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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 12-16-2005ribCITY OF P LYM O Dummy COUNCIL INFO Mr.1W...0, December 16, 2005 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Youth Advisory Council December 19 meeting agenda ....................................................... Page 2 December 2005, January and February 2006 Official City Meeting Calendars ................... Page 3 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings .......................................... Page 9 FOR INFORMATION... News Articles, Releases, Publications, etc ... Star Tribune news story about area Truth in Taxation hearings .......................................... Page 10 Star Tribune news story about the success of Cable 12 news operations ............................Page 12 PowerPoint presentation notes on the success of the MNPass Program; submitted by Councilmember Hewitt................................................................................. Page 14 Staff Reports Transmittal of written comments from the December 12 "Listening Session" .................. Page 22 December 6 Fire—Rescue incident of interest......................................................................Page 25 December 8 Fire—Rescue incident of interest...................................................................... Page 26 Minutes Highway 55 Corridor Commission October 21 meeting .................................................... Page 27 Correspondence Invitation to Plymouth area legislators to the January 31 Special Council meeting .......... Page 31 J YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL DECEMBER 19, 2005 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH CREEK CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM 2 Time Allotment 1. Call to Order 7:00 PM 2. Presentations: Cl) 3. Approvals: a) Agenda 7:00-7:05 PM b) December 5 meeting minutes 4. City Council Update 7:05-7:10 PM 5. Special Items: a) Youth Service Awards program plans 7:10-7:7:30 PM b) Youth Leadership program plans 7:30-7:40 PM c) Intergenerational activities 7:40-7:45 PM 6. Update on Items for Future Discussion: a) Traffic issues on Peony Lane near Wayzata High School 7:45-7:50 PM b) Tree cutting near Maple Dell Park 7. Adjournment 8:00 PM 8. Additional Materials: a) December 2005—April 2006 Official City Meeting Calendars b) Next seting: January 9, 7:00 PM A OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS December 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jan 2006 S M T W T F S 1 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, 2 3 Nov 2005 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Plymouth Creek Center Conference Room 2 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 29 30 31 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2:00 PM OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS - Plymouth Historical Society Building 7:00 PM TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING, Plymouth Creek Center, Black Box Theater 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORYCOUNCIL, Plymouth Creek Center, lower level Conference Room 2 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT), Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Plymouth Creek Center Classroom A 9:30 AM 2005 HUMAN RIGHTS DAY EVENT, Plymouth Creek CenteRr, Plymouth 7:00 PM JOINT COUNCIL -PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: LAND USE PLAN FOR NORTHWEST PLYMOUTH, PLYMOUTH CREEK CEN TER, Plymouth Room 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM JOINT COUNCIL -PLANNING COMMISSION LISTENING SESSION, Plymouth Creek Center 8:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: CONSIDER BOARD k COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS, Plymouth Creek Center CoMarerice R. 3 ower level 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EDC), Plymouth Creek Center Classroom A 7:00 PM CHARTER COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING, Plymouth Creek Center Conference Room 2 7:00 PM REGULAR CITY 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEETING, Black B.,t Theater, mymouth Creek Center AUTHORITY (HRA), Plymouth Town Square 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:00 PM YOUTH CHRISTMAS ADVISORY COUNCIL, Plymouth Creek Center, lower level Conference EVE Room 2 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 CHANNUKAH CITY OFFICES BEGINS AT CLOSED IN SUNSET OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS DAY HOLIDAY modified on 12/15/2005 3 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS January 2006 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NEW YEAR'S DAY CITY OFFICES CLOSEDIN OBSERVANCE 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Plymouth Creek Center Conference Room 2 OF THE NEW Black Box Theater, YEAR HOLIDAY Plymouth Creek Center 8 9 10 .1.1 .12 13 14 7:00 PM YOUTH 530 PM SPECIAL CITY 700 PM 7:00 PM PARK & ADVISORY COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEETING: ENVIRONMENTAL RECREATION Plymouth Creek Center, lower level Conference Room 2 ol5cus5 STREET RECONSTRUCTION ASSESSMENTPOLICY, PlymoNh C k Center Cnnfemece Room 3 QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Plymouth Creek Center Classroom A ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Plymouth Creek Center GIBSSroom A 7:00 PM REGULARCITY COUNCIL MEETING, Black Bw TMebr, PlymouM Creak C- 15 16 17 .18 19 20 21 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BIRTHDAY 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: COUNCIL GOALS& OBJECTIVES, Plymouth 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA). Plymouth Creek Center, (Observed) O ) " City Offices Closed Creek Center Conference Room 2 lower level Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center Meeting Room 1 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:00 PM YOUTH 11:45 AM PLYMOUTH 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, BUSINESS COUNCIL. SM1.r.l.n ADVISORY Plymouth Creek Center, lower IeVel Conference Rayw.l. om.. Mm.n..k, COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT), Room 2 S:- PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: LITV MANAGER ANNUAL