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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 08-18-2000Dummy AUGUST 18, 2000 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE. NOTE: Ward I Councilmember Tim Bildsoe is available to meet with residents and receive their comments in the Council Conference Room, beginning at 6:00 PMprior to Regular Council meetings. MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 7.- 00 PM TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 7: 00 PM THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 7: 00 PM TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER S, 7:00 PM 2. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 7: 00 PM 3. TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 8: 00 AM 4. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 S. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 7.00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: STUDY SESSION ON BUDGET, Public Safety Training Room REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: STUDY SESSION ON BUDGET, Public Safety Training Room REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers PLYMOUTHADVISOR Y COMMISSION ON TRANSIT, (PACT), Bass Lake Room COUNCIL SEAT FILINGS OPEN LABOR DAY, City Offices closed PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO August 18, 2000 6. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 7:00 PM 7. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 7:00 PM Page 2 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE, Medicine Lake Room HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Medicine Lake Room 8. A List of future Regular Council Meeting agenda items is attached. (All-! 0) 9. August, September, and October Calendars are attached. (M-11) 1. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a) Notice of a forum on cultural issues for young people today scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 7:00 PM at Wayzata Senior High School. The Wayzata—Plymouth Chemical Health Commission is a primary sponsor of the event. (I -]a) b) Notice of grand opening activities for Highway 610 in Brooklyn Park on Saturday, September 20. (I -1b) C) (I--1 c) d) (I-1 d) 2. STAFF REPORTS a) Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility Population Report. (I -2a) b) Committee Recommendations and Letter to Ferndale North Residents. (I -2b) c) Public Safety Department report on railroad crossing quiet zones. (I -2c) 3. CORRESPONDENCE a) Thank—you letter from Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners for food and school supply donations from National Night Out. (1--3a) b) Letter from Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt to Jon Benson and Mary McDonald regarding experiences with the City's Building Department. (I --3b) 4. REDISTRICTING INFORMATION a) Several Councilmembers have inquired about the timing and process for redistricting of the City's wards. City Clerk Sandy Paulson has attached a redistricting schedule. The anticipated period for adjusting the City ward boundaries is March -April, 2002. The Plymouth Charter provides that the City CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO August 18, 2000 Page 3 Council is responsible for establishing new ward boundaries. While this is still some time away, we would anticipate that the process would be done similar to previous redistricting processes in the City. Staff will prepare one or more possible scenarios for the ward boundaries based on the legislative and congressional boundaries, as well as state law and City charter provisions. The City Council could then either adopt one of the proposals or direct an additional process for establishing the ward and precinct boundaries. A change in ward boundaries does not disqualify a council member from serving the remainder of a term. (I -4a) Tentative Schedule for City Council Non -Consent Agenda Items September 5 • Hearing on 2000 Delinquent Water, Sewer, Recycling and Street Lighting, Unpaid Annual Street Lighting for Unimproved Parcels and Unpaid Recycling Fees • Vacation of all the drainage and utility easements for ponding purposes in Outlot G Rockford Glen Addition • Presentation of "Planting Plymouth Proud" award • Adopt Preliminary Budget and Tax Levy September 26 • Award Contract for Plymouth Blvd. Lighting Improvements • Consider Speed Hump Request on Niagara Lane from Gleason Lake Drive to 91h Avenue October 10 • Consider Speed Hump Request on 8`h Avenue (continued from previous meeting) OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS August 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 7:00 PM EQC, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 3 i 6:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, West Medicine Lake Park 7:00 PM HRA - Medicine Lake Room 4 Ju12000 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 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM HRA - YOUTH PLANNING Medicine Lake ADVISORY COMMISSION, Room COUNCIL, Council Medicine Lake Chambers Room 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 7:30AMS OCAL BUSINECOUNCIL, Radisson Hotel 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PAC T - Bass Lake Room 7:00 PM COUNCIL BUDGET STUDY SESSION, Public Safety TrainingRoom 27 28 29 8:00 AM COUNCIL SEAT FILINGS OPEN 30 31 Sep 2000 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7:00 PM COUNCIL BUDGET STUDY SESSION, Public Safety Training Room 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 modified on 8/18/2000 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS October 2000 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7:00 PM EQC, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Medicine Lake Room 1:00 PM -5:00 PM PLYMOUTH ON PARADE 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council 0 PM TASTE LOFOCOLATE, mouth Creek Chambers ater 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 COLUMBUS DAY PuOBSERVED), blic Works Division closed 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council 7:00 PM PRAC, Council Chambers Chambers Yom Kippur begins at sunset 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, 7:00 PM HRA - Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers 7:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD, Public Safety Library 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY 7:30 AM LOCAL BUSINESS COUNCIL Radisson Motel 7:00 PM PACT - Bass Lake Room COUNCIL, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 29 30 31 Sep 2000 Nov 2000 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ENDS - set clocks back 1 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 hour 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 modified on 8/18/2000 "RITES OF PASSAGE" PROTECTIVE TRADITIONS IN CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES On/September 6, 2000, 7PM, Wayptulf- tgkSchool,, yowarei corgi Lvwited�to ayv e'venLng- wi3y our youth. aswee explo r� th& rLtek o f pa4w4& a k al way of LCfe: rh.e re "ev so�, physLc ,, leg- "i& reUg-C~ rXek of paoa�; some- protectw% s&me, harvnfuV � � we- Lvstew to- yautly frow►v � ' � o f �E op k�%vv�, M ' , St. Lou i k Parks a*i& Way3ata, wee waV hear th& , rituvJ-,k a i&tradd rt~ that are pa vt of the- tra4lt, wwto- . Thwcagkthis fxa�e&youth.- ce Xe-recL , thee, opportunity for deeper "ploratw' vi/ Lnto-the/ conAact'umy beW een/ ewwVu hall growtly a i& Ktek of pad,, w%LLco-vtit'wuc.e� Ln.the� LvLdi�vu�.ua.% urs: Throu gk your fac*Uab&ratwek, "td/ schoaV" y partnerships', yow caw help develop actwrwpU ws-thatimpact&xlpast we, development of our youz3v Wel lo��, forward,to-your ocinpatty 6n, th& seoot c f t)o - f q-a*w room. at Wa yba tm f igkSchaos, cotwe* i;e� locate,,& Lwside, th& ma%n. entra.ncei ov�titier e'v� o f Sept 6, 7PM. Vi Lk will Ire anv eveni ng, of a.n& lecwn i vim; plea4& joC,w ak ak yow play a, vXa b role- Lw your ' y an& th& road* yaw travel Re�'►^e�;h�rtev�t3-aewecL fQuowin�t3� foru.�ry (over) Agenda Welcome: 7:00 Judy Hanson, Chemical Health Coordinator Wayzata High School Background: 7:05 Rites Of Passage Committee Member Setting the Tone: 7:15 Sharon McDonald, Reduce the Use Campaign, Hopkins School District Students Speak, 7:30 Hopkins, Minnetonka, We Listen St. Louis Park and Wayzata Students Closing: 8:15 Identification of Community Partners YOU ARE INVITED TO GATHER IN THE FOYER FOR REFRESHMENTS AND CONVERSATION FOLLOWING THE EVENING FORUM. Mcivyr of ow- Lnf west" metro- ' w -,k hcw& bee4v tih l matwra wtv of our youtiv and the- rXew of pa4 a. that has, beev jAe+ rG f �,e& a4, p a* -t of th& n,arwv. M ahv rXe* o f pa4salyie, cwe, prate ct-wPitra.d i, tank iw our irLe* a4 -L& others a,rer harm ful breha�v%o rs: 1Zepre4e*XarL v" fro w area schot� di stKay have, i4wal ved, our youtly s&that- we, may I i4te -v Lnt� a4, they describes the-wortd.they UvPi" Th4*"icUw1esr who- Lk wwst Cmpot-ta.ntto-th.env. Wei tTs-%vt�t3tiiscavwersat'�on. to our lead e rs- ak we, be eve- our yo d vhcwe/ Lvhpov to nt th tW to say. We., took, forward to- ' you/ ak we- cont'wuu e, to- ffUjd & our youth,towa rdk . Tha* kYow. NEWS RELEASE For immediate release 8/11/00 Media Contact: Sarah Eppard, 763-493-5115 D Z Celebrate the Grand Opening of Highway 610 in an Evening of Fun on Saturday, September 30, 2000 BROOKLYN PARK, MN — It will be an Evening of Fun on Saturday, September 30, 2000 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm on the newly constructed stretch of the 610 corridor. The celebration will take place on the eastbound lanes of 610 between Highway 169 and West Broadway. This is an opportunity to come and celebrate the long awaited highway before it is fully completed and opened to traffic. The celebration will be a fun -filled family event and will include a multi -era car show, music, entertainment, food vendors, displays from the Brooklyn Park Fire Department, MN/DOT in addition to several informational and safety booths. Kids will also get to meet the Cat in the Hat, Arthur, Wilfred and Primrose of the Brambley Hedge Series. Topping off the evening will be a grand fireworks display! Come early to receive your free commemorative gift — while supplies last. The event is free and open to residents of all ages and is handicapped accessible. To get to the event you must arrive via a free shuttle bus from one of the following designated parking areas: - North Hennepin Community College located on 85t" Avenue and West Broadway, - Park n' Ride on the Northeast comer of Highway 610 and Noble Parkway, - Target North Campus parking lot on the northwest comer of Highway 610 and Hampshire Avenue. Handicapped transportation services will be available at the Target North Campus. For safety considerations, no one will be allowed to walk, drive or ride their bikes to the event, everyone must take a shuttle bus. The Evening of Fun is made possible through sponsorship from local community businesses and organizations. Watch your city and chamber of commerce newsletters and local newspapers for more information or on the web look under news and community events at www.comehometothepark.org. 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 5544 DATE: August 14, 2000 TO: Dwight Johnson, Ci anager FROM: Anne Hurlburt, ommunity Development Director SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report Attached is the report that was provided by Hennepin County staff for the month of July 2000. The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility in July was 568, lower 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. HCACF Monthly Population Report 700 600 9", 8 500 3 v 400 a� 300 a� Q 200 100 0 ao rn ao rn ao T rn rn rn rn rn rn rn 0 0 rn o 0 C Q U cu C U) 0 2 U) Month/Year [:]CUP Limit NA�erage Count -Z Memo To: Board of Hennepin County Commissioners From: Jan I. Smaby, Community Corrections Dire Date: August 9, 2000 Subject: County Correctional Facility Population Re; —Jul , 2000 F—ydaP*- As requested, please find attached the average daily population reports for the Adult Corrections Facility, the Juvenile Detention Center, and the County Home School for the month of July, 2000 and the juvenile out of home placements for June, 2000. JIS/ctg Cc: Chief Judge Kevin Burke Judge Lucy Wieland Judge Robert Blaeser Sandra Vargas Anne Hurlbert, City of Plymouth State Representative Wes Skoglund Amy Klobuchar William McGee Dave Hough DOCC Management Team p ccs ` AUG 1 0 2000' . Adult Corrections Facility Men's Section July Average Population Average Men's Section Straight Time Total Count Less: Average Absentees* Plus: Work Release housed at Men's Section Average Men's Section Sentenced Inside Count Plus: Average non -sentenced residents (Jail Annex, INS) Total Men's Section Inside Count (highest inside count during month: 401) Men's Section Capacity Less: Average Inside Count Average Available Beds 400 350 i 300 i 250 i 200 150 100 50 0 2000 Monthly Average Population ACF Men's Section (Capacity - 395) y69 oG� *Home Monitoring, housed in Work Release due to PSWP participation, etc. 357 (67) 1 291 65 356 395 (356) 39 ❑ Avail. Beds ■ Not Sentenced ■ Sentenced Adult Corrections Facility Women's Section July Average Population Average Women's Section Straight Time Total Count Plus: Work Release women housed in Women's Section Less: Average Absentees (home monitoring, etc.) Average Women's Section Sentenced Inside Count Plus: Average non -sentenced residents (Jail Annex, INS) Total Women's Section Inside Count (highest inside count during month: 66) Total Women's Section Capacity Less: Average Inside Count Average Available Beds 50 40 30 Wksm 10 0 2000 Monthly Average Population ACF Women's Section (Capacity = 58) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 70 0 (17) 53 0 53 58 (53) 5 ❑ Avail. Beds i a Sentenced Adult Corrections Facility Work Release July Average Population Average Work Release Total Count Less: Average Absentees (home monitoring, etc.) Average Work Release Inside Count Plus: Average Straight Time Residents (Porters, PSWP) Total Work Release Inside Count (highest inside count during month: 170) Work Release Capacity 172 Less: Average Inside Count -159 Average Available Beds 13 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2000 Monthly Average Population ACF Work Release (Capacity = 172) 7kl i a rrh 176 176 170R...# 4 �1 NS.�kt�y {4 i 170'. g � r 160- ;159. s r w PJB CO09 OGS �OA Q�'0 255 (121) 134 25 159 ❑ Avail. Beds ® Inside Count Juvenile Detention Center July Average Population Average Total Detained Population Housed outside of JDC: Home Detention/Post Disposition Home Detention CHS Secure Unit Other (Wabasha, Wilson Center, Ramsey Co., etc.) Average Total Housed Outside of JDC Average Inside Count: (highest inside count during month: 114) JDC Capacity Less: Average Inside Count Average Available Beds 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2000 Monthly Average Population Juvenile Detention Center (Capacity = 87) Cp .�p Opo 185 51 3 31 85 100 87 -100 -13 ❑Avail. Beds ■ Inside Count Due to construction within the JDC, capacity was reduced to 75 January through June. Capacity returned to 87 in July. CY County Home School July Average Population (highest inside count during month: 153) 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2000 Monthly Average Population County Home School (Capacity = 166) <-ea �`P�� �a� ��� �Quo' ��Q OGS �oJ ❑ Avail. Beds ■ Reserved Beds ■ Average Count *In cottages which have one or more residents on furlough status, one bed is reserved in the event that the resident is returned to CHS. Average Reserved Available Program Capacity Population Beds* Beds Cottagell 24 19 0 5 Short Term Juvenile Males Cottage 2 22 17 0 5 Juvenile Female Offenders Cottage 3 24 20 0 4 Juvenile Sex Offenders Cottage 4 24 19 1 4 Adolescent Male Offenders Age 13-15 Cottage 5 24 22 2 0 Adolescent Male Offenders Age 15-17 Cottage 6 24 22 1 1 Adolescent Male Offenders Age 15-17 Cottage 7 24 23 1 0 Adolescent Male Offenders Age 17-19 Total 166 142 5 19 (highest inside count during month: 153) 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2000 Monthly Average Population County Home School (Capacity = 166) <-ea �`P�� �a� ��� �Quo' ��Q OGS �oJ ❑ Avail. Beds ■ Reserved Beds ■ Average Count *In cottages which have one or more residents on furlough status, one bed is reserved in the event that the resident is returned to CHS. Juvenile Correctional Out of Home Placements June Average Population Program Type Minnesota Programs: State Facilities (Red Wing and Thistledew) Other Correctional Programs Residential Treatment Centers Group Homes Foster Homes Chemical Dependency Treatment Centers Mental Health/Hospitals Out of State Programs: Correctional Programs Residential Treatment Centers, Group Homes, etc Average Daily Population: 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 2000 Monthly Average Population Juvenile Probation Out of Home Placements 69 23 108 68 17 17 4 39 33 378 ■ Outside MN� ■ Minnesota 0 IIMMMaM� �eR oGti lop � Ora I I *Note: does not include County Home School as a separate chart is done for CHS. DATE: August 16, 2000 TO: Ferndale North Management Committee FROM: Eric J. Blank, Director, Parks and Recreation Ef SUBJECT: Committee Recommendations and Letter to Ferndale North Residents Enclosed is a copy of a draft letter to the Ferndale North residents and the recommendations for managing this open space. Please review, and if you have any comments or suggestions for changes, contact my secretary; Nancy Pederson, at 509-5200. Your comments must be received by August 24th, so we have time to send the letter to the Ferndale North residents prior to the next Park and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting, scheduled for September 14, Thank you. EB/np August 16, 2000 Dear Ferndale North Resident: DCITV OF PLVMOUTR I'd like to bring you up to date on the current status of the City owned property located within the Ferndale North plat. On August 8, the City Council took official action to adopt the 20 year comprehensive plan for the City of Plymouth. This action wrapped up three years of work on this plan by the City Council, Planning Commission, Park Commission, citizens and staff. The property located within Ferndale North is now officially classified as public open space. This is City property that will be managed by the City in its natural state. This is consistent with the Council's previous actions on this property. Many of you are aware that for the last few weeks a committee made up of staff, community residents and four members of the Ferndale North area have been looking specifically at the long term management of this property. The four Ferndale North individuals are: Eric Berg, Anne Johnson, Diane Kroupa, and Mark Poppitz. I would like to thank them for their work on developing the management plan for this site. Attached to this letter is an outline of the recommendations that the committee is making to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission and the City Council. The Park and Recreation Advisory Commission will begin reviewing this recommendation at their September 14th meeting, at 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers. If you would like to make comments on this proposal, you may do so by sending a letter to me, or by attending that meeting. After the Commission has completed their review, and made a recommendation, the management plan for the Ferndale North open space property will be forwarded to the Council for final adoption. If you have any questions about the process we're following, or the recommendations themselves, please do not hesitate to call me at 509-5201. Sincerely, bk,z Eric J. Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np Cc: City Manager PRAC PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Pface To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 www.6plymouth.mn.us �! 