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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 03-31-2000Dummy MARCH 319 2000 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE. NOTE: Ward 1 Councilmember Tim Bildsoe meets with residents and receives their comments in the Administration Library, beginning at 6:00 PM before each Regular Council meeting. THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 7: 00 PM TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 7: 00 PM TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 7: 00 PM WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 7:30 AM TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 7: 00 PM 2. SUNDAY, APRIL 2 3. MONDAY, APRIL 3, 7: 00 PM 4. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 7: 00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE ON BASSETT CREEK WATERSHED, Council Chambers REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES AND COUNCIL SALARIES, Public Safety Training Room SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: PLYMOUTH AMPHITHEATER STAGE, Medicine Lake Room REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers DAYLIGHT SAVINGS BEGINS, set clocks ahead one hour YOUTHADVISORY COUNCIL, Medicine Lake Room Agenda is attached (M-3) ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE, Medicine Lake Room CITY CO UNCIL INFORMATION MEMO MARCH 31, 2000 S. WEDNESDAY, APRIL S, 7:00 PM 6. THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 7: 00 PM 7. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 7:00 PM 8. THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 7:00 PM 9. MONDAY, APRIL 17, 6: 00-8: 30 PM 10. MONDAY, APRIL 17, 7: 00 PM Page 2 PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers Agenda is attached (M -S) HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Medicine Lake Room Agenda is attached (M-6) PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers PRAC, Council Chambers ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYFAIR, Kimberly Lane Elementary School, 17405 Old Rockford Road YOUTHADVISORY COUNCIL, Medicine Lake Room 11. A List of future Regular Council Meeting agenda items is attached. (M -I1) I2. April, May, and June calendars are attached. (M-12) 1. NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a) Notice from Prudential Insurance of an anticipated layoff of 154 employees at the Plymouth facility in May. (I -]a) b) Notice from AmeriServe Food Distribution of the closing of the Berkshire Lane facility in May, with the anticipated layoff of 149 employees. (I -1b) c) Notice from the Metropolitan Council of the cancellation of the March 30 meeting, to be rescheduled for a later date. Also attached is a letter from City Manager Dwight Johnson appointing Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt as the technical representative from Plymouth to the Council's land use review task force. (I -1c) d) Citation from the City of Lakeville praising Plymouth Communications Coordinator Helen LaFave's work in helping Lakeville create a citizens' guide. (1-1 d) e) Request for comments on the content of the generic environmental impact statement for urban development, from the State Environmental Quality Board. Inserted at the request of Councilmember Black. (I -1e) 2. STAFFREPORTS a) Summary of the Fourth Annual Commute West Job Fair. (I -2a) b) Overview report on the Plymouth Environmental Quality Fair activities. (I -2b) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO Page 3 MARCH 31, 2000 c) Report on private fire hydrants in the City. (1--2c) 3. CORRESPONDENCE a) Letter from Finance Director Dale Hahn to Mitch Marks. Mr. Marks' internet communication is also attached. (1--3a) b) Letter from City Manager Dwight Johnson to Jeff Mansell regarding placmeent of dirt at the Mansell residence. (I -3b) c) Thank–you letter from NSP Community Relations Manager John Theis for City assistance to NSP crews working along Highway 55. (I -3c) 4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY—CORRESPONDENCE a) Letter from Public Works Director Fred Moore to Adam Maxwell regarding the intersection of County Road 47 and Northwest Boulevard. Adam's original letter is attached. (I -4a) b) Letter to Lynette Haux regarding the County Road 101 improvement project. Ms. Haux's original letter is also attached. (1--4b) A status report on the most recent correspondence is attached. (1-4) 5. LEGISLATIVE ITEMS a) Association of Metropolitan Municipalities AMM FAX News. (I -5a) b) League of Minnesota Cities Friday Fax. (I -5b) c) Municipal Legislative Commission Update. (I -5c) d) League of Minnesota Cities Policy Committee formation notice for the 2001 Legislative Session. (I -5d) M, YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL APRIL 3, 2000, 7:00 P.M. MEDICINE LAKE ROOM AGENDA 1. Approve minutes of March 6, 2000 meeting 2. Receive Report from Regina Callies on a Guide to Youth Coffee Houses 3. Receive Sub—Committee update on Youth Jam 2000 4. Receive Sub—Committee update on Youth Town Forum 5. Receive Sub—Committee update on Youth Recognition Award 6. Adjourn Possible topics for future meetings: • Review proposed changes in liquor compliance checks and regulations (after April 11) • Meet with representative from Mosaic Group Youth Project (April 17) • Discuss health issues and abstinence education • Discuss contacts with Trojan Tirade NEXT MEETING IS MONDAY, APRIL 17, 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA ® WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2000 WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Center 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PUBLIC FORUM 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Deborah Sturm. Approve shoreland and setback variances to allow conversion of a deck into a four season porch and a dining room and entry addition for property located at 1401 West Medicine Lake Drive. (20021) B. Wayne Jeske Associates, Inc. Approve site plan amendment for an approximately 4,204 square foot building addition at West Lutheran High School located at 3350 Harbor Lane North. (20028) C. Judy Begin. Approve site plan amendment to allow an architectural design change to the club house building for property located at 5525 Xenium Lane North. (20035) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Accept Planning Commission 1999 Annual Report and 2000 Work Program. 8. ADJOURNMENT M-G Plymouth Human Rights Commission April 6, 2000 Response Team Subcommittee will meet at 6:00 p.m. prior to the regular HRC meeting. 1. Call to Order -- 7:00 p.m. 2. Approve Minutes. 3. Approve Agenda. 4. Committee Reports: A. Hate/Bias Crime Response. B. Student Workshop, May 3. C. Report on meeting with Public Safety Director Gerdes (Patricia Izek). 5. Old Business. A. Report on Idea Exchange, March 25, Golden Valley. 6. New Business. A. By-laws review. B. Report on Citizen Survey relating to human rights (Joan Jensen). C. Proclaim May 7 Yom Hashoah, Day of Remembrance. 7. Announcements and Articles for Your Information. A. Attacking Hate Crimes Must Start in Neighborhoods. B. Community Links. C. We Can Help. Follow-up information from March 2 HRC presentation. 8. Adjourn. Next meeting: May 4, 2000. Plymouth: A Neighborhood and Community for All Plymouth Human Rights Commission MA Tentative Schedule for City Council Non -Consent Agenda Items April 11 Public Safety Report on Alcohol Compliance Violation Penalties Update on Environmental Fair on April 17 Recognize retirement of John Sweeney Consider Sketch Plan for three 71 -unit apartment buildings to be known as "Shadow Hills Apartments" for property located on the northwest corner of 45th Avenue and State Highway 169 frontage road (Park Land Company) Appointment to West Suburban Mediation Board April 25 Comprehensive Plan - approve for submission to Metropolitan Council Hearing on the proposed Vacation of a part of a drainage easement for ponding in Lot 5, Block 1, Inverness Addition (Steven Jantzen) Project Hearing for 2000 Street Reconstruction Project (9901) Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easements on Lots 2 and 3, Block 1, Plymouth Technology Park Reliance Development's Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit for a proposed development at the northwest corner of Highway 55 and Peony Lane May 9 Hearing on amending Tax Increment Districts 7-2, 7-3, and 7-4 May 23 Cl) 0 z � LU w m � � � � LL 0 O O O N � CL El \ 2 m z \ƒ Cl) §\ %- 3 _ 002 �5 Q }U) (§ 2 )k LL \ 00 00 A 3 4� ~ o TE 0 g/ - TU) !k \\) � �I wow n _ Ik Prez& _ r ) 9 S $ f \are�aR o\ § e�aeQa / zo Zz 40 zz /|<ME 00".\ \ SE )/- ) /- #! ! 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Z 2 J\ z 2 k §, § § 8E FOZ -moo � n 2 LL « Q G Ol P cc f 2 �! c / ) E { / } (ERM E '0. -se 3 !k 8! 8 g A/ ! w0 w: & _ m Q \ c k I ® kk 0 2 \ U z� k§ e k \E )k- )S 20 J ) �§f CLW ~~ ) §\R / §§ t, 00 e t - CD )! \ § \(0 f / W 4O g0 »fo | ) g 2r_m- � | ���-r � ] �6 /moo C��e �; g ^ ~ 80 8 k o] o A � MW C4 Ch 10 _ - ~ � 0 \»ea2 � s _ w��°Qa � 2® A^ . I -=QR � 2 � � S � ) � APrudential Mayor Joy Tierney City Hall 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, Minn. 55447 Dear Mayor Tierney: L Stephen M. Dodson Vice President Human Resources The Prudential Insurance Company of America Corporate Operations and Systems 80 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068-1798 Tel 973 716-4477 Fax 973 716-2986 March 23, 2000 Re: 60 Day WARN Notification In accordance with the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act ("WARN"), we are writing to inform you of the anticipated mass layoff at Prudential's facility located at 13001 County Road 10, Plymouth, Minn. 55442. The layoffs are expected to be permanent. Notice of separation will take place on March 23, 2000, with the permanent layoff of approximately 154 employees taking effect on May 23, 2000. The employees will continue to receive pay and benefits during the 60 day period. The job titles of the positions which are affected, and the number of affected employees in each job classification, are listed on the attachment annexed hereto. The affected employees are not represented by a union and are not entitled to bumping rights. ease contact me at (973) 716-4477. .i - )-�,4 ATTACHMENT A Individuals who are in the Policyowner Relations Department Remediation Project in Minneapolis, MN, who are being released form the ADR project on March 23, 2000, are eligible to receive certain benefits as a result of their separation from employment with Prudential due to the conclusion of the project. In order to receive benefits, eligible employees must be separated from employment and must sign the Separation Agreement and General Release. The attached list was prepared as of March 22, 2000. It shows the job titles and ages of individuals who have been selected for separation from employment at this time and are eligible for benefits at this time. It also shows the job titles and ages of those individuals who have not been selected for separation at this time. The individuals listed as eligible for benefits may become ineligible and may not be separated from employment if they obtain positions elsewhere in Prudential. Minnesota Group Title Administrative Services Rep ADR Op Claims Examiner Adr Oper Sr. Procc Assc Admin Services Rep Assc Calculation Processor Assc Complex Coder Business Systems Analyst Calculation Processor Claims Assc Manager Claims Examiner Claims Manager Claims Team Leader Complex Coder Help Desk Analyst Sr Calculation Processor Sr Claims Examiner Sr Complex Coder Sr Customer Service Rep Systems Specialist Transaction Processor Selected 2 1 1 1 2 4 1 12 2 78 2 7 6 1 3 8 1 11 2 9 Sheetl Page 1 �L- March 22, 2000 Mayor Joy Tierney 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mayor Tierney: 'irw * AmeriServe�� Pursuant to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification ACT (WARN Act), AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc. (AmeriServe) gives notice to you that there will be a permanent closure of the Company's facility located at 4150 Berkshire Lane, Plymouth, MN 55446. This closure will involve the entire facility and will occur on Monday, May 22, 2000. All employees at the facility have been or will be notified of their separation dates and that their separation from employment will be permanent. All employees are expected to be separated from their employment on May 22, 2000. There will not be any "bumping" rights for any of the affected employees. The following are the positions that will be affected by the closure and the number of individuals in each affected job position: Job Title Management/Admin. Drivers Warehouse Number of Individuals 10 67 62 The driver and warehouse employees are represented by Teamsters Local 638. Their Representative is Jeff Eckman, who can be contacted at: 3001 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55414, Phone: 612-379-1533. For further information, please contact the following AmeriServe official for further information at the following address and telephone number: Robert F. McCullough AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc. 15305 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1600 Addison, Texas 75001-9016 Tele No: (972) 3 64-215 3 Sincerely, Robert F. McCullough Director, Labor and Compliance cc: Lora Cheatum Bill Halfrich 15305 Dallas Parkway • Suite 1600, MS 16T 9 P.O. Box 9016 • Addison, TX 75001-9016 • Tel: 972-3642000 9 Fax: 972-3642716 JJA Metropolitan Council Working for the Region, Planning for the Future �C March 24, 2000 Joy Tierney, Mayor City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 RE: Elm Creek Meeting - Postponed Dear Mayor Tierney: With our sincerest apologies, the Metropolitan Council staff finds it necessary to postpone the Elm Creek meeting scheduled for Thursday evening, March 30, 2000, at the city of Corcoran City Hall. The Council is currently defining a process that will address the issues of land use, transportation, wastewater, and environmental considerations in a sub -regional context. This process is intended to build on local comprehensive planning and engage citizens in decisions about future growth and development. The Elm Creek sub -region presents a unique opportunity to focus this effort. We anticipate working with you and your staff to develop this sub -regional strategy. My staff continues gathering data and background information preparing to initiate this sub -regional program. Our objective is to seek your feedback to our proposal, formally establish the task force and define our path forward. Once we compile sufficient background information and are in a position to offer our technical support, including consultant services, we will reschedule this meeting. Currently, this is anticipated to take approximately four to six weeks. In the meantime, I would appreciate if the elected officials of each community would designate a technical representative or liaison for continued involvement in technical issues that may arise as we prepare for this innovative partnership. Lastly, the Council staff would like to reassure each community that review of local comprehensive plans would continue to move forward. Every effort will be made to allow communities to place local plans into effect, recognizing that some regional systems or system plan issues may need to be resolved through the sub -regional planning process. If you would like to meet with Council staff to discuss any issues or concerns you may have, please contact Tom Caswell at 651-602-1319. Sincerely, Eli Cooper, Direc Planning and Gr wth Management cc: Saundra Spigner, Metropolitan Council District 1 Todd Paulson, Metropolitan Council District 2 Thomas McElveen, Director, Community Development Division Helen A. Boyer, Director, Environmental Services Division Bill Moore, MCES Waste Water Services General Manager Don Bluhm, Wastewater Services Judy Sventek, Watershed Coordinator Tom Caswell, Sector Representative 230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1626 (651) 602-1000 Fax 602-1550 TDD/TTY 291-0904 Metro Info Line 602-1888 An Equal Opportunity Employer CI1V COF PLYMOUTR March 27, 2000 Mr. Eli Cooper, Director Planning and Growth Management Metropolitan Council 230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, MN 55101-1626 Dear Mr. Cooper: In your letter of March 24th postponing the Elm Creek meeting, you requested that a technical representative or liaison be appointed from each City. I understand from your letter as well as follow-up conversations between City staff and Mr. Caswell that a multi- disciplinary sub -regional planning process is envisioned, with opportunities for public participation. The technical representatives will work in partnership with elected officials from the area cities. I am therefore assigning Anne Hurlburt, Plymouth's Director of Community Development, as the technical representative for the City of Plymouth in this process. You may reach her at the same address on this letterhead or call her at 763-509-5400. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this process. Sincerely, Dwigh D. Johnson/ City Manager cc: Mayor and City Council Anne Hurlburt PLYMOUTH A BeautifufPface To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD - PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 @WW. -,WK. www.d.plymouth.mmus City of La(zeviL[e Our thanks to the City of Plymouth for generously allowing Communications Coordinator Helen LeFave to review a draft of our Citizen's Guide to the Comprehensive Plan. Her input was very valuable, and her excellent suggestions were incorporated into the Citizen's Guide. A copy of the guide, which was distributed to all residents and businesses last ween, is enclosed. Again, our thanks to the City and to Helen. 00bertEricson City Administrator A 1=114V INU1Vr ICIV 1 riL. n17Q1J I ral-V1Z_Z1.J-VL'+V lf• 5' MINNESOTA PLANNING ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD January 24, 2000 Sherie Bartsh 9400 Old Cedar Ave #206 Bloomington, MN 55425 Dear Ms. Bartsh: rlaa t:7 W to-ZI r -V1 As you know, last year the Minnesota Legislature ordered the development of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) on urban development. The purpose of the GEIS is to examine the economic, social, and environmental impacts created by urban development policies and practices. By providing objective, high quality information and analysis, the GEIS will support better policy development and decision-making on this complex topic. There are an abundance of possible issues and topics which could be investigated within this study. The first phase of the GEIS development process is "scoping'— developing a framework for the study and identifying the content and issues to be addressed within it. Careful scoping ensures the study focuses on the most important topics and investigates the most valuable research questions - We would like your help in this critical phase of the project. On the enclosed sheet, please provide your opinions and recommendations concerning the content of the GEIS. The information you provide will be distributed to the members of the Urban Development Steering Committee, the citizens advisory group to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Your input will inform their discussions and deliberations. Pie committee members have expressed a strong desire to tap into the opinions and expertise of other interested Minnesotans, 558 Cedar St. �. St. Paul, MN 55155 Telephone: ���+- 651-296.3985 Facsimile: 651-296-3698 TTY: 800-62Y-3529 www mnplan. statemn,us 100% post -consume recycled content LNVIKUNI'ILIVIHL HJJ1Jl rax•Vlc-Zig-VZ'+V iiai c_� VV IV•cV Vc We hope you take the opportunity to share your opinions and perspective with Responses can be mI led:to my attention ca h the group. Street; St. Paul, MAT5155 or faxed W'i9( 30O'C+�t�ial Building, 658 Cedar information collected will be put on the GEIS hame 6a e69g' A summary of the becomes available. This page will also have progress plates as�I� o h rnIn.us) as it information regarding the study, news and On behalf of the members of the Steering Committee and theMinnesota Envi Quality Board, thank you for your help, ronmental Sincerely, Project Manager Urban Development GEIS LINV1KUIW"Ir-N I HL HJJ1J I rdX •p1L-L1J-VZ"Q I"Idr Ly VV 1Z5 L25 r. VJ Urban Development Environmental Steering Committee The Environmental Quality Board intends to establish an urban development environmental steering committee to advise it on the scope and content of anurban development generic environmental impact statement. Laws of Minnesota 1999, Chapter 250, Article 1, Section 108 directs the board to prepare environmental statement to examine the long-term effects of urban development pstpresent and future — upon the economy, environment, and way of life of the residents of the state. The study may address: I) the overall dimension of urban development in this state, including the past and current trends of settlement and population growth, the types and location of urban development, and the relationship of past and current development Patterns to existing land use policies; 2) environmental quality issues associated with urban development such as the effects of urban development on air, ground water, surface water, and land, including the impact of urban development on the loss of agricultural land in urbanizing areas; 3) economic issues such as the comparative economic impact of altemative means of urban development, including the economic efficiency of the alternatives; 4) social issues such as the comparative social impact of alternative means of urban development; and 5) the roles of various units of government in regulating various aspects of land use decisions. The committee expires upon completion the generic environmental impact statement by the board and its presentation to the Legislature. The committee will consist of 15 members and is expected to meet on a monthly basis, with more frequent meetings expected at times to complete its various advisory duties. Appointing Authority: Environmental Quality Board Contact Person: John Wells Address: 300 Centennial Building 658 Cedar Street St. Paul, MN 55155 ENVIKUNMENIHL H5515I rax--g1[-Liz-vz4o LV VV. 10•LO F.. .V4­- ..,..... .._ Recommended Content for the GEIS on Urban Development (Use the space provided on this page only) NAME ORGANIZATION (optional) I. What urban development issues, impacts, and/or research Questions should the GEIS address? 