EVALUATION. PLYMOUTH CREEK CENTER LONF. RM 2 TAO PM REGULAR CITY ffffn Plymouth Creek Center 29 30 31 Feb 2006 Dec 2005 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 PLYMOUTH AREA LEGISLATIVE 1 2 3 4 CANDIDATES, Plymoulh Creek Center, 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Fireside Room 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 26 27 28 modified on 12/15/2005 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS February 2006 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, 2 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - 3 4 2:00 PM -7:00 PM FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL, Jan 2006 S M T W T F S Mar 2006 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room Parkers Lake 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 S 6 7 8 9 10 .11 6:00 PM SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING: DISCUSS HOUR RESTRICTIONS ON WEEKEND CONSTRUCTION, Medicine 700 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Council Chambers Chambers 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION Council Laka Room Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 12 13 14 IS 16 17 18 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 PRESIDENTS DAY - City Offices Closed 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Council Chambers 26 27 28 - 7:00 PM YOUTH7:30 ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers AM MLC REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE MEETING, Plymouth Radisson, 3131 camPusDme 11 SAMTWINWEST STATE OF THE CITY LUNCHEON, Plymouth Creek Cellar 700 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers # modified on 12/15/2005 l Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items January 10, Special, 5:30 p.m., Conference Room 2, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Discuss Street Reconstruction Assessment Policy • Set future study sessions January 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Approve Plymouth Metrolink Dial -A -Ride rate increase • Approve Change Order No. 1 for Plymouth Metrolink Station 73 Transit Facility (3125) • Approve 2006 Tobacco Licenses • Approve 2006 Gasoline Station Licenses • Approve 2006 legal services agreement • Approve 2006 amusement licenses • Approve 2006 medical officer • Designat 2006 official newspaper • Approve transit funding and close public improvement projects completed in 2005 • Approve agreement for use of the parking lot at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6, as a backup park and ride facility • Approve modifications to legal descriptions to previously approved resolutions for Vision of Glory Church • Approve final plat for "Bassett Creek Crossing," 28 new townhomes and one existing single family home located at 10 Zachary Lane North. Charles Cudd Company. (2005093F) • Approve site plan amendment and conditional use permit amendment and variances for a church addition at Plymouth Covenant Church located at 4300 Vicksburg Lane North. Welman Sperides Architects. (2005111) • Approve site plan amendment and conditional use permit amendment to allow a two-story addition containing 9,600 square feet at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, 17205 County Road 6. PCL Construction Services, Inc. (2005133) • Approve the 2006 Pay Equity Implementation Report • Approve final payments on Ice Center project • Accept donation from Plymouth Crime & Fire Prevention Fund • Approve Council Coordinating Representatives and Deputy Mayor • Amend ordinance relating to licensing of massage January 17, Special, 6:00 p.m., Conference Room 2, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Update Legislative Priorities and Goals January 24, Special, 5:30 p.m., Conference Room 2, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • City Manager's annual evaluation and update January 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Black Box Theater, Plymouth Creek Center lower level • Approve 2006 Liquor Licenses January 31, Special, 6:30 p.m., Fireside Room, Plymouth Creek Center • Meeting with legislative delegation 9 Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. . ars ir`�bune.+ om Standing up to property tax hikes Anthony Lonetree, Star Tribune December 12, 2005 Property tax hearings, seemingly ideal for torch -and -pitchfork -like rushes on City Hall, often are quiet affairs. Citizens just can't make a difference, say many who don't show up. Tell that to the people of Greenfield, a small community in western Hennepin County. Warned of a potential 85 percent increase in the city's share of the property tax bill, more than 200 angry residents turned out Dec. 5 for the annual Truth in Taxation hearing and secured from City Council members a pledge to trim the increase to only a 10 percent jump. Such shows of strength have been isolated, but this year's tax season is energizing taxpayers to levels rarely seen in recent years: - Asked after last week's hearing what she expected the Greenfield City Council to do, Lynda Spencer, 58, who had willed herself to testify, primarily out of concern she couldn't keep her emotions in check, said coolly: "It better be what I think it should be." - In Eden Prairie, Dick Proops, 80, a retired business executive, called City Hall with questions about a parks plan he said looked "kind of fat," and then joined a newly formed Eden Prairie Taxpayers Alliance, eventually spending about 15 hours combing through the city's budget looking for potential spending cuts. - Despite failing in its effort to force the city of Mounds View to renegotiate a recent land sale to Medtronic, a Mounds View taxpayers group has vowed to continue monitoring that community's fiscal activities. - The ,Richfield Taxpayers Alliance, in the works for weeks, hopes to finish a mission statement for what co-founder Elizabeth Arnold said will be a group committed to sharing city fiscal information objectively. Next year, the Taxpayers League of Minnesota hopes to tap into that tax activism and take it statewide by reviving a proposal championed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The proposal would require taxpayer satisfaction surveys that could trigger citizen votes on increases deemed to be too high. The survey proposal failed to win legislative approval this year, but with double-digit percentage property tax increases expected to hit homes statewide in 2006, "we certainly have a teachable moment," League President David Strom said. How real a voice? The Truth in Taxation process is designed to give citizens a say in tax matters. But Strom argues the timing makes it difficult to hold elected officials accountable. The hearings are held late in the year, after preliminary budgets have been set, he said. In addition, with final votes on city, county and school district budgets being made in December, local officials now act free of election -year pressures. The Taxpayers League's proposal calls for taxpayer satisfaction surveys to be included with November Truth in Taxation statements. If 20 percent or more of respondents aren't satisfied with a tax plan, a local referendum would be held, most likely in January. Gary Carlson, legislative director for the League of Minnesota Cities, said that variations of the idea have been floated for years, and that his group has opposed them for both procedural and philosophical reasons. Any referendums, he said, would come after the budget year has begun, meaning local governments likely would have to set two budgets each year -- one they believe they need and one they'd have to fall back on. Also, he said, the survey proposal runs counter to the principle of representative democracy because it allows citizens to potentially trump decisions their council members and others were elected to make. If the issue resurfaces at the Capitol next year, Carlson said, and he expects it will, city council members across the state will be prepared to explain and defend their increases. After all, he said, large tax increases are "not something that people are chomping at the bit to do." Local fire In St. Cloud, Mayor Dave Kleis, a former state senator, said last week he is "open to the idea" of taxpayer surveys. /-b Recently, he proposed budget -cutting moves to limit the city's levy increase to tax -capacity growth and inflation. It was a promise he made during his campaign, he said, after hearing tax concerns while going door-to-door and at townhall meetings. In Greenfield, the call to limit the "variable" part of the city's levy to a 10 percent increase was made by a citizen, Tim Stahl, 37, who told council members that he was prepared to circulate a petition to gain support from half of the community's 3,050 residents. Mayor Larry Plack countered that the body was there to represent the people, and no petition was necessary. The next night, however, the council failed to reach agreement on a final budget plan. They are continuing deliberations on how to limit the increase to 10 percent. For now, Stahl, whose work has involved the launching of online games (www..slingd,ot.com), said he'll be monitoring the council's actions: "I trust the guy who says he's going to do what he's going to do." But as an engaged citizen, he added, he is ready to get those petitions out if he has to. Anthony Lonetree • 612-673-4455 Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved 0 Cable -access news gets serious, gets big ratings Darlene Prois, Star Tribune December 12, 2005 Mary Sather, of Crystal, is a Channel 12 junkie. Each of the family's five television sets is tuned to the Northwest Community Cable station so she won't miss a minute. Sather, a 47 -year-old stay-at-home mom, even embarrassed 12 -year-old daughter Sarah earlier this year, chasing Channel 12 reporter Matt Bradley in her car to show him the "I Watch 12" sign on her window. "It's just so informative that I can't stop watching it," Sather said. Not every viewer is as dedicated as Sather, but the cable station's intense local focus and its professionally produced daily newscasts -- with on -air talent recruited from network stations around the region -- are paying off. Viewership in its nine -city broadcast area is six times higher than the average for other metro -area community cable stations. Surveys show that nearly half of the 70,000 households served by the station are frequent or occasional viewers. "Northwest's levels of cable viewership are consistently the highest in the metro area," said Bill Morris, president of Decision Resources Inc., a company that does surveys for 100 Minnesota communities. "The norm is 8 percent. In some cities, it's so low that it seems not even the mayor's spouse is watching." Channel 12 is the gold standard for community television, Morris said. Decision Resources surveys invariably link strong communication systems with higher quality -of -life ratings. The station is one of a very few that has bucked a pervasive downward trend in viewership over the past decade, Morris said. That hasn't gone unnoticed by the cities that contribute to its $3 million budget. "I think it provides a wonderful service to this entire northwest area," said Al Madsen, city manager of Maple Grove. "I'm not trying to take away from the WCCOs and KARE-1 is of the world, but they have a state to cover. Channel 12 can focus on the events happening in the nine -city area, and we have a lot happening." Daily focus on broadcast area The station's daily 20 -minute newscast features only stories from its broadcast area: Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale. The channel is part of local Comcast cable offerings. The newscast is repeated several times each evening, with a wrap-up on weekends. Popular weekly programs include "Sports Jam," a 30 -minute prep sports show; a business and events show called "Community Journal"; and "Northwest Cities," an in-depth feature program that highlights each member city on a rotating basis. "We don't do stories that don't have an impact on our area," said Greg Moore, executive director of the Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission, which oversees the channel's operations and has representatives from the cities served. "I am unaware of any other community cable station that functions like us anywhere in the United States." The station won a pair of regional Emmy Awards in 2001. Its news staff is led by news director and anchor Mike Johnson, 49, a former anchor at WMTV in Madison, Wis. The Minnesota native also anchored the Hubbard news channel for DIRECTV in its 1990s heyday. A newscast features 10 to 12 stories, from traffic news to in-depth features. Reporter and anchor Alexandra Renslo, 30, arrived in July after six years as an anchor for WKBT in La Crosse, Wis. On a typical day recently, she worked on two stories: one about a huge increase in English-language learners in the Robbinsdale School District and another about a city of Brooklyn Park wellness program. "The first story shows a broader trend in our community that has a lot of different effects," Renslo said. "In the other, the story within the story is that each department is wearing pedometers, and they're having a competition. It's the kind of story that's interesting to everybody, )I the type that relates us to each other as human beings. It makes you proud of where you live." A history of support The station's success is the result of more than two decades of community leadership, said Moore, who became executive director of the cable commission in 1983. In the early years of cable franchising, it became apparent that companies weren't terribly interested in community programming, he said. "What struck me about the commissioners here was the very strong desire that local programming would be part of cable service," he said. By 1985, Northwest was the first metro cable commission to wrest responsibility for local programming away from the cable company. The operating budget, which comes from franchise and community television fees paid by cable subscribers, funds Channel 12 programming plus additional public access and government channels. A local news program was a high priority from the beginning. "There was the feeling that the major media weren't serving suburbs," Moore said. "We wanted the news to function here like the news functions everywhere, with the major caveat that the news would be local." The cities served by the channel could take the money generated by cable subscriber fees -- about $2.2 million -- and use it for other purposes, Moore said. But they devote the entire sum to Channel 12, cable access and government programming. Journalists are expected to remain objective in their reporting. "There has been very strong sense that it should be a true news station, with the journalists not beholden to the cities," said Ann Norris, Crystal city manager. To Morris, the station's viewership numbers attest to its success. "It's not up there with the ESPNs of the world," he said. "But it holds its own." Darlene Prois • 612-673-4280 Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved 1� Subject: I-394 MnPASS powerpoint presentation. Members: Nick Thompson, MnPASS project manager for MN/DOT, presented a very interesting status report on the I-394 MnPASS toll lanes at yesterday's TAB Policy Committee meeting. Several members asked for a copy of his presentation and we were able to make a copy from his laptop. Attached are the powerpoint slides from his presentation. The copy isn't perfect. Some of the slides are out of proportion and the video clips will not run, but all the information he presented is there. A quick summary of the highlights: * About 9,000 transponders have been leased and between 50 to 100 more are leased each week. * 192 different cites are listed as the account address for people leasing the transponders. * Operating costs are about $22,000 per week and revenue is about $16,000 per week. * The average charge paid by people using the MnPASS lanes is $0.67. * MN/DOT is pleased with the traffic volume using the toll lanes, but the revenue is below their projections. * Adding the WB auxilliary lane between TH 100 and TH 169 and going to peak period operation relieved the bottleneck. * Enforcement is present during hours of operation and compliance is very high. * MN/PASS has cut the number of hours of congestion in the general purpose lanes in half. * A full years worth of data will be collected by February of next year. Since this is project is unique to the Twin Cities, I thought the whole Board would be interested. Kevin Roggenbuck, Transportation Coordinator Transportation Advisory Board 'L� Washington DOT MnPASS Tour <ft ..; cog to (jet. c .Y to ori. WASS 1-394 Update Nick Thompson /-394 MnPASS Project Manager o �` ` h` 0` ca hs air .s ^4- a� rob A Ley 0". ^ 06. �� ti 12/16/04 Update on Key Areas • MnPASS Use and Revenue • Auxiliary Lane Construction • Enforcement • Transit/Mode Split • Access Control • Traffic Operations Background i 1 I� Washington DOT MnPASS Tour a Transponder Sales Customer Base [City Address of MuPASS accounts] 1. Plymouth 14.4% 3. Minnetonka 11.5% 5. Edina 5.5% 7. St Louis Park 3.9% 9. Mound 2.5% 11. Orono 2.3% 13. Shorewood 1.8% 8 / 15. Chanhassen 1.5 Customers and Trips • Customers — Very favorable feedback from customers — 80% of sign-ups are web based — Most frequent customer interaction: • "What's my PIN number?" • Trips — 70% of trips start or end in reversible road — Higher congestion on free lanes drives higher use on MnPASS lane — Pricing has not generated complaints — Average toll paid: $0.67 Trips by Account Zip Code Taps pet Lip Code also, -fano ,Mt . sacro Soot- 10000 I♦ ml twos .20Mo � zem, - s0000 12/16/04 Background I G 2 Washington DOT MnPASS Tour Auxiliary Lane Enforcement Violations 40 35 30 M HOV Violation 25 ■ No Violation 20 I i El Double White Line 15 M Speeding 10 ■ Other 5 0 %of Violations Enforcement • Clearly has been successful -Violations appear very low • Cheaters are creative — Transponder design has created MnPASS cheaters — scale unknown • Enforcement activity is not impacting traffic flow HOT Lane Violation Rates 30 25 —EB Diamond (AM) 20 °= —WB Diamond (PM) 0 15 —Reversible Road ;10 (AM) > —Reversible Road PM 5 0 2002 2004 MnPASS 12/16/04 Background l �_ 3 Washington DOT MnPASS Tour Transit Impacts • External issues impacting transit — Fare increase July 1st: ridership decline — Gas Price spike: ridership increase • Transit Operators have indicated: —Access points work for drivers — Express lanes remain free flowing • 394 Park and Rides still full, not much room for additional riders Peak Period Transit Ridership l6to9AM,3to6PM1 4500 —EB Penn (AM) aoo0 3500 —WB Penn (PM) 3000 —EB Wlnnelka 2500 (AM) 2000 —WB Wlnnelka LNB 1500 W (AM) 1000W (PM) O� Or Ol` O O�,tiQ Or'1•• Access Points • Upside — They work! • Very high compliance — No apparent safety issues (data lags 6 months) • Appears to have reduced number of speeders — Reduces tolling infrastructure requirements • Downside — Prevents access to HOT lane for some trips — Reduces flow in HOT lane in off peak • Increases density in adjacent GP lane — Reduces ability to pass slower vehicles • This reduces speeds though — Creates something that needs enforcement 12/16/04 Background D 4 Washington DOT MnPASS Tour Access Control- Crash Condition Access Control Uncongested Condition Background karma Access Control Congested Condition m"_ Eastbound 394 At Louisiana m6000 -- .._............_... _ _ ....... _....... __.... 5000 Ton xaa: 0 4000 3000 — .0 2000 m 1000 _ 44 — Before HOT Lane —After HOT Lane — Before GP Lanes—After GP Lanes — Before All Lanes —After All Lanes 12/16/04 5 Washington DOT MnPASS Tour Eastbound 394 At Penn 7,000-__...._.-----_.._.-.__.._.............----........_.._..._............._..._.-......._....__............__....._..._._...., E 6,000 5,000 j 4,000 " -- m 3,0001001, - v 2,000 m f 1,000 p —aebre AA Lanes —AfterAN Lanes -- aebre GP Lanes -^A fte r GP Lanes — Flelore HOT Lane —After MOT Lane 12/16/04 Miles of Congestion on 1-394 12 10 8 6 AM Peak — PM Peak 4 2 0 1A p�6 rej 96 1 9 �1 "C' 111p p0 pti p3 pb 5 tip ,tip tip ryp QQy Background 6 Washington DOT MnPASS Tour Questions? Background 4 easy to pct. "-v to W. Westbound 394 At Winnetka 12/16/04 m 6000 ____.__._......._..___.._._.._._...—__.__._.,......Toil io� E 5000 6 4000 > 3000 v2000 1000 0 — Before HOT Lane —Mer HOT Lane Before GP Lanes —Mer GP Lanes — Before Al Lanes —Mer AN Lanes 7 DATE: December 13, 2005 TO: Mayor and City Council Planning Commission FROM: FROM: Anne Hurlburt Community Development Director SUBJECT: Transmittal of Written Comments Attached are copies of the two written statements submitted by speakers at the December 12, 2005 "Listening Session" on the Comprehensive Plan update. Attachments: 1. Pat Murray on behalf of Plymouth MICAH 2. Norma Padrnos-Usset & Robert Usset December 12, 2005 Judy Johnson City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Johnson, Thank you for giving the residents the opportunity to provide input during this planning process. Our homes are clearly important to us and this process of planning land use has a significant impact. We would like to review specifics of the process to date, provide a suggestion for implementing one of the land use goals and finally a recommendation for planning area 1. This process began, for the residents, through informal meetings on September 15`h and 20th , and then more formally on October 24h when we completed the surveys. A summary of the survey results for planning area 1 is as follows: Top 3 in each area surveyed: Overall City Strengths ? 0 a Overall City Weaknesses 0 Planning Area 1 ConcernsDesires a 0rA Planning Area 1 N 0 a • Wetlands, 18 • Traffic 30 • Loss of 21 • Retain Rural 20 Lakes, Natural Congestion is Natural Atmosphere Settings Worsening Areas/Open Spaces • Good 17 • Too Few 19 • Increase In 19 • More Natural 18 Parks/Trails/ Natural Traffic Areas/Open Recreation Areas/Open Congestion Space Spaces Left Protection • Low Crime/Safe 16 • Too Crowded 12 • Loss of 14 • Slower 16 Neighborhoods Already Trees Growth Rate Total Responses: 51 61 54 54 "Top 3" %age of Total Responses 35% 44% 40% 38% These percentages show strong solidarity in the planning area since there were between 22 and 29 possible responses per question. Of the six responses related to planning area 1, four responses reflect the residents' desire to keep the areas in its current state, one response reflects the impact growth has had on our area (traffic) and one response to slow the growth rate. This is an accurate representation of our area's position in this matter. Although not all residents were present, there are many discussions within pockets of neighbors, and the mix is similar to those that attended. J� At the November 30`h meeting, the City Wide Land Use Goals & Policies were reviewed. Goal 1 (Land Use) f. states "Protect the existing rural character of the land not planned for urban development before 2020 (2030)." This is a commendable goal of the city, but it appears there may need to be additional steps taken by the city to enforce this. One suggestion is to establish the comprehensive plan with 10 year increments of growth. Sewer and water systems will be constructed to reflect the plan in ten year increments. As time progresses, the planning department would not allow development outside this area, unless there was documented proof near the end of the 10 years (year 9 and 10) that we would not meet our growth required by the met council. Specifically for planning area 1, our recommendation is to keep the area rural until the 2020-2030 planning interval. When development does occur we hope it is low density (1-2 houses per area) and the natural features of the area are safeguarded. This will meet the desires of the majority of the residents in the survey, and give the city time to address the worsening traffic congestion on Vicksburg Lane, County Road 47 and the 494 under pass on Schmidt Lake Road. Waiting until 2020 will allow the city's infrastructure to absorb the impact of the Taryn Hills project in planning area 1 also. As a part of this recommendation it is hoped measures will be put in place ensuring no development is allowed before then. It is misleading to state that development will not occur until residents want it. The developers have significant resources available to push development through. They do not take `no' for an answer. That is why land prices are so high, residents are given higher and higher offers on their land until they finally agree. In conclusion, we want to again thank the city council and planning department for considering the resident's inputs in this matter. Please consider allowing planning area 1 to remain as is until the 2020 to 2030 horizon. During that time we recommend low density housing that preserves the natural features of the area. Additionally, we hope that steps are taken to control development through out the city, to only those areas that you have identified through this process. Sincerely, J,-. ,.