1 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FERNDALE NORTH OPEN SPACE I. General Overall Maintenance Of Site Although this area is open space, it will require some level of ongoing management every year. This means that the City, over time, will manage some of the foliage such as sumac and buckthorn. Certain areas of the sumac, for instance, may be cut back, but allowed to regrow in a healthier and more vibrant stand. Our management strategy will be the eventual elimination of buckthorn. This is consistent with our management practices on all other City property. Trees that are dying or dead, and that could be a hazard to adjoining property, or someone visiting the site, will probably be removed. If they are not a hazard, they will be allowed to remain on the site. If you observe a dangerous situation within the property, please call it to our attention, and we will review the situation and take appropriate action. II. Public Access to the Property A. South Entrance — 4th Avenue The right of way will be cleared for a distance of approximately 12 feet behind the curb. Most of the sumac in the central area will be removed at this time but allowed to grow back, after a narrow wood chip trail has been developed from the road, approximately 200 feet into the site. There will be a small open space entrance sign at this location indicating this is public land owned by the City. B. Easterly Entrance off Brockton Lane Near 5th Avenue There will be an open space entrance sign near the road right of way indicating where the walkway should begin. There will be a second sign at the beginning of the tree line behind the houses. Beginning where the trees are, the City will clear and provide an approximately four foot wide wood chip path up the hill to where the trees open up and the weeds begin. The wood chip path will end at this location. C. Northwest Entrance off 9th Avenue There will be an open space entrance sign near the road right of way and a second sign where the woods begin behind the houses. There will be a short wood chip trail up through the trees to prevent further erosion throughout the tree area. The wood chips will end where the trail enters the tall grass leading down into the site. D. The Central Portion of the Site There will be no improved paths throughout the central area of the property. There will be no cutting or mowing of the grass throughout the overall property. IV. Public Use of Site The following rules are proposed to be in effect for the property. A. Visitors are welcome to enter the site from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., like other public properties. B. There shall be no open fires or cooking on site. Picnic basket meals are OK. C. Any trash carried into the site should be carried out. D. Dogs and cats will be handled under the normal City ordinances. This means you must keep dogs on a leash and clean up any messes. E. Because this is open space property, if you have a special need to use the site, please call the City and check prior to scheduling such an activity. MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: August 16, 2000 TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager THROUGH Craig C. Gerdes, Director of Public Safety FROM: Lt. Joel Franz W SUBJECT: Railroad Crossing Quiet Zones Plymouth's current whistle ban, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., at gated crossings, is still in affect as an existing quiet zone and will remain so through the rule change process. No new ordinances or changes to current quiet zone ordinances will be allowed under Federal Rule until one year following the date of publication of the final rule. The Council has requested information, and we have also received numerous calls asking the City to increase the quiet zone hours. Many callers have also complained that the train horns are louder then they use to be and felt the train traffic has been increasing. In speaking with Mike Chalich from the CP Rail I was told that the newer train's horns are a little louder then the older horns. He also stated that train traffic on the Canadian Pacific Rail has remained fairly constant over the past four years, but the traffic during the evening and night hours has increased because of track work which has been on-going this summer during the day hours. The track is completely shut down while they work on the track which then backs up train traffic and forces all the trains to run during evening and night hours. Mike stated there are between 15 and 25 trains running on this track through Plymouth each day, but also stated the number of trains could increase. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) received over 3000 comments on these proposed rule changes. Mark Tessler of the FRA, Office of Chief Counsel, is now reviewing each of the comments and believes that it will be close to the end of the year before the new rule is drafted and enacted. The new regulations will not take effect for one year following the date of publication of the final rule. Communities with existing quiet zones may continue with the horn ban up to three years from the date the final rule is issued. This period is designed to allow communities to upgrade their rail crossing zones to meet the new regulations, or to initiate or increase highway -rail grade crossing public awareness initiatives and grade crossing traffic law enforcement programs. The proposed new rule lists five things that can be done to designate a quiet zone: • Temporary closure of a public highway -rail grade crossing. This would include closing the crossing during specific hours each day. • Four -quadrant gate system. Arms must be less then two feet apart when activated. This will require extra sensors and delays on the backside to prevent cars from being trapped between the gates. • Gates with medians. Medians would be required to extend at least 100 feet from the gate. • One way street with gates. This would require all traffic from the approaching side to be blocked. Would only require arms on one side of the track. • Photo enforcement. Would require an automated means of gathering valid photographic or video evidence of violations and sufficient support and follow through by law enforcement and the judicial community. A quiet zone may remain in effect indefinitely if all the requirements of the proposed new rule are complied with, and if, within six months before the expiration of five years from the original notification of implementation of the quiet zone, under the proposed new rule, the community notifies the FRA that they continue to conform to the requirements. The proposed rule is also considering using a variable horn level. Train horns would be required to be capable of sounding within a low range (96-104 dB) when approaching crossings with active warning devices and within a higher range (104-111 dB) at crossings without automatic warning systems. This lower range horn could also be used at night when vehicle traffic is lower. Until the final report is published, it is unknown what the specific rules will be. Once the rules are published we will be working on specific recommendations regarding quiet zones and upgrades. We would have up to three years to make any needed or desired changes. C August 9, 2000 Dwight Johnson City Manager City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Dear Dwight: ��'�n'>Ciaa� Thank you so much for your gifts of food and school supplies to the Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners Food Shelf from "National Night Out". We are truly grateful for your support. In recent months, IOCP has witnessed an increased reliance on the food shelf by many of the working poor in our community. In fact, we are now distributing more than 20,000 pounds of food a month. We are particularly indebted to you for providing support to insure that food will always be available to families who need it in our community and that every child can go to school this fall with all of the supplies necessary to feel confident and ready to learn. Again, many thanks. Sincerely, F0,211"Irm, LaDonna Hoy, Executive Director Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners IOCP did not provide any goods or services in consideration of this gift. 110 Grand Avenue South, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391-1872 952/473-2436 R_ August 16, 2000 Jon Benson & Mary McDonald 5215 Vicksburg Lane Plymouth, Minnesota 55446 Dear Mr. Benson & Ms. McDonald: CITY OF PLYMOUTFF I've received a copy of your August 10 letter to Councilmember Tim Bildsoe. As the Community Development Director for Plymouth, I'm responsible for the Building Division and am therefore very interested in your experiences with our department. I've also met with your neighbors, John and Becky Miller, and assure you that we are following up on their concerns. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know about our customer service policy. The enclosed brochure contains our "bill of rights" for applicants for permits and licenses. We expect all of our staff to adhere to these standards. The policy explains that you have a right to appeal any decisions or rulings of any enforcing official to that person's supervisor, department head, or if necessary to the city manager, without fear of reprisal. In your letter, you indicated that you decided not to contact a supervisor because your previous contacts had been unsuccessful. Please be assured that if that happens in the future that there is someone you can go to who will listen to your concerns. If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me by telephone (509-5401) or e- mail (ahurlbur@ci.plymouth.mn.us.) Sincerely, Anne W. Hurlburt, AICP Community Development Director cc: Mayor and Council Dwight Johnson, City Manager Joe Ryan, Building Official Larry Farris, Assistant Building Official PLYMOUTH A BeautiJiill'lnce'ro Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 ©.... —i.— www.d.plymouth.mn.us MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 DATE: August 8, 2000 TO: Laurie Ahrens, Assistant City Manager J FROM: Sandy Paulson, City Clerk SUBJECT: Redistricting As you requested, I have outlined the redistricting schedule: Date Action January 1, 2000 All precincts are frozen April 2000 Take the census by December 31, 2000 Population totals are reported to President and Congressional seats are reapportioned (determine number of seats) January -March 2001 Block population is reported to the State and Minnesota redistricting begins by March 19, 2002 Legislative and Congressional redistricting is complete in Minnesota by April 30, 2002 New City Ward and Precinct boundries are established by May 28, 2002 All election district boundaries are established (City, County, soil and water conservation districts, etc.) by June 17, 2002 All legal publications notifying the public of the redistricting changes have to be completed September 10, 2002 State Primary Election, and all new changes go into effect