, but not represented in the
wage determination.
Construction workers, contractors,
and units of state and local government
engaged in state -funded construction
projects would be affected by the rules.
Interested persons or groups may
submit written data and views to:
Eric Oelker
Labor Standards Division
Minnesota Department of Labor
and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
FAX: (612) 215-0104
Oral statements will be received
during regular bus ness hours over the
telephone at (62; 296-6452 and in
person at the above address. All
statements or information will be
accepted until further notice is pub-
lished in the State Register.
The Department of Labor and
Industry does not currently have a
prepared draft of the rules. If you wish
to receive a draft once it is prepared, or
if you wish to be placed on the
agency's workers' compensation rule
mailing list, please contact Eric Oelker
at (612) 296-6452. EE
LMC Cities Bulletin
Winds of change blow through Policy Adoption Conference
Tm Busse
The agenda changed. Speakers
changed. Policies changed. About the
only constant of the League of Minne-
sota Cities Policy Adoption Conference
was -- the conference itself. As they
have for many years, League member
cities met in mid-November and set
cities' policies and priorities for the
1996 legislative session.
The Conference originally planned
to examine how federal budget changes
could affect cities. When Congressmen
Luther, Ramstad, and Vento canceled
their spots on the agenda to stay in
Washington and deal with the federal
budget mess, League President Karen
Anderson wryly noted that cities were
already affected by the federal budget.
The forced change of agenda focused
the Conference more sharply on the
state financial picture, and provided
what turned out to be much needed
time for questions, comments, and
debate.
Senator Gene Merriam set the tone
for the day by frankly stating that the
status quo is doomed. Merriam told the
Weber-Brandl
continued from page 3
circuit -breaker program. The report
also recommends targeting the remain-
ing local government aid money to
local governments most in need.
According to the report, the
current LGA program is flawed and
equivalent to throwing money out of an
airplane. The spending targets suggest
nearly $100 million in reduced funding
for property tax relief programs by the
1998-1999 biennium. The actual cuts
for LGA and HACA could be larger
because additional "property tax relief'
money would be targeted to individuals
through the circuit breaker program.
On property taxes, the report
recommends that cities and counties be
required to pass a referenda before
November 24, 1995
city officials in attendance that some-
thing will have to give in the next few
years. "Minnesota faces a serious,
systemic budget problem," said
Merriam, chair of the Senate Finance
Committee. "In the foreseeable future,
our expenditures will never match our
revenue growth."
Finance projections appear to bear
Merriam's prediction out. Merriam said
that state expenditures are expected to
rise 8.4 percent in the next biennium
while revenues will increase only 6.1
percent.
Despite the looming problem and
the plethora of reform proposals
floating about, Merriam said not to
expect much by way of action from the
1996 Legislature. Every House and
Senate seat is up for re-election in
1996, and according to Merriam, not
enough people have bought into the
thought that there is a serious problem
on the horizon.
Listening to Bill Blazer and Dan
Salomone, the problem isn't on the
horizon, the problem is here and now.
Blazer and Salomone rounded out the
morning by presenting a property tax
increasing their property taxes. In
addition, any levy increases would be
applied to property market values
rather than tax capacities. If imple-
mented, this recommendation would
mean that the increased property tax
levies would fall more heavily on
homeowners.
Weber-Brandl recommends
creating a new form of government
called "the village." Unlike
Minnesota's previous version of the
village form of government, the Weber-
Brandl recommendations would create
a minimal local government entity that
would do little more than administer
contracts for local services and conduct
elections. The report would also
establish deadlines and targets for local
governments to submit their services to
the competitive bid process. The
bidding process would be open to
reform proposal endorsed by the
Minnesota Taxpayers Association and
the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
In a nutshell, they contend their
proposal would simplify the confusing
Minnesota property tax system and
give everyone a break on taxes. More
specifically, the business community
wants to pay less in property taxes, and
end what Blazar calls "the deal of the
century" for homeowners.
The Chamber proposal calls for
changes in the State Constitution which
will result in a more equitable property
tax system. As the legislative session
get closer, the League Intergovernmen-
tal Relations Staff will provide a
complete analysis of the Chamber
proposal in a future issue of Cities
Bulletin.
The final act of the day was the
undisputed adoption of the League
Action Agenda. The Action Agenda is a
listing of the top priorities that the
League of Minnesota Cities will work
on during the legislative session. The
complete listing of the Action Agenda
appears on pages 6 and 7. EE.
public as well private entities and
would supposedly increase efficiency
by injecting competition into the
service provision equation.
Late in the week, the governor
unveiled a pilot project voucher plan
for K-12 education in the Minneapolis,
St. Paul and Brooklyn Park school
districts. The pilot proposal will also
ultimately include one rural school
district. There are, however, indications
that the voucher proposal may not have
unanimous support in the Republican
caucus. According to an article in the
Monday, November 20 Star Tribune,
only about half of the IR caucus would
support a school voucher plan. In any
event, other aspects of the Weber-
Brandl report will likely become
legislative proposals for the 1996
legislative session. N1
Page 5
Cities set 1996 action agenda
At the policy adoption conference, cities set the action agenda for the 1996 legislative session. In presenting the agenda,
LMC President Karen Anderson noted that this agenda serves as a guide for the League IGR staff and not as a constraint.
League staff will work on other issues and policies as necessary during the legislative session.
FF -1. Local Government Aid
Problem: Although the LGA
inflation index established by the 1994
Legislature will ensure modest growth
in the LGA appropriation, it will only
maintain the program at a constant
dollar level. This will not reverse the
trend toward increased city reliance on
the property tax and rapid property tax
growth.
Solution: The implicit price
deflator index should continue to be
used to maintain LGA at a constant,
inflation-adjusted level. In addition,
lawmakers should provide additional
state resources for further increases in
LGA to reverse the rapid growth in the
reliance on the property tax.
FF -2. Tlransfers of LGA/HACA to
Schools
Problem: Past shifts of city LGA
and HACA to schools provided only
imaginary relief from rapidly rising
school property taxes. Any additional
shift of city LGA and HACA will
likely have a similar impact on future
school property taxes. Also, new shifts
will increase the tax rate disparities
between cities and townships and
irreparably damage the equalization
benefit of LGA and HACA.
Solution: Any increase in the
state's share of school revenues should
come from sources other than further
transfers from city property tax relief
programs.
FF4. Levy Limits and Property Tax
Freeze
Problem: In the past, levy limits
have proven to be an ineffective and
inefficient way to limit property tax
growth. Control of property taxes
through the local budget process and
taxation hearings provides a more
effective method of oversight.
Solution: Levy limits or a
property tax freeze should not be
imposed on cities.
FF -9. Sales 11ax on Local Govern-
ment Purchases
Problem: In 1992, the Legislature
repealed the sales tax exemption for
local government purchases. This
action increased the costs for local
governments and local property taxes
by nearly $70 million. This repeal has
effectively increased local property
taxes to finance state operations.
Solution: The state should
reinstate the sales tax exemption for all
local government purchases.
SD -2. Unfunded Mandates
Problem: The cost of federal and
state mandated programs substitute the
judgment of Congress and the Presi-
dent, and the Legislature and the
Governor for local budget priorities.
These mandates force cities to reduce
funding for other basic services or to
increase taxes and service charges. The
passage by Congress of legislation
restraining new federal mandates
should help address the problem, but
other steps are still necessary.
Solutions:
• Existing unfunded mandates
should be reviewed and modified
or repealed where possible.
• No additional statewide mandates
should be enacted unless full
funding for the mandate is
provided by the level of govern-
ment imposing it, or a permanent
stable revenue source is estab-
lished.
• Cities should not be forced to
comply with unfunded mandates.
• Cities should be given the greatest
flexibility possible in implement-
ing mandates to ensure that their
cost is minimized.
LE -3. Tax Increment Financing
Problem: The LGA/HACA aid
penalty and recent legislative reforms
have significantly dampened the use of
tax increment financing. Despite
changes enacted in 1995 that provided
an alternative to the LGA/HACA
penalty, many cities remain unable to
use tax increment financing to encour-
age development and redevelopment.
Any property tax reform proposals
could adversely affect the financial
viability of existing tax increment
financing districts and the security of
outstanding bonds.
Solution: The Legislature should
not make further restrictive changes to
the tax increment statutes until the
impacts of past changes can be
thoroughly evaluated. The Legislature
should also study tax increment
financing to see if the restrictions are
unfairly impacting certain cities. If
inequities or other barriers are discov-
ered, the Legislature should provide
limited exceptions or specific waivers
to allow for equal access to the tax
increment tool. Any property tax
reform proposal must include a
provision to hold harmless existing tax
increment financing districts.
FF -3. HACA Growth
Problem: Homestead and Agricul-
tural Credit Aid for cities does not
increase as the number of benefited
properties increases. As a result,
property tax relief for new parcels is
actually provided by shifting taxes to
other property owners. In addition, the
property tax relief provided through
HACA is not adjusted to keep pace
with inflation.
Solution: The household growth
adjustment should be reinstated and an
inflationary adjustment should be
established for future city HACA
distributions.
Fage 6 LMC Cities Bulletin
LE4. Economic Development
Programs
Problem: The Economic Recov-
ery Grant program is not adequately
funded. The state does not authorize an
adequate slate of tools for local
governments to assist job creation,
redevelop blight and decay, and
provide adequate housing choices.
Cities are not well equipped to compete
nationally and internationally for
business development.
Solutions:
• Any LGA/HACA penalty revenues
should be contributed to the
Economic Recovery Grant
Program. These funds would then
be available for cities to retain
businesses in the state and to
attract business looking to relocate
from other states.
• The Economic Recovery Grant
Program should be continued and
clear rules established to govern its
use. The state and federal funds
that fund this program should also
be allocated throughout the year to
help ensure that projects across the
state have access to the grants.
• Cities should be given authority
for property tax abatements as
another economic development
tool.
The state should continue its
commitment to clean up non-
Superfund sites in order to
encourage and facilitate economic
development.
Congress should remove the caps
that have been placed on Industrial
Development Bonds and acknowl-
edge that the extensive eligibility
requirements now adequately limit
their use.
LE -10. State Aid Roads in Cities
Under 5,000
Problem: Cities under 5,000
population do not receive any
nonproperty tax funds for their
collector and arterial streets.
Solution: State statute should be
modified to encourage cooperation and
November 24, 1995
improved transportation systems by
allowing contiguous cities that jointly
represent a combined population of
5,000 or more to be eligible for
Municipai State Aid (M.S.A.). Partici-
pating cities would enter into a formal
joint powers agreement and establish a
joint budget that would be governed by
a board of elected officials. Cities that
participated in this joint entity would
not be required to undertake any formal
consolidation activities.
Cities under 5,000 population that
were not eligible for M.S.A. through
this cooperative agreement practice
should be able to use county municipal
accounts and the five percent account
of the highway user distribution fund.
Uses of county municipal accounts
should be statutorily modified so that
counties can dedicate these funds for
local arterials and collector streets
within cities under 5,000 population. In
addition, the five percent set-aside
account in the highway user distribu-
tion fund should be used to meet this
funding gap.
