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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 05-05-2000DLirY)mU cJ MAY 59 2000 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE: NOTE: Ward I Councilmember Tim Bildsoe meets with residents and receives their comments in the Administration Library, beginning at 6:00 PM before each Regular Council meeting. TUESDAY, MAY 9, 7:00 PM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers TUESDAY, MAY 16, 7: 00 PM BOARD OF REVIEW (RECONVENED), Council Chambers TUESDAY, MAY 16 (IMMEDIATELY SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS CHARTER FOLLOWING BOARD OF REVIEW) AMENDMENT REGARDING MAIL BALLOT SPECIAL ELECTIONS, Council Chambers TUESDAY, MAY 23, 7:00 PM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 3. MONDAY, MAY 8, 7:00 PM YOUTHAD VISOR Y COMMITTEE, Medicine Lake Room 4. THURSDAY, MAY 11, 7:00 PM CHARTER COMMISSION, Public Safety Training Room 5. THURSDAY, MAY]], 7: 00 PM PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, Council Chambers 6. WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7. THURSDAY, MAY 18, 7: 00 PM HRA, Medicine Lake Room CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO MAY 5, 2000 8. THURSDAY, MAY I8, 7: 00 PM 9. SATURDAY, MAY20, 9:00-3:30 PM P UBLIC SAFETY AD VISOR Y BOARD, Public Safety Training Room PLYMOUTH CLEAN—UP DAY, Public Works Maintenance Facility 10. A List of future Regular Council Meeting agenda items is attached. (M-10) 11. May, June, and July calendars are attached. (M-11) Page 2 C) News Release regarding applications being accepted for Charter Commission (I -lc) d) LMC Affordable Housing Symposium, July 13, 2000 St. Cloud Civic Center from 8:00 a.m. - 4:.00 p.m.(I-ld) e) Article from St. Paul Pioneer Press regarding choice in cable providers (I -le) 2. STAFF REPORTS a) Fred Moore's memo to Dwight Johnson regarding Regional Trail Construction by Union Pacific Railroad South of Medicine Lake (I -2a) 3. CORRESPONDENCE a) E-mail from Susan Henderson, HRA Commissioner thanking staff, elected officials and volunteers for the Board and Commission dinner and program at the Plymouth Creek Center (I -3a) b) Letter from Barbara Senness to Property Owners regarding zoning ordinance text amendment, site plan, conditional use permit and variances to property located south of Old Rockford Road and east of Peony Lane. (I -3b) c) Letter from Barbara Senness to Property Owners regarding Conditional Use Permit for Robert Erickson at 15140 9th Avenue North. (I -3c) d) Letter from Barbara Senness to Property Owners regarding Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit for Lift Station #2 (a pump house structure) for property located east of East Medicine Lake Boulevard and north of 34th Avenue. (I -3d) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO Page 3 May 5, 2000 e) Letter from Anne Hurlburt to landowners within 750 feet regarding application from North American Properties, Inc. for a conditional use permit and variances for Plymouth Marketplace Development located at N.W. corner of Hwy. 55 and Vicksburg Lane No. (I -3e) f) Letter from Eric Blank to Doug Bryant, Superintendent of Henn6pin Parks regarding the possible sale of the City's portable stage for a price of $73,500; effective July 10, 2000. (I -3f) 4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY - CORRESPONDENCE a) A status report on recent correspondence is attached. (I -4a) 5. LEGISLATIVE ITEMS a) Association of Metropolitan Municipalities AMM FAX News (I -5a) b) League of Minnesota Cities Friday Fax. (I -5b) May 23 (M-10) Tentative Schedule for City Council Non -Consent Agenda Items Consider Interim Ordinance for Study Areas C and E Sunrise Park Rezoning and Preliminary Plat Reguiding/Rezoning at 45h Avenue and Nathan Lane Public Improvement hearing on Holly Lane improvements, north of Old Rockford Road Consider adoption of an ordinance regulating Alarm Systems June 13 z LU m F— V J V LL LL 0 i (M -I1) CL � T .O N O r CLQ O N iC O LU W MU 0 U W No•ON OM QOao V% o0>'c o�Q'� o o O) J a ON N N � r N VI 7 ,•. 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V T m i E o v m E 4ao o =U$ < 0 Un OaO Cl) i Q E QQ w m ;c DI 7 fit=- a ��y aL = O T N ^O��O N� O000 O O �pN n¢ NM W T MO :D Z a Z 0 O m N �3 NM d) E Z U N ¢� Z U` as:E = E d OO.2NN Ute0 Oy gZd aUE gZ a E ui z U� ¢y C wy �cncc V%t `�U Wy U tD ay CD 0 d�U Q. �WJ �J Op :i O o r� O r 0 o N N r U U o rn r e4 `" N Nv mon T SLUE NM "_ LU N C Cu W N W L m y Q m w W L N �JU O� MVV a z C f 0 d Z C O C C X00 a0 OOU rU 'n0 rU �OmNN ti QQ In N V] ��00V1 N 0o 0. oy J 0y O J LnV1 i 0 i 0 i 0 MmE =vE M E C i$ bio 0 . >5 rU YU aZ) a.D aD 000go goo .00 to .. -- N M 9+ R C 3 N Apr ZB 2888 16:28:25 Via Fax -> 61Z+S89+S86B Administrator (I-1 a) League of Minnesota Cities Transportation Summit Friday, May 19, 2000 Minnetonka Community Center ILI C 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka 9:00 a.m. - Welcome and Introduction to the Summit - Gary Doty, LMC President 9:15 a.m. - Opening Address - The Administration Perspective - MnDot Commissioner Elywn Tinklenberg 9:45 a.m. - Framing the Critical Issues in MN Transportation Policy - Fred Corrigan, Executive Director, MN Transportation Alliance 10:30 a.m. - Break 10:45 a.m. - Response Panel Senator Carol Flynn - Donn Wiski, Chair, Metropolitan Senator Dean Johnson Transportation Advisory Board Representative Tom Workman - Corey Elmer, Coalition of Greater MN Cities Noon - Lunch 12:45 p.m. - Break Out Into Work Groups 2:00 p.m. - Work Group Reports and Discussion 3:30 p.m. - Adjourn Fax this registration form to (651) 281-1296 by May 4, 2000. r— -------------"I Transportation LMC Transportation Summit Friday, May 19, 2000, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka Box lunch will be $10, payable at check-in. Registrations will be confirmed by phone or e-mail by I ' Friday, May 5. Fax this registration form to (651) 281-1296. I ICity -------------------------------- IContact person IPhone------- --- ------ ------- E-mail -------------------------- Boa lunch ($SO) ' ' Name of First RepresentativeYep No --------------------- ❑ ❑ ' Additional city officials (if seating is available) Questions? Contact Kevin Frazell, Member Services Director, at (651) 281-1215 or (800) 925-1122, or e-mail: kfrazell@lmnc.org. (I -I b) SUBURBAN TRANSIT LEGISLATIVE REPORT ASSOCIATION STA LEGISLATIVE REPORT FRIDAY, APRIL 28,200 REPORT 2000-5 2000 LEGISLATURE GRINDS TO A HALT Legislators