2. Why do you consider this to be "cssential GEIS content"? 3. If the GEIS were designed to address thesc information needs, how could or should this information be used? DATE: March 24, 2000 c� TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager through Fred G. Moore, Director of Public Works FROM: John R. Sweeney, Assistant to Public Works Director SUBJECT: BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL M UTE WEST JOB FAIR Yesterday, Thursday, March 23, 2000 the Fourth Annual Commute West Plymouth Job Fair was held at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth. It was another resounding success with 32 businesses participating and 435 potential job applicants attending throughout the day. Eighty nine of those attendees utilized free transportation that Plymouth Metrolink provided that day and 81 used the transportation to get back into Minneapolis. This means that 20.5% of the attendees used the bus to get to the job fair. All in all, it was a very positive experience and based on comments from a number of the speakers at the event I believe there are high expectations on the part of various political agencies that this will continue to be an annual event. As in past years, there will be a meeting of the steering committee to prepare a final evaluation of the event with comments and recommendations for the future coming from that meeting. N:\pw\Engineering\TRANSIT\MEMOS\2000\Summwy jobFair.doc TO: Dwight D. Johnson City Manager FROM: Fred G. Moore, E., Director of Public Works �'•; > SUBJECT: PLYMOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FAIR Our next Plymouth Environmental Quality Fair will be held on April 17, 2000. We plan and hold these fairs in conjunction with one of the elementary schools within the City. Margie Vigoren, Kris Hageman, Shane Missaghi and Paul Buck are the City staff members that coordinate and plan this event along with parents, students and teachers from the elementary school. In the past, this has been a very successful event which provides environmental education to the elementary students and their parents. Attached is a copy of the meeting notes from the latest meeting which gives an overview of what will be happening this year. Please let me know if you have any questions. attachment N:\pw\Engineering\GENERAL\MEMOS\FRED\2000\EnviroFair_Johnson.doc -LJ Z__ 6 2000 Environmental Quality Fair Planning meeting #5 Kimberly Lane Elementary School March 21, 2000, 7:45 a.m. MEETING NOTES Review exhibitors' responses. Twenty-one exhibitors have returned reservation forms, and three more have given verbal confirmation that they will attend. Plymouth Recycling is investigating having large bales of recyclables for people to view (probably outside), and Forestry will also have a booth. Five more booth spaces will be reserved for the grade -level exhibits for a total of twenty-eight exhibits. A letter with final schedule, map and Fair layout will be sent to all exhibitors on April 7. 2. Reports: • Theme activity development — Each grade level has developed plans to engage in one or more learning activities, and is preparing to present either the results or a related activity at the Fair. (See attached sheet for details on each grade level.) Promotion — Flyers have been prepared to be sent to all schools to be inserted in the "Thursday packets" (information that goes home with each student). Lakeshore Weekly News and Sun Sailor have been contacted for their publication schedule. Flyers will be sent to each of the newspapers. Newspapers will be informed about pre -fair photo/story opportunities and schedule. Newspapers will be asked if it is necessary to prepare a press release. If so, Turi or Mary will inform Margie who will write one up. Turi and/or Mary will check with parent of student who is in the news media to see if there is interest in the EQFair story for TV news. Paul will check on the availability of the portable marquee sign, and Margie and Chuck will investigate hanging a banner over the school door. Ronda will work with Student Council to help them prepare a presentation for the April 11 City Council meeting. • Sponsorship and prizes — Several exhibitors checked "yes" they would provide prizes. Paul will organize a prize booth similar to last year's, and Margie will help with plans for method of entering attendees. There is still a very slight possibility j:- 2-,b that Carlson Co. will provide funding for at least some of the cost of the third grade puppet show. A fundraiser of taking Polaroid photos of students with an animal or bird or some other exhibit for sale was discussed. • Entertainment — The African Drumming Group will perform two ten-minute sets. The third grade puppet show is tentatively scheduled to repeat through the rest of the evening. Both these performances will take place on the stage. The String Beans will stroll throughout the Fair as they sing. Booths/Activities — Chuck and Lilly have begun plans for the overall layout of the Fair. Several hallways of the school will be blocked off to keep the event centered in the front of the building. The layout and map will be finalized by April 4; in time to incorporate it into the letter to be sent to exhibitors on April 7. Margie will prepare signs for booths. Arrangements have been made for parking at the Wayzata High School parking lot. Shane will confirm shuttle service availability. Volunteers — Beth Strand of the PTA reported that the PTA will provide a supper for the exhibitors and volunteers. She requested a final count for supper by April 7. She will also begin calling for volunteers to help in other ways as well. She will try to recruit 3 volunteers to help with set-up, 10 volunteers to help with the keychain activity, two to help with dinner, and 4 to help with clean-up. Lilly reported that a number of Boy Scouts and some of their parents will be scheduled to help throughout the event. 3. Set next meeting: April 11 - 7:45 a.m. at Kimberly Lane f -z_6 Grade Level Participation in "Getting Back to Our Roots" Kindergarten Each class is planting a root -view box at different times to demonstrate the different stages of root and plant growth at the Fair. The classes will work on posters, and students will take turns describing their projects at the Fair. Grade 1 All classes are working to add a tree to the "First Grade Forest". Each classroom will prepare information on a tree native to Minnesota (oak, maple, etc.). The forest will be made up of trees made from paper or other lightweight material to hang from the ceiling or walls. Each tree will have windows or flaps to open with a question and answer about trees on each. Grade 2 Using aerial photos of the Kimberly Lane neighborhood students will compare land use over the past five decades. Two specialists have been engaged to speak to the students about land use and planning. The students will use the information they gather to generate questions and answers for the electronic quiz boards that the grade 5 students will construct. Grade 3 One of the grade 3 classrooms will work with Diane Gasch to write and perform a puppet show for the Environmental Quality Fair. Their story will focus on roots, soil and the relationship between the two. Shane will visit the classroom to provide information. Grade 4 Readings in the "Pitch In" theme will tie in with the worm bin project that one of the classes has undertaken. Kathy Osborne, environmental engineer, will speak to the entire grade level about solid waste, landfills, composting and recycling. She will bring her expertise as an engineer who designs solid waste facilities. The worm bin and a display on what the students learned will make up the grade 4 exhibit. Grade 5 The grade 5 students are designing and building electronic quiz boards for fair attendees to test their knowledge on information presented by Grade 2. Most of the grade level teachers were able to incorporate required curriculum and graduation standards into the work their classes are doing on the Environmental Quality Fair. �-- ZC MEMO CITY OYPLYMOUTH As you are aware, during this past winter we discovered a problem with some of the hydrants being frozen within the City. This is only one brand/model of hydrant which comprises a small percentage of all the hydrants within the City. Tom Vetsch, Public Works Superintendent, has been working with the Waterous company to resolve this issue. For your information, I am attaching a copy of a letter which is being sent to all the owners of the private hydrants within the City. The Fire Department was aware of this problem and Tom is also working with the City attorney's office. Since we are now into warmer weather we would not expect any problems until next November. If there are any questions, please contact me. attachment N:\pw\Engineering\GENERAL\MEMOS\FRED\2000\PrivateHydrants lohnson.doc PCITV)coF PLYMOUTFF Dear Private Hydrant Owner; The City has completed its annual inspection of private fire hydrants. This inspection is required as part of the Plymouth's fire code. During the course of performing these inspections, some fire hydrants were found to be inoperable. The problem appears to be that water has entered the oil reservoir located near the top of the fire hydrant. When this water freezes the fire hydrant may not be operable. When the inspection crew found a fire hydrant that did not open, they installed a repair kit that the manufacturer supplied. No private fire hydrant owner was charged for the installation of the repair kit. The manufacturer believes this repair kit will solve the problem. The named brand of the fire hydrants in question are Waterous. The particular model is the Waterous Pacer. Because the City does not own these hydrants, the City cannot assume responsibility for the fire hydrant other than the annual inspection and notifying you of any problems found with the fire hydrants. If you have questions or concerns about your private fire hydrant's operation please contact the Waterous representative : Michael George American Flow Control 21695 Highview Ave. Lakeville, Minnesota 55044 Office Phone #612-469-1100 Cell Phone #612-889-7323 Renee Meyer American Flow Control 125 Hardman Av. South South St. Paul, Minnesota 55075 Office Phone #651-450-5011 Or Greg Cook, Sewer and Water Supervisor at 612-509-5992 \\ply_nt\Ntdiskl\Maint\PUBWKS\SEWWAT\LTRS\Private fire hydrant owner 000214.doe PLYMOUTH ABeautifufPface7oLive 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 - TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 99 -wp. wwwxi.plymouth.mn.us Feb -28-00 11:2Tam From-WATEROUS CO +6514505090 T-622 P.02 F-536 IDENTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS To identify the fire hydrant, refer to the drawings and answer the questions below. o Is the fire hydrant a Waterous Pacer model hydrant? Check whether the hydrant closely resembles the one pictured below y and if the company name "WATEROUS" appears in raised letters on the front and rear of the hydrant. • does the fire hydrant have an oil reservoir plug? Check whether there is a pipe -plug protruding from the surface on the rear of the fire hydrant in the area above the raised markings. If the answer to both questions is yes, the hydrant is a Waterous Pacer model fire hydrant with an oil reservoir. �ERVOIR PLUG 'ED MARKINGS COMPANY NAA IL200 REAR VIF WATE:ROUS PACER FIRE HYDRANT WITH OIL RESERVOIR March 28, 2000 Mitch Marks 12125 Sunset Trail Plymouth, MN 55441 Dear Mr. Marks, ® CITY OF PLYMOUTR I believe the City tried to factor in allowances for larger lots when we set the second tier rate at $.80 per thousand gallons. The average residential use last year, during the highest sprinkling 2 month period, was 24,251 gallons. The second tier allows for usage up to 35,000 gallons for a 2 month period. If we had stayed at a flat rate, it would have raised to at least $.80 per thousand gallons. At your request, I have calculated the cost of a bi-monthly billing of 80,000 gallons for other cities compared to Plymouth: Cities with tiered rates- Cities with flat rates - Apple Valley=$95.72 Anoka=$234.01 Blaine=$79.32 Bloomington=$127.75 Oakdale=$87.92 Brooklyn Center --$86.57 Shoreview --$117.38 Champlin=$145.60 Brooklyn Park=$108.43 Golden Valley=$144.00 Eden Prairie$160.16 Maple Grove=$78.00 Plymouth=$98.13 Minnetonka=$96.00 New Hope=$129.40 I have also prepared a comparison billing using your actual consumption for the entire year 1999 for comparison with other cities: Cities with tiered rates- Cities with flat rates - Apple Valley=$234.01 Blaine=$173.96 Oakdale=$205.39 Shoreview --$236.43 Brooklyn Park=$226.34 Eden Prairie=$322.08 Plymouth=$196.34 Anoka --$217.09 Bloomington=$292.22 Brooklyn Center --$186.35 Champlin=$316.69 Golden Valley=$313.20 Maple Grove=$192.60 Minnetonka --$208.80 New Hope=$295.98 PLYMOUTH ABeauti (PfaceToLive 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 ®�« � www.d.plymouth.mn.us 3a Page 2 -Mitch Marks The details of the bi-monthly calculations for your actual 1999 usage are shown on the attached worksheet. The worksheet shows that Plymouth is lower than all other cities during the non -sprinkling months, and right at the median of other cities during the sprinkling months. The tiered rate system was designed to encourage water conservation, and to more equitably reflect the costs accociated with providing the excess Summer capacity to the high sprinkling users. This excess capacity would not be needed except for the sprinkling months. In a recently completed cost study, it was determined that the marginal cost of providing the excess capacity is $6.96 per thousand gallons. Even with the highest tiered rate at $1.50 per thousand gallons, the highest sprinkling users are getting a good break. I understand your concerns, but I don't think the City is discriminating in its tiered rate structure. Please feel free to call me at 612-509-5301 if you would like to discuss this further. Sincerely, Dale Hahn Finance Director / Cc: Mayor & City Council Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager Mitch Marks -Water Billing Comparisons Billing period 3/1/99 4/30/99 6/30/99 8/31/99 11/1/99 12/30/99 Usage 7,400 11,100 19,300 87,300 40,300 8,600 Cities with tiered rates - Total Apple Valley $16.41 $19.56 $26.53 $105.21 $48.87 $17.43 $234.01 Blaine $9.21 $12.06 $18.14 $88.81 $35.63 $10.11 $173.96 Oakdale $12.10 $15.66 $23.53 $95.80 $45.04 $13.26 $205.39 Shoreview $9.47 $12.28 $21.22 $128.99 $54.26 $10.21 $236.43 Brooklyn Park $9.90 $13.97 $22.99 $119.38 $48.88 $11.22 $226.34 Eden Prairie $13.41 $18.04 $28.29 $176.59 $70.84 $14.91 $322.08 Plymouth $9.06 $11.65 $18.07 $109.08 $38.58 $9.90 $196.34 Cities with flat rates - Anoka $16.31 $19.71 $27.26 $89.82 $46.58 $17.41 $217.09 Bloomington $15.22 $20.96 $33.67 $139.07 $66.22 $17.08 $292.22 Brooklyn Center $11.40 $14.77 $22.23 $84.11 $41.34 $12.50 $186.35 Champlin $13.47 $20.20 $35.13 $158.89 $73.35 $15.65 $316.69 Golden Valley $13.32 $19.98 $34.74 $157.14 $72.54 $15.48 $313.20 Maple Grove $12.66 $15.99 $23.37 $84.57 $42.27 $13.74 $192.60 Minnetonka $12.00 $13.32 $23.16 $104.76 $48.36 $12.00 $213.60 New Hope $15.42 $21.23 $34.10 $140.86 $67.07 $17.30 $295.98 ---" -�i5 Dale Hahn From: Mitch Marks/Mel Holm (holmarks@winternet.com] Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 8:53 PM To: Dale Hahn Cc: 'judyinplym@lynxus.com'; 'sharstad@excite.com'; Dwight Johnson Subject: Re: Water rates Dale: Thank you for your response. I am pleased to hear that the rate increase will not be as bad as I understood from the city newsletter. Also, I want you to know that 1 am certain that the cost of delivering water has increased since the last increase in 1987 and am interested in water conservation (as evidenced by my sprinkler system). However, I am still concerned that the tiered rate structure is discriminatory against those of us with larger lots that need more water for their lawns. In your letter you mentioned that Plymouth's rates would be "among the lowest in the metro area". To ease my concern, 1 would be interested in knowing how the summer rates compare to other metro area cities for a household with 80,000 gallons used over a two-month period. I suspect that this kind of information would be of great interest/usefulness to the Council members as well. I know that we all want to make Plymouth a beautiful city, which people want to move to. When that occurs, Plymouth will be a better community and our home values will continue to remain high. Thanks for your assistance. Mitch Marks 3 6 March 27, 2000 CITY C PLYMOUTR Jeff Mansell 930 Garland Lane Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr. Mansell: This letter will confirm my understanding and the agreement for the City to bring and spread fill dirt in the area behind your home along the northerly side of your garage. Erosion has taken place from water overflowing the City's storm sewer pipe. The City will bring in fill dirt to your back yard area and spread it with a small loader in the area from the corner of your garage toward the lake in the steeper part of the hill where the erosion has taken place. The City will need to get access to do this through your garage. You do have a garage door in both sides which will allow this access. After the dirt is spread by the City, it will be your responsibility to take the necessary erosion control measures until you can establish appropriate vegetation or landscaping to keep the dirt from eroding. The Street Supervisor will be in contact with you during the last two weeks of April after our Street Sweeping Program is complete to make arrangements for the placement of the dirt. If there are any questions, please contact me. Sincerely, Dwight D. Johnson City Manager enclosure cc: Fred G. Moore, Director of Public Works Joy Tierney, Mayor J 1pwEn inccn7 •,GE2()')()N ERA L.LTRS FRED 2()')()Mansell_3 _27 duc PLYMOUTH ABeaulilulPrue,Derre 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE 1612) 509-5000 8,........,. www.d.plymouth.mn.us March 22,2000 Mayor Joy Tierney City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447-1448 Dear Joy: Q, Northern States Power Company Electric Sales 8701 Monticello Lane North Maple Grove, Minnesota 55369-4556 just want to thank you and the Public Safety Department of Plymouth for helping our NSP crews. The Safety Department helped flag traffic on Highway 55 so that NSP could complete their work in a safe and expedient manner. The Safety Department has helped us out a number of times when stringing wire across the highway and our lineman really appreciate it. Again, I want to thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call at (612) 493-1631. Sincerely, John Theis Community Relations Manager NSP Maple Grove CC: Dwight Johnson Bruce Zemke -1- 'T a March 24, 2000 CITU C)F PLYMOUTH+ Mr. Adam Maxwell 12810-5 01h Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55442 SUBJECT: COUNTY ROAD 47 AND NORTHWEST BOULEVARD (COUNTY ROAD 61) Dear Adam: I am responding to your letter addressed to Mayor Joy Tierney concerning the intersection of Northwest Boulevard (County Road 61) and County Road 47. In that letter your were stating you opinion of the need for left turn lanes for north bound and south bound traffic. Northwest Boulevard or County Road 61 is under the jurisdiction of the Hennepin County Department of Transportation. By this letter, I am forwarding a copy of your letter and my response to Tom Johnson, Transportation Planning Engineer for Hennepin County and requesting he respond to your concern. Sincerely, Fred G. Moore, P.E. Director of Public Works enclosure cc: Mayor City Council C/R 2000-23 Tom Johnson, P.E. Transportation Planning Engineer Hennepin County Department of Transportation 1660 Prairie Drive Medina, MN 55340-5421 .y p meam��GENERAL.LiRS'FRED�_OWIMaxwcll _3_24 d0c PLYMOUTH :4 Beaut�UUT?re'.o we 3400 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 9 —1....'1. www.d.piymouth.mn.us Z- � a March 7, 2000 City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Attn.: Mayor Tierney Dear Honorable Mayor Joy Tierney, I am writing you with concern about the intersection at Northwest Blvd. and County road 47. At the intersection there are no left- hand turn lanes for northbound and southbound traffic. This makes it hard to turn and many people don't slow down coming off the hill. A fatal car accident waiting to happen. I suggest you put in left-hand turn lanes soon. Sincerely, Adam Maxwell 12810 50`h Ave No. Plymouth, MN 55442 �6 March 24, 2000 C I TV O F PUMOUTR Ms. Lynette Haux 13705 - 57' Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55446 SUBJECT: COUNTY 101 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CITY PROJECT NO. 9005 Dear Ms. Haux: I am responding to your letter addressed to the Mayor and City Council concerning the County Road 101 Improvement Project. A copy of your letter has been given to all Council Members. One item you addressed in your letter is signing at the Greenwood Elementary School. Currently there are signs warning motorist of the elementary school. As part of the road improvement plan a traffic signal will be installed at County Road 101 and Medina Road. There will be a designated cross -walk for pedestrians at this signal light intersection. The City and County are committed to provide the necessary signage to wam motorist of this cross -walk. This cross -walk will not only not serve the school, but is part of the City's trail system and will serve pedestrians going to the anticipated play field at Greenwood Elementary School. If there are any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Fred G. Moore, P.E. Director of Public Works cc: Mayor City Council C/R 2000-19 N:\pw\Engineering\PROJEM\9005\Ltrs\Haux 3 24.doc PLYMOUTH A BeautiJuf Pface 7v Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD - PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 - TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 www.ci.plymouth.mn.us March 8, 2000 Addressing Mayor Joy Tierney, Council Members: Judy Johnson, Tim Bildsoe, Kelli Slavik, Brad Brown, Ginny Black and Scott Harstad, I just wanted to write you in support for the project slated to expand County Road 101. 1 know the current roadway is like driving on a washboard and has been for a number of years, getting worse during the winter and thaw months. With the addition of the new high school and all of the new homes being built in the northwest Plymouth area over the past few years I know the number of drivers using this roadway has increased significantly. I would also like to note the high school uses this area of roadway for students to run track and cross country, this is very dangerous as the roadway is currently. I would like to see the project move forward as stated by the county, with trails on BOTH sides of the roadway. This is the only way for safety for all who would use the trail systems Plymouth is so famous for. This roadway should have been expanded years ago and I do know that the newer homeowners in the area i.e. Heather Run and Boulder Crest knew that the roadway would be expanded when they built their homes in this area. I also know that homes for sale in the area just sit (as they are currently) because potential buyers don't want to buy a home on an unimproved roadway not knowing what may happen to their properties in the future. By holding up this project you will just prolong the selling process for anyone who lives in this area who may wish, or need to move. Plymouth has done numerous projects of this type in the recent past and they have turned out great. County Road 9 and Zachary Lane are much nicer roads to travel on because of these past projects, not to mention nicer looking roadways. I also am concerned with the location of Greenwood Elementary School in this area and please note there are NO signs mentioning an upcoming school zone. Please take a drive up 101 into Maple Grove and see the signs north and south of Rush Creek Elementary School. Please go see these signs, take note, and think of what type of safety you would like if your child were living in this area and potentially crossing this roadway to school. The school zone signs are the only thing I would propose to add to this project. Thank you all for your efforts in all you do for the City of Plymouth. Sincerely, Lynette Haux 13705 57th Ave. North Plymouth, MN 55446 763-519-0726 -1-4— Z3 1-4' aS p '�j '> O U U O O >_ c0 rn y •� � C� y L • cq • bA O c,3 y cn N .0cz =0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 tn O 1 N 1 O 1 1 N 1 N 1 1 1 1 rq M Cl) M M M M O O 0 O O O O 1 10 1 1 0 1 [� O O O O O M O O O O O p O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O I N Q i _ O N O M O O M I O 1 M O 1 M O 1 M O O 0 0 0 0 0 o O o [� N M N O N N _ ix� O O O O M O M O M O M O O 0 1 Cd Uy o W U U O C O G abp N c� > is r cC Y N N c� ' 4a: 1 x cd O ami cc In U rn U E P. y U U 4. C C >' CA C [- bq �G U L w 3 Ca U U N O bA cd co N N C U H Cd 3 0 E cd 0 AMM FAX EWS March 27-31, 2000 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Major bills move to conference committees Conference committees for the major tax and appropriation bills will begin work this week. The following is a listing of conference committee members: TRANSPORTATION FINANCE (SF 3793/HF 2891) The conference committee will begin meeting on Wednesday. House conferees are Reps. Carol Molnau, Tom Workman, Michelle Rifenberg, Steve Wenzel and Bernie Lieder. Senate conferees are Sens. Dean Johnson, Carol Flynn, Mark Ourada, Claire Robling and Randy Kelly. SUPPL. APPROPRIATIONS (SF 3798/HF 2699) This conference committee is charged to resolve issues in the health and human services, agriculture, state government, crime, environment and economic development appropriations bills. All of the individual bills have been folded into one bill. The House conferees are Reps. Kevin Goodno, Tim Finseth, Lynda Boudreau, Phil Krinkie and Tom Osthoff. Senate conferees are Sens. Don Samuelson, Jane Krentz, Len Price, Jerry Janezich and Sheila Kiscaden. CAPITAL INVESTMENT (HF 4078/SF 3811) The House has appointed its conferees. The Senate should appoint its members today. The House mem- bers are Reps. Jim Knoblach, David Bishop, Peggy Leppik, Henry Kalis and Tom Osthoff. A summary compar- ing the provisions of each bill that are either projects sponsored by a metro area local government or that impact the metro area will be discussed in another News Fax. OMNIBUS TAX BILL (SF 2657/HF 4127) HF 4127 was approved by the House on Monday. It is probable that the conferees should be appointed by Wednesday. The first meeting of the conference committee could be Thurs- day afternoon. A comparative summary of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) sections will also be in another News Fax. Other tax issues are discussed in the March 24 AMM Bill Tracking Report, which is available on the AM M's website (http:/Avww.amml45.org). House Tax Bill proposes change to metro transit funding The House Tax Bill proposes to eliminate the metropolitan transit property tax levy and the levy for the opt -out communities. For pay 2000, the gross transit levies approximate $111.0 million for opera- tions and debt. The House proposes to have the levies in calendar year 2001 paid by an open and standing appro- A 4131 News Fax is fazed to all AMM city managers and administrators, legislative contacts and Board members. Please share this fax with your mayors, councilmembers and staff to keep thein abreast of impor- tant metro city issues. ©Copyright 1000.4MM 145 University Avenue West A Pain MN 55103-2044 Phone: (651) 215-4000 Fax: (651) 281-1299 F -mail: amm@,amml4.5.org priation of $93.360 million for operat- ing expenses. An additional appropriation needed to cover annual debt service is also authorized. The operating appropria- tion would increase annually by the lesser of the percentage increase in the Implicit Price Deflator (IPD) or 125 percent of the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The appropriation would be paid by an amount of a city's HACA equal to the amount of transit tax levied in the city. As a result of using HACA, a city's levy would increase by the amount of HACA used for the transit appropriation. There will not be, however, an increase to taxpayers because there will be no transit levy. In some cities there could be a tax levy decrease because the transit levy is greater than the city's HACA and the difference is covered by state funds. The proposal achieves the goal of eliminating the transit levy. There is concern that transit funding is not dedicated and will be subject to the legislative appropriation process. There is also no authority to bond for capital improvements. The nature of the appropriation (open and standing), the inflator and the debt service appropriation have been amended into the proposal to address these concerns. Staff in cooperation with the Suburban Transit Authority will continue to work on the proposal. Of particular concern is the use of HACA, the lack of capital improvements author- ity and reliance on the general fund. We would welcome your comments regarding this proposal (651-215-4001). There's no similar proposal in the Senate bill. Mar Z4 Z008 16:51:41 Via Fax -> 62+589+5868 Administrator Page 881 Of 88Z ��,.r �✓� -special v 2"page edition L LMC � l IDAY Ax Number 8 M.rolsw mwjw w A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities March 24, 2000 Legislative wrap-up of this week's issues Member action needed on tax provisions Taxes By the time you read this, the Senate will likely have finished floor debate of their version of the omnibus tax bill. They will hold the bill until the House processes their bill and sends it to the Senate next week. Senate bill. The Senate bill con- tains relatively few provisions that impact local government opera- tions. The bill allows levy limits to sunset and makes no changes to limited market value. Local Govern- ment Aid for small cities is increased by approximately $6 million. Prop- erty class rates for apartments are reduced and local units are com- pensated through additional Homestead and Agricultural Credit Aid. Agricultural property tax relief is provided through an expanded agricultural education credit. As this goes to print, the Senate acted to defeat the Novak amend- ment to apply limited market value to Minnesota's property tax system. Unfortunately, the Senate also rejected the Pariseau amendment to remove the sales tax from local government purchases. House bill. The full House will consider their version of the tax bill on Monday. On Friday, the Republi- cans will discuss the bill and possible amendments in a caucus meeting. The House bill contains several