LE -5. Growth Management and
Annexation
Problem: Unplanned and uncon-
trolled urban growth has a negative
environmental, fiscal, and governmen-
tal impact for cities, counties, and state
governments because it increases the
costs of providing government services
and results in the loss of natural
resource areas and prime agricultural
land.
Solutions: The League believes
that the existing framework for guiding
growth and development primarily
through local plans and controls
adopted by local governments should
form the basis of a statewide planning
policy and that the state should not
adopt a comprehensive statewide
planning process. Rather, the state
should:
• Provide additional financial and
technical assistance to local
governments for cooperative
planning and growth management
/�� 44
issues, particularly where new
comprehensive plans have been
mandated by the Legislature;
Clearly establish the public
purposes served by existing
statewide controls such as
shoreland zoning and wetlands
conservation; clarify, simplify, and
streamline these controls; elimi-
nate duplication in their adminis-
tration; and fully defend and hold
harmless any local government
sued for a "taking" as a result of
executing state land use policies;
Give cities broader authority to
extend their zoning, subdivision,
and other landuse controls up to
two miles outside the city's
boundaries regardless of the
existence of county or township
controls, in order to ensure
conformance with city facilities
and services;
Clearly define and differentiate
between urban and rural develop-
ment and restrict urban growth
outside city boundaries;
Repeal the authority of the
pollution control commissioner to
require cities to provide city
services absent full inclusion of the
affected property within the
community through annexation;
Require the Metropolitan Council
to seek cooperation from the State
of Wisconsin and counties (both
Minnesota and Wisconsin)
surrounding the metropolitan area
to ensure responsible and con-
trolled development, study
expansion of Metropolitan Council
authority in surrounding counties,
and examine the positive and
negative impacts of mandatory
regional or local land use controls
and state -imposed development
standards; and,
Facilitate the annexation of urban
land to cities by amending state
statutes regulating annexation to
make it easier for cities to annex
developed or developing land
within unincorporated areas.itL E
Page 7
Wellhead protection rules
Joei.iamnik
The Minnesota Department of
Health is developing a state rule that
addresses the implementation of
wellhead protection measures for
public water supply wells. The
department published formal
notification of its intent to develop
the rule in February 8, and draft rule
language has since been prepared.
The department anticipates that the
proposed rules and the rationale in
support of the proposed rules
(statement of need and reasonable-
ness) will be available for public
review and comment in early 1996.
States are required to develop
wellhead protection programs under
provisions of the federal Safe
Drinking Water Act of 1986. Well-
head protection exists to prevent
human -made contaminants harmful
from entering the 13,000 public
water supply wells operated by the
9,657 public water supply systems in
the state. The wellhead protection
rule is intended to specify that parties
owning a public water supply well
must develop and implement
measures to protect the well from
contaminants. All cities that have
community water supplies will be
affected.
The 1994 and 1995 Legislatures
changed the procedures that state
agencies must use to develop state
rules. To ensure compliance with
these changes, the department is re -
noticing its intent to develop a
wellhead protection rule for public
water supply wells. The department
will send a copy of the draft rule
language to interested parties. To be
notified when rules are proposed and
to receive a copy of the proposed
rules and/or statement of need and
reasonableness, please contact Bruce
Olson at (612) 215-0796 or Art
Persons at (507) 285-7289. E
Could your community be an All -
America City and Community?
The National Civic League and The Allstate Foundation invite you to apply
for America's oldest and most prestigious community recognition award. For 47
years, the All -America Cities and Community Award (AAC) has encouraged and
recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes (cities, towns,
counties, neighborhoods, regions and combinations thereof) in which citizens,
government, businesses and voluntary organizations work together to address
critical local issues. Being willing to face difficult situations and to meet those
challenges in innovative and collaborative ways are the traits of AAC communi-
ties. All -America Cities and Communities also receive national acclaim for
leading the nation in collaborative, innovative approaches to problem solving.
Completed applications are due by March 28, 1996. Thirty finalists will be
selected in April. The finalists will make oral presentations at the 47th annual
AAC Jury Hearings to be held June 13-15, 1996 in Fort Worth, Texas. Communi-
ties designated as 1996 All -America Cities and Communities will be announced
on June 15 at a gala banquet hosed by The Allstate Foundation. To request an
application and guidelines, call the National Civic League at (800) 223-6004. RE
Page 8
Put media to work on
community crime
prevention
Camille Kellogg
The National Crime Prevention
Council and the National Advertising
Council, Inc. have collaborated on a
new crime prevention package,
"Partner with Media to Build Safer
Communities: An Action Kit." De-
signed to provide resources for
enlisting the media as a partner in
crime prevention, the new publication
provides background information,
strategy suggestions, and activity and
program ideas to engage the media as
long-term partners.
The crime prevention package was
created to help individuals and organi-
zations at the community level, and it
shows local crime prevention personnel
and advocates how they can build on
the success of the McGruff Crime Dog
public service announcements (PSAs)
and other elements of the National
Citizen's Crime Prevention Campaign
in their local communities. The kit also
provides ideas on how to involve local
communications media in advocating
for crime prevention and supporting
citizen -based prevention plans.
In addition to offering suggestions
for involving the media, "Partner with
Media to Build Safer Communities"
gives tips on getting prevention -
oriented PSAs on air and in print, and
an overview of ways to achieve
sustained media coverage for preven-
tion activities. Included are background
information and updates on McGruff
crime prevention PSAs, sample
materials and checklists for local media
events, and success stories about
individuals and organizations
partnering with the media.
The crime prevention package is
available by calling (800) NCPC-911
(credit cards only); writing to NCPC
Fulfillment Center, PO Box 1, Church
Street, Amsterdam, Ni' 12010; or
faxing (518) 843-6857..!01
Reprinted from Nation's Cities
Weekly.
LMC Cities Bulletin
Minnesota water
line expands
service statewide
Are you a citizen or public official
in Minnesota with concerns about the
quality of well water in your area? Do
you have questions about how and
where septic systems should be
installed? Confused about where to
turn for this information?
The Minnesota Water Line, (800)
455-4526, is now expanding from
serving 11 counties in Northern
Minnesota to providing all citizens of
Minnesota with water information. The
Water Line Coordinator will talk with
people in nontechnical language
providing information about household
water issues, wells, septic systems,
resource issues and other water -related
concerns. The service was developed to
help local decision -makers and citizens
find their way through the maze of
water quality information and regula-
tions. Questions may be answered
directly by the specialist, by sending
information, or by referral to appropri-
ate volunteers, professionals, or state
and local agency staff.
The Water Line Coordinator will
be available to take your calls from 9
a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.
At other times, leave a message and
your call will be returned. The Line is
operated as a partnership of the
American Ground Water Trust and the
Minnesota Extension Service of the
University of Minnesota, linking their
expertise and professional assistance to
Minnesota citizens. The Water Line is
housed in the Minnesota Sea Grant
offices at 2305 East Fifth Street,
Duluth, MN 55812-1445. For more
information, contact Deanne Roquet,
(218) 726-7524 or by e-mail at:
droquet@d.umn.edu. RE
November 24, 1995
,ab
Random Acts of Kindness
Week 1996
The next Random Acts of Kindness Week is taking place February
12 - 19, 1996. If you would like to learn more about how this event can
help change the focus of your community to kindness and caring, you
may obtain more information from the Random Acts of Kindness Week
Foundation at (415) 456-0480, (415) 456-0680 or
RAKDAY@aol.com. The Foundation will provide free coordinator kits
to organizers in towns and cities that would like to join this interna-
tional consciousness -raising campaign. EE
1995 Salary and Benefit Surveys
The League's 1995 salary and benefit surveys are now available
Surveys are conducted annually for cities over 2,500 and cities under
2,500 population. Results are published in two separate survey
books.
This year's surveys include:
• Detailed salary information on 49 and 51 benchmark jobs,
respectively, as well as on elected officials' pay.
• Information on 17 types of benefits.
• Various reports on union contracts, municipal services, average
percentage increases, etc.
Thank you to all of the cities that participated in this year's surveys.
All participating cities received a complimentary copy of the results
from their respective survey.
1995 Salary and Benefit Surveys
Prices' Over 2,500 Under 2,500
Participant cities $30 $20
Nonparticipating member cities and
nonmember cities $45 $30
Others $90 $60
For more information or to order, contact: League of Minnesota Cities,
145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103, (612) 281-1200.
Page 9
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
announces recipients of 1995 low-income
housing tax credit program
The Minnesota Housing Finance
Agency (MHFA) announced in early
November that it will allocate $4.5
million in federal low-income housing
tax credits for a total of 40 develop-
ments throughout the state. The
allocation involves 26 developments in
Greater Minnesota with the total
development amount expected to
provide 1,047 new or rehabed housing
units.
The Low Income Housing Tax
Credit Program, in existence since
1987, is presently threatened with
elimination as part of congressional
budget balancing measures. Without
this program, the production of new
affordable rental property will be
virtually impossible. The program
allows developers to use tax credits
annually for 10 years, with the credits
based on the percentage of the quali-
fied costs of the building. Where
acquisition of existing buildings and
buildings with federal subsidies are
involved, the applicable rate is
approximately four percent.
To qualify for the federal tax
credit, a minimum of the project's
housing units must be set aside for
tenants whose incomes are 50 percent
or less of the area's median income,
adjusted by family size. Or, projects
must include a minimum set-aside of
40 percent of the housing units for
tenants whose incomes are 60 percent
or less of the area's median income,
adjusted by family size, with restricted
rents. KE
IISAC seeks city representatives
The Intergovernmental Information
Systems Advisory Council (IISAC)
currently has openings for two repre-
sentatives from second or third class
cities outside the metropolitan area, and
one opening for a fourth class city. The
IISAC is a 29 -member council with
representatives from all levels of
government: state agencies, counties,
cities of the second, third or fourth
class, regional development commis-
sions, school districts, libraries, the state
Legislature, and local government
associations.
The IISAC provides government
with opportunities for education,
coordination, communication and
innovation. For example, the IISAC
sponsors two annual conference: the
Telecommunication Conference and the
Minnesota Computer and Information
Management Symposium. IISAC also
develops training opportunities for
specific groups, or on specific topics
as needs arise. The council acts as a
liaison between the state and local
governments in the area of informa-
tion/computer systems, and keeps the
lines of communication open between
and among the various levels of
government. IISAC also provides
grant funds to public and quasi -public
entities to develop and share innova-
tive systems, and recognizes people
and organizations that develop
innovative systems.
The full council meets every other
month. Working committees generally
meet every month. To be a part of the
IISAC team, contact the IISAC office
for an application at (612) 297-2172 or
(800) 657-3722. [Eg
/ ew
Met Council taking
applications for
federal
transportation funds
The Metropolitan Council is taking
applications from local units of
government for federal transportation
funds. About $56 million in federal
funds will be available for projects
planned for 1999 and 2000 in the Twin
Cities metropolitan area. Applications
must be received by January 8, 1996.
Governmental units may apply
from three separate funds. Surface
Transportation Program (STP) funds
may be used for Principal and "A"
Minor Arterial highways, transit, and
bike and walk projects. Congestion
Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) funds
are relegated to projects that improve
air quality.
Enhancement funds may be used
for pedestrian or bicycle facilities, or
for projects that involve or enhance the
region's historic character, environment
or scenic esthetics. However, funds for
enhancement projects are available
only for the year 2000.
An informational meeting for
potential applicants will be held
December 1, 1995, from 9 a.m. to
noon. The meeting will be in Council
Chambers at Mears Park Centre, 230
East Fifth Street, St. Paul. For applica-
tion forms, call the Council's Data
Center at (612) 229-2745, or Carl Ohm
at (612) 229-2719. R1
Page 10 LMC Cities Bulletin
Guidelines for' Preparing 'City, B-
udgets ets 1996
Correction
pg. 87 Agricultural homestead Payable 1996
Gross Net
House, Garage, One Acre:
first $72,000 2.17% 1.00%
over $72,000 2.00% 2.00%
Our thanks to Ken Kronebusch, city administrator of
Lewiston for noticing this error.
Detach and add this page to your Guidelines for Preparing City Budgets 1996.
November 24, 1995
Page 11
This, is a reprint of:. the truth= in Taxation schedule for' t1 e- c en'dar
year 1995 froinlh& Guidelines for Preparing. City Budget` 1996
.Before_ August 1
Revenue Department notifies cities of LGA and:HACA
amounts.
ByAugust 21
Counties notify cities of the dates which school`districts'
and regional library districts have selected-for`hearirigs.
On or-.before:;September
Cities certify proposed properEy tax levyto county'
15
auditor and adopt proposed budget' Cities als*-s elect
.TWO hearing dates and certify`them`to the'county
auditor:
AfterNovemlierfl0=.but onu
County, -mails notice of proposed property taxes to
or,before November -24
individual property owners'.-
wners:Not
Notless than two nor
Advertisement period for initial hearing.
more than six business
days prior to the hearing,.
November 29 through
Initial hearing held to consider proposed levy and -
December 20
budget. (Reminder: announce date and time of
continuation hearing if one is necessary, or -of the official
adoption hearing if no continuation hearing is necessary.
At least five but no less
Continuation hearing held,' if necessary: (Reminder:
than 14 business days •
announce date and time for official'adoption hearing.)
after the initial hearing.
At least one day after the
Official adoption of final levy and budget hearing. -
initial or continuation
hearing: last possible date-
-December 28, 1995
December 4 (first Monday
Metro special taxing districts hearings
in December)
December 12 (second
Initial hearings for counties
Tuesday in December)
December 19 (one week
Continuation hearings for counties; last day for
later)
additional, optional county hearings.
On or before December 28
Final levy certified to county auditor.
(five working days after
December 20)
As soon as levy is certified
Certification of compliance materials sent to the
to county auditor
Department of Revenue.
Page 12 LMC Cities Bulletin
Municipal ads
Municipal ads are printed at no charge to member cities. Ads run in one
issue only unless notice is received to run a second time. The Cities Bulletin is
published weekly during the legislative session and every other week during the
interim, the time between sessions. Municipal ads will appear in the next avail-
able Cities Bulletin. Cities have the right to reject any or all bids on equipment or
proposals, and to waive any informalities there. Minnesota cities are equal
opportunity employers.
For information on placing an ad, contact Gayle Brodt at (612) 215-4033
(direct dial) or any member of the LMC communications team at (612) 281-1200
or (800) 925-1122.
Positions
ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR. Savage is accepting applica-
tions for a assistant public works director.
This is a responsible position providing
leadership, planning, coordination and
administrative direction in the city's
comprehensive maintenance program,
which includes equipment, vehicle
maintenance, streets, buildings and
grounds, water and storm sewers. Position
directs the overall operations of the public
works department with responsibilities to
include: directly supervising utilities, streets
and vehicle maintenance divisions;
developing long-range capitol improvement
programs and budgets; directing and
participating in the preparation of the
annual utilities work program; and,
handling inquiries from citizens, contractors
and others concerning department opera-
tions. Position works closely with the parks
and recreation superintendent to allocate all
personnel and equipment in the most cost
effective manner. Requires excellent written
and oral communication skills, analytical
and administrative abilities, ability to
develop and maintain effective work
relationships with city staff, public and
other organizations, and a thorough
knowledge of all aspects of public works
operations. Minimum qualifications: high
school or GED equivalent; completion of
post -secondary educational program(s) in
public works operation and administration;
a valid Minnesota driver's license; and,
eight years progressively responsible
experience in public works field -- four of
which must be in a supervisory capacity.
Desired qualifications: Bachelor's degree in
public works administration or closely
related field; thorough knowledge of water
and sewer systems and public works
operations; possession of class B water
operator's certificate, class SB wastewater
operator's certificate, class B operator's
license and sewer license, or other relevant
licenses. For application form contact: City
of Savage Personnel Department, 6000
McColl Drive, Savage, MN 55378, (612)
882-2660. Application deadline is Friday,
December 8, 1995. Salary range is $43,200
to $54,700 depending on qualifications.
CLERK/TREASURER/ADMINIS-
TRATOR. Lewiston (population 1,380) is
seeking a clerk/treasurer/administrator.
Position reports to the city council and is
responsible for the day to day operations of
the city. Duties include financial reporting,
budget preparation for annual $650K
budget, planning, zoning administration,
water and sewer utility billing, minutes and
agenda preparation, voting, and personnel
administration. The city employs five (six
in 1996) full-time personnel and approxi-
mately 20 pan -time seasonal personnel.
Degree in public administration or five
years municipal experience preferred.
Enterprise funds are water and sewer.
Applicant should be computer literate.
Salary negotiable depending on qualifica-
tions. Apply with resume and cover letter to
City Council, City of Lewiston, P.O. Box
129, Lewiston, NIN 55952. Deadline is
December 20, 1995. Interviews during
January 1996.
CODE ENFORCEMENT TECHNI-
CIAN. Coon Rapids is seeking a code
enforcement technician to perform duties
under the supervision of the code enforce-
ment manager. Position responsible for
monitoring community to detect and
address property code violations. Responds
to questions from public regarding codes
and application of codes to specific
situations. Minimum requirements include
bachelor's degree in urban studies, planning
or related field; experience in municipal
planning/code enforcement highly desir-
able; knowledge of computer applications
necessary. Valid driver's license and good
driving record essential. Anticipated
beginning salary: $28,800 to $32,200.
Apply to City of Coon Rapids, Personnel
Division, 1313 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon
Rapids, MN 5533. (612) 780-6456. City
application forms must be completed and
on file no later than Friday, December 8,
1995.
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
Woodbury (population 31,600) is seeking
applicants for the positions of code
enforcement officer. Responsibilities
include enforcing requirements of the
BOCA national property maintenance code,
performing final lot inspections for
residential and commercial properties,
administering escrow funds for residential
lots and arranging release of funds when
escrow conditions are satisfied, and
initiating and supervising work for
unsatisfied escrow conditions. Minimum
qualifications include high school gradua-
tion or GED equivalent; a valid state
driver's license (or ability to obtain prior to
employment); and two years experience in
the building inspection, code enforcement,
planning or public administration field
(may be substituted with an equivalent
combination of education and work
experience). Starting salary $29,355 plus
benefits. Complete job description and
application packets are available at
Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek
Road, Woodbury, MN 55125. To receive
application by mail, leave your name and
address at (612) 731-7399, TDD: (612)
731-5796. To be considered for this
position, a completed Woodbury application
must be received by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday,
November 29, 1995.
CHIEF OF POLICE. Renville
(population 1,315) is seeking a chief of
police. The chief is responsible for
November 24, 1995 Page 13
Municipal ads continued
administration, effective employee
direction, operations and functions of the
police department. Renville has a three
officer department including the chief, and
is a recipient of a Cops Fast grant. Candi-
date must be POST licensed and certified
and be current on all state licensing and
testing requirements. Desire supervisory
and policy/SOP development experience.
First responder or EMT certification a plus.
Competitive compensation and excellent
benefits package. Send resume by Decem-
ber 12, 1995 to Renville City Hall, Box
371, Renville, MN 56284.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR.
Farmington (population 7,000) is seeking a
city administrator. Starting salary is
$54,000 to $60,000. Located on southern
edge of Twin Cities in rapidly growing area.
Report to mayor and four councilmembers
elected at large to four year terms. General
fund budget of $3.3 million and 45
employees in police, public works/
engineering, parks and recreation, finance
and administration, municipal liquor, and
volunteer fire. Required experience
includes planning, financial management
and working in growth environment.
Bachelor's degree (Master's degree
preferred) in public or business administra-
tion, plus five to seven years in local
government or related field in a responsible
management/supervisory position. Resumes
due by December 12, 1995 to James L.
Brimeyer, The Brimeyer Group Executive
Search, 904 Mainstreet, Suite 205, Hopkins,
MN 55343. (612) 945-0246/phone, (612)
945-0102/fax.
CLERICAL SUPERVISOR. Plymouth
is seeking a clerical supervisor to coordi-
nate and supervise the delivery of clerical
support services to the planning and
inspection divisions and to perform clerical
and support functions. Requirements
include: three years of progressively
responsible supervisory experience in
clerical setting, ability to type 60 wpm,
ability to transcribe from dictation and take
and compose minutes, ability to manage
electronic and manual filing systems and
data bases, ability to use work processing
and spreadsheet applications proficiently -
ability to communicate effectively in all
media and to maintain effective working
relationships. Starting salary is $27,700 to
534,600, DOQ. For required employment
application form, please contact the City of
Plymouth, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth,
MN 55447 or call (612) 509-5072 or (612)
509-5065/TDD. Application form must be
received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday,
December 5, 1995.
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER. This is a
new position in St. Louis Park, a first -ring
city west of Minneapolis with seven city
managers since incorporation in 1956.
Starting salary range is $65,000 to $70,000.
Position requires MPA, MBA or other local
government related experience, including
supervision and in-depth knowledge of and
experience in local government. Respon-
sible for developing a partnership with the
city manager to work as a team member
with senior staff in focusing on realization
of community's long-term vision and
organizational effectiveness; shorter -term
projects including agenda, budget and work
plan management; dealing effectively with
staff, customer, councilmember and
legislative issues; and promoting and
modeling excellent customer service.
Position responsible for providing policy
and management level supervision for city
clerk, communications, cable television,
personnel and information technologies.
Call Job Hot Line at (612) 924-2527, 24
hours a day for application. No faxes
accepted. St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005
Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN
55416-2290. Applications and resumes
must be received by 4:30 p.m. on December
12, 1995. Position's approximate starting
date is early March 1996.
PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTEN-
DENT/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OFFICER. New York Mills is seeking a
public works superintendent/economic
development director. Responsibilities
include supervision of three employees;
plan, coordinate and supervise daily
operation of water and wastewater natural
gas, meter reading, buildings maintenance,
city parks, outdoor swimming pool facility,
street maintenance, routine equipment
operations and maintenance. Qualifications
include experience in municipal public
works, construction, heavy equipment and
water, wastewater and gas operations. A
high school graduate or equivalent and
graduation from an accredited water/
wastewater vocational training school is
desired. Gas certification and knowledge of
gas industry desired. Possess valid Class C
water and Class D wastewater license.
Three to five years supervisory experience
preferred. Responsible for complete
administration and enforcement of
subdivision, zoning and nuisance ordi-
nances, including wetland, star city and
annexations, with minimal clerical
assistance. Serve as advisor to Planning and
Star City Commission and executive
director of EDA. Must give good attention
to detail, dependability, strong interpersonal
skills, good written and oral communica-
tion, and work independently. Must have
understanding of accounting and be
proficient in WordPerfect. Pay negotiable.
Send resume by December 12, 1995 to City
Clerk, City of New York Mills, Box H, New
York Mills, MN 56567. (218) 385-2213 or
fax (218) 385-4504.
For sale
AMBULANCE. The city of Altura
will receive sealed bids for furnishing one
1996 Type III ambulance until 5 p.m. on
Friday, January 5, 1996. Specifications may
be obtained from City Clerk Lisa Rae
Skalicky at (507) 796-5461 between the
hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Or write to City of Altura, P.O. Box
36, Altura, MN 55910. All sealed bids must
be clearly marked "Sealed Ambulance Bid."
Any bid not meeting the general terms and
specifications of the bid invitation will be
considered non-responsive. All bids will be
quoted F.O.B. The sealed bids will be
opened and read to the public on January 5,
1996 at 5 p.m. at Altura City Hall. The 1996
Type III ambulance will meet federal
specifications KKK -A -1822D and all
Minnesota Department of Health rules and
regulations. Each bidder will submit a bid
bond or cashier's check, made payable to
the city of Altura in the amount of 10
percent of the total bid price. The City
Council reserves the right to reject any and
all bids, to waive informalities and
technicalities and to accept any bid deemed
to be the most favorable to and in the best
interest of the city of Altura. No proposal
changes will be accepted after the opening
of bids. Each bidder will furnish a signed
non -collusion bidding certificate in
compliance with the law.
AMBULANCE. Silver Lake is
accepting sealed bids for the sale of a 1979
Page 14 LMC Cities Bulletin
Municipal ads Training/Conferences AOV
continued
Ford type II style ambulance, 460 gas
engine, automatic transmission, 23,000
miles. Bids accepted at the address below
until 5 p.m. Thursday, December 28, 1995.
Vehicle is equipped with stretcher and
radio, in good condition and available
immediately upon acceptance of bid. The
city reserves the right to accept or reject
bids based on the best interests of the city.
For further information, contact the City of
Silver Lake, 308 West Main Street, P.O.
Box 347, Silver Lake, MN 55381-0347,
(612)327-2412, or Duane Wawrayniak,
ambulance director, at (612) 327-2742.
FIRE TRUCK. Belgrade has for sale
by sealed bids a 1996 Ford C-800 Bean
Pumper. 750 g.p.m. volume pump with
Bean high pressure and two hose reels, 500
gallon tank, five speed transmission, large
block gas engine, locked rear end, grip
tires, 37,000 miles. Asking price is $12,000
or best offer. For further information about
the truck, contact Jim Lemmer, fire chief, at
(612) 254-8250 during business hours.
FIRE TRUCK. New Prague is
accepting bids for the sale of a 1970 Ford
Fire Fighting Apparatus with general safety
body. The unit is a Ford C-850, 534 cubic
inch gas engine, 16,200 miles, five speed
manual, 9,000 number front axle, 18,500
number rear axle, body manufactured by
General Safety Corporation, triple combina-
tion pumper, 1,,000 g.p.m., waterous pump,
750 gallon booster tank, pump tested May
1994. Sealed bids along with a five percent
bid security must be submitted to City of
New Prague Administrator, 118 North
Central Avenue, New Prague, MN 56071 by
December 15, 1995. The city reserves the
right to reject any and all bids.
SNOWBLOWER. Pine River has a
John Deere Snowblower, Model 676, 6'6"
.vide, single auger, hydraulic chute -rear
mount, power take -off drive for sale. Bids
will be received until December S. 1995.
Bids will be opened at the regular City
Council meeting on December 12. 1995.
The city reserves the right to refuse any and
all bids. Bids should be sent to: City of Pine
River. P.O. Box 87, Pine River, b1N 56474.
For further information, please call (218)
587-2440. QE
November 24, 1995
Leadership for America's Cities
Academic Seminar
Washington Center for Internships and
Academic Seminars and NLC
November 26 -December 3—Phoenix
(800) 486-8921
Financing Affordable Housing:
What Housing and Community
Development Agencies Need to Know
to Survive and Succeed
National Association of Housing and
Redevelopment Officials
November 29 -December 1—
Washington, D.C.
(202) 429-2960
Congress of Cities
National League of Cities
November 29 -December 2—Phoenix
(202) 626-3187
Communicating in Cyberspace and
Cybertimes
National Association of Government
Communicators
November 29 -December 1—
Alexandria, VA
(703) 519-3902
Festival, Event Management Course
Minnesota Festival and Events
Association
December 1-2, 1995—
White Bear Lake
January 19-20, 1996—
March 8-9, 1995
White Bear Lake
(612) 624-4947
Minnesota Sister Cities International
Conference
Minnesota Sister City Program
December 2—St. Cloud
(612)255-7205
Center for Transportation Studies
Fall Luncheon and Symposium
University of Minnesota
December 5—Minneapolis
(612) 626-2259
Water Utility Safety Teleconference
American Water Works Association
December 7—St. Paul, Austin,
Brainerd, East Grand Forks, Hibbing
(612) 591-5407
4th Annual Disability Rights
Conference
Minnesota State Council on Disability
United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota
December 9—St. Paul
Competition in the Local Exchange
Network
Strategic Research Institute
December 11-12—Washington, D.C.
(800) 599-4950
Winnipeg Winter Cities
Exhibition '96
February 9-12—Winnipeg
(204) 228-3193
Conference Spotlight
On Saturday. December 2, 1995, St. Cloud will host the 1995 Sister Cities
International conference. This conference provides an opportunity for
community leaders. sister city volunteers and international relations
coordinators to learn strategies for seeking, developing and promoting success-
ful economic relationships with sister communities across the world. The
conference highlights the experience of business and marketing professionals
and the successes of Minnesota Sister City programs.
For registration information, call the St. Cloud Mayor's office at (612)
255-7200.
Page 15
LAIC
League of Minnesota Cities
145 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55103
Phone: 612-281-1200
Fax: 612-281-1299
TDD: 612-281-1290
1-800-925-1122
The league of Minnesota Cities publishes
the Cities Bulletin weekly during the
Legislative session and bi-weekly during
the interim, the time between sessions.
Subscriptions: members -530: non-
members -S45. Contact: Publications
Department. League of Minnesota Cities.
Where to get information at
the Capitol
Copies of bills
House Chief Clerk's Office -
296-2314, Rm. 211 *
Secretary of Senate's Office -
296-2343, Rm. 231*
Bill status, authors, companion,
committee referral (by bill number,
author, or topic)
House Index - 296-6646,
Rm. 211 *
Senate Index - 296-2887,
Rm. 231 *
Weekly committee schedules, bill
introductions, and summaries of
committee and floor action
House Information Office -
296-2146, Rm. 175**
Senate Information Office -
296-0504, Rm. 231 *
Recording of the following day's
committee schedule and agenda,
(after 4:30 p.m.)
"House Call" - 296-9283
Senate Hotline - 296-8088
To reach a member on the House
or Senate floor
House Sergeant at Arms -
296-4860
Senate Page Desk - 296-4159
To notify the governor's office of
your concerns
Governor Arne Carlson -
296-3391, Rm. 130*
*State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155
**State Office Building, St. Paul 55155
All area codes are 612
FIRST GLASS
/ U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
St Paul, MN
PERMIT NO. 3223
Dwight Johnson
Mar.
3400 Plymouth Blvd
Pl,° riiouth, MN 55447 148
League of Minnesota Cities staff working with legislative issues
Jim Miller, Executive Director
Stan Peskar, General Counsel
Pensions
Gary Carlson, Director of Intergovernmental Relations
E-mail: GARYC226CAOL.COM
General revenue sources for cities
Local government trust fund
Aid to cities
Property tax system
Ann Higgins, Intergovernmental Relations Representative
Telecommunications
Housing
Elections and ethics
Utility service districts
Joel Jamnik, Senior Intergovernmental Relations Representative
Growth management and land use
Environmental protection
Personnel and labor relations
Public safety
General municipal govemance
Andrea Atherton, Intergovernmental Relations Representative
Mary Diedrich, Legislative Secretary
Mickey Marx, Legislative Secretary
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
--- L r
tG
November 27, 1995
Mr. Steve Hoyt
Hoyt Properties
8300 Grand Avenue
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420
RE: Petroleum Tank Release Site File Closure
6' r
"sa
vo
,
A
E
Site: Former Ag -Lite Facility, 4901 West Medicine Lake Drive, Plymouth
Site ID#: LEAK00007303
Dear Mr. Hoyt:
We are pleased to let you know that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Tanks and
Emergency Response Section (TERS) staff has determined that your investigation and/or cleanup
has adequately addressed the petroleum tank release at the site listed above. Based on the
information provided, the TERS staff has closed the release site file.
Closure of the file means that the TERS staff does not require any additional investigation and/or
cleanup work at this time or in the foreseeable future. Please be aware that file closure does not
necessarily mean that all petroleum contamination has been removed from this site. However,
the TERS staff has concluded that any remaining contamination, if present, does not appear to
pose a threat to public health or the environment.
The MPCA reserves the right to reopen this file and to require additional investigation and/or
cleanup work if new information or changing regulatory requirements make additional work
necessary.,.If you or other parties discover additional contamination (either petroleum or
nonpetroleum) that was not previously reported to the MPCA, Minnesota law requires that the
MPCA be immediately notified.
You should understand that this letter does not release any party from liability for the petroleum
contamination under Minn. Stat. ch. 115C (1994) or any other applicable state or federal law. In
addition, this letter does not release any party from liability for nonpetroleum contamination, if
present, under Minn. Stat. ch. I I 5 (1994), the Minnesota Superfund Law.
?Je arQ...,,
Mr. Steve Hoyt
Page 2
November 27, 1995
Because you performed the requested work, the state may reimburse you for a major portion of
your costs. The Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act establishes a fund which may provide
partial reimbursement for petroleum tank release cleanup costs. This fund is administered by the
Department of Commerce Petro Board. Specific eligibility rules are available from the Petro
Board at -612/297-1119 or 612/297-4203.
If future development of this property or the surrounding area is planned, it should be assumed
that petroleum contamination may still be present. If petroleum contamination is encountered
during future development work, the MPCA staff should be notified immediately.
For specific information regarding petroleum contamination that may remain at this leak site,
please call the TERS File Request Program at 612/297-8499. The "Leak/Spill and Underground
Storage Tank File Request Form" (TERS Fact Sheet #36) must be completed prior to arranging a
time for file review.
Thank you for your response to this petroleum tank release and for your cooperation with the.
MPCA to protect public health and the environment. If you have any questions regarding this
letter, please call me at 612/297-8577.
Sincerely,
Mike Nelson
Project Manager
Cleanup Unit I
Tanks and Emergency Response Section
MN:kf
cc: Laurie Ahrens, City Clerk, Plymouth
Richard Kline, Fire Chief, Plymouth
Greg Lie, Hennepin County Solid Waste Officer
Al Burke, Kelleher Environmental, Burnsville
Minnesota Department of Commerce, Petrofund Staff
For Immediate Release
November 27, 1995
CII
CITY OF
PLYMOUTFF
For More Information:
Sara Cwayna, 509-5198
Plymouth Police Accepting Applications for Police Cadet Program
The Plymouth Police Department is seeking applicants for its Cadet Apprenticeship Program (CAP), a
program which introduces minority youth to careers in law enforcement. Three junior or senior high school
students will be selected in December for a paid apprenticeship which will begin in January. Applications are
due Dec. 15.
Cadets work with Police Officers, Investigators and Community Service Officers in patrol, traffic
enforcement, canine activities, community education, animal control, narcotics and investigations. Cadets
also will work with county and state correctional facilities, U.S. Marshal's Department, Secret Service,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Medical Examiner's Office, Crime Lab and the Bureau of
Criminal Apprehension.
Applicants must be minority junior or senior high students under the age of 18. Cadets work ten hours
a week during the school year and 30-40 hours a week during the summer. Shifts include weekend hours.
Students must maintain a "C" average. Preference is given to applicants who have demonstrated
responsibility in their past and present academic, civic or employment activities.
Cadets are paid $6.25 per hour. Upon successful completion of the program, cadets may be eligible
for a college scholarship. For more information or to request an application, call 509-5198. CAP is funded
by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Economic Security.
PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
CiTv OF
PLYMOUTH+
For Immediate Release
For More Information:
November 27, 1995 Susan Gottwald, 509-5148
Schools Collecting Bottle Caps for DARE
Next time you crack a bottle of soda pop, you may be able to help support drug
abuse prevention programs. The Police Department, in cooperation with school districts,
is collecting special black Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) fund raiser bottle
caps from 2 -liter and 20 ounce bottles of Coca-Cola, Barq's Root Beer, Welch's and
Minute Maid soda. Caps are being collected at all Plymouth elementary schools.
Schools receive 5 cents for each bottle cap. The money will go directly to the
school's DARE fund. DARE Minnesota will also receive matching funds to help fund
DARE throughout the state. DARE Minnesota supplies free workbooks in Plymouth each
year.
-30-
CI1V OF
PLVMOUTR
For Immediate Release
November 27, 1995
c0 k
For More Information:
Rick Kline, 509-5121
Prevent Home Fires: Take Precautions during Holiday and Heating Season
In Minnesota, loss of life and property in fires is highest during the winter.
The heating season, coupled with the holidays' decorative lights, candles and
parties, increase the likelihood of residential fires. The Plymouth Fire Department
asks you to take precautions to protect your home and family from fire.
0 Furnace, Fireplace and Chimney Safety: In 1994, 55% of residential heating
fires were a result of fireplaces or chimneys and 28% of residential heating fires
were due to fixed or central heating units. Hire a professional to inspect your
chimney once a year. Always use a fire screen. Burn only materials appropriate
for a fireplace. Never burn trash or paper in a fireplace. Burning paper can float
up a chimney and onto your roof or into your yard. Remove ashes in a metal
can with a metal lid.
0 Smoke Detectors: In 1994, 71 % of Minnesota's fire fatalities involved smoke
detectors that were not operating, were absent or it could not be determined if
detectors were present or operating. Make sure that your home has at least one
smoke detector on each level. Place detectors outside of sleeping areas. Test
detectors monthly and replace batteries in battery operated detectors once a
year.
0 Establish a Fire Escape Plan: Sound your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO)
detectors so that your children recognize the sound. Teach children two ways
out of every room. Identify a meeting place outside the home where your
PLYMOUTH A BeautiJu[Place To Live
family will gather after the smoke or CO detector sounds. Close bedroom doors
when sleeping. Purchase fire escape ladders for second and third story
bedrooms.
0 Fire Extinguishers: Purchase an ABC fire extinguisher for your home. Teach
family members how to use the extinguisher (pull, aim, squeeze and sweep).
Make sure that it is charged.
0 Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Today's energy efficient, airtight home designs
contribute to the CO problem by trapping polluted air in the home. You can
prevent a build up of CO in your home by warming up vehicles outside of the
garage and having fuel -burning household heating equipment such as furnaces,
fireplaces, and water heaters, wood stoves checked each year before cold
weather sets in. Also, make sure that your fireplace's flue is open for adequate
ventilation. Never use charcoal inside the home or garage and purchase only
"UL" rated heating and cooking equipment.
0 Candles: Keep candles well away from curtains, combustible decorations,
windows and exits. Never leave candles burning unattended or within the
reach of small children. Make sure to extinguish candles before you leave a
room or go to bed.
0 Holiday Decorations: Use only fire retardant decorations. Throw away any
decorations that have frayed electrical cords. Keep tree boughs and garlands
well watered.
0 Christmas Trees: Choose a fresh Christmas tree. If you are not cutting your tree
yourself, buy one that is not shedding its needles. Cut the tree trunk at an angle
and put it securely in a large, deep, non -tip stand. Set up your tree away from
exits, fireplaces and heat sources. Be sure your tree has water. if you use an
artificial tree, be sure that it is labeled as being fire retardant.
0 Watch Children: Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach -- up high
and preferable in a locked cabinet. Teach young children to stay away from
candles, fireplaces and space heaters. Keep children away from cooking areas,
where scalds and burns commonly occur.
0 Choose Toys Wisely: When buying toys make sure that all electric toys and
clothing bare a fire safety or flame retardant label (UL). Keep electric toys away
from Christmas trees and paper decorations.
0 Give Space Heaters Space: Keep space heaters at least three feet away from
furniture, bedding, clothing, walls and other things that can burn. Always use
the proper fuel for liquid -fuel space heaters, vent them and refill them only in
ventilated areas when they are cool. Turn space heaters off when you leave the
room or go away from your home.
0 Party Safety: Use only flame retardant materials for decorations. Immediately
discard lighting strands that are frayed. Buy only UL lighting products. Provide
smokers with large, deep, non -tip ashtrays -- and keep an eye on anyone who is
drinking and smoking. Empty ashtrays often. Wet their contents before dumping
them. Check cushions and furniture for smoldering cigarette butts.
-30-
CITY OF
PLYMOUtFF
For Immediate Release
November 27, 1995
C)?A
For More Information:
John Sweeney509-5521
Plymouth Dial -A -Ride Offers Extended Holiday Hours
Plymouth Dial -A -Ride, a shared door-to-door transit service, is offering extended
holiday hours through Fri., Dec. 29. Holiday hours are 6 a.m. - 9 p.m., Mon. - Sat.
Dial -A- Ride takes riders anywhere in Plymouth as well as Ridgedale, New Hope
K -Mart, downtown Wayzata and Golden Valley Center. One-way fares are $1.50 for
trips scheduled the day before and $2 for same day trips.
For more information or to schedule a ride, call 559-5057.
;ESS°
Me Northwest
Helping all children succeed for life
November 27, 1995
Honorable Joy Tierney
Mayor, City of Plymouth
17915 20th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mayor Tierny,
NORTHWEST HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL
7601 Kentucky Ave. N.
Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
(612) 493-2802
Patty Wilder asked that I forward you the enclosed information from the Success By 60
Northwest Family Resource Center interview process.
The attached summary was compiled from interviews at 6 resource centers in the metropolitan
area in 1994. Though many of the resource centers share similar features, they also have their
unique differences in their approach to serving their respective community.
If you have any questions about the survey information, please feel free to call Patty Wilder or
myself at 493-2802.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Gardner
Projects Coordinator
Enclosure
Brooklyn Center Corcoran Golden Valley
Brooklyn Park Crystal Hanover
Champlin Dayton Hassan
Maple Grove Plymouth
New Hope Robbinsdale
Osseo Rogers
�1
� � J
Success By 618 Northwest Family Resource Center
Survey Results
In October 1993, the Success By 619 Northwest Family Resource Center sub -committee
interviewed 6 family resource centers in the metropolitan area. The purpose of the survey
process was to collect and examine information on how other centers organized themselves
and offered services within a variety of communities. Committee members asked Resource
Center staff nine questions relating to the following topics: history, overall mission or focus,
partner organizations, successes and challenges, service area, funding sources, and program
evaluation.
The following centers participated in the survey process:
Anoka Resource Center
Community Resource Center (Brooklyn Park)
Frogtown Family Resource Center (St. Paul)
Hopkins Area Family Resource Center
Payne -Phalen Family Support Project (St. Paul)
Thorson Family Resource Center (Crystal)
In addition, in May 1994, the Success By 60 Northwest Family Resource Center sub-
committee continued with the survey process and interviewed all of the providers located
at (or providing services to) the Thorson Family Resource Center. Comments and
suggestions from these 16 providers have been incorporated into this document as well.
Key Concepts
Diverse funding provides for a range of activities and seems to contribute to flexibility. The
center takes on characteristics of the primary funder. When school funded, the center takes
on school -like characteristics such as an educational focus, the same liability concerns,
shorter hours, etc. Transportation, liability insurance, and hours were consistently areas of
need, concern, or debate. In the case of one center, under a foundation grant the center
was able to have evening hours, the staff transported people and home visits were a key
component of service. At the end of the foundation grant period, funding came through the
school district. Evening hours were eliminated as was transportation services and home
visits related to unions, costs, and insurance. These components had been seen as critically
important and adding to the success of the program working toward both whole family and
holistic in nature. The changes created a more school like program rather than the broader
based definition. Cultural barriers and service area definitions were two repeated areas of
some concern. It seemed interesting that one resource center actually paid public health
nurses for referrals to the center. While referrals are a part of most positions, and referring
to a resource center seems obvious, this center felt it necessary to pay for referrals to be
made. How this would impact future referrals seemed to be an interesting question. Would
people get used to making referrals and be in the habit and continue or would the concept
of having to be paid to refer clients to other help become the norm.
to
History
The family resource centers share many attributes in their design, development and
implementation of services. One common feature is the collaboration needed in order to
develop a center in any community. Several centers mentioned similar .types of partners.
such as the advisory councils (youth and adult), school districts, cities, churches, health-
related organizations, social service providers, , businesses; civic 'organizations and other., . .
groups.- Center staff view these collaborations as successful components in the operation
of the center.
Mission/ Focus
All of the centers serve more than one audience in the community. Target audiences low
income families and families with young children. Others mentioned include the residents
of the area where the center is located.
Services offered varied from center to center. Many offered child care, some type of early
childhood development classes, family programs, health-related services, support groups and
recreational programming. Only one center interviewed mentioned a specific service to
support older adults. t
Management/ Operation
Two of the resource centers fall under the auspicious of two school districts' community
education departments. In both cases, it did not provide the centers with the management
or administrative assistance needed for them to function to their fullest potential. A full-
time Director to oversee the administration of the center and manage the communication
between all partners was indicated by both centers.