began this session with the hope of completing their work prior to taking an Easter break. However, tripartisan governance and the politics of the upcoming election have brought the session to a screeching halt. Legislators and Governor Ventura are miles apart on tax reform and spending initiatives. So far apart, in fact, that the controversy between them is still focused on so-called "targets" (the amount of revenue available for use) which should have been reached weeks ago. Until an agreement is reached on targets, omnibus tax and finance bills will continue to languish in conference committees. There are six days remaining during which legislators can meet in session, and Governor Ventura has said he will not call a special session. Therefore, legislators may ultimately elect to exclude the governor from budget negotiations, pass their bills and recess briefly, knowing they may have to return to override possible gubernatorial vetoes. We will keep you up to date as legislators resume conference committee meetings and, hopefully, reach a conclusion to the 2000 Legislative Session. HOUSE LEGISLATORS PROPOSE SHIFT OF TRANSIT FUNDING TO GENERAL FUND For years, transit supporters have called for a change in the funding source for transit from the property tax to another dedicated source. This session, Representatives Ron Abrams (R -Minnetonka) and Dan McElroy (R -Burnsville) have heeded that call by including a provision in the House Omnibus Tax Bill that shifts the funding source to the State's general fund. Transit proponents and many local governments have been unified in their opposition to this proposal. The STA strongly believes that transit should be funded through a dedicated source tha is not subject to competition with other vital state funding programs such as health care and education. Some possible sources for dedicated revenue include "the motor vehicle, excise tax, the gas tax and sales tax. The STA Legislative Report is prepared by Thomas J. Poul and Jennifer J. Peterson �r- Messerli 8 Kramer P.A., 145 University Avenue West, Suite 450, St. Paul, MN 55103 Telephone (651) 228-9757 Fax (651) 228-9787 4� In last month's STA Legislative Report we provided you with an overview of the transit tax shift's implications, but the remainder of this newsletter will give you a more detailed understanding of how this property tax shift will affect your city and others. At the end of this Legislative Report, we have included a guest opinion piece by Gene Ranieri, Executive Director of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM). THE MECHANICS OF THE SHIFT The House proposal would abolish the Metropolitan Council's authority to levy property taxes for transit funding effective in 2001. The State would then appropriate $93.36 million to the Metropolitan Council to provide transit services through 2001. This base appropriation would be increased annually by the lesser of (1) the percentage increase in the implicit price deflator or (2) 125 percent in the percentage increase in the consumer price index for urban consumers. The State would also appropriate $42.66 million for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 for debt service on transit -related bonds issued by the Metropolitan Council. The bonding appropriation would also come from the general fund, and would need to be renewed every year or biennium. To help fund this new general fund expenditure, the state would reduce the state -paid homestead and agricultural credit aid (HACA) to cities. The HACA reduction would be equal to the amount of the transit tax levied in that city. In essence, a city would eliminate the transit tax (listed separately on the property tax statement) and increase the general levy to make up for the loss of HACA. A city's ability to levy will not be affected because levy limits are based upon the previous year's levy plus state aids. The chart on the next page shows the amount of HACA that would be lost by opt -out communities if this proposal were to become law. According to the House Research Department, this proposal would allow the State to recapture $77,336,591 in HACA revenues, but $16,959,771 in transit funding would not be recaptured because several cities do not receive sufficient HACA to offset the transit levy. The uncaptured revenue would leave a small number of cities with a windfall that could be passed along to their taxpayers, provided legislators do not take action to remove that benefit. The State appropriation for transit would be given to the Metropolitan Council for funding of transit operations. This legislation requires that the Council appropriate to opt -out providers funding equal to their current funding level. Funding for opt -outs would increase annually according to the growth factor provided in the legislation. On its face, this might seem like a workable solution to the transit -funding dilemma. However, following the chart on the next page, this STA Legislative Report will outline why this mechanism may ultimately be detrimental to the transit system. 7 4-- 0 0 c >. a)' U) Q 0 U 0 Q �- 2 N 0 O cn E Q) O U � a) ..r O `.~ O Q) cn Q� U > QO Z 0- C � •U O � (a � U y L O O a ++ C y a)Om m - O C L H a) 3(� L � � C 0 'O C a) C:aa))a) :3 — C 0 x E 0) cu y cn W a) y cn y y � C Co a) � y cN6 � U) � U �Oa) -a �aa))x ( CU ~ U C ca cu W LL F-wN CL Z Z (D o rn V>< rn cer M OM C U-) Z W F- O r N (C) C) (D 00 It � oo O LO 00 a0 r M c! r GO O E9 r EA r 69 r 6F} N 6F} r Wl N EA O 69 O E9 r EF} N 69 U M 00 00 rT- � CD T- 0') C) T -- O 00 lt N O O ti = (3) p IT Op C7 (:5 N "t r Ln r M N M 00 co 00 to N 6F} 0) CD cq r. N 69 r EH CD Efi r Efi r 6Fi LO V)- U') 69- LO Ef} lql- Ef} U L2 r z LLJ Ln (D oCO OD r � N r M di V- (D N 0') coN It �- Cl r O & t7 OO 0) C) r C)qT N 0) r LO 00 N r IT rl O 00 r- OO N 0) M ti N ti r 0) M r r ti oo ti LO co to L!7 It ER EF} 69 69 EA EF} E9 60. Efi EH 60- X Z F_ } > -J a J LO C) ti O CO It r C14 00 CND C7 00 P - r Fa" o C\ 00 N C ( O � `� � T- T— o a Vi oro ti N r C) r M c\i M r 00 o N N 00 EH (& It EH N E9 M ER E!i 69 LO 69 LO 69 M 69 r- Ef} r C a) L a) > +, U a) o m � a) > L Y C a a) p J E 5) O L (= m cn m c6 0) C a) Q L O a) (A fa > Y Ca (u >+ 4-- 0 0 c >. a)' U) Q 0 U 0 Q �- 2 N 0 O cn E Q) O U � a) ..r O `.~ O Q) cn Q� U > QO Z 0- C � •U O � (a � U y L O O a ++ C y a)Om m - O C L H a) 3(� L � � C 0 'O C a) C:aa))a) :3 — C 0 x E 0) cu y cn W a) y cn y y � C Co a) � y cN6 � U) � U �Oa) -a �aa))x ( CU ~ U C ca cu STA OPPOSITION The STA supports shifting transit funding off the property tax and finding an alternative revenue source. However, this proposal does not represent an alternative that the STA believes will provide transit with an adequate and stable funding source. Reasons for this opposition include: 1. The funding formula and growth factor ignore high-growth communities. Many cities that provide opt -out transit services are growing rapidly. With that rapid growth comes a greater demand for services as well as an expanding property tax base for transit funding. The growth formula does not provide high- growth communities with an inflationary increase that takes into account the increases they would have received had the property tax remained the source for transit funding. This is not an argument for keeping transit funding on the property tax, but rather acknowledgement of the STA's long -held position that any change in the source for transit funding should include a growth factor that reflects the growth in our cities. 2. The growth factor is inadequate. The rapidly growing property tax levy for transit will provide $91.4 million in funding for the year 2000. Increases in the property tax base are estimated to provide $137 million in funding in 2008. However, the growth factor provided in the House Tax Bill would provide only $111 million in 2008, a difference of $26 million for that year. In fact, it is estimated that during the years 2001 through 2008, transit will have lost a cumulative total of $111 million in funding. 3. Funding of transit from the general fund does not provide a stable funding source. Funding transit from the general fund puts transit in the difficult position of competing with education, health care, public employees and other entities for a share of limited state funds. Without a dedicated source, there is no guarantee that the Legislature will not reduce transit funding when faced with budget shortfalls or because it is politically expedient. It has been suggested that the Legislature could at any time reduce the Metropolitan Council's authorization for levying property taxes, thereby invalidating this argument. However, the revenue raised for transit from the property tax is a dedicated revenue source that does not compete with other funding needs and political interests. 4. Funding transit from the general fund is not property tax reform. Some have suggested that removing the transit tax from the property tax is property tax reform. Apart from the reduction in property taxes for those cities that gain from the HACA reduction, this suggestion is disingenuous and untrue. Property taxpayers will not receive a reduction in their property taxes because the state will be raising them by taking away city HACA to fund this proposal. Cities that have been working hard to keep property taxes down will be forced to raise property taxes to make up the loss in HACA, thereby ensuring that taxpayers do not receive a reduction and making cities appear, at least on paper, less fiscally prudent than they are. 3 5. Without a dedicated revenue source, bonds for capital expenditures will become more expensive, if not unsaleable. Capital projects for transit services are funded frequently through regional bonding, with the debt service paid for by property taxes in the metro area. Under the House proposal, debt service for bonding would be paid directly from the general fund, an undedicated source that competes with other initiatives. Without a dedicated source, it is likely that the bond rating will drop because investors will be wary of legislators losing interest in funding transit. With a lower bond rating, the interest paid on bonds will be increased, making capital expenditures a more expensive proposition. 6. This proposal would set the metro area apart from all other regional transit systems. If the Legislature were to approve this proposal, our metropolitan area would become the only major regional transit system that is dependent on general fund appropriations for operating costs. For the reasons discussed previously — funding instability and inadequacy, and a damaged bond rating — being the only region to fund a major transit system through a general fund appropriation is not a distinction Minnesotans should want. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OPPOSITION Metropolitan Council Chair Ted Mondale recently contacted Representatives Abrams and McElroy to express the Council's opposition to this legislation. Some of the Council's concerns include: 1. Cuts in future revenues. The Metropolitan Council is very concerned that this proposal will put Metro Transit in the position of being the only transit system in the country funded completely through an undedicated funding source. The Metropolitan Council is concerned that without a stable funding source, transit services could languish at the bottom of legislative priorities and the metro area's system might not grow to meet the needs of our communities. 2. Impact on bond rating and capital funding. The Metropolitan Council recognizes the negative impact this proposal would likely have on the ability to sell bonds for the funding of capital projects. LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPPOSITION Beginning on the next page is a guest article by Gene Ranieri, Executive Director of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities. His piece will provide some insight into the position taken many local governments. GUEST CONTRIBUTION BY: GENE RANIERI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITIES During the current legislative session, the House and Senate have advanced proposals that will increase funding for the state's transportation highways and transit system. The House is also proposing to eliminate the transit property tax levy for metropolitan transit. There are also proposals to issue bonds to improve bridges. The various proposals total in excess of $500 million. The amount is impressive, but is it enough to improve the highways, roads and buses we use daily as well as to plan and program for needed new facilities? If the Legislature's commitment is long term, one could argue that it is a significant commitment to our state's infrastructure. Except for the levy assumption, the funding is one-time spending. The need for long-term financing is not met. The Legislature is to be commended for its funding package, but we need to develop a multi-year plan to finance the transportation system. As part of the plan, a revenue source to fund transportation — transit and roads — is required. It is good policy to eliminate the transit levy. The nearly $100 million levy represents approximately 38 percent of all transit revenue. The region's property tax contribution is the highest in the nation. Therefore, we should be supportive of the House proposal. It does, however, raise some concerns. Although the tax levy proposal is an open and standing appropriation with an annual inflation adjustment, the proposal as currently drafted impacts city finances and does not, in most cities, reduce the overall tax to residents. The Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, the STA and other organizations are encouraged by the legislative interest in eliminating the transit levy and are working on the levy issue. With the session winding down, the 2000 Legislature is to be applauded for its funding commitments and attempt to eliminate transit levies. It is hoped that in the next and future sessions we will be able to build on the accomplishments and proposals of this session so that the regional will have safe, improved highways, and a well functioning transit system. L p -1c) CITY OF PLYMOUTF+ For Immediate Release Contact: Laurie Ahrens, 509-5052 Applications being accepted for Charter Commission The Plymouth Charter Commission currently has a vacancy for a term expiring in June 2001. The individual appointed to fill this vacancy will be eligible for reappointment to a 4 -year term. Letters of interest should be directed to Chief Judge Daniel H. Mabley, Fourth Judicial District, Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487. If you have questions, call Laurie Ahrens, 763-509-5052. WO PLYMOUTH A BeautifufPface To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 @PMW0fiW1*W www.d.plymouth.mn.us May BZ ZBBB 18:46:31 Via Fax –> 61Z+SB9+SB6B Administrator LMC (I -I d) Affordable Housing Symposium I �� + 2July 13, 2000 • St. Cloud Civic Center Co-sponsored 6y Minnesota NAHRO The Affordable Housing Crisis in Our Minnesota Communities Few human needs are more fundamental than the need for a home. But even in these days of a stronger economy, Minnesota faces a severe shortage of decent, safe housing at prices that all can afford. The crisis affects communities throughout the region—not just in central cities. join us for this one -day conference packed full of information and ideas geared especially for Minnesota's city officials. Don't miss this on -target collection of perspectives and strategies) Program includes: Registration: 8:00 a.m. Opening Keynote: Critical Issues In Affordable Housing Across Minnesota - Tom Fulton, President, Family Housing Fund ojMtnneapolts and St. Paul - Warren Hanson, President, Greater Minnesota Housing Fund Concurrent Sesslons: – Basic Tools Toward Affordable Housing—sessions for small towns, regional centers and metro cities – From Dlrt to Development—a case study of the Implementation of a successful development project – The Local Politics of Affordable Housing—helping elected officials survive the tough Issues – Workshop on Wheels—a closeup view of the local affordable housing scene Closing Keynote: Advancing the Cause of Affordable Housing In Mlnnesota – Cotvrnor Jesse tientura (invited) – Katherine Hadley, Comm tssioner, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Adjournment: 4:00 p.m. Hurry—register now! Registration fee: $95 Housing: For overnight accommodations call the Best Western Kelly Inn at (320) 253-0606. Cancellation Policy: All cancellation requests must be In writing, postmarked by Thursday, July 6, 2000 and are subject to a $10 handling fee. rc Registration Form — LMC Affordable Housing SymposiumJuly 13, 2000 • St. Cloud Civic Center • St. Cloud, Minnesota howlr r cww now"A. & Registration fee: $95 per person City Contact person _ Telephone number Registrant's name Title Address City State Zip Make checks payable and mail to: league of Minnesota Cities, td5 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103-20dd Questions? Call Jodie Tooley (651 ) 281.1251 or Rebecca Erickson (651 ) 281-1222. ME ■_ � C C mc d H o 0, �Q .� N ,++00 w W 1 O O.0M�a �o cis cc ��� co 0 co W�•�A �U� p . ,.� a � •d � .d .o a c ' E IL Cal 4 O H.. a d N�gC3o'ao'Ocy� Hmc �i:;z da au����i ccaaa� N 0' Fticc-.oH'"�aa d H o 0, s .� N ,++00 w FQd�Oti���� .q O.0M�a �o cis cc ��� co 0 co W�•�A �U� p . ,.� a � •d � .d .o a c ' E IL Cal 4 O H.. a d N�gC3o'ao'Ocy� Hmc �i:;z da au����i ccaaa� N 0' Fticc-.oH'"�aa CABLE ♦ CONTINUED FROM IC a company may have to invest $750 per subscriber on upgrades," Roddy said. "Even at that point, you have a 20 -year-old network. It's like a used car with a paint job. We're talking about building a brand new system in the low $2,000 per subscriber range." Wide Open West says its new cable systems will outclass the old ones. "They're trying to upgrade sys- tems and make them do what peo- ple want them to do today," said Dave Haverkate, vice president of market development. "We're building ours for the future, from scratch with all the advanced fea- tures needed for the residential marketplace." Everest says its first network will be in Kansas City, where it plans to begin construction this summer. Wide Open West expects to begin service in Denver, Port- land and several Texas cities, in- cluding Austin and Fort Worth, this year. Its Denver network alone will cost about $700 million to build. Everest has raised several hun- dred million dollars from inves- tors, Roddy says. Wide Open West has raised about $53 million from venture capital firms and senior manage- ment. Many of its top executives came from RCN Corp., which raised more than $4 billion for cable overbuilds (construction of a cable network where another one already exists) on the East Coast. RCN, based in Princeton, N.J., is building broadband fiber-optic networks in the most densely pop- ulated regions of the country. The company is currently building net- works or offering services to resi- dents in parts of Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., met- ro Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay area and the Los Angeles re- gion. So far, cable overbuilds in Min- nesota has been limited to the out - state area. Among the communi- ties with two cable firms are Marshall, St. Cloud and Winona. Both MediaOne and Time Warn- er do face competition from satel- lite TV firms. And phone compa- nies, including US West, are exploring the delivery of video services over phone lines. Meanwhile, -cable firms have been launching Internet and phone services that coppete with US West and other local phone com- panies. MediaOne is in the midst of a $200 million -plus upgrade of its Twin Cities network, adding phone service, two-way high-speed Inter- net access and additional chan- nels, including digital ones. "We believe we deliver a good product now, and we're improving it," MediaOne spokesman Brian Dietz said. "We already face sig- nificant competition, and we ex- pect more." To be sure, there's frustration with the incumbents. "Frankly, I'm hoping we get at least one more franchise out of this to provide competition to Me- diaOne," said Coralie Wilson, ex- ecutive director of the North Sub- urban Cable Commission. "We have limited ability to regulate rates, and MediaOne customer service has been bad. We need competition to protect the custom- ers." Of course, construction of new cable networks would involve a lot of disruption, as companies bury and string cable along thousands of miles of streets. Martin J. Moylan, who covers technology and telecommunications, may be reached at mmoylan @pioneerpress.com or (65 1) 22&5479. Issue Federal and State Tax -Exempt May 2000 8.125%* Non AMT $17,205,000 Non -Rated PORT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL Tax Exempt Senior Lien Parking Ramp Revenue Bonds (Fourth and Minnesota Parking Ramp Project) In the opinion of l<onar4 Stmt and Dnnar4 Profruianal Atuetation, Bond aurae( baud on perunt federal and Minmtota lam', "gul anom, m"IF and dnitiont (whish rxs(uda any pending Irdidation which may have a ntroartias a ). at the time of thrix iuuame and deGvr y m the oeigina(purchaue, inmrm on the 2000.1 Bonds it t=1udrd from grate income fir purpose of rhe United Slams income tar and it exs(udr4 to the tent tYunt• in computing (nth grow and taxab4 net income for purposes of Smte of Minnesota income tax (other than Minnesota f vaubite taxa measured by income and impaled on corporations and jinamial inaitunra ). Inrr... _ r6, oo_ r n.,_1. :. __.... r.... � . At Mbk Enjoy special treatment frorr having a business checking; our appreciation with mone free UBank® Business Check C on loans. Because no matter how small yot a big deal to us. To open an account, stop 1 3 months free plus .$SO off chei Get U.S. Bank Ru.cinvcc r1,,rb;, (I -2a) DATE: May 2, 2000 TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager FROM: Fred G. Moore, P.E., Director of Public Works SUBJECT: REGIONAL TRAIL CONSTRUCTION UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD SOUTH OF MEDICINE LAKE Attached is a letter from Robert Wicklund of Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District concerning the construction of the remaining segment of the Regional Trail along the southerly end of Medicine Lake. A large portion of this trail had to be an elevated boardwalk on pilings across the end of the lake. As stated in the letter because of the unusual winter and spring, the contractor was unable to complete the piling for the project. For this reason, this trail segment will not be completed until the winter of 2000/20001. attachment K:\pw\Engineering\GENERAL\MEMOS\FRED\2000\RegionalTrail. doc MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTIC- Ng - 3400 Plymou' th Boulevard _ -71R ' Plymouth, MN 55447 DATE: May 2, 2000 TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager FROM: Fred G. Moore, P.E., Director of Public Works SUBJECT: REGIONAL TRAIL CONSTRUCTION UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD SOUTH OF MEDICINE LAKE Attached is a letter from Robert Wicklund of Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District concerning the construction of the remaining segment of the Regional Trail along the southerly end of Medicine Lake. A large portion of this trail had to be an elevated boardwalk on pilings across the end of the lake. As stated in the letter because of the unusual winter and spring, the contractor was unable to complete the piling for the project. For this reason, this trail segment will not be completed until the winter of 2000/20001. attachment K:\pw\Engineering\GENERAL\MEMOS\FRED\2000\RegionalTrail. doc SUBURBAN HENNEPIN REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT 12615 County Road 9 Plymouth, Minnesota 55441-1299 Telephone (612)559-9000 TDD (612)559-6719 FAX (612)559-3287 An Equal opportunity Employer April 25, 2000 Mr. Fred Moore Director of Public Works City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, Minnesota 55447-1482 Subject: Medicine Lake (South) Regional Trail Project Status Dear Fred: This letter provides data on the current construction and related schedules for the Medicine Lake (South) Regional Trail within the City of Plymouth and the City of Medicine Lake. Veit Construction has been contracted by Hennepin Parks to complete that segment of trail between West Medicine Lake Drive and 13th Avenue. Construction completed during the winter construction season provided pilings for a portion of the project. However, early thawing required the contractor to conclude the activities without finishing piling for the wooden walkway structure west of South Shore Drive. At this time, it is our understanding that Veit Construction intends to complete the boardwalk and bituminous trail between South Shore Drive and 13th Avenue this summer. Additional piling necessary to complete the boardwalk between South Shore Drive and West Medicine Lake Drive will be completed during the 2000-20001 winter season, allowing that segment and the remainder of the project to be completed in the spring -early summer of 2001. At this time, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. is coordinating with affected permitting agencies to resolve floodplain mitigation. Trail users encircling Medicine Lake during this summer will continue to rely upon the Highway 55 frontage road and a portion of South Shore Drive to make the connection to West Medicine Lake Drive. It is our hope that the City of Plymouth will complete the trail crossing fo the Union Pacific tracks at West Medicine Lake Drive. Safety signing and stripping for the Luce Line trail crossing of West Medicine 'lake Drive will be completed by Hennepin Parks by Barber Construction as soon as possible. Additional safety signing on the Highway 55 frontage road and South Shore Drive such as "share the road" signing may be desirable given the increasing number of bicyclists, inline skaters and walkers. As you may know, I will be retiring from Hennepin Parks on May 1. Dori -King will provide the ongoing liaison to the project. S' er , bert M. Wicklund - C . Eric Blank, Plymouth Parks Director RECYCLED PAPER - Conserving our Resources Contains 50% total recycled fiber, 10% Post -consumer fiber Sandy Paulson From: Dwight Johnson Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 1:56 PM To: Sandy Paulson Subject: FW: Thank You!! Please put in the CIM this week. Dwight. -----Original Message ----- From: Susan L Henderson[mailto:SLHend@worldnet.att.net] Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2000 10:18 AM To: jtierney@ci.ply mouth. mn.us; Dwight Johnson Subject: Thank You!! Joy & Dwight - Just a quick note to thank you and the City for the lovely dinner and program you hosted for the Board and Commission members on April 24th. It was a delightful evening, the food was scrumptious, the program was informative and fun and it was great to be in our new Plymouth Creek Center!! Thank you very much. I continue to be proud of our City and all of the quality staff, elected officials and volunteers we have here. Susan Henderson HRA Commissioner (I -3b) CITY C May 5, 2000 PLYMOUTH+ SUBJECT: ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT, SITE PLAN, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND VARIANCES (2004 1) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this is to inform you of a request by Professional Car Wash Systems, Inc., under File 20041, for a zoning ordinance text amendment, site plan, conditional use permit and variances to construct a 4,060 square foot gas convenience store with an attached car wash and a 6,428 square foot attached office building for property located south of Old Rockford Road and east of Peony Lane. 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 Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 17, 2000, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Center, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at 509-5450 for more information. UAk�� � -hr11--t'k7 Barbara G. Senness Planning Manager 20041propnotice PLYMOUTH ABeautift, 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD e PLYMOUTH, MINNESOI www.ci.plymouth.. Location Map -20041 Professional Car Wash Systems, Inc. Request for a (ZOTA/SP/CUPNAR) MR) . fie City of Plynioudi, b4imesota LaM U. Gema C, I cc, Gay Cenle. CO, Commercial ow" U-I, PlamN lndnbial l 2 LMea 1 LM' Mea 2 LAJ. LMArea 3 U . LMV np Mea t LARLNinp Mea- Rural J P.J. PUOIirJsemiPudir/InatGulbnal (I --3c) May 5, 2000 ary OF PLVMOUTF+ SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ROBERT ERICKSON (20058) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this is to inform you of a request by Robert Erickson, under File 20058, for a conditional use permit to relocate a detached garage from an adjoining property to property at 15140 9' Avenue North. 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 Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 17, 2000, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Center, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at 509-5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter (lower level), 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. Sincerely, Uw W,K l�, ca)l vt `o Barbara G. Senness Planning Manager 20058propnotice 9:1--1 Location Map -20058 Robert Erickson 15140 9th Avenue North taod LOW GLA%Ptan Request for a CUPa• c, canan "w City CenW co. o --w Off ® LA -7, UOV 1 . A— LA -2, LMrq Arses I LA-], Papa 3 City of U,n, LAd, uWng Arm 4 Plymouth, Minnesota g A p . PUAr p�cw=4.npp,pypl PLYMOUTH ABeau tiJulPlaceToLive 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD p PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 p TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 www.6plymouth.mmus I��l.�►�I:1i17 CITY OF PLYMOUTI+ (1-3d) SUBJECT: SITE PLAN AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR CITY OF PLYMOUTH (20054) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this is to inform you of a request by City of Plymouth, under File 20054 for a site plan and conditional use permit for Lift Station No. 2 (a pump house structure) for property located east of East Medicine Lake Boulevard and north of 34`' Avenue. 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 Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 17, 2000, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Center, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at 509-5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter (lower level), 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. Sincerely, Barbara G. Senness Planning Manager 20054propnotice Location Map -20054 Cityof Plymouth Lift Station No. 2 Request for a SP/CUP PLYMOUTH A Beauti t� of 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD - PLYMOUTH, MINNESC Plymouth,Mimesota www.Ci.plymouth.mn.us Lana use Guide Wan C, Conenen;al cc, city Center Co, C-1 off - 1P, Waned Incl-Inal LA -I. Living Area I LA -2, Living Area 2 to-3,Living Area 3 —. Living Area a LAR. Living Area- Ronal P -I, Publicr-vn4Pud' ll,Wl ional May 3, 2000 Dear Resident/Land Owner: CITY OF PLYMOUTI-F (I -3e) The City has recently received an application from North American Properties, Inc., under File No. 20040, for a rezoning, preliminary plat, PUD general plan, site plan, conditional use permits and variances for a development to be known as Plymouth Marketplace located on the northwest corner of Highway 55 and Vicksburg Lane North. The request is to rezone the southeast portion (4.27 acres) of the site from O -R (Office/Residential) to CC -RE (City Center, Retail/Entertainment) and rezone the remainder of the site from O -R (Office/Residential) to PUD (Planned Unit Development). The proposed development plan includes a senior apartment complex, a grocery store, bank, restaurants and small retail shops. A map indicating the location of the site is provided below. This letter is being mailed to all landowners within 750 feet of the site in order to provide notice and information about the application — in advance of the official notice that will be sent out prior to the Planning Commission's public hearing on the matter. The City will send out another letter notifying you of the Planning Commission public hearing date, not less than ten days prior to the hearing date. The purpose of the public hearing is to allow neighboring property owners to appear in front of the Planning Commission to ask questions and make comments relating to the application. You may also submit comments in writing. All written comments will become part of the public record. If you have any questions or comments concerning this application or the review procedures, please call Kendra Lindahl, Planner, at (763) 509-5453. In addition, you may review information relating to this application at City Hall during regular office hours. Office hours at City Hall are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through Fridays, and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, except he located at 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. Sincerely, Anne W. Hurlburt, AICP Community Development Director notices/2000/20040 first notice.doc 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD ®vim. --'W roe $�baE • ® y Locatton Map -20040 North Amedcan Properties, Inc. PLYMOUTHi nm ..:. vai PLYMOUTH,• • • (I -3j) May 3, 2000 CITV OF PUMOUTR Doug Bryant, Superintendent Hennepin Parks 12615 County Road 9 Plymouth, MN 55441 Dear Doug: This letter is a follow up to our meeting of last Friday, April 28. As you will recall, I made you aware that the City is currently in the process of moving forward with the establishment of a permanent performance center at the amphitheater behind City Hall. Because of this proposal, we are in a position to reevaluate our needs for our portable stage. Last week, when I became aware that the park district was looking for a portable stage for outdoor special event use, I contacted your staff regarding your interest in this. Subsequently, you and your staff visited our maintenance facility and reviewed our portable stage. I initially suggested that the park district consider purchasing half interest in our stage and that we would share it on a 50150 basis. However, you have requested that the park district purchase the stage and be sole owner. In so doing, you have offered to provide the stage free of charge including set up and take down including special events in Plymouth at no cost. Based on your request, I am outlining a proposal for your review and consideration. The City of Plymouth will sell the stage to Hennepin Parks for a price of $73,500; effective July 10, 2000. We will be using the stage for our History Fest on May 13th, and the grand opening of the Plymouth Creek Center and Youth Jam on June 3rd. We will also need the stage for Music in Plymouth on July 6th. It is my understanding that the Park District has need on one or two occasions between now and July for use of the stage. We will make the stage available to the District on those dates. We will need the stage on Monday, July 17th, for a community band concert at the Plymouth Amphitheater and on Saturday, October 7th, for our Plymouth on Parade event. Richfield will use the stage this year on July 4th. The tentative offer to sell is contingent on City Council approval. In the future, the tentative dates that we would need the stage on an annual basis are as follows: the Fire & Ice Festival, tentatively the first Saturday in February; the History Fest, tentatively the second Saturday in May; Plymouth on Parade, the first Saturday in October. We anticipate that on an annual basis, there would be two or three other occasions where we would have special events requiring the use of the stage. These dates would be coordinated with your staff as soon as possible each year. PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 ®; � www.d.plymouth.mn.us The purchase price for the stage in 1998 was $82,222. This includes an electrical upgrade for a future lighting system, automatic hydraulic leveling system, secondary back up controls if the wireless controls malfunction, and 41 stage extensions large enough to accommodate the Minnesota Orchestra. The price I have suggested discounts the value of the stage for two years depreciation (6%) and an additional discount in recognition that your staff will provide all the set up and take down for City of Plymouth special events. I would expect that the length of the agreement would last for 25 years, the expected life of the Showmobile. I would further request that the Park District would provide the City first right to purchase if you should decide to sell the Showmobile at a future date. Doug, if you have any questions regarding this item while I am gone, please contact either Dwight Johnson, the City Manager; or Mark Peterson, Superintendent of Parks. Sincerely, Eric J. Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np Cc: Dwight Johnson Mark Peterson (I -4a) Y O 41 N O O 4i cd C .0 O cN bA C]. 0 0 N N N M O M O O O O O O "T O O t O --� Itt O kf)'n O AO O O O O O O O � N N N N N � N O O O O O 0 0 0 0 0 O N N N N IT N O O O O O 'C '> p U> r3 n cd i, ami vUi Q to ootoo � Cq � � bA 4 c� C4 Cd 3 �3 0 o x N 0 0 0 0 N N N N N Y May BZ ZBBB 89:56:87 Via Fax -> 61Z+589+5868 Dwight Johnson (1-5a) AMM FAX Assodation of NEWS Metropolitan Municipalities May 1-5, 2000 TUESDAY, MAY 16 The University of Minnesota will sponsor a public forum entitled, "Public Problems, Quality Solu- tions." The forum will include a discussion of applying quality principles to public issues Presenters include Paul O'Neill, who is the chair and CEO of the Alcoa Corporation, U of M President Mark Yudof, Humphrey School Dean John Brandl and Minnesota Plan- ning Director Dean Barkley For more information call Robin Anderson at 612-624-3492. FRIDAY, MAY 19 The League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) is sponsoring a Trans- portation Summit at the Minnetonka Community Center Call Kevin Frazell at 651-281-1215. THURSDAY, MAY 25 The AMM and LMC are co- sponsoring a Legislative Review Session at the LMC building To register, call the LMC at 651-281- 1200 or complete the registration form in the April 19 edition of the (LMC) Cities Bulletin. AMM News Fax is faxed to all AAIM city managers and administrators, legislative contacts and Board members. Please share thisfax with your mayors, councilmembers and staff to keep them abreast of impor- tant metro city issues CCopyrighl 2000 AMM 145 University Avenue West 5t. Paul, MN 55103-2044 Phone: (651) 215-4000 Fox: (651) 281-1299 E-mail: amm(j amm145.org AMM hosts comp plan forum The Metropolitan Council is dev- eloping a process to measure a city's progress in meeting goals outlined in a city's comprehensive plan The AMM is sponsoring