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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-09-1999 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting March 9,1999 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 PM in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on March 9, 1999. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Harstad, Johnson, Bildsoe, and Slavik. Councilmember Spigner arrived at 7:15 PM. ABSENT: Councilmember Black. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Public Works Director Moore, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Planning Supervisor Senness, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Communications Supervisor LaFave, and Deputy City Clerk Hoffman. Mayor Tierney stated that because members of the public were in attendance, and interested in one item on the agenda, she would accept a motion to revise the agenda. Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to place Agenda Item 3 regarding recreational vehicles as the first item on the agenda. Motion carried, five ayes. RV Ordinance (requested by Councilmember Slavik) Councilmember Slavik stated it was never her intention to prohibit recreational vehicle parking. She explained that several Ward Two residents had complaints about inoperable and unlicensed vehicles stored in residential yards. Councilmember Johnson thanked residents for coming to the meeting. She said she has received calls in previous years from Ward Two residents where there had been frustration over a lack of response to complaints and calls about the vehicles. She said it was never anyone's intent to reopen the entire recreational vehicle ordinance issue. She said she believed Councilmember Slavik had some valid issues in her ward over these unlicensed and unusable vehicles. Councilmember Spigner arrived at 7:15 PM. Councilmember Spigner left the meeting at 7:17 PM. Community Development Director Hurlburt explained that state regulations cover unlicensed, inoperable vehicles. She said that St. Louis Park has developed a complicated ordinance regarding storage and parking of vehicles in residential lots, but that Plymouth Adopted City Council Minutes March 9, 1999 Page 2 had not been interested reviewing its own zoning code to reconsider regulation of vehicle storage. Councilmembers asked that staff review the notification process to allow for a thorough and widespread public notice of future discussions. Councilmember Johnson thanked residents for coming to the meeting and paying attention to council activities. Councilmember Spigner returned to the meeting at 7:54 PM. Youth Curfew Ordinance (requested by Youth Advisory Council) Members of the Youth Advisory Council introduced themselves. Youth Advisory Council Chair Sam Kelner explained the Youth Advisory Council had been studying issues of crime during certain hours, as well as issues around young people being out at night in public places and their concerns about curfew laws. He stated that two Supreme Court cases found that curfews are not constitutional. He said the Youth Advisory Council is not interested in making drastic changes, but in reviewing the curfew as it affects 17—year olