Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
Council Information Memorandum 04-08-2005
CITY OF PLYMOUT Dummy r;b COUNCIL INFO MEMv April 8, 2005 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Youth Advisory Council April 11 meeting agenda............................................................... Page 3 Special Housing & Redevelopment (HRA) April 12 meeting agenda ................................. Page 4 Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) April 13 meeting agenda ................................... Page 5 April, May, and June Official City Meeting Calendars........................................................ Page 7 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings ........................................ Page 13 FOR INFORMATION ... News Articles, Releases, Publications, etc. Star Tribune Plymouth—related articles from the Wednesday "West Edition": Story on west metro communities varying plans to deal with water qualityissues........................................................................................................... Page 14 Robbinsdale Area Schools District 281 profile................................................................... Page 16 Notice of plans to present findings of a citizen survey on recycling at the April 13 Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) meeting ............................................. Page 17 Invitation to attend the groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Osseo Area Schools Adult Education Center.................................................................................Page 18 Wall Street Journal story changes in tax relief programs around the country .................... Page 19 Invitation to a reception for Maple Grove Councilmember Michael Amery ...................... Page 21 City news release announcing Plymouth youth being honored by the Minnesota Twins for taking top honors in a statewide DARE poster contest ...................................... Page 22 City news release regarding an upcoming full-scale exercise being conducted at Armstrong High School on May 13............................................................... Page 24 Staff Reports Fire—rescue incident of interest............................................................................................Page 27 Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility population report ....................................... Page 31 Minutes Human Rights Commission March 3 meeting.................................................................... Page 32 CITY COUNCIL INFORMA TION MEMO April 8, 2005 Page 2 Correspondence Letter from Marcy and Fred Schram regarding the 2005 Street Reconstruction Project................................................................................................................................. Page 36 Letter to Ron Holden from Parks and Recreation Director Eric Blank regarding a proposal to develop a management plan for Medicine Lake accessand use......................................................................................................................Page 37 Letter to residents regarding an application for site plan amendment and variance for the City of Plymouth (2005022)..................................................................... Page 38 Thank—you letter to Mayor Johnson from Congressman Ramstad for comments shared at his recent town meeting in Plymouth.................................................................. Page 39 Legislative Items League of Minnesota Cities Friday Fax............................................................................. Page 40 YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL APRIL 11, 2005 6:45 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. Approvals: a) Agenda b) March 28 meeting minutes 2. Special Items and Guest Speakers: a) Youth Service Awards Event Planning 3. COMMITTEE UPDATES: a) Youth Service Awards Committee b) Youth Town Forum Committee c) Ad hoc Web planning Committee Time Allotment 6:45-6:50 6:50-7:10 7:10-7:15 4. Future agenda items 7:15-7:20 a) b) 5. Adjournment 7:20 6. Additional Materials: a) Event To Do list b) April, May, and June 2005 Official City Meeting Calendars 3 AGENDA SPECIAL MEETING PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2005 - 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Medicine Lake Room City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda.. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA* 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Sale of General Obligation Governmental Housing Project Bonds flow.TIM11TRULT170 1 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA April 13, 2005 WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Environmental Quality Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Committee member, or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PUBLIC FORUM — Individuals may address the Committee about any item not contained in the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the March 9, 2005 Environmental Quality Committee Minutes 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Designate an EQC member as a representative for the Plymouth Aquatic Vegetation Management Group B. Review proposed annual EQC Water Resources Tour C. Update on Hennepin County Municipal Waste Abatement Incentive Grant 6. REPORTS A. Biodiesel (brief verbal update) 7. ADJOURNMENT P:\Organization\Commissions\En vironmental_Quality_Committee\agendas\2005\041305.doc OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS April 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Mar 2005 May 2005 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS 7:00 PM BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, Council cnambara 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:OOPMHUMAN RIGHTS COMMENCES- COMMISSION, COMMISSION - set clocks ahead 1 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL Council Chambers Medicine Lake hour MEETING (Immediately foll0vnng ad. or Room Epualizalion): CITY MANAGER QUARTERLY UPDATE, Cauncil Chambers 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY 6:00 PM SPECIAL HRA MEETING, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE COUNCIL, Council (EQC), Council Chambers Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 17 .18 19 20 21 22 23 800 AM -1:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION STUDENTWORRSHOP, Prymamn Ic. c.nler 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), 9:00 AM CITU AUCTION, City Maintenance Garage, COMMISSION, Medicine Lake Room 1490023rd Avenue 7:00 PM BOARD OF Council Chambers PASSOVER EQUALRATION (RECONVENED), Cauncil Ch..Mr BEGINS AT (FOLLOWING Bo OF EQUALIDUON) SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: CONSIDER UNITED PROPERTIES PROPOSAL, Council chamber SUNSET 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY 6:00 PM YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS, 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH COUNCIL, Council Council Chambers ADVISORY Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers modified on 4/8/2005 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS May 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 5 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Medicine Lake Room 6 7 8 9 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 10 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 11 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY(EQ), O uncal E (EOO), council chambers 12 7:00 PM PARK & REG All COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 13 14 15 16 17 18 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 19 7:00 PM HOUSING a REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 20 21 9:00 AM -3:30 PM PLYMOUTH CLEAN-UP DAY, Public Works Maintenance Facility 22 23 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 24 11:45 AM PLYMOUTH BUSINESS COUNCIL, Sh—w Mln^°.Pal. w.°11221 RMgM•1.D .,Minn•w• 5:USPMBJGPM SPECIAL COUNCILMEETING:YOUTH TOWN FORUM, Plymouth °ra•"c°^'•' 7:00 PM REGUWR COUNCIL MEETING, Council CI•-" 25 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT(PACT)- Medicine Lake Room 26 27 28 29 30 MEMORIAL DAY (Observed) - City Offices Closed 31 Jun 2005 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Apr 2005 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 modified on 4/7/2005 7 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS June 2005 Sunday I Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 2 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Medicine Lake Room 3 4 May 2005 S M T W T F S Ju12005 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5 6 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 7 8 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Council Chambers 9 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 10 11 12 13 14 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 15 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 16 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 17 18 Flag Day 19 20 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 21 22 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 29 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 30 modified on 4/7/2005 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items April 19, Board of Equalization Reconvened, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers (Discussion of United Properties proposal immediately following meeting) April 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Hearing on issuance of Tax Exempt Bonds for Phase II of Providence Academy • Hearing on City Center Street Lighting Project, Vicksburg Lane/36th Avenue (4143) • Hearing on liquor violation at Dutton's Bar & Grill • Presentation of DARE Poster Contest Winners 13 Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. startribune.com Last update: April 2, 2005 at 2:09 PM Debates spring from water Published April 6, 2005 Close window As the weather heats up, so do the battles over the lakes that help make the west -metro area such a special place to live. We've seen showdowns on three fronts in the western suburbs in recent weeks: • Perhaps the biggest is about to play out this week over Lost Lake in Mound, where the success of the city's downtown redevelopment plan could turn on the fate of an acre or so of cattails. There, the city wants to dredge part of the lake to make way for 37 boat slips that would be used by the owners of 37 new townhouses that are considered key to the city's redevelopment plans. But the state Department of Natural Resources staff has said no to the city's plans to clear about an acre of cattails from the shores of the 50 -acre lake to make way for the boat slips. The city is appealing the staff decision this week to the DNR commissioner, and his decision is expected soon. If he says no, however, the townhouse project will be dead and $100 million in redevelopment will be in jeopardy, city officials say. • On Medicine Lake in Plymouth, ski -boaters this year were about to face new restrictions designed to protect plant life along the shoreline. The city of Plymouth, with a population of nearly 70,000, proposed four "no -wake" zones around the 936 -acre lake. But leaders in the city of Medicine Lake, population 360, opposed the idea; instead, it favors a voluntary program in which boaters will be asked to avoid the bulrush and lily pads that scientists say are important to protect water quality and wildlife. Because the two cities share the lake's shoreline, the less restrictive option will prevail. While boaters will be urged to comply, there will be no enforcement. • In Minnetrista, the city is well on its way to approving restrictions along Six Mile Creek, which empties into Lake Minnetonka's Halstead Bay. New ordinances would prohibit motorboats from traveling up the shallow creek on the grounds that propellers would stir up sediment that pollutes the lake. The city also plans to restrict the number of docks that eventually could be added along the creek. Upstream, though, there is valuable land -- home sites where landowners had expected to build houses with docks and motorboat access to the lake. One property owner, Jim Stuebner, is developing 13 houses on 171 acres that now could be cut off from motorized access to Lake Minnetonka. "It's like if you had a driveway in front of your house, and all of a sudden you couldn't use it anymore," he told our reporter, Ben Steverman. "They're leaving themselves wide open for a lawsuit," he said. City officials, on the other hand, are adamant that the creek environment is delicate and must be protected. Driving home their point, they've even taken to calling the creek "Six Mile Marsh" in their official paperwork. Of course, not every property owner would be a loser in this deal. Residents near Halstead Bay are happy because for some time, they've wanted these restrictions on the people who might someday be living upstream. Of course, motorboats would remain legal in Halstead Bay. The city has to complete a public hearing and follow through on some more procedural steps to put these new restrictions into place. And then, of course, if the courts come into play, the case could take years to unravel. Just the beginning The people who keep an eye on development around the state's waters say we can expect such disagreements to occur more often in the years to come. There is less prime waterfront available each year, and that means more pressure will come to bear on the shallower lakes and waterways around the state, DNR spokesman Harland Hiemstra says. Mike Wyatt, a planner with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and Michael Pressman, a land conservation specialist with the district, see it in their work every day. As population grows in the metro area, they say, stress will continue to build on shallow water systems that surround Lake Minnetonka -- systems like Six Mile Creek or Lost Lake. "While people may put a higher value on deepwater systems, a shallow water system has its own benefits" for the environment, Wyatt said. The shallower lakes and streams support a lot of plant life valuable to the ecosystem. But because there is less water in the shallow systems, they can be more delicate and more susceptible to stress from pollutants or human use. In reality, many of the smaller "lakes" out there are little more than "shallow wetlands," Hiemstra says. And the DNR -- and everyone else charged with water management and protecting aquatic life -- is going to be very skeptical about anything that affects wetlands. But then, a man's right to use his own land as he sees fit is as American as apple pie. Either way, it's a tough call. Someone's going to be unhappy. Pick a side and watch the battles unfold. Contact the writer at 612-673-7840 or sbarnes(astartribune.com. © Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. l� From the Executive Director's Desk How Would You Profile Our Community? If someone would ask you for a profile of the district, what would your answer include? As community educators, we believe that every resident is a district learner, and that the process of community involvement needs to be representative of the community. So when I'm asked that question, here is my response: • We have 100, 852 district learners in the Robbinsdale Area School District • Of these, about 13,500 are K-12 students • We also have 6,673 preschoolers • Our district serves all or part of 7 cities and covers a geographic area of 30 square miles • There are approximately 46,000 households in the district • Of these, about 83% of these households do not have children in our schools. Oftentimes, the only services residents in these households receive from the District are through community education. • Approximately 1 in 4 (25%) of our elementary students participate in Adventure Club before and/or after school • About 4 in 10 (40%) of our children in K-12 are children of color • About 1 in 3 (33%) of our children in K -I2 qualify for free/reduced lunch • About I in 10 (10%) of our children in K-12 are non-native English speakers • Learners in our schools and programs come from 61 countries and speak over 41 languages. If you were asked for a profile of our district and the learners, families and communities we serve, how would you respond? Please email me at bob_wittman@rdale.k12.mn.us with anything you would change or add to the above profile. As always, thanks for being a part of the Robbinsdale Area Community Education family and for making such a difference! Until next month — Bob Wittman, Executive Director Community Education and Community Relations Robbinsdale Area Schools For information about Community Education Programs at Robbinsdale Area Schools, find us on the web at www.rdale.kl2.mn.us/ced or call 763-504-8028. tb RECYCLING SURVEY RESULTS PRESENTED TO E.Q.C. BY DECISION RESOURCES In 2004 the City of Plymouth received a Hennepin County Municipal Waste Abatement Incentive Grant in the amount of $38,000 to study key components of the City's recycling program., with an emphasis on increasing paper recycling. The grant funded three components: 1) research, 2) development of promotional materials and 3) production and distribution of promotional materials. A survey of four hundred Plymouth residents was performed by Decision Resources, Ltd. in the fall of 2004 to address the following issues: • Citizen knowledge of and attitudes toward recovering organics from the waste stream. • Citizen attitudes, knowledge, habits and barriers to recycling mixed paper • Citizen input to help address shortcomings and enhance strengths of Plymouth's current recycling program. A representative from Decision Resources, Ltd. will attend the April 13 Environmental Quality Committee meeting to discuss the findings of the citizen survey in detail. City staff will give a presentation on the results of the neighborhood collection, the promotional material development and the focus group results. 1-1 You are invited to attend the groundbreaLing ceremony for the new 055eo Area 5choo15 Adult Education Center Thursday, April 28, 2005 5:50 Pm 7051 E)rooUn F)lvd. F)rooklyn Center (on the grounds adjacent to Willow Lane E_arly Childhood Center) Parking is available across the street at the brooLl. n united Methodist Church Parking lot TI, Elderly Homeowners Discover Tax Relief Is Out of Fashion, Even as Assessments Soar By RAY A. SMITH NUMBER OF cash-strapped state and local governments are cutting back on property -tax breaks for the elderly, even as many seniors struggle to pay rising taxes as their home assessments have soared. PROPERTY Local tax -relief pro- REPORT grams have been stalled, scaled back or rejected in states from New Hampshire and Rhode Island to Iowa and Texas. Earlier this month, New Jersey's acting governor, Rich- ard J. Codey, proposed slashing property -tax rebates for elderly and disabled homeowners to $800 from $1,200 a year to help close a $4 billion budget gap. Colorado, citing a $1 billion budget shortfall, suspended for three years its property - tax relief program for homeowners 65 and older in 2003, and it isn't certain the program can be rein- stated in 2006 as planned. Such programs, which also have helped the disabled and veterans, used to have near -univer- sal support. But with money tight, they have come in for criticism as giveaways that hurt young families, another group that often strug- gles to pay property taxes, on top of high mort- gage payments. But elderly homeowners on fixed incomes say the cuts are unfair. "Younger homeowners can go change jobs and get a higher -paying job to pay higher taxes. I have a limited ability to do that," says Wilbur F. Coyle III, a 69 -year-old retiree who has lived in Simpsonsville; Md., for 40 years in a three-bedroom home. Last month in Howard County, Md., proposed legislation was squashed for the second time that would have cut property taxes for Mr. Coyle and other homeowners older than 65 living in the same house for at least 20 years. The tax break would have cost an estimated $6 million a year. As the assessed value of Mr. Coyle's home has risen over the past two years—by more than $20,000 to about $195,000—so, too, has his property -tax bill. It is now $2,781—nearly $300 more than it was in 2002, and it would have been higher if not for county limits on taxable assessment increases. "I'm not at the point where property taxes are going to drive me out of my house, but if things keep going the -way they are going, it is something I will have to consider," says Mr. Coyle, who lives off his Social Security and pensiop. States usually pick up the tab for such tax breaks, reimbursing municipalities. But years of steady revenue growth ended during the economic downturn that began in 2001. States' tax revenue dropped nearly 8% in fiscal 2002, the first drop in 10 years, according to the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Govern- ment, the State University of New York's pub- r Cl Please Turn to Page B4, Column I Less Property- Tax Relief for Seniors Continued Front Paye BI lie -policy research arm, and it fell a fur- ther 3.5% in fiscal 2003. Though some states' finances have improved, President Bush's recently proposed federal budget calls for aid cuts for programs such as Medicaid, which would put states under more fi- nancial stress. "When states need reve- nue, history demonstrates that revenue shared with localities is an attractive target," says Janet M. Kelly, professor of public finance at Cleveland State Uni- versity's Levin College of Urban Affairs and the author of a 2004 report on state - local fiscal relations. Critics of the programs say seniors already get a number of tax breaks and discounts and usually no longer have mortgages to pay. Many of the tax -relief programs have minimal restrictions,, such as eligibility caps based on income. The re-examination of these tax pro- grams reflects a growing view that they merely shift .the burden to other groups, such as young families, who are argu- ably just as hard-pressed to pay as se- niors or the disabled. In 2003, voters in Texas approved a plan for exempting all seniors and the disabled from property -tax increases, effectively freezing their tax bills. But the measure allows each county and municipality to decide whether to adopt it or not. In Bexar County, Texas, which in- cludes the city of San Antonio, county commissioners haven't adopted the mea— sure. "It has some financial repercus- sions," says Nelson W. Wolff, the presid- ing officer of the County Commissioners Court and overseer of all county govern- ment departments. "It'll be a transfer [of taxes] to younger people and proba- bly to business. Who else is going to pay? If you do it for these groups, others will pay more." The commissioners have asked the Texas Legislature to consider an amend- ment that would add a means test for the tax -increase exemptions, and they are seeking a time limit for the measure rather than a permanent tax break. Ralph Fritz, a 59 -year-old San Antonio retiree on a fixed income, owns the three- bedroom home where he and his wife have lived since 1972. He has watched his property -tax bill climb steadily to $3,458 in 2004 from $3,145 in 2001. "Everything—electricity, water, natu- ral gas—is up, but property taxes are up a lot relatively speaking," Mr. Fritz says. The relief "would only help stabilize that cost element, but that counts." The continuing strong single-family housing market in much of the country is helping fuel property -tax increases. The rose 33% from 2000 to 2004, when it hit $185,000. Higher assessments typically lead to higher property -tax bills, even if the tax rate is low. William A. Fischel, an expert on prop- erty taxation and professor of economics at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., says communities with good schools at- tract families, driving up home prices and property taxes. "If that means some older people move and go to the next community, that is part of the evolution you want," he says. "If they stay, they should pay their dues. When they had kids in the schools, someone was subsidiz- ing them." Legislation in Massachusetts that would have expanded property -tax relief for seniors foundered last year amid con- cerns that it would cost too much and unfairly burden other taxpayers. That has set off a race among politicians ea- ger to placate seniors. Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, in his state of the state address in January, highlighted the need for property -tax relief. Meanwhile, sev- eral Massachusetts legislators have filed bills offering other forms of property -tax relief for the elderly. hi Maryland, Howard County legisla- tors say they plan to introduce property - tax relief bills again, even after the re- cent defeats. Colorado officials, on the other hand, worry they won't be able to reinstate the elderly tax -relief program next year as planned. The program would have cost Colo- rado $55.1 million in 2004 and $56.5 mil- lion in 2005, according to state Treasurer Mike Coffman. Some legislators are weighing bills that would reinstate at least a portion of the relief. Eileen Doherty, a director of the Col- z,a orado Gerontological Society, a non- profit seniors organization, says the so- ciety continues to get calls from elderly people struggling to pay their property - tax bills without the relief. "It was mostly poor seniors who ben- efited most—those people were hurt sig- nificantly" when the program was sus- pended, she says. "When they got much higher tax bills all of a sudden, there wasn't really a recognition that [the relief program was suspended}, let alone an understanding of why." Barbara O'Toole, a 69 -year-old retiree who owns a mobile home on one-third of an acre in Basalt, Colo., not far from Aspen, was one of those callers. She says her property -tax bill -was about $600 in 2003, the year the state's relief measure was in effect. Last year, it doubled to $1,200. Ms. 0' Toole says her property's as- sessed value was $300,000 in 2003 com- pared with $74,000 in 1999. She doesn't like to think about the next assessment, coming this year: A nearby property re- cently sold for $850,000. "People are coming in and buying old places and reselling them and making a lot of money, and that brings up the -value of the property of people who have been here [a long time]," she says. "So we are taxed very sharply." With the relief, she managed to pay her tax bill. But she says she can't do so without that help, given that she lives on a monthly income of $430 from Social Security, $533 from her deceased hus- band's pension, plus a few hundred dol- lars from his life -insurance policy. "I'm worried that if this exemption doesn't come back, I'm going to be pushed out of my home," she says. 1 You are cordially invited to a reception dor City of Maple Grove Councilmember Michael Amery Monday, Ari L 25, 200ti' 6:00 p.m Emergency Operations Center Made Grove Government Center 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway Refreshments will be served and a brief plaque presentation made. Please stop by to thank Council member Amery for his years of service and wish him and his family the best of luck in Washington, DC. P City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release April 7, 2005 Contact: Barb Cox, 763-509-5165 Plymouth Youth Take Top Spots in Statewide DARE Poster Contest Minnesota DARE recently joined with the Minnesota Twin to sponsor a statewide poster contest. Of the hundreds of posters entered this year, two Plymouth youth from the same school took the top two honors. The winning poster was drawn by May Ling Kopecky, a fifth grade student at Gleason Lake Elementary School. Second place honors went to Karl Winnekins, also from Gleason Lake Elementary. May Ling will be honored at the Minnesota Twins game, Sunday, April 10. She will throw out the opening pitch at the game accompanied by her parents and her DARE officer, Officer Aaron Marsh. The April 10 game is scheduled to be nationally televised on ESPN. April 10 is one of two games designated by the Minnesota Twins as DARE Day at the Dome. DARE students across the state are invited to the games, with the second game being in May. A free pre -game picnic is provided for the students by Super Valu. All DARE students are then invited to walk around the field prior to the game. This is an annual event for the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota DARE. There will be approximately 700 students in attendance at the April 10 game and an additional 2,000 attending the May game. J, 3 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release Contact: April 1, 2005 Barb Cox, 763-509-5165 or Helen LaFave 763-509-5090 Plymouth Police Work with School Districts to Conduct Exercises at Local High Schools Plymouth Police and the Robbinsdale and Wayzata School Districts will conduct two full-scale exercises in Plymouth later this year to help prepare City and school personnel for potential emergencies. The first exercise is set for Fri., May 13, 8 a.m. — noon, at Armstrong High School, 10635 36' Ave. N., Plymouth. The exercises will culminate more than a year of work between the Police Department and school districts that has been aimed at keeping Plymouth's schools safe. The Police Department has been working with both Robbinsdale Independent School District 281 and Wayzata Independent School District 284 to conduct security audits and prepare emergency plans for all of their schools. The next important piece of this collaboration will be full-scale exercises at both Armstrong and Wayzata High Schools. The exercises will give participants a chance to test and evaluate their responses to potential emergency situations. At the Armstrong High School exercise, city and Robbinsdale school district staff and 70 to 100 student volunteers will participate in the exercise. Other agencies, including the Plymouth Fire Department, Minnetonka Police SWAT team, and North Memorial Ambulance service will also be part of the exercise. Participants will join in a two-hour critique following the morning exercise to evaluate their performance in the mock scenano. Conducting full-scale exercises is important to ensure that both public safety and school staff are as prepared as possible for emergencies, according to Plymouth Police Chief Mike Goldstein. "Although, we hope we never have to put these skills to use, tragedies like the one at Red Lake High School emphasize the need for communities to work together to plan and prepare," Goldstein said. Students and staff members at Robbinsdale Area Schools are routinely drilled on evacuations, reverse -evacuations (moving students to safety inside the building) and lockdowns that keep the student population safe in their classrooms. "School staff will benefit greatly by learning how to react under pressure as a result of the sense of realism this full-scale exercise will offer," said Superintendent Stan F. Mack Il. Media Access to Exercise Members of the media are invited to observe this exercise. The Police Department and Robbinsdale school district will provide the media with information at the start of the May 13 event, and will attempt to provide access to the various activities that occur during the event. Please be aware, due to the demands of the exercise neither public safety nor school district staff will be able to grant interviews during that time. Staff will arrange for interviews with Police Department and school district staff after the exercise is finished, as requested. Police Department staff will conduct a similar full-scale exercise with the Wayzata School District #287 at Wayzata High School on Thurs., Nov. 10. Media representatives will again be invited to observe the exercise. More information will be provided closer to that event. 91 PLM MOVTNNESOTA U FIRE -RESCUE PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 763-509-5120 FIRE -RESCUE INCIDENT OF INTEREST DATE: March 20, 2005 TIME: 4:29 a.m. ADDRESS: 2020 Shadyview La. DETAILS: The Department was dispatched to an early morning structure fire in western Plymouth. First arriving Chief 1 (Kline) reported a fully involved, single story detached garage. Following determination that all occupants has been evacuated, a defensive fire attack was initiated. Ladder 31 (Ahrens, W. Hebert, Werstein, Ricker, Peterson) with the assistance of TW - 11 (Kuss, Evenson, Weldon) advanced I%" and 2" handlines. Tower -11 also provided the initial RIT assignment (Nordby, Perbix). The fire was placed under control 11 minutes following fire department arrival. Thirty-two Plymouth fire personnel responded to this incident (on -scene and standby). There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. RESPONSE TIME: 12 minutes FIRE ORIGIN/CAUSE: The fire originated in a family room inside the garage. The fire is under investigation. ESTIMATED FIRE LOSS: $80,000. P.F.D. RESPONDING UNITS: Engine Companies: E-31, A-21 Ladder Companies: TW -11, L-31 Support Units: Rescue Companies: R-11, R-21 Chief Officers: C-1, C-2, C-31 Mutual Aid: ASSISTING AGENCIES: EMS: Yes Red Cross: No Salvation Army: No Public Works: No State FM: No SECTOR OFFICERS: Chiefs Kline and Blake (Command), Lieutenant Nordby (RIT), Captain Scofield/Lieutenant Anderson/Firefighter Magy (Investigation). at7 i 1 p�'v�+`Er _' s X' NOW e `1` S y i A P .............. Aiiif4 'Y � {i r i � !fir, � � ptr a gip" / �4 � a � '� � • � � j • A:. *,, +eft '� ,t � • � � "� ,.� �e,�< ,�» '� � { it „�; � ast,,t��t p, Ya:.O{: t'( p u�v. `.. #yssS1 V1 I fi, it 5 �r 4., roI�Y' } t n OA* "' ^a rw.# Y . _ G # .-'"� .' ^a.... t t RF' Y ro Q. s "' _ d' ! a p,_- • 1A .l iH a ' 1 < e. i i , t s DATE: April 7, 2005 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager FROM: Anne Hurlbur�Community Development Director SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report Hennepin County Community Corrections staff has submitted their monthly report on average daily population for the month of March, 2005. The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility was 562, less than the occupancy limit of 601 set by the Conditional Use Permit. The chart below shows the average monthly population since we began receiving reports in June of 1998. 31 HCACF Monthly Population Report 700 - 600 500 - v 400 ❑ CUP Limit m 300 ■Average Count m Q 200 100 0 co 0) N m co M MQ Loco N -O O O O O O O � N ? = N Q � -3i Z Q l i0 iZ li Month/Yea r 31 Plymouth Human Rights Commission March 3, 2005 Adopted Minutes Commissioners Present Absent Venoreen Browne -Boatswain - Chair X Katherine Anderson X Vincent Ijioma X Gwen Adams—Drew — Vice -Chair X Ka ila Bobra X Art Layton X Ramona Scarpace X Jeff -re Westbrook X Jackie Fraedrich x Pat Gleason x Nicole Jin X David Bliss X Alina Cheng X Kristin Harris X Also present: Human Resource Manager Sobania and Office Support Representative Gulbrand. A meeting of the Human Rights Commission was held beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on March 3, 2005. Commissioner Browne -Boatswain called the meeting to order. Commissioner Browne - Boatswain noted that a quorum was present so official business could be conducted. Introduction of New Member Commissioner Scarpace was welcomed as the new member of the Human Rights Commission. Approve Minutes Commissioner Browne -Boatswain asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of February 3, 2005. Human Rights Commission Minutes March 3, 2005 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Gleason moved and Commissioner Layton seconded to approve the minutes of February 3, 2005. Approve Agenda Commissioner Browne -Boatswain asked if there were any additions, deletions or corrections to the agenda. Commissioner Browne -Boatswain added, "Plymouth considers denser housing", Star Tribune article as 7C under Announcements and Articles. Commissioner Browne -Boatswain added signing of get -well card for Commissioner Ijioma as 7D under Announcements and Articles. Commissioner Browne -Boatswain added, "What U.S. cities are the most troubled? ", MSNBC web cast as 7E under Announcements and Articles. Commissioner Adams -Drew ,moved and Commissioner Layton seconded to approve the amended agenda. Committee Reports Student Human Rights Activities Commissioner Westbrook stated the 2005 workshop is titled "The Cost of Profiling". The format will represent good and bad profiling within schools, restaurants, shopping and driving. The workshop will be held on April 19 at the Plymouth Ice Arena. Community Awareness and Education Commissioner Adams -Drew stated the sub -committee would be contacting the churches, attend City of Plymouth community events and develop the process for presentation of a Human Rights Award. Commissioner Adams -Drew filmed a segment on the Human Rights Commission, which will be aired on Channel 12 on March 4. Human Rights Incident Response Team Commissioner Anderson reported on the committee meeting. She stated that the team reviewed the work plan and intend on becoming an active committee through the following: Additional resources for links on the City website Human Rights Commission Minutes March 3, 2005 Page 3 of 4 Identify