onerous provisions that will impact local government opera- tions, including an extension of levy limits, a reverse referendum requirement, and a more aggres- sive version of limited market value. (A more complete description of the House bill was included in this week's edition of the Cities Bulletin.) On Thursday evening, the House Ways and Means Committee considered the omnibus tax bill. The committee added an amend- ment that will transfer $227 million from the workers' compensation assigned risk plan to the general fund. These resources will help "pay" for the tax relief contained in the balance of the bill. Although the transfer is a one-time source of revenues, it is necessary to balance the House tax bill and the ongoing tax reductions. The Senate and the governor are likely to criticize the House tax package as "unsustainable." The Dept. of Finance has estimated the state's structural surplus to be approximately $550 million per year. The House tax bill makes ongoing tax reduction and spend- ing commitments in excess of that target. Action request. If you haven't contacted your representative, please do so immediately. The House bill will be on the floor Monday and we need to build support for amendments to remove these onerous provisions. Transportation bill The Transportation Conference Committee will convene on March 28 to discuss differences between the House and Senate transporta- tion funding bills (H.F. 2891- MolnaulS.F. 3793 -Johnson, D.E.). House conferees are Carol Molnau (R -Chaska), Tom Workman (R -Chanhassen), Michelle Rifen- berg (R -La Crescent), Bernie Lieder (DFL -Crookston), and Steve Wenzel (DFL -Little Falls). Senate conferees are Dean Johnson (DFL -Willmar), Carol Flynn (DFL -Minneapolis), Randy Kelly (DFL -St. Paul), Mark Ourada (R-Buifalo), and Claire Robling (R -Prior Lake). The Senate bill spends $625 million over the next three years on roads, bridges, and transit. The bill uses $425 million of the surplus plus $100 million in bonding for bridge repair, county roads, and city streets. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment to dedicate 30 percent of the sales tax on motor vehicles (MVET) to highways. The House bill makes a one-time infusion into the system by spend- ing $425 million on roads. The funding is split nearly 50-50 be- tween the metro area and greater Minnesota. The House bill repeals past light rail transit spending authorization. Bonding bill differences The Senate and House passed their bonding bills Thursday. The Senate bill, S.F. 3811 (Berglin, D -Minneapolis) authorizes nearly $750 million in bonding. In contrast, the House bill, H.F. 4078 (Knoblach, For more Information on city legislative Issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. (631) 281-1200 or (800) 925-1121 Mar Z4 Z000 16:52:33 Via Fax -> 61Z+589+5868 Administrator Page B8Z Of BBZ FRIoAYF,4x MARCH 24, 2000 - PAGE 2 R -St. Cloud), authorizes a little more than $400 million. At the start of session, the governor recom- mended a $402 million bonding bill, and instructed the Legislature that any bonding in excess of that amount or project of local nature would be vetoed. The differences will be rectified in conference committee, conferees will be appointed in the next couple days. Among the items of general city interest are: local bridge repair at $44 million in the House bill ($44 million in the Senate transportation bill); $2.5 million for local roads wetlands replacement ($200,000 in the Senate bonding bill); nearly $13 million for wastewater revolving loans, and, over $14 million for wastewater infrastructure grants ($12.8 SRF and $40 million WIF in the Senate omnibus finance bill). Tort limits at risk? Some folks at the Legislature are toying with the idea of eliminating municipal tort liability limits. The idea has emerged as the joint and several liability bill has received favorable legislative support. Without tort caps, cities will be at risk for exposure to unlimited damage awards. These costs would likely be passed on to properly tax payers, and risky municipal services like police, fire, and parks and recreation would be compromised or discontinued. Small cities may look to bankruptcy in order to seek refuge from colossal and financially debilitating decisions. Please mention to your legislators that tort caps are necessary for local governments to continue those services that are inherently dangerous and often required by law. Ask them to oppose any amendments to remove our caps. Election training rules City officials are urged to read rules regarding election official and election judge training proposed by Secretary of State Mary Kiffineyer. Those rules, published in the March 13 issue of the Stare Regis- ter (Vol. 24, Issue 37, pp. 1278- 1288), were developed with the assistance of an advisory commit- tee of city, school, township, and county election officials. LMG Election Task Force members who have reviewed the proposals suggest that election officials in smaller cities may want to pay close attention to additional, formal training that would be required beginning this year for local elec- tion administrators and head (chief) precinct election judges. Cities have until April 12 to submit official comments or suggestions for modification of specific proposals. For more information, contact Ann Higgins, LMC, at (651) 281-1257 or ahiggins@lmnc.org. Copies of the proposed rules are also available in pdf format at wwwxornm- medla.state.mri.us/bookstore/ state reg Isterl243T.pdf. Submit comments or questions to: J. Bradley King, Director, Elections Division, Office of the Secretary of State, 180 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155-1299. Telephone: (651) 215-1440. MINNESOTA CITIES: Building , Quality Communities League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference 2000 LMC's 87'"Annual Conference June 13-16, 2000 St. Cloud, Minnesota Mark your calendar now and plan to join us for LMC's premier conference event! Attending LMC's Annual Conference 2000 is a smart way to collect strategies and information, renew your enthusiasm, investigate new products and services, and spend time with colleagues who will remind you of your commitment to outstanding leadership. Plan now to join us in St. Cloud, and we'll warmly welcome you there! See future issues of Cities Bulletin and the April issue of Minnesota Cities magazine for more information on how to register for this event, or download the housing and registration forms from our Web site: L M( ' www.Imnc.org. 1 L ���o U P D A T E�� fib zr�l6 UPDATE 2000-4 MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2000 BUDGET SHOWDOWN LOOMS With a projected budget surplus that seems to never stop growing, it appears that the Legislature and Governor Ventura will soon reach a showdown over tax policy and supplemental budget expenditures. In late February, the Department of Finance (the Department) released a forecast that predicted the budget surplus to have grown by $234 million since the November 1999 forecast. This increase means there now is a general fund surplus of $1.818 billion for legislators to send back to taxpayers, spend or save. (Of that surplus, $1.018 has been dedicated to the property tax reform account.) The additional $234 million is derived from two sources: (1) an increase in revenues received by the state totaling $222 million; and (2) a decrease in state expenditures in the amount of $12 million. Of the $234 million, $5 million is statutorily dedicated to the budget reserve account. According to the Department, the increased revenue was generated by the economic boom the state and the country have enjoyed in recent years. Joblessness is at an all- time low, consumers are optimistically spending money, and the stock market has continued to generate profits for many investors. The decrease in spending is due primarily to a reduction in health care expenditures. The governor has recommended saving the vast majority of the surplus until the 2001 Legislative Session for use in his "Big Plan." Many legislators, on the other hand, would prefer to return the surplus to Minnesota taxpayers through tax rebates and permanent reductions, as well as some spending initiatives. The one agreement that legislators and the governor have reached is returning $450 million to taxpayers through another sales tax rebate. The rebate would work in the same fashion as it did in 1999, except that taxpayers would receive a rebate amount of approximately one-quarter of that received last summer. (Beginning on page 2, the House and Senate Omnibus Tax Bills are discussed in greater detail.) The MLC Update Is prepared by Robert G. Renner, Jr. and Jennifer J. Peterson Messertl d Kramer P.A., 145 University Avenue West, Suite 450, St. Paul, MN 55103 Telephone (651) 228-9757 Fax (651) 228-9787 Clearly, the budget surplus is both a blessing and a curse for the legislative process. Legislators and the governor have opposing plans for what should be done with the surplus and a compromise will likely be difficult to reach. We will keep you up to date on the budget negotiations throughout these final weeks of the session. LEGISLATORS COMPLETE COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND BEGIN TO FOCUS ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEES These last few weeks of session are often the most exciting, as well as tiring, for those who are involved in the process. Beginning this week, conference'committees will meet each day in an effort to resolve differences between House and Senate positions on more than a dozen bills, including the Omnibus Tax and Bonding bills. According to legislative leadership, the House and Senate will recess for a few days after passing all bills. The recess is expected to begin during the second week in April. By recessing, legislators will be able to return to session to override any surprise vetoes handed down by the governor. Because legislators will not have adjourned, the governor will have only three days upon receipt to sign or veto the bills sent to him. If he chooses not to sign a bill, it will become law without his signature. This strategy means that the Legislature will likely meet until April 20. HOUSE AND SENATE TAX BILLS ADVANCE On Wednesday, March 22, the House Tax Committee adopted its 2000 Omnibus Tax Bill. Again this session, there is something for everyone in this bill — income tax cuts and deductions, property tax rate compression and increases in tax credits to homeowners, to name just a few. The House should approve the tax bill by March 27. The Senate Tax Bill was approved by the Tax Committee on March 22 and was debated on the Senate Floor on Friday, March 24. Following the debate, the Senate laid the bill on the table because the Minnesota Constitution requires that tax and appropriation bills originate in the House. Once the House has passed its bill, the Senate will give its plan final approval and the conference committee process will begin. The Senate Tax Bill provides approximately $1.313 billion in tax relief. Of that total, $453 million will provide a sales tax rebate - $353.8 million is earmarked for this year and $99.2 million is slated to provide a rebate to individuals who did not get a rebate last year. In addition, the package provides $23 million for agricultural assistance in disaster areas and extends the deadline for 1999 claims. The bill provides a total of $482 million in rebate and agricultural assistance. 2 Z- 5c In the area of income tax relief, the bill increases the personal exemption by $360 with a refundable credit option to provide $388.9 million in individual income tax relief. The bill also contains motor vehicle license tax reductions that total $233 million. The license tax reduction, though, is contingent upon passage of a constitutional amendment that dedicates 15 percent of the motor vehicle excise tax to the highway user tax distribution fund. If the amendment is not adopted the reduction in the registration tax is repealed. The provisions dealing with the registration tax also increase the depreciation applied to the base value for each year of vehicle life. The measure also provides a total of $214.4 million in property tax relief; $158.6 million in on-going relief and $55.8 million in one time relief.' The House tax plan is much more ambitious and its provisions ,are the focus of the remainder of this article.2 2000 Sales Tax Rebate As mentioned previously, there will be another sales tax rebate for Minnesota taxpayers totaling approximately $450 million. The amount each taxpayer will receive is based upon the same formula as last year. The formula estimated sales taxes that would have been paid by parties based upon their income for that tax year. The minimum rebate is $129 for married couples filing joint returns and $73 for individuals and married couples filing separately. The maximums are $1,860 for joint returns and $930 for individuals and married filing separately taxpayers. The rebate is based upon 1998 income tax filings. All Minnesota residents who, in 1998, had a pre -credit tax liability of one dollar, filed for a property tax rebate, or had social security income are eligible for the rebate. Limited Market Value Ignoring pleas by local governments and tax policy organizations such as the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, the House will again attempt to limit market value growth for residential, agricultural and noncommercial seasonal recreational property. Although it has been argued that such devices create a more complicated and less fair system, this provision would reduce the limitation on the amount a property's market value may grow from one assessment year to the next from 8.5 percent to 7 percent. Source: Minnesota Senate Tax Committee Update 2 Source: Much of the information for this portion of the article was provided by House Research 3 r - sc Income Tax Cuts If the House should prevail in conference committee, Minnesota income taxpayers will receive another rate reduction for taxes payable in 2001. The cuts are as follows: Married Filing Rate on Taxes Rate on Taxes Jointly Payable 2000 Payable 2001 <$76,000 (1999 Income) (2000 Income) First Tier 5.5% 5.0% 0-25,220 Second Tier 7.25% 6.5% 25,221 — 100,200 1.2% 1.0% Third Tier 8.0% 7.5% > 100,200 1.65% 1.5% It is expected that the House income tax plan will face opposition from the Senate majority that is proposing an increase in the personal exemption amount rather than rate cuts. The primary foe, however, will be Governor Ventura (see page 1). Property Tax Rate Compression The House Tax Bill would provide for Phase III property tax reform that has been discussed in previous MLC Updates. The new rates as proposed by the House are: Class Type Current Law — Pay 2000 Proposed (Pay 2001) Residential Homestead: <$76,000 1.0% 1.0% >$76,000 1.65% 1.5% Residential Non -Homestead Single Unit <$76,000 1.2% 1.0% >$76,000 1.65% 1.5% 2-3 Unit/Undeveloped Land 1.65% 1.5% Apartments: Regular 2.4% 2.0% Low -Income 1.0% 1.0% Small City 2.15% 2.0% Seasonal Recreational Residential <$76,000 1.2% 1.0% >$76,000 1.65% 1 1.5% 4 Education Homestead Credit The House Tax Bill also increases the Education Homestead Credit from 83% of the general education property tax levy with a maximum of $390, to 88% with a maximum of $535. Levy Limits The House bill continues its annual assault on local autonomy by again extending levy limits on local governments for another year. If the House position holds through conference committee, levy limits will be in effect for taxes payable in 2001. (Currently, the law sunsets levy limits after taxes payable in 2000.) New Referendum Market Values In another attempt to reduce the property taxes paid by cabin owners and farmers, the House bill alters the method of determining market value of property upon which new referenda will be spread. For all school referendum levies approved after January 1, 2001, the market value for seasonal recreational property will be set at 50% of its actual market value, and any property with a class rate of less than one percent (i.e. farms) will be included at its net tax capacity rate multiplied by 100. Tax Increment Financin The majority of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) law changes made in the House bill are clarifications. However, there are a few changes that should be noted. First, the House bill eliminates the 11 -year duration limit for economic development districts and reduces the limit based upon the first collection of increment from nine to eight years. Second, TIF districts that are subject to percentage pooling restrictions may use up to an additional ten percent of their increment for low-income rental housing outside of that district. Finally, the state aid program that funds deficits in TIF districts caused by reductions in class rates is extended to cover additional shortfalls that may be created by this year's additional rate compression. Truth in Taxation and Reverse Referenda The House Tax Bill contains a provision that provides for a reverse referendum in counties or cities with more than 2,500 residents if the governmental unit. has adopted a property tax levy which has increased its levy from the previous year by the greater of (1) two percent or (2) the combined increase in inflation added to the percentage increase in the number of households in the jurisdiction. The reverse referendum will 5 be voted upon if five percent of the jurisdiction's registered voters sign a petition calling for the referendum. The election would be held on the last Tuesday in January. There is also a provision in the House bill releasing cities and counties that have a population of more than 2,500 from the requirement to hold a truth -in -taxation hearing if its proposed property tax levy has not increased over its previous year's levy. Transit Pass Tax Credit A proposal that was first discussed last session returned to the debate this year. Representative Dan McElroy (R -Burnsville) pursued this plan, which gives businesses an income tax credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of transit passes provided to employees. This credit is available to certain businesses that provide free or reduced cost transit passes, with the 30 percent credit based upon the company's expenses not reimbursed by employees. Local Transit Levies The House Tax Bill makes changes in transit funding; specifically it shifts it from the property tax to the state general fund. To pay for this change in funding mechanism, the House proposes reducing the HACA paid to all cities that fall within the Metropolitan Council's transit taxation district. The reduction will be equal to that of the Metropolitan Council's (or opt -out's) levy within each jurisdiction, thereby not increasing the tax burden for city residents. However, it will appear that each city's tax levy has increased by the amount of HACA lost. The Metropolitan Council and other transit supporters are opposed to this provision, as it will put transit in the position of competing with education, healthcare and other state responsibilities for funding. With no dedicated funding source, it is impossible to guarantee that transit will receive adequate funding each year. (It should also be noted that the House Omnibus Transportation Finance Bill includes a provision allowing additional communities to become opt -out transit providers.) Apportionment Formula for Multi -State Businesses One of Representative Ron Abrams' (R -Minnetonka) primary goals this session was to change the apportionment formula for businesses. He discussed this proposal at length in the January 4, 2000 MLC Update. This portion of the bill changes the formula upon which business taxes are paid from 70 percent sales, 15 percent property and 15 percent payroll to an 80-10-10 split for year 2000 taxes and 90-5-5 for the year 2001. The amount of corporate income tax relief provided by these changes amount to $23.8 million in 2001 and $32.7 million in 2002. A MESSERLI & KRAMER P.A. LAUNCHES WEBSITE Messerli & Kramer P.A. recently merged onto the information highway with a website to provide its clients with helpful information and links. To get to the Messerli website, go to www.messerlikramer.com. For information on your lobbyists, click on the Government Relations Department and you will find out general departmental information. By clicking on "Links" at the top of the Government Relations page, you will find links to direct you to the Legislature, the Legislature's bill tracking service, offices of Constitutional Officers and the Metropolitan Council, to name just a few. Each week, Messerli & Kramer will also post a combined daily schedule of legislative committee hearings and floor sessions. Currently, this schedule may be accessed under the "What's New" section of the Government Relations opening page. In the future, it is expected that there will be a link to daily newspaper headlines and a weekly list of upcoming political fundraisers. We hope that you utilize this website and find it helpful to keep yourself up to date on legislative and political activities. 7 145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103-2044 Phone: (651) 281-1200 - (800) 925-1122 TDD (651) 281-1290 /xagueofMi„„esotaCities LMC Fax: (651) 281-1299 - LMCIT Fax: (651) 281-1298 Cities promoting esceAnce Web Site http://www.Imnc.org www. mnc.or March 27, 2000 TO: Members of the League of Minnesota Cities (Please distribute to other interested city officials) C. FROM: Susan Hoyt, LMC President U RE: LMC POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although the 2000 legislature will not adjourn for several weeks, it is time to begin preparing for the 2001 legislative session. The League's policy development process begins with the formation of the League's four policy committees. Now is your opportunity to help the League establish its legislative policies and direct its legislative program for the coming two-year period. As a member of a League policy committee, you will be volunteering to participate in a total of three or four policy committee meetings during the months of July, August and September. Committees are scheduled to meet during the weeks of July10-14, August 14-18, and September 18-22. These meetings will be held at the League offices in St. Paul. The policy development process will conclude with the League's annual Policy Adoption Conference on November 17, 2001, where the full membership will ratify the policy committee recommendations. The four intergovernmental relations policy committees, which will deal with both state and federal issues are: IMPROVING LOCAL ECONOMIES d Growth Management and Land Use 0 Boundary Adjustment b Housing 0 Transportation b Economic Development and Redevelopment U Telecommunications and Information Systems IMPROVING CITY SERVICE DELIVERY • Environmental Mandates b Elections C> Ethics b Open Meetings b Government Innovation and Cooperation U Public Safety IMPROVING THE FISCAL FUTURE PERSONNEL SERVICES OF CITIES b Personnel b Financial Management of Cities b Pensions b Property Tax v Labor Relations D State Aid Programs 0 Data Practices -- OVER -- AN EQUAL OPPORTUNrrY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER -�,_ 5 I would like to serve a two-year term on: Note: Please rank your preference from 1 (first choice) to 3 (last choice) ❑ IMPROVING LOCAL ECONOMIES ❑ IMPROVING CITY SERVICE DELIVERY ❑ IMPROVING THE FISCAL FUTURE OF CITIES ❑ PERSONNEL SERVICES Name: Title: Address: City/Zip: Home Phone: Work Phone: FAX: E-mail: Mar 31 Z888 15:3Z:86 LMC 1.IiBY/ v% M�NNMOb �.inw Giti,r y.wwoe;np ..aJ,6,.a. Via Fax -> 61Z+589+5868 Administrator Page 881 Of 881 FRIDAYFAx Number 9 A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities March 31, 2000 Legislature enters conference committee stage Omnibus bills await spending targets The standing committees have generally completed their work. The omnibus bills have passed the House and Senate floors. Focus now turns to five major conference committees—transportation, edu- cation, taxes, bonding, and the supplemental spending bill, which contains appropriations for state departments, judiciary, agriculture, and environment. Before the conference committees can complete their work, House and Senate leadership must allot spending targets. This is no small task given the large spending and policy discrepancies between the House and Senate versions of the omnibus bills. And even if the House and Senate can agree on targets, there is no guarantee the governor will sign them into law. The major conference committees will likely be meeting almost daily starting Monday. Below is a list of omnibus tax bill conferees_ Sen. Doug Johnson (DFL -Gook) Sen. John Hottinger (DFL -Mankato) Sen. Jim Vickerman (DFL -Tracy) Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL -St. Paul) Sen. Bill Belanger (R -Bloomington) Rep. Ron Abrams (R -Minnetonka) Rep. Bill Kuisle (R -Rochester) Rep. Dan McElroy (R -Burnsville) Rep. Roxann Daggett (R -Frazee) Rep. Ann Rest (DFL -New Hope) Bleacher legislation changed Major amendments made On Thursday, the House debated the bleacher safety modification bill offered by Rep. Fran Bradley (R - Rochester). The Bradley bill would have delayed the compliance date for bleacher safety modifications, would have grandfathered all bleachers with less than a nine - inch gap and exempted bleachers under 55 inches from the safety requirements altogether. Rep. Steve Smith (R -Mound), last year's author of the original bleacher safety bill, offered an amendment to delete all of the bill and replace it with a six-month delay in the compliance date. After considerable discussion, the full House adopted the Smith amendment. The differing House and Senate language will have to be reconciled by a conference committee. The Senate bill exempts bleachers under 55 inches, delays the compliance date to January 1, 2002, and grandfathers retractable bleachers with less than a nine - inch gap. The House and Senate bleacher safety modification language is also contained in the two versions of the omnibus state appropriations bills. However, the governor has indicated his concerns with the overall scope of those bills. A governor's veto of any conference committee compromise currently appears likely. MINNESOTA CITIES: Building Quality Communities League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference 2000 LMC's 87"Annual Confcrcncc Junc 13-16, 2000 St. Cloud, Minncsota Mark your calendar now and plan to join us for LMC'5 premier conference event! Attending LMC's Annual Conference 2000 is a smart way to collect strategies and information, rene-,v your enthusiasm, investigate new products and services, and spend time with colleagues who will remind you of your commitment to outstanding leadership. See future issues of Cities Bulletin and the April issue of Minnesota Cities magazine for more information on how to register for this event, or download the housing and registration forms from our Web site:.,ww.lmnc.org. For more information on city legislative Issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. (651) 281-1200 or (800) 923-1127 DATE: March 31, 2000 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Laurie Ahrens, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT: Report on Charter Commission meeting Last night the Charter Commission met with 10 members in attendance. The Commission voted to approve placement of a proposed charter amendment on the November ballot: "Special elections not held in conjunction with a general election shall be conducted by mailed ballot if allowed by law. " This was adopted on a vote of 8 to 2, with Lori Schwartz and Christopher Walling voting against the action. The following Commissioners voted in favor: Dharam Bobra, Terry Donovan, Mary McKee, Larry Marofsky, Dave Pauba, Thomas Murphy, Christian Preus, Bob Sipkins. Five Commissioners were absent from the meeting: Sam Garst, Jeff Johnson, Scott Martin, Jim Willis, Jeff Thompson. The Council will see this item on a future agenda to set the ballot form and language, which is a ministerial action. The Charter Commission also considered the issue of a possible change in the Mayor term of office from 2 to 4 years. This issue was originally raised by Councilmember Harstad and forwarded to the Charter Commission for study by the full City Council. The Commission did not feel that the issue was urgent or that action was needed this year, and the issue was tabled. The Charter Commission's next scheduled meeting is in December. DATE: March 31, 2000 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Laurie Ahrens, Assistant City Manager ft--/ SUBJECT: Council E -Mail and Computer Access An e-mail account has been established for each member of the Council. The e-mail accounts are as follows: jtierney@ci.plymouth.mn.us gblack@ci.plymouth.mn.us sharstad@ci.plymouth.mn.us kslavik@ci.plymouth.mn.us tbildsoe@ci.plymouth.mn.us jjohnson@ci.plymouth.nm.us bbrown@ci.plymouth.mn.us You must log on for the first time from a computer at City Hall. Sandy, Kurt, and I will be available on Tuesday, April 4, with the instructions to help each of you activate your account. We will be here between 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., or you can stop in anytime during the day or remain after the Council meeting that evening. I can also make arrangements to help you with this on another day -- it only takes a few minutes. After it is activated, you may access your e-mail account from any computer with internet access, using the following address: exchange.ci.plymouth.mn.us/exchange You will be asked to logon as yourself (i.e. jtierney) and then asked to logon as yourself with a password. Individuals tend to expect a fast response when communicating via e-mail. Our system offers a helpful feature if you are only able to occasionally check your e-mail, or want to leave a message that you will not be available for several days. Click on "Tools"; Click on "Out of Office Assistant", prepare and activate a message. The message will automatically be sent to each person who sends you an e-mail. You could have this activated all of the time with the message to the effect, "Thank you for contacting me. Joy Tierney, Mayor." Or, something more detailed, "Thank you for contacting me. I check my e-mail account each week and will read and consider your comments. If you have an immediate need, I can be contacted by phone at 473-1681. Joy Tierney, Mayor." As staff members, we frequently post a message "I'm on vacation until (date) and will respond upon my return." I would caution against posting this type of message for safety reasons as it advertises that you are likely away from home, and your home addresses are public information. We have also made some modifications to the Administration Library (now signed the Council Conference Room). A computer and printer have been installed for your use. After you log on, the various programs can be accessed by clicking on Start, Programs. You may drop in and use the Council Conference Room at any time, or reserve it for a particular time by calling the switchboard. The City has a "Computer System Users Policy and Guidelines". Please read this over, sign, and return the last page to me or Sandy. Please contact us with any questions or problems so we can get everything operating correctly. We are also available to help you with training if needed. Thanks. MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447 i, DATE: March 30, 2000 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager SUBJECT: Minnesota City Management Conference I am planning to attend the annual Minnesota City/County Management Association conference from May 10-12`h at Cragun's near Brainerd.. I have normally attended this conference in the past, and it is the best conference in Minnesota for City Managers.