Funding/ Budget
Financially supporting the centers was again outlined as a collaborative approach. Two
centers listed foundations and grants as resources for supporting the centers. Again, the
school district acts as the fiscal agent in some instances for the Center.
In order to preserve confidentiality with the survey process, answers have been coded.
Question #1: Give a brief history of how this center was established.
Center A: The Center was born through a policing philosophy called Community Oriented
Policing which was discussed at a conference in Alabama in 1990. From that discussion, the
idea of establishing a neighborhood community center offering a variety of governmental
services was formed. The center would become an extension of City Hall and an "access
point" in the neighborhood . for residents to find out about community programs and services
available to them.
2.
Center B: The Center started through an Early Childhood Family Education program which
originally served a broad based constituency and moved toward serving more at risk
populations. With Foundation support, the center's mission was expanded. The partners
included a school district, public health nurses, and a district council.
Center C: In 1991, social workers and principals from the school district and two churches
formed the School and Community in Partnership Committee to look at community needs,
which included after school programs. The School District then rented the space we now
occupy in a "lease for levy" program.
Center D: The conception of the idea developed four years ago. The County and schools
had been talking about "one stop shop" for families.
Center E: The Center was re -opened by the Community Education Department in 1990 to
primarily house an early childhood development program. Remodeling a part of the
building by private funders allowed more space suitable for renters from other organizations,
businesses and agencies.
Center F: The Center was established in 1990 following a community needs assessment.
Community Education, specifically Early Childhood Family Education, was the primary
service at the onset.
Question #2: What is your overall mission or focus? Has it changed over time? If so, how?
Center A: To act as an extension of City Hall to provide services in the form of a resource
for residents of this area. It has evolved from being a recreation/ police sub -station to what
it is now.
Center B: Working with families in the community. The Center had learning readiness funds
and targeted 3 and 4 year old kids with these funds. Parent and Child programs served 0-5
year olds. Early prevention/ intervention funding focus. Home visiting component.
Center C: To coordinate . and implement community resources to serve the needs of families
and individuals in our area.
Center D: To provide child care and parenting education opportunities for clients of the
Human Services Center. The Human Services Center includes 25 agencies supporting
clients toward self-sufficiency.
Center E: The objective of the Center was to offer a location where common goal programs
could be housed with the focus primarily serving early childhood and low income families.
Center F: To enhance personal power of individuals through education, support and access
to resources.
3.
Question #3: Do you have partner organizations? Who?
Center A: We have collaborators, not equal partners in this project. Collaborators include
early childhood development programs through the school district, attorney services, CASH's
Homeline, Hennepin County Family and Children's' Services, police department and
community action groups.
Center B: School District, District Council, County Public Health Nurses, and the
community. (Pays County for referrals!)
Center C: School District, City, Area Faith Community, Methodist Hospital Foundation,
CASH, Jaycees, Interchurch Community Association, Lutheran Brotherhood, civic
organizations and individual contributions.
Center D: The Center is fiscally managed
Department. This represents a consortium
Department and other community services.
by School District's Community Education
of 8 school districts, County Human Services
Center E: The collaborative agencies for the Resource Center include a private daycare
center, early childhood development programs, a food shelf and others. Again, the School
District is one of the collaborative partners.
Center F: Funders, School District and groups such as Parents Anonymous.
Question #4: What are some of your successes?
Center A: The fact that we have survived the first two years with no money. People are
using the facility and we have 2 new full-time staff. We have been able to secure community
business donations. We have put on various community activities and helped over 500
people since we've been here, specifically people in crisis.
Center B: Success in small increments: finding families, parenting education, building a
network, having cris'i's numbers for referrals, providiitg'food,''siie7fer; "cl�ithirig; assisting eight
restraining orders.
Center C: The broad base of funding helped the entire community to buy into the Center.
Groups are invited in regularly so that it's not considered just a place for low income
families. It is also seen as a neutral place since it is not connected to school. And space at
the Center is used all the time.
Center D: Providing child care, early intervention services and community referral services
for children at risk.
4.
Center E: The referrals and information' that go back and forth between programs, the
community based approached, the cooperative staff affiliated with the programs and the
collaboration.
Center F: Programs such as parent education, GED, and Learning Readiness are full with
waiting lists.
Question #5: What has not gone well?
Center A: Things have gone slowly, but that can be expected from a new organization.
Center B: Certain population groups have been more challenging to serve due to the
cultural barriers. Staff not necessarily social workers or psychologists and issues such as
abuse counseling and child protection cases are critical.
Center C: Definitely need one full-time person to be the connection, to make sure that
information is getting out and is consistent. This person should be full-time from the
beginning. The current Director is 22 hours a week and a Community Education employee.
There is no permanent funding. And we also rely heavily on volunteers which is great, but
they need a lot of training and coordination.
Center D: Funding.
Center E: The building needs to be open longer hours, especially nights, weekends and
during the summer. More collaboration between the programs.. Proper heating and lighting
of the building is needed. Better playground facilities are also needed.
Center F: Could benefit from having different funding sources. Some cultural challenges
including teaching of English..
Question #6: Who do you serve? What are your services?
Center A: We serve :{;esi pts within a 6: -block area. Examples.. of,services include. Park and
Recreation programs, housing information, Community Oriented Policing program,
environmental health information, community health worker on-site, preschool screening,
jobs and employment information, Section 8 housing interviews and other services.
Center B: Defined by a district council's boundaries.
Center C: An energy assistance center, some ECFE programs with on-site child care, a
family learning program, and .support groups for parents and grandparents who are raising
their grandchildren. The Center will also be sharing a community health worker with other
resource centers. A violence prevention grant was awarded by the Minnesota Department
of Education; that initiative will based out of the Center for a year.
5.
f
Center D: We are licensed to provide three types of day care services to 41 children
including long-term, short-term and drop-in care.
Center E: We serve parents and children ages 0 - 4. Our focus is primarily 0 - 5 year old
children.
Center F: Defined by a district council's boundaries.
Question #7: What would you change about the provision of services? (or resources, or in
general)
Center A: We are interested in becoming more high-tech by using computers for
information and referral processes.
Center B: Like to expand to more of a whole family center --- something for everyone be
it math tutoring, include junior high kids as well as elementary kids, GED, whole family
literacy, job training.
Center C: A full-time Director from the beginning. We would also want to look at the
design of the space in a different way; we already need more space and some elements in
the current design are not very functional. We also need more parent involvement. For
example, we would like to establish a sub -committee of parents who have been involved in
the various programs or services.
Center D: Make the building bigger for staff who operate the Center; there currently is no
office space. We would like to stabilize our funding status; operating the Center on 50% is
hard.
Center E: The building needs to be open longer hours especially nights, weekends and
summer time. Also, more building services such as Park and Recreation, counseling, dental
and medical services would enhance the Center. Forming a group to look for grant moines
to be used by the whole center. Proper heating and lighting of the building are also areas
of concern. One building manager to handle the activities of the Center is also needed.
Center F: Would acquire a 14 passenger bus or van in that 2/3 of clientele need
transportation. Expand the GED program. Expand ages served to include under 18 months
and over 5 years of age for programs.
Question #8: What are your funding sources and budget?
Center A: Funding for the Center is $145,000 a year from McKnight Foundation, CBDG,
business and community group donations, church and general fund dollars.
Center B: Originally McKnight. Now primarily school district, children's trust fund, URAP
dollars.
6.
Center C: The School District is the fiscal agent. Funding comes from those listed in
Question #3.
Center D: 50% of the fees are generated and 50% comes from grants and foundations.
Center E: Incomplete
Center F: URAP
Question #9: Have you done an assessment or evaluation of your programs and/or
services? What did you find? What has been your response to the findings? Have things
changed due to the findings?
Center A: We are constantly evaluating. The task of the Advisory Committee will be to
complete another one in 1994. We have found that the intake process needed updating.
The resource bank was outdated and needed a different process of information
dissemination. We found that we need both a youth and adult Advisory Committee and that
we needed more funding. We also found that staff needs team building training. A re-
structuring of the telephone communication system is needed. We also have to find a
balance between recreation programs and business resources and information dissemination.
We noticed that .things .are beginning to change. The response from the City and businesses
has been positive. We need to earn our right to be heard.
Center B: Yes. Database of clients; intake interviews, ask about needs, how easy or difficult
accessing services/ programs. Look at risk factors. Also do social support interviews,
Denver assessment for mental developmental, and a home observation.
Center C: Our evaluation process has been subjective at present. We are able to tabulate
the number of people being served by examining phone logs and tracking volunteer hours.
We are trying to see if the programs fit into the needs of the community. Some of the
individual programs may be doing evaluations.
Center D: NAYEC
Center E: Incomplete
Center F: Yes through Wilder Foundation.
Property tax
proposals
indicate.
6.2% rise
Increase is double
the inflation rate,,,
By Patricia Lopez Baden
Star Tribune Staff Writer
A state analysis of proposed----:
property tax increases for 199677 -
shows that city and county levies'*'
would rise 6.2 percent statewide.
— roughly twice the rate of infla- -
tion and faster than the projected,'
rate of growth in personal -
income.
State revenue analysts say that -
such an increase would be out of -
line with a so-called Price of Gov-: -
ernment resolution passed in the . -
last legislative session, which rec::
ommends restraining tax ins -
creases to growth in personal in-:
come. Next year, personal in-
come growth is estimated at 4.0$: -
percent, according to the state's. -
most recent budget forecast.
While proposed property tax.
increases vary for individual cities
and counties, state Revenue De..
partment ' analysts say that 6T
percent of all Minnesota cities
and 77 percent of counties are -
now scheduled to raise taxes ber'
yond that recommended 4.02 ;
percent limit.
If those proposed increases are'
made final, state Revenue Comb
missioner Matt Smith said Mont -
day, the result would be an extra -.---
bite of $40 milliob on t a er-- "
wallets. ,• • _ , _ _ -
We consider ;that a seriouT
increase," Smith said. _
Turn to TAXES on A5
Also on A5:
— Now you can weigh in at Truth -
in Taxation hearings.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28.1995• . STAR TRIBUNE • PAGE -At
TAXES from Al
Property taxes
likely to rise
faster than
income in state
"The Price of Government res-
olution tries to keep the overall
price tag of government spending
in line with people's income, and
preferably below. If we continue
at this pace, we'll see a steady
rise, with government spending
consuming a greater percentage
of personal income."
The Price of Government reso-
lution does not prohibit local
governments from 'raisingreve-
nues — taxes and fees — faster
than the growth in personal in-
come. Instead, it is meant to pro-
vide taxpayers with a yardstick to
measure which is growing faster:
their income or the cost of gov-
ernment.
If local governments do enact
the proposed tax increases, the
increases probably would be
cushioned somewhat by smaller
increases in school property tax-
es. Early indications are that
school tax increases will be lower
than the guideline established by
I the resolution.
The state'sTruth in Taxation
law requires local governments to
send notices of proposed proper-
ty tax increases each fall. Once
the notices go out, increases can-
t not rise beyond that proposed
I amount.- .