more resources within the community Track newspaper articles that pertain to human rights violations Identify and connect with specific community groups Communicate with the elderly in the community Increase mediation skills Identify the roles of the public safety department and establish a relationship Leazue of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions (LMHRQ No report was given. Old Business Essay Contest Commissioner Adams -Drew will receive the essays from Joan Jensen and forward to Commissioners Gleason and Scarpace for judging. The first through fourth place winners will be recognized by the City Council with a certificate and cash award at a future meeting. The first place winner's essay will be entered in the statewide contest. Develop 2005 Work Plan The commissioners discussed and developed the 2005 work plan. Motion was made by Commissioner Bobra and seconded by Commissioner Westbrook to accept the 2005 Work Plan. Motion carried. New Business Board and Commission Recognition Event, March 30 The annual Board and Commission Recognition event will be held on March 30 at the Plymouth Creek Center at 6:00 p.m. Announcements and Articles Days of Remembrance /?)4 Human Rights Commission Minutes March 3, 2005 Page 4 of 4 Motion was made by Commissioner Scarvace and seconded by Commissioner Gleason to request the Mayor to issue the Days of Remembrance for Holocaust Victims proclamation. Motion carried. Commissioner Browne -Boatswain distributed the Star Tribune article "Plymouth considers denser housing ". Commissioner Browne -Boatswain distributed the MSNBC article "What U.S. cities are the most troubled". Commissioner Brown -Boatswain adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m. �5 Dear Mr. Holden: This letter is being sent to all the residents on 32"d Avenue who jointly share lake access rights over park property on Medicine Lake. It's that time of year when I start getting calls from realtors and citizens asking what they can do with this access. One of the more common questions is, "If I sell my property, can I tell someone they may put a dock on Medicine Lake?" People also inquire about how many boats they can have, can they launch boats and can they store boats. In the last few years, the number of docks, boats and lifts has grown dramatically. Most of this growth has taken place on park property not even close to the easement access granted in the deed. With this increase in equipment on the shoreline, we have started to receive a number of complaints and inquiries about the upkeep and look of this park property. It is with this in mind that I would like to invite you to attend a meeting on Wedn., April 16, at 6:30 p.m., right at the park property at the end of 32nd Avenue. The purpose of the meeting is to try and develop a management plan for this property that clearly identifies for all the property owners involved what they can and cannot expect with regard to using park property. I would request that no one put a dock or lift in the lake until after this meeting has been held. It is my desire that we can jointly develop a management plan that treats everyone involved in this issue fairly. This includes people that currently have boats and docks on the property and those that do not. I would hope that every family would have at least one representative at that meeting, even if you don't currently have a boat or a dock. Your input on a management plan will be important to the success of our work. Thank you for your time and interest in this matter. I look forward to seeing you on April 16 at the lake. Sincerely, p�^� Eric Blank, Director Parks and Recreation /np cc: City Council Mark Peterson 3-7 0:\STAFF\Eric\LETTERS\2005 PLYMOUTH Adding Quality to Life 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 AT SUBJECT: SITE PLAN AMENDMENT AND VARIANCE FOR THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2005022) Dear Owner/Occupant: This letter is written to inform you that the City of Plymouth, under file 2005022, submitted a planning application requesting approval of a site plan amendment and variances to allow reconstruction of the Bass Lake Sanitary Sewer Lift Station located at 12001-541h Avenue North. While a formal Public Hearing is not required, it is the City's policy to inform adjacent property owners/occupants of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 500 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, 2005, in the City Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400. Sincerely, Barbara G. Senness, AIC Planning Manager 2005022propnotice PLYMOUTH 177d fitly Quafift; to Life 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD . PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 JIM RAM STADWASHINGTON OFFICE: 103 CANNON HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING THIRD DISTRICT, MINNESOTA °° WASHINGTON, DC 20515 (202)225-2871 WAYS AND MEANS (202) 225-6351 (FAX) COMMITTEE DISTRICT OFFICE: 1809 PLYMOUTH ROAD SOUTH, #300 MINNETONKA, MN 55305 CHAIRMAN, OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE Congreo of the Uniteb *tatez 00 (952)738-82 (952) 738-9362(FAx) HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE of �epre.enta} b mn03@mail.house.gov NNw.house.gov/ramstadwoor W&5bittgton, �DC 20515-2303 March 29, 2005 '. i IVEC CV RAR 3 0200 ' aThe Honorable Judy Johnson *' Mayor City of Plymouth �4. 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 Dear Judy: Many thanks for the warm welcome and valuable input at our meeting at Plymouth Creek Center last night. I very much appreciated the opportunity to meet with you, council members and city staff about the important issues facing Plymouth. You can be very proud of your city's outstanding reputation as a great place to live and work! I understand how growth and development can cause transportation and so many other challenges, including affordable housing, law enforcement and fire protection. As we strive to meet the needs of our mutual constituents, please continue to keep in touch as this session of Congress progresses. Thanks again. Please feel free to call me anytime with your concerns and suggestions, and let me know whenever I can be helpful. icerely, J RAMSTAD Member of Congress JR:hr i PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Apr 01 2005 10;40;43 Via Fax –> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 001 Of 005 F -Freda ax- I�MC y A weekl e islative u date rom the League o Y lg p .f Su Minnesota Cities of Minnesota 1, 2005 Page 1 City Day at the Capitol a success city would certify its levy to the county in the normal manner. More than 200 city officials from across Minnesota lobbied for city -friendly legislation and they educated state lawmakers with stories of the services, solutions, and partnerships found at city halls daily as part of the 2005 State of the Cities Legislative Conference and City Day at the Capitol yesterday. The League would like to thank those who attended the Legislative Conference and lobbied for Minnesota cities at the Capitol by telling their "city story." A list of participants, and a full recap of the conference, will be published in the April 6 edition of the LMC Cities Bulletin. Questions? Contact Brian Strub at 651.281.1256 or at bs1r-ub(&—.,hr.nc.Q17r;.7 Turbo -Charged TNT up next week Next Wednesday morning, the Senate Tax Committee will consider SF145`i, the Governor's "turbo -charged truth -in -taxation" bill, also known as the "taxpayer satisfaction survey." Based upon the League's 2005 legislative policies, the League will be testifying in opposition to the bill. The bill, authored by Senator Warren Limmer (R - Maple Grove), would eliminate the current truth - in -taxation hearing process and replace it with the taxpayer satisfaction survey for cities over 500 population that would be provided to property owners with the annual truth -in -taxation statement. The survey would be an attachment or an enclosure that would include the question "Are you satisfied with the proposed property tax levy for (city or county)" and also provide a space where the taxpayer can answer yes or no. Taxpayers must return the survey by December 1 and the taxpayer is responsible for the postage. If less than 20 percent of the surveys are returned with a "no" response, the city's levy is not subject to the referendum requirement and the If at least 20 percent of the postcards are returned with a "no" response, the city or county would have to hold a referendum on the levy increase and certify two levies to the county—one assuming the referendum is successful and one assuming the referendum fails. The election would be held on the last Tuesday in January. If the voters do not support the proposed levy, the final levy would be reduced to the previous year's level, with adjustments for debt service levy increases and levies that had been previously approved by voters. The local unit of government would certify the final levy to the county the day after the election. In contrast to previous reverse referendum proposals, this new bill would allow property owners, rather than registered voters to trigger the election requirement. However, if an election were to be successfully petitioned, the final decision would rest with registered voters at the required election. Unlike levy limits, the process outlined in SF 1455 would not provide cities any levy authority for new growth in the city or for boundary adjustments. As a result, a successful challenge to a levy increase would force the city to revert to the previous year's property tax level with adjustments only for debt service and levies previously approved by voters. Under SF 1455, if a levy is challenged but subsequently approved by voters, the bill does not specify whether a referendum petition would require the voter -approved portion of the levy to apply to referendum market value or net tax capacity. Referendum market value for most classes of property is the assessor's estimated market value of the property and therefore a For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 is Apr 01 2005 10:41:27 Via Fax —> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 002 Of 005 MC Lamm.• ,Nybu),sSo(aC760,; ('ilia. prouurLiny .uvxri%inrn 0 -Fri a F ax - Y A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities home, a business and an apartment of equal value will pay identical amounts. If the referendum would require that the levy be applied to referendum market value more of the tax burden would be borne by homes. If the election requirement is triggered by taxpayer petition, the city could cancel the election if the council reduces its levy to the previous year's level. However, if the city simply reduces its levy from the September 15 preliminary level but the final levy still represents an increase over the previous year, the referendum requirement would still apply. Unfortunately, the taxpayer's satisfaction would only be measured based on the preliminary levy proposal. Taxpayers would not be able to indicate their satisfaction with any adjustments made by the city when the budget is finalized. The taxpayer satisfaction survey does not anticipate cuts in state aids such as LGA or MVHC. In other words, taxpayers could force an election on a levy increase to replace losses of state aids. Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at 651.281.1255 oratgcarison!a~:imnc.orZ Street utility provision removed from funding package in Senate State and Local Government hearing The Senate State and Local Government Committee today removed the street utility authority provision from the omnibus transportation funding bill, SF 1980 (Murphy, DFL -Red Wing). Senator Claire Robling (R - Jordan) moved an amendment to delete the measure and the motion prevailed on a vote of seven to six. April 1, 2005 Page 2 Those voting to remove the street utility provision were: Sen. Dick Day (R -Owatonna) Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville) Sen. Debbie Johnson (R -Ham Lake) Sen. Claire Robling (R -Jordan) Sen_ Dave Tomassoni (DFL -Chisholm) Sen. Betsy Wergin (R -Princeton) Sen. Chuck Wiger (DFL -North St. Paul) Those voting to keep the provision in the bill were: Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL -Minneapolis) Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL -Minneapolis) Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL -Granite Falls) Sen. Sharon Marko (DFL -Cottage Grove) Sen. Dave Senjem (R -Rochester) Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL -Tracy) Absent from the hearing was Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL -Duluth). The vote may mean the end of the debate on this issue in 2005. Proponents of the street utility initiative had hoped the provision would remain in the Senate omnibus transportation bill because the stand-alone street utility bills. SF 366 (Marko, DFL -Cottage Grove) and I -IF 313 (Hornstein, DFL -Minneapolis) have not progressed beyond initial hearings in the House and Senate. The omnibus bill is likely to end up in a conference committee where supporters would have been able to advocate to keep the provision as a measure in the final package. The League will continue to advocate on this issue and encourages members to keep the pressure on legislators to provide improved funding tools for city streets. Questions? ContactAnne Finn at 651.281.1263 or at cr}irtn!ct-lmrx;. 2U , - For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Apr 01 2005 10:42:07 Via Fax –> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 003 Of 005 r, L-FridavFexx- LMw r; �.ir.;;;:; A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities April 1, 2005 Page 3 Annexation bills laid over until next Ripley), which contains the following enabling year language: Friday afternoon, the House Local Government Committee indefinitely tabled three annexation bills—including a proposal supported by the townships and opposed by cities. With next Tuesday's looming committee deadline and given committee member uncertainty about provisions in the bills, the committee chair Rep. Mark Olson (R -Big Lake) stated that he wanted to leave all of the bills on the table to keep a level playing field for the cities and townships. After the session, Rep. Olson intends to hold interim hearings in a few communities where recent annexations have taken place in order to hear more of the local perspective. Community hearings had been scheduled for early March, but were cancelled. The three annexation bills laid over are: I-I.F 1971 (Nelson, P., R -Lindstrom), HF 2060 (Liebling, D -Rochester), and I -IF '2061 (Lanning, R -Moorhead). While the Senate State & Local Operations Government Committee does not plan to hear these bills, the possibility of annexation amendments at some juncture is always a possibility. Questions? Contact Craig Johnson at 651.281.1259, or c t.)