&. vjj�- Norma Padrnos-Usset Robert Usset 5731 Juneau Lane (Planning Area 1) CC: City Council Planning Commission ,z4- PLymoliTH FIRE -RESCUE PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 763-509-5120 FIRE -RESCUE INCIDENT OF INTEREST DATE: 12/08/05 TIME: 1:17 a.m. ADDRESS: 5825 Vicksburg Lane DETAILS: The Department was dispatched to a reported house fire in the northwestern section of the City. Chief 1 (Kline) arrived and reported fire showing from an attached garage. Due to the lack of hydrants in this area, a second alarm was requested bringing Hamel, Loretto, and Maple Grove tankers to the scene. First arriving, Maple Grove Engine 51 laid a five inch supply line and operated their master stream to darken the fire. Crews from Aerial 21 (Branyon, Baker, Friske, Sjaarda) and Ladder 31 (Berg, W. Hebert, Cooper, Foley, Hughes, Sheldon) supplied tank water to MG E-51 and began interior operations with two 1 3/4" handlines. Plymouth Chief 21 (Luth) established a tanker shuttle for a continued water supply. The bulk of the fire was confined to the garage, with moderate extension into the dwelling. The fire was placed under control 37 minutes following fire department arrival. Thirty-six fire personnel responded to this incident (on -scene and stand-by). One civilian was injured in his escape from the fire. There were no firefighter injuries. RESPONSE TIME: 12 minutes. FIRE ORIGIN/CAUSE: Under Investigation. ESTIMATED FIRE LOSS: $80,000 P.F.D. RESPONDING UNITS: ASSISTING AGENCIES: Engine Companies: E-21 EMS: Yes Ladder Companies: TW -11, L-31, A-21 Red Cross: No Support Units: None Salvation Army: No Rescue Companies: R-11 Public Works: Yes Chief Officers: C-1, C-2, C-21 State FM: No Mutual Aid: Maple Grove, Hamel, Loretto (scene), Minnetonka (stand-by) SECTOR OFFICERS: Chief Kline/Luth (Command), Deputy Chief Hurr (Operations), Ff Hebert/Captain Evenson (Interior), Ff Magy/Captain Scofield (Investigation). LM M°UTUP FIRE -RESCUE DATE: 121/6/05 PLYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 763-509-5120 FIRE -RESCUE INCIDENT OF INTEREST TIME: 10:15 a.m. ADDRESS: 13000 39th Avenue DETAILS: The Department was dispatched to a reported garage fire. First arriving, Duty Crew Engine 21 (Magy, Couser, Scherer, Watt) reported fire showing from an attached garage. Engine 21 secured a water supply and advanced a 2" handline to the garage to begin extinguishment. Second arriving, Ladder 31 (Evenson, Kline, Blake, Werstein) raised the main to the roof and advanced a 1 3/4" handline for interior suppression. Crews from Tower 11 (Carlson, Weldon, Keith), Aerial 21 (Hendrickson, Peterson) and Rescue 31 (Cooper, Rausch) aggressively worked to expose the fire, limiting damage in the living area of the dwelling, with the bulk of the fire contained to the garage. The fire was placed under control 33 minutes following fire department arrival. Twenty-three fire personnel responded to this incident (on -scene and stand-by). There were no civilian or firefighter injuries. RESPONSE TIME: 6 minutes. FIRE ORIGIN/CAUSE: Discarded smoking material. ESTIMATED FIRE LOSS: $80,000 P.F.D. RESPONDING UNITS: ASSISTING AGENCIES: Engine Companies: E-21 EMS: Yes Ladder Companies: TW -11, L-31, A-21 Red Cross: No Support Units: None Salvation Army: No Rescue Companies: R-11, R-31 Public Works: No Chief Officers: C-1, C-2, C-31 State FM: No Mutual Aid: Wayzata (scene), West Metro (stand-by) SECTOR OFFICERS: Deputy Chief Hurr (Command), District Chief Blake (Interior), Ff Magy (Investigation). 0�� / HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Full Membership Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes Friday, October 21, 2005 9:30 a.m. —11:30 a.m. Hennepin County Transportation Facility Medina, MN Training Room 1. Call to Order —A quorum being present, Jack Russek called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. 2. Introductions - Jack Russek, Wright County; Elizabeth Weir, City of Medina; Wayne Fingalson, Wright County; Marvin Johnson, City of Independence Penny Steele, Hennepin County; Karla Heeter, Wright County; Anne Hurlburt, City of Plymouth; Nancy Carswell, City of Rockford; Matt Goldstein, Lundgren; Jeff Swenson, City of Buffalo; Ann Sheehan, City of Buffalo; Tom Cossette, City of Corcoran; Chad Adams, City of Medina; Chad Hausmann, MnDOT District 3; John Griffith, MnDOT Metro; Doran Cote, City of Plymouth; Dennis Beise, Rockford Township; Loren Harff, Greenfield Township; Sonja Carlson, Buffalo Hospital; Pat Hackman, Safe Communities of Wright County; Brad Larson, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. 3. Approve Meeting Minutes from August 19, 2005: Motion by Marvin Johnson, seconded by Penny Steele to approve the August 19, 2005 meeting minutes. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 4. Membership Committee Report: Karla updated the members on the activities of the Membership Committee as noted below: Website: www.hi11hway55.or2 Karla Heeter noted that it is time to update the website with news and information that has occurred in the past 3 months. Everyone was requested to let the Committee members know of any changes or new information that should be included in the quarterly update. All members who have a website have their link on the Coalition's website. A request will be sent out by the Membership Committee asking members to put the Coalition's website link on their site. News Releases: Press releases of Coalition's activities have been sent out approximately every two weeks to one month apart to keep the Coalition visible to the public. Last release was on the Coalition receiving $4 Million from Congressman Mark Kennedy. The next release will announce the projects that the Coalition approves at this meeting. Added to the news release recipients list are all the Met Council members • Postcards: Karla noted that approximately 2400 postcards were mailed out to property owners along TH 55 and our legislators announcing the Coalition's website. The next postcard mailing will announce the projects approved by the Coalition for federal funding using the remaining FY03 federal funds. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Wright County Highway Department 1901 Highway 25 North Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 127 Phone: 763/682-7383 FAX: 763/682-7313 E-mail: wavne.fn rale sc�tt,�mco.»>rinht.mn.ns / HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota • Billboards: Karla welcomed Sonja Carlson as the newest member of the Membership Committee and noted that Sonja with her marketing background will be a great addition. Sonja will be working with Pat Hackman on checking the logistics of renting billboard space along TH 55. • Membership Kit: Karla encouraged each member to meet with potential members and use the membership kits that were handed out at a previous Coalition meeting. If anyone needs a membership kit they should contact Brad Larson. Karla noted that Klein Bank has challenged the other banks in Buffalo to join the Coalition and Klein will match the other banks membership dues. Bank membership will be the main emphasis of the Committee this Fall and then Insurance companies. Membership: It was noted that Chatham Township would not be renewing their membership in the Coalition. They only have a very small portion of TH55 in their township. They along with Albion Township are the only two governmental entities that are not members. 5. Financial Report: Wayne Fingalson handed out the Financial Report as of October 17, 2005. He noted the current fund balance of $10,670.87 with 2005 dues income of $11,150, federal reimbursements of expenses of $34,586.69 and expenses of $39,790.81. The Financial Report was revamped per direction of the Coalition to just show Beginning of the Year Start Balance and current year Revenue and Expenses. On a motion by Karla Heeter and second by Elizabeth Weir, the Financial Report was accepted. 6. Technical Advisory Committee/MnDOT Report: Brad Larson, Wayne Fingalson and Anne Hurlburt updated the members on the TAC meetings and recommendations to the Coalition. • Review of MnDOT Metro's Response to Coalition Comments on the TSP: The Coalition went through the MnDOT responses to each Coalition comment on the Metro's Transportation System Plan. It was noted that those general comments on the plan were also made by other agencies and communities and MnDOT's response were the same for all. As to the specific comments on TH 55, MnDOT noted they would be reviewing the functional classification system in the metro area. This is consistent with Met Council's response on their TPP. Metro responded that there is not a need for 4 lanes identified in their performance measures for TH 55 west of Arrowhead Drive. John Griffith clarified that there is a 4 lane need for this segment however on the Safety category. Penny Steele asked how the needs are determined. The response is that they are "formula -based" and not subjective. • Federal Funding Status: The handout in the packet showed that MnDOT will be funding the Cultural Resource Study, Contaminated Properties Study, Wright County Photogrammatic Mapping, TH 55 Future Traffic Demand Study and possibly the District 3 EA. Chad Hausmann said that for MnDOT to use federal funds for the D3 EA the Minnesota Legislature must approve. To not delay use of the FY03 federal funds, if D3 does get approval, they would request the federal funds from the $4 Million authorization and not the FY03. Therefore, the Coalition has $954,039 to allocate. • Federal Funding Distribution Recommendations: The Coalition reviewed the "Guiding Principles for the Distribution of Federal Funds" and the "Criteria/Procedure for Prioritizing Projects" recommended by the TAC. It was noted that the Guiding Principles were from the TH 55 Future Traffic Demand Study which was presented and approved by the Coalition and MnDOT earlier this year. The TAC only expanded on some of the principles in the Study for better clarification. The Coalition then reviewed the "Comparison of Measurable Criteria" and the recommendation that from these comparisons --A distribution of approximately 50/50 between Wright and Hennepin County projects during the life of the federal SAFETEA-LU authorization bill (2005-2009) be made. On a motion by Marvin Johnson and a second by Penny Steele the Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX- 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wavne. fingalson&bco.wright.mn.us Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 fl. / HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota recommendations were approved. Penny and other members of the Coalition expressed their thanks to the TAC for the work involved in developing these recommendations. • TH 55 Project Recommendations: One project in Hennepin County and two projects in Wright County are recommended to the members for federal funds out of the remaining FY03 funds. The Coalition reviewed the Coalition's "Federal Funding Request Form" on each of the recommended projects. A brief description of the projects are: Fernbrook Lane in Plymouth—The City of Plymouth currently has federal HES authorized for 2007 for this location. Project involves adding additional turn lanes and access control. The TAC recommendation is that $475,000 in FY03 federal funds be allocated to this project for Preliminary Engineering and Right - of -Way acquisition. CR 134 (Calder Ave) in Buffalo ---The improvement is to slightly realign CR 134 and signalized its intersection with TH 55. This is especially timely given that Menards is building on CR 134 not too far from the intersection. Menard's has committed $200,000 toward transportation improvements including a traffic signal at CR 134 and TH 55. The TAC recommendation is that up to $75,000 in federal funds be allocated for Preliminary Engineering and Right -of -Way acquisition at the intersection and on TH 55. CR 115/Gabler in Rockford -- The project would include the realignment of CR 115 on the south and Gabler Avenue on the north to align them across from each other. This would eliminate the two poorly aligned t -intersections. The developers on both the north and south sides of TH 55 are willing to participate in the majority of the cost which is estimated at $2.2 Million plus right-of-way. If federal funding is approved for the right-of-way acquisition of property not owned by the