Local governments are, how -
j : ever, free to come in with a lower
! final levy and historically tend to
do so after'public hearings. This
,•year they begin Wednesday, with
final levies due Dec. 28.
Jim Mulder of the Association What you can do,
Of Minnesota Counties said Mon-
day that cities and counties prob-
""""""""""""'""""""""..... '
what you Should know
ably will come in at lower rates,
although he noted that local gov-
> Attend local public hearings:
ernments face some extraordi-
Beginning Wednesday, local
nary financial pressures.
governments will hold Truth in
State and federal funding rep=
Taxation hearings. That's when
resent a little less than two-thirds
you can tell your elected offs-
of county revenue, Mulder said,
cials what you think of the pro-,
with property taxes making up
posed tax hike, or question
the rest.
"We've
them about their taxing and
been told to expect
spending.
cuts in our [state] aid," Mulder
> When and where are the meet -1
said. "And we know the feds are
Ings?: Look on the proposed tax
planning to make reductions. So
levy statement you recently
now, ..you've got one revenue
received, or call your city hail,
§opxce , — property taxes — to
:-"'Wake
county or school district.
up for; the other losses. I
> When will flnal tax levies be iwt?; -
=think what you're seeing is local
officials preparing for a worst-
Local governments mpst
decide the 1996 tax rates .hz_
case scenario. We'll probably see
Dec. 28. Your property tax 6ii
lower increases once the final
with the final numbers should
numbers are in."
bei n the mail by March 31. -4-
Cities and counties; he said,
f.;%
also are seeing double-digit in-
puts them over the 6 percent," he
creases in their costs for correc-
said. "That's not the same as if -a
tions and health and human ser-
metro county raised taxes: S
vices. "Our counties are seeing a
percent."
20 to 25 percent increase in out-
Gordon Folkman,, a senior lax
of -home placement for juvenile
analyst with the Revenue Depaff*
[offenders)," Mulder said. "It can
ment, said that an equal number
cost twice as much to place a kid
of metro and nonmetro counties
as an adult, and we don't get to
and cities are offering proposed
not pay that just because our
increases above the recommend -
state or federal funding is being
ed 4.02 percent limit, "It's slit'
cut."
prisingly parallel," Folkman saldi
Mulder also said that Revenue
Outstate cities, he said, tended to
Department projections give an
have a greater increase in . the
incomplete picture and could
local tax rate because their tax
mislead taxpayers. "You could
bases are not growing as quickly.
have a very small county that
School district taxes, which
deeds to buy a few computers
make up about 42 percent of -EL
and raises taxes $6,000, and that
property owner's tax bill, are dal;
�—
culated separately, Folkman sandy
because they are so closely tied, -
state spending formulas.
A preliminary evaluation : of
school levies shows proposed' ;
overall increases of 3.5 to 4 perp
cent, which actually is lower than
the 5 percent recommended, by
the Price of Government resoe
lution. .,,C;
Last year, Folkman said, fna4
levies for .cities, counties acid
townships statewide increased
4.13 percent, while the previdus
year they increased 2S percent:, -4a _
November 20, 1995
Mayor Joy Tierney
17915 20th Avenue N
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mayor Tierney,
We were excited that the last summer's referendum to save the wetland areas and expand
Plymouth's network of biking and walking paths was approved. We are quite disappointed,
however, on another matter that has been a topic of discussion within our neighborhood.
It seems that there is a proposal to complete Xenium Lane between 37th avenue and Rockford
Road. While I am in favor of completing this stretch of roadway (as it is being done now), I
strongly object to turning Xenium into a four lane road with a posted speed limit of 40 miles per
hour. My opposition to the proposal stems from several facts.
First, the traffic to the Radisson hotel is already heavy in the morning as both employees and
those attending meetings rush to get to their scheduled events. This increase in flow coincides
with the children -going to the bus stop. While this may not seem to differentiate our
neighborhood from others, remember that Xenium is the only way in and out of our
neighborhood.
Second, with the completion of Xenium, those that wish to avoid 494 congestion will now use
Xenium as a cut through to Highway 55. With no stop signs to slow traffic, our street could
become a Northwest Boulevard where one can frequently witness speeds of 55 mph.
Finally, until the paths are complete, the shoulders of Xenium are the only way for kids and their
parents to walk through the neighborhood or connect to other trails. Elimination of the shoulder
and the increased speed would eliminate our walking access to and from the area.
I would ask that you please revisit the proposal and amend the following:
-First and foremost, reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph and keep
Xenium a two lane rather than four lane road.
-Second, at a minimum leave the stop sign in at 34th avenue but preferably install
another stop sign at either 37th, 35th or 32nd avenue. There are numerous streets in
Minneapolis that have stop signs every block in order to slow down "cut through" traffic.
-Give the completion of the paths along Xenium priority over other paths that are to
be completed under the referendum.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We would be more than happy to discuss this further
with any city planning officials.
Since ly,
Da e, Lynn and Haley Talen
13300 35th Ave. N.
Plymouth, MN 55441
(612) 557-5775
CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
November 29, 1995
David Talen
13300 35th Avenue N.
Plymouth, M14 55441
Dear Mr. Talen,
Thank you for the letter to Mayor Tierney regarding your concerns about traffic on
Xenium Lane North. Mayor Tierney has asked Fred Moore, Public Works Director, to
respond to your letter. You can expect a response from Mr. Moore by December 12.
Thanks again for your thoughtful letter. Please give me a call on 509-5052 if you have
not received a response by December 12.
Sincerely,
64/AW*
Kathy Lueckert
Assistant City Manager
cc: Fred Moore, Public Works Director
C/R. file (95-50)
PLYMOUTH ;l Beau tifulPlace ?n Linc
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 a TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
I* '�' � 6
CITY OF
PLYMOUTFF
November 30, 1995
Donald (Bill) McMoore
1613 Black Oaks Place
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. McMoore,
Thank you for the letter to Congressman Ramstad regarding your concerns about
assessments for street work, and the issue of private streets. Congressman Ramstad
forwarded the letter to Plymouth Mayor Tierney, who has asked Fred Moore, Public
Works Director, to respond to your letter. You can expect a response from Mr. Moore
by December 13.
Thanks again for your thoughtful letter. Please give me a call on 509-5052 if you have
not received a response by December 13.
Sincerely,
Kathy Lueckert
Assistant City Manager
cc: Fred Moore, Public Works Director
C/R. file (95-51)
JIM RAMSTAD
THIRD DISTRICT, MINNESOTA
WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE
TRADE SUBCOMMITTEE
OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE
November 28, 1995
The Honorable Joy Tierney
Mayor
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
Congregg of
btateg
Wee;
in on, OC 20515-2,,,
Y
WASHINGTON OFFICE:
103 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
(202)225-2871
DISTRICT OFFICE:
8120 PENN AVENUE SOUTH, #152
BLOOMINGTON, MN 55431
(612)881-4600
Dear Joy:
I am enclosing a letter from Donald (Bill) McMoore, who is a Chelsea Woods resident.
As you can see, he is aware this is not a federal issue, but asked me to forward his letter to the
proper individual.
I don't ever want to tell you what to do at the City level, but I hope you will look into the
situation for Mr. McMoore. .... , A. .. , .
I have advised Bill that I have forwarded his letter to you for assistance.
If I can help in any way, however, please let me know.
Si cerely,
JIM C
STAD
Me er of Congress
JR: me
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Nxe� 22, 1995
Caw ss» sn Jim Panstad
8120 l din Pvenm Sotth
aiite 152
Koarirg , M 55431
I Pave rm hxi the apport uty to speak with }au for several years, but ny Yq:)es are d -at
;Fu va11 Cb tre and *he csrmrr ty in winch I resi& a favor.
without bamat of haviig tete city in vim c Z it rendes, PljdTC th, ttmrtain lts private
jim, I realm thlaL arias is mare a city and a state matter than it is a raLinml. oamm-1.
Nxetheless, I will appreciate yux callirg or fore my letter , i a rate, to tie prcper
irdivid-al at the state level ubo u 11 assist iz in readzirg an amiable resolubm of oris
math. r.
T-mic you far^CDC
atian.
KC-
Dxnld
Il.� W. 11 13M 1 i L%tt icar,,
1613 13Black 01<s Place
Plymuth, MSI 55447
(612) 476=+175
co: Qzt k Srnrmder, President
1815 Armor Um
Plyroxh, W 55447
CITY OF
PLYMOUTFF
November 30, 1995
John Miller
4535 Upland Lane N.
Plymouth, MN 55446
Dear Mr. Miller,
Thank you for the letter to Mayor Tierney about your concerns over increases in
property taxes. Mayor Tierney has asked Dale Hahn, Finance Director, to respond to
your letter. You can expect a response from Mr. Hahn by December 13.
Thanks again for your thoughtful letter.
not received a response by December 13.
cc: Dale Hahn, Finance Director
C/R. file (95-52)
Please give me a call on 509-5052 if you have
Sincerely,
&44*4
Kathy Lueckert
Assistant City Manager
PLYMOUTH A Beau tif ul Tlace To Live
Mayor's Office
City of Plymouth
John hiller
4535 Upland Dane
Plymouth, NLN 55446
iv'ayt31',
�5c
I am in shock over my new "Proposed Property Tax" statement.
Overall it went up 19°�0. This is crazy. Nobody gets 19%0' raises
each year. I�,Iy school district taxes went up by 31 %, The
information I got. before we voted on the last. school bond was
that that bond was not suppose to raise our taxes.
I understand that the City of Plymouth tax only urent up .8%
and that it is the building of the high school that caused the main
increase. So, I would like to know who I can write to and what
can we do about the school systems outrageous increase in tax
revenue this year.
John Miller
:::•::<
Q
t/')
V)
V7
ch
V'f
O�
V7
O\
V)
C%
H
V7
O\
V)
ON
V)
m
V1
ON
V7
m
V)
O)
V)
m
V)
V7
m
V)
m
In
m
V)
O,
V)
m
in
ON
V)
t/')
V7
in
O�
V)
ON
V7
V)
O\
V)
O\
�
•-+
�
�
N
M
(-
O\
O,
N
V)
00
M
V)
It
qt
It
V)
II7
V7
tI)
V7
V)
t`
00
00
O�
to
O)
try
m
H
M
%n
M
1f)
M
V)
M
N
V)
`-'
V)
M
h
M
N
in
ON
V)
ON
N
a\
to
ON
in
O\
V)
M
1n
M
in
h
M
In
M
N
M
V1
M
V7
O)
Vt
V I
N
In
In
V)
in
h
V)
Q`
'
::::::.►�:
M
.--i
Cl)
.--1
M
r-1
t—
.--1
M
N
M�.y
N
p
%n
�--�
tD
�"1
In
"'1
M
N
O
Cl)
In
N
V)
N
V)
N
to
N
N
%n
^�
V)
N
N
N
V)
N
O
M
N
t0
t0
et
tt
00
't
M
�:
�-i\-i�-1
.\-1
•\-1
N
N
N
N
N
M
M
M
M
It't
v
t
h
h
in
in
\0\0\0
r-
0000
0000
0000
V3
M
to
O\
V7
O\
V)
O,
V7
Q�
V)
O,
V)
M
V)
ON
V)
m
V7
V)
in
Ot
V7
to
�
V)
O)
V)
ON
V7
ON
V7
O,
V)
O,
V)
C,
V)
V7
O�
V7
C,
%n
ON
to
m
%n
m
V7
V)
V7
in
m
V)
V)
V7
m
V)
m
tn
m
N
N
N
..