�7rtA,c;77rz%lrnrxc.or Administrative fine authority bill advances Bill to prohibit voted down A bill that would allow cities to impose administrative penalties for low-level moving violations advanced on a voice vote after lengthy testimony in the Senate Transportation Committee. Several city officials testified in favor of the bill, SF 1042 (Koering, R -Fort A municipality, by ordinance, may enforce minor traffic offenses through an administrative system separate and distinct from the court system. Administrative penalties may not exceed the maximum penalty established by law for a petty misdemeanor offense. An administrative penalty may not be imposed unless the offender is given the opportunity for a hearing held before a hearing officer appointed by the municipality and independent of the law enforcement agency. A bill that would prohibit cities from imposing administrative fines for traffic was voted down on a vote of six to eight. That bill, SF 1713 (Foley, DFL -Coon Rapids) would have added a provision to Minnesota Statutes (M.S.) 169.022, the uniform traffic code, stating, ".. . [N]otwithstanding any contrary charter provision, no statutory or home rule charter city, county, or town may impose administrative penalties to enforce provisions of this chapter." Both bills attempt to resolve an ongoing dispute between city- and state -level officials that has resulted from conflicting interpretations of the existing law. SF 1042 now awaits a hearing in the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee. Questions? Contact Anne Finn at 651.281.1263 or at cr irara!rz!irr�nc.or Mechanical code bill to be debated on Monday Legislation that would repeal the recently adopted International Mechanical Code (IMC) For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 41/1 Apr 01 2005 10:42:40 Via Fax —> 763 509 5060 Administrator Page 004 Of 005 LMC laimru o(Minucsolu r: ilirs l ilirrx yxnurr(i�ry ..avxr�/.�nrxr -Frida F ax - y A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities and replace it with the 1991 Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate State & Local Government Operations Committee next Monday, April 4. The bill, SF 1884 (Sen. Higgins, DFL - Minneapolis), repeals the IMC and directs the commissioner of the Department of . Administration to amend state rules governing mechanical code issues by incorporating references to the 1991 UMC. The bill does not have a House companion. Proponents plan to offer an amendment to the bill that would also establish a state Board of Mechanical Systems. Under the proposed language, the board would have the authority to conduct rulemaking and to interpret, administer and enforce all mechanical code issues. The amendment would set aside the surcharge paid on mechanical system permits to fund the board's operations. It is unclear how the authority granted to the board would affect local building code administration and enforcement. This proposal would prevent the adoption of a single set of coordinated codes that provides for more efficient administration and enforcement of construction regulations. It would also frustrate an effort that is underway to consolidate state construction regulatory functions to create a one- stop -shop for local code officials. The hearing will be held on Monday, April 4 at 6:00 p.m. in room 123 of the State Capitol. Questions: Contact Laura Offerdahl at 651.281.1260 or at lei{errlahk--Vinric. org April 1, 2005 Page 4 Anti -municipal liquor store bill pulled from agenda A bill that would have required cities with municipal liquor stores to divest of their goods and buildings by January 1, 2006 was scheduled for a hearing in the House Local Government Committee this week, but was pulled from the agenda by the author. I-117 1158 (Buesgens, R - Jordan) will likely not proceed in any form this legislative session, and no Senate companion was introduced. Its likely the Legislative Auditor could do an interim study of Minnesota's liquor regulation, including municipals, as both the Senate and House committees overseeing liquor issues have expressed interest in such a study_ Thanks to all the cities that took time to contact their legislators on this bill. Questions? ContactJenn O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 or at orourke;iz%lrntzc.or Legislative meetings in your city Legislators regularly hold district and town hall meetings to update residents on key issues at the Capitol. These meetings in are a great chance to meet with your legislators and tell your city story close to home. Upcoming meetings in a city near you include: April 2 in Wabasha (Eagle's Nest Coffee Shop, 330 Second Street, 8:45 - 10:15am) with Rep. Jerry Dempsey April 2 in Goodhue (Doc Sawyer's diner, 207 2nd Street, 11:00am-12:00 noon) with Rep. Jerry Dempsey April 6 in Little Canada (City Center 515 Little Canada Road, 7-9pm) with Reps. Mindy Greiling and Bev Scalze For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 �3 Apr 81 2885 18:43:29 Via Fax —> 763 589 5868 Administrator Page 885 Of 885 -Frida F ax - Y A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities April 9 in Walker (Cass County Court House loam) with Reps Larry Howes, Frank Moe, Brita Sailer and Sen. Carrie Ruud To receive e-mail notification of upcoming town hall meetings near your city, or just to keep up with the Minnesota House of Representatives, subscribe to one or several of the available mailing lists online at lltt : '�t���t�.house.lc:. state.rrrrl.Yasirxraillist.lmailirt x hs°t.aso Questions? Contact Brian Strub at 651.281.1256 or at bstrub'tz,)l»-inc.or League conference survey The LMC Board of Directors is evaluating the conference schedule to ensure that future conferences are scheduled at times when as many city officials as possible are likely to attend. The League recently sent a brief survey on the timing of the annual conference to city officials who have attended the conference since 2000. If you haven't already responded, please take a minute to complete the survey and return it by April 15 to Rachel Walker at the address below: League of Minnesota Cities 145 University Avenue W St Paul MN 5 5103 Fax: 651-215-4145 Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback on the timing of the annual conferences Questions? Contact Rachel Walker at 651.281.1236 or at riv alker'�cz lmne. or April 1, 2005 Page 5 Impaired waters seminar April 8 Registration remains open for the April 8 LMC legislative update on impaired waters legislation. LMC staff will answer questions and discuss city impacts of the proposal (L -1k 826 Ozment/Sf-.76y Frederickson) to create a state funding pool to address federal water cleanup mandates. For more information visit Im xaired Waters Meetan&,, Questions? Contact Craig Johnson at 651.281.1259 or at c'ohn.sonivbnnc.r,►rg Committee meetings MONDAY, April 4, 2005 Senate State and Local Government Operations 12 noon, Room 123 Capitol Chair: Sen. Linda Higgins Agenda: S.F. 762 -Frederickson: Clean Water Legacy Act; all amendments will be made public at this time. S.F. 1468 -Cohen: Modifying public employer reimbursement for compensation paid to certain firefighters and peace officers; creating a panel to evaluate claims. TUESDAY, April 5, 2005 Committee: Regulated Industries 2:30 PM, Room 5 State Office Building Chair: Rep. Joe Hoppe Agenda: HF 687 (Bernardy) Mandating alcohol compliance checks by cities with minimum administrative penalties imposed. For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122