a meeting for members to discuss the process with the Met Council. The meeting will be held on Tues- day, May 16 from 8:15-9:30 a.m., in the St Croix Room of League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) building. Met Council staff will begin the meeting by explaining the proposed process, followed by a discussion period The process, which is described as a short-term solution, would collect data from cities projecting significant growth over the next ten years. It is estimated that approximately 15 cities would be involved in the voluntary program. For the long-term the Council envi- sions that the geographic information system (GIS) will provide the needed data Prior to the implementation of the GIS supported process, the Council will collect data from approved plat The needed information such as the number of acres and number of proposed units is contained on the plat data If you are interested in attending, please contact the AMM at 651-215- 4000 by Friday, May 12. Coffee, rolls and juice will be served. Public Finance Bill in conference committee he Public Finance Bill (SF 3730 and HF 4090) is in conference committee at the moment. The bills contain amendments to various laws related to public finance For example, both bills extend the sunset to June 30, 2005 for the special service and housing improve- ment districts The bills also include authority for a metro city to opt -out of the transit district, issue bonds under joint powers for airport improvements and to finance Internet improvements under certain conditions. BUSINESS SUBSIDY BILL The Business Subsidy Bill has passed the Senate as a separate bill while the House bill is on the floor The latter was amended in the Rules Committee to include the non -appro- priation economic development amendments contained in the Omni- bus Finance Bill The House amendments include changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) state law, the Board of Boxing and numerous other economic develop- ment programs. Legislature approves Public Corporations Bill he House approved the confer- ence committee report on the Public Corporations Bill on April 27 The bill authorizes the continuation of existing public corporations but requires new corporation to be authorized by the passage of a special law The bill also requires the existing corporations to be subject to the Open Meeting, Financial Reporting and Data Practices acts. Apr Z8 Z800 16:Z4:ZO LMC LWWw WM/NwfreAs CVff Gtr pi+�r«otlwg �rer�i{ww Via Fax -> 61Z+509+5060 Judy Johnson (I -Sb) "., v • ,V Special Z'pa9e ecfitiorf RIDA YF,4x Number 13 A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities April 28, 2000 Session sputters on Seemingly to spite each other, the House and Senate met on alternat- ing days Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, effectively burning three more business days in the process. The Legislature has only six total legislative days remaining to reach final compromises on most of the major conference committee bills and to pass the bills on the House and Senate floors. A legisla- tive day is constituted by a meeting of either the House or the Senate. Time is running short. None of the major conference committees met this week and none are scheduled this weekend. The House and Senate will reconvene Monday to take floor action on the ever -shorter list of bills. Municipal corporate creation compromise passes, awaits governor's signature Although the week featured little progress on the major tax and spending issues, the Senate and House did act on the compromise corporate creation bill authored by Rep. Ann Rest (DFL -New Hope) and Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL -Tracy). The final conference committee report represents a compromise among a wide variety of groups including the secretary of state, the attorney general, the state auditor, the Minnesota Newspaper Associa- tion and local government associa- tions, including the League. The bill ratifies existing local government - created corporations and creates a process for exemptions from certain laws that apply to local govern- ments. The bill does not allow for the creation of new corporations without special legislation. LMC Transportation Summit: May 19 When and Where: Friday, May 19 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Minnetonka Community Center 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnetonka Please distribute the following Information to all city officials Interested In transportation Infrastructure Issues. We are hoping for a high turn -out to assist us in preparing a transportation strategy. Even sending just one person from your city would be greatly appreciated. Transportation has been one of the most visible and contentious issues during the 2000 legislative session. Resolution of the transportation issue is complicated by strongly held values about appropriate levels of taxation, the relative merits of transit versus roads, and meeting the competing needs of central cities, suburbs, regional centers, and rural Minnesota. While the House, Senate, and Ventura Administration may agree on a short-term funding program to meet the most pressing needs, much work will remain on devising a long-range transportation program. The League will kick off its 2001 legislative policy development process with a proactive experi- ment in broad participation around this challenging issue. All cities are encouraged to send at least one representative to a Transportation Summit on May 19 at the Minne- tonka Community Center. The all -day meeting will feature interactive morning discussions with Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg, key legislators, and transportation advocates. Participants will spend the after- noon discussing and sharing alternative transportation needs while brainstorming possible solutions. The work will be docu- mented in a report and given to LMC's Improving Local Economies Committee for use in the League's policy development process this summer and fall. For more Information See the Transportation Summit flyer on the following page. To register for the May 19 Transporta- tion Summit, please fax the regis- tration form on second page to (651) 281-1296. Box lunch will be $10, payable when you check in. Registrations will be confirmed via phone or e-mail by Friday, May 5. For more Information an city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. (651) 281-1200 or (800) 925-1122