N
-
-�
r1
N
N
-
M
o\0
N
M
P.r
.r
r.
.•-�
.-1
.�
N
N
N
N
M
m
M
m
M
It'
•�!
'�i'
I
N
V)
h
in
tI'I
V)�
h
V)
tn
b
t0
t0
t-
0\0
00
00
00
00
O,
M
C
to
v�
to
In
Q,
V)
O�
In
Ot
to
In
:ti
..
v)
V7
O,
V)
Q\
V)
D\
tn
01
V)
O)
V)
O,
in
O)
In
h
V)
O�
V)
O�
V7
O�
V)
O,
V)
O�
N
xn
O)
v)
In
v�
V7
%n
V)
.....�..i,
M
M
M
M
O,
01
°)
t0
O)
0\
.r
N
M
00
00
00
O\
N
V'1
V)
V)
00
It
N
01
N
V)
O\
N
N
00
O
M
N
N
N
•
•-�
,�
,.
N
N
N
N
M
M
M
d'
�
qtt
V)
V)
h
In
In
h
in
r`
00
00
00
00
00
N
°
°
>
Off+
3
5
z
Z
'`y
o
0q��
Cd
v
0
>
0
q
o
0
o
,�
a
a
a
In
°
a
>
ti
a
a
y
U
rn
O
'Ct
zca
o
o
U
.,
aN
0
c
#> .aU
ai
O
O
w
o
0b0
«triO
o
tn
tn
0an
A
? <
°
Q;
�+a7
•o
ty
h
Q
�A
Z
Oi
0
V
«A
'j
.O
rn
.•
°�
d
aw¢a
a°�
N
QaaaadH���awl�CIO
y
as
a°�
ce
++
'1"-
ca
U
a
`«nUh'Hv�
c"n
xv,Hw
w
0
0
a
...co
°
U
w
0
w
.�
°
a
ou
::>::
dQ�
�w
zU
°A
U.�
'u;
a
a
a
a
o
o
A
a
>,
a,
a
E"
o
x
4)�opq�'gar
oo
x
>[
AAAc7A>yrs:a;z
m'na3aa'ncn
�t�x
�xUa¢o��ad
>[<[
c
g
g
a
A
�,
o
8
8
8
8
8
,,°
8
80
8
8
°o
°o
x
x
°Ur�axC7csa
h
.�
M
tt
V7
tD
l�
00
�i
.~�N-i
tD
00
O,
O
•-+
N
M
V)
t0
00
O)
O
^�
N
M
V1
00
.M-1
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
M
M
M
M
M
M
X
a
CITIZEN REQUEST TRACKING
95REQ.XLS Page 2
... .... . ...............
............. .... ..........
.4 ..................
.
..... ....... ... .......
... .......
.............. U
..........
:� , V, � : .........
... ......
. ... ... .
. ......
............
............ ........... -
36
Blank
Patrick McDonald
Amberwoods Park
9/6/95
9/6/95
9/20/95
9/14/95
37
Hurlburt
Daryl Tesch
South Shore Drive Trailer Park
9/6/95
9/6/95
9/20/95
9/20/95
38
Moore
Ellen Feuling
Drainage Problems on Weston La.
8/23/95
8/24/95
9/1/95
9/27/95
39
Blank
Joseph Michaels
Open Space parcel east of Zachary La.
9/20/95
9/20/95
10/5/95
9/21/9
40
Blank
Vincent J. Bonacci
Concerns about soccer Referee
9/21/95
9/22/95
1015195
10/3195
41
Blank
Cathy Newsom
Concerns about soccer Referee
9/19/95
9/26/95
10/10/95
10/3/95
42
Hurlburt
David G. Roston
"No Parking" Signs in Trenton Ponds
9/26/95
9/29/95
10/13/95
10/20/95
43
1 Gerdes
George W. Sheets
Parking Ticket at Rockford Road Plaza
10/3/95
10/4/95
10/18/95
1015195
44
Moore
Althea Blommel
French Drain on 44th Avenue N.
10/23/95
10/24/95
11/7/95
11/16/95
45
Moore
Greg Engel
Speeding traffic at Peony Lane & 19th
10/30/95
10/31/95
11/13/95
11/16/95
46
Gerdes
Leo Benz
Traffic Citation
11/3/95
11/3/95
11/17/95
11/13/95
47
Hurlburt
Carl Robinson
Development Concerns at N.W. Blvd. &
37th
11/3/95
11/3/95
11/17/95
11/8/95
48
Gerdes
Marsha Upson
Crime Problems in Sunny Acres
11/6/95
11/8/95
11/22/95
11/16/95
49
Hurlburt
George Wilson
Plymouth Towne Square concerns
11/13/95
11/14/95
11/28/95
50
Moore
David Talen
Xenium. Lane traffic concerns
11/20/95
11/28/95
12/12/95
1 Moore
R.W. MeMoore
Street assessments & private streets
11/29/95
11/30/95
12/13/95
L1
52
jHahn
I John Miller
!property tax increases
1 11/29/95
11/30/95 1
12/13/95
1
95REQ.XLS Page 2
November 21, 1995
Ms. Anne Hurlburt
Director of Community Development
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minn. 55447
Dear Anne:
10715 39th Ave, North
Plymouth, Mn. 55441
If 4t. "YJ
/ems g
[.�
t%?GV c�
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPT
The concept plan for City Center that you and Mike Schroeder presented last
Monday evening is realistic given the current market and makes sense for the
area. An entertainment center concept for the northeast quadrant of
Vicksburg and Highway 55 will make the area come alive at night and give
the area identity.
The impatience of property owners in getting the area developed is
understandable but it's potential is too great to hastily settle for less than a
high quality project. I would urge the City to use whatever powers and
resources are necessary to insure that development of the area realizes it's
potential. Although I did not hear mention of shared parking, with a
mixture of night and day time uses in the area, such a concept might be
feasible to reduce land area requirements and costs.
Thanks for an excellent presentation and for the significant part you played in
developing a sound plan.
Sincerely,
�W&
David Hagen
Phone 546-5599
MINNESOTA Department of Revenue
Commissioner's Office
November 27, 1995
Dear Mayor:
C6
-.�. St. Paul, Minnesota 55146-7100
- - ..�70
N
LWA
As Truth in Taxation hearings and setting of final city property tax levies for 1996
draws near, I am writing to remind you of the "price of government" law enacted
last session by the Governor and Legislature, as well as the significant long-term
budget challenges posed by the looming structural imbalance between spending and
revenue in Minnesota, further compounded by federal budget reductions. All of
these have implications for the tax and spending choices your city must make in the
coming weeks.
In March of this year, the Governor and the Legislature agreed to the price of
government resolution, setting comprehensive revenue targets for FYI 996 through
FYI 999. In this resolution, for the first time, state policy makers agreed on how
much Minnesotans could afford to pay for state and local government services. The
revenue targets, expressed as a percentage of Minnesota personal income, include all
state and local taxes, fees, and charges. This percentage is referred to as the price of
government. The resolution adopted by the Governor and the Legislature calls for a
reduction in the price of government from 18.2 percent during this last biennium to
17.8 percent in the 1998-99 biennium. As part of this resolution, city property tax
levies were targeted to increase by approximately 4 percent per year.
Analysis of proposed city property tax levies for 1996 shows that, statewide, city
levies will increase by $44.1 million or 6.8 percent. Under these proposed levies,
approximately 61 percent of all cities would impose a levy increase greater than 4
percent. If these city levies could be brought into line with the price of government
resolution, then total city levy increases for 1996 could be reduced by approximately
$24.8 million or over 50 percent.
Other concerns add to the importance of careful levy decisions this year. Earlier this
month, a report submitted to the Governor by former U.S.Representative Vin Weber
and former state Senator John Brandl indicated that Minnesota state and local
governments will be confronted with an aggregate revenue shortfall of about $8
billion over the next six years. The shortfall will result from a structural imbalance
between the projected growth in revenues and spending needs plus anticipated cuts
in federal aid to Minnesota. The report urges that this fiscal problem be resolved in
a way that is consistent with the price of government resolution. That is, the solution
An equal 0171iortunit4 employer TDD: (612) 297-2196
Mayor
November 27, 1995 l�J
Page 2
depends on reforming government spending systems and not on raising taxes. If
city property tax levy increases can be held to 4 percent or less in the short, then this
will serve to reserve some revenue capacity to deal with longer-term problems; hard
choices now will yield more flexibility later.
I urge you and your city government to give very careful consideration to these
factors as you determine your final levies for 1996. The Governor and Legislature
are committed to reducing the overall price of government in Minnesota as reflected
in the price of government resolution's targets. While the revenue targets (and thus
the spending they support) are set in terms of aggregates for cities as a whole, and
the resolution's success depends on voluntary compliance by cities acting
individually, responsibility and accountability to ensure that the overall price of
government remains within these targets ultimately rest with the Governor and
Legislature.
I believe it would be extremely unfortunate if achievement of the overall price of
government targets is put at risk by local levy decisions. Meeting this important
state goal might then require alternative approaches that could potentially result in
either more direct limitations on local revenue -setting ability, or in compensating
reductions in state -raised revenues and associated transfers to ensure that the overall
targets can be met. It is clear that the best way to ensure we meet our overall price
of government targets is for each unit of government --state as well as local --
individually to make the choices necessary to meet them.
Sincerely,
Matthew G. Smith
Co:nmissiorer
FROM GMDCQ
GMDCA-
AuChild Care Leadership and Services
November 30,1995.
Mayor Joy Tierney
Council Members
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth,MN 55447
11.30,1995 10 34 P. 1
Dear Mayor Tierney and Council Members#
t.-'
6&
GREATER MINNEAPOLIS
DAY CARE ASSOCIATION
1628 Elliot Avenue South
Mlnneapolia, MN 55404-1657
Tel. (612) 341-1177
Pax (612)341-4356
Voice/TDD (612) 341.2066
Thank you for continuing to put some of your Community
Development Block Grant money into the child care subsidy
program. The $23,500.that you have allocated will support
the four Plymouth families now on your program. when these
families can be moved to another funding source,the eligible
Plymouth families at the top of your waiting list will be
served. There are now 122 eligible families on the Plymouth
waiting list.
Please call if I can get any information for you. Thank
you again for your continuing and generous support of the
child care subsidy program. You are making it possible
for some Plymouth families to move toward sufficiency.
Sincerely,
Grace Norris
Community Outreach Coordinator
Post41r Fax Note 7671
Co.
A
e 9 —Sv 6o X1-611" 3 4 (—
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY
REFERRAIS • CAREGIVER TRAINING • FEE SUBSIDIES