developers, the City and developers would do the federal environmental documentation. Currently the south development has a final plat and the north development has preliminary plat approval. The estimated right-of-way cost is at least $400,000. The TAC recommends that $400,000 in FY03 federal funds be approved for this project. CSAH 12, 0.3 miles west of Buffalo ---Intersection improvements, traffic signal and turn lanes will be needed with the building of a school near the intersection. The school is scheduled to open in 2006. It was noted that this project is a "clean" project as no additional right-of-way is required and the project could be ready very soon. While this project will not need any federal funding for right-of-way, it is recommended by the TAC that the Coalition fully support this project also. On a motion by Marvin Johnson and second by Penny Steele, the Coalition approved the TAC recommendations for allocating the FY03 federal funds. John Griffith reminded the Coalition and the project sponsors that the Environmental Documentation must clearly include that right-of-way acquisition is part of the project and cover all environmental documentation concerning the right-of-way to be acquired. The Coalition directed that for future projects to use the federal funding from the $4 Million authorization, each Joint Power Member be contacted so see if they may have a project that could be eligible for federal funds. • TH 55 EA/EAW Status: John Griffith noted that the Hennepin County has submitted a letter to MnDOT requesting federal funds from the 2003 Appropriation be encumbered for the EA from I494 to Rockford in the amount of $500,000. If approved, this would secure the federal funding. John submitted on Thursday the internal MnDOT Project Memo providing justification for the use of federal funds requested in Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX: 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wavne. n ralsonLco.wright.mn.ns Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Z HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Hennepin County's letter. In addition John plans to have the draft RFP to Hennepin County next week so they can review. 7. Legislative Updates • Federal: The Transportation Appropriations bill for FY06 was not approved by Congress by the end of the federal fiscal year (September 30th), nor were most of the other federal appropriations bills. Therefore, Congress has passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government until November 19, 2005. Once the Transportation Appropriations bill is approved we will be able to see how much of the $4 Million is available to the Coalition in FY06. It was also noted that the initial interpretation of what the $4 Million can be used for is that it can only be used for Preliminary Engineering and Right -of -Way acquisition and not for safety improvements. Brad has discussed this with Mark Mutuska of Congressman Kennedy's office and Congressman Kennedy and Mark say that the intent of the funding was that it could also be used for safety improvements per the Coalition's request to the Congressman that specifically included safety improvements in the request. Mark suggested that a discussion with MnDOT and FHWA hopefully can resolve this without having to go through a Technical Corrections bill. • State: It does not appear likely that there will be a Special Session and even more unlikely that if a Special Session is called that Transportation funding would be part of the agenda. Next year the voters will have a Constitutional Amendment for dedicating all of the MVET funds to transportation on the ballot. To pass it requires a majority vote of all voters, even if they do not vote either way on the ballot. Not voting on this constitutes a NO vote. There will be a campaign to educate the voters on the need to pass this amendment. The Coalition will be asked to help in this campaign. 8. Establish next full membership meeting date and time: The next meeting is Friday, December 16, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility, Training Room 9. Other Business: Penny Steele recommended that the TAC review with Congressman Kennedy's staff the approach the Coalition is planning to spend approximately 50% of the federal funds on safety improvement construction projects and 50% on right-of-way to make sure they are comfortable with this approach. The Coalition has been unique in its plan for right-of-way preservation with federal funds and we want to maintain that uniqueness. 10. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 10:43 a.m. Respectfully submitted; Brad Larson, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Wright County Highway Department 1901 Highway 25 North Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 �0 Phone: 763/682-7383 FAX: 763/682-7313 E-mail: ivarne. nr =alson tiro.tinriht.mn.us December 15, 2005 State Representative Ron Abrams 585 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 Dear State Representative Abrams: The Plymouth City Council joins me in inviting you to meet with us on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at 6:00 PM in the Fireside Room at the Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34" Avenue N. A light dinner will be included. The City Council values this opportunity to discuss various legislative issues with you. We look forward to seeing you on January 31. Should you have any questions, please call Deputy City Clerk Kurt Hoffman at 763/509-5054. At Your Service, f , Jo A. Jo son Mayor PLYMOUTH adding Quality to Life 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 ® TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 ® PRINTED 011 RECYCLED PAPER www_ rd. nivmn ith mn ijR title First Last email District State Gen Olson sen. gen. olson@senate.Ieg. state. mn.us 33 Senator State Terri Bonoff sen.terri.bonoff@senate. leg. state. mn.us 43 Senator State Ann Rest sen. ann. rest@senate. leg. state. mn.us 45 Senator State Steve Smith rep.steve.smith@house.mn 33A Representa tive State Jeff Johnson rep.jeff.johnson@house.mn 43A Representa tive State Ron Abrams rep. ron.abrams@house.mn 43B Representa tive State Sandra Peterson rep.sandra.peterson@house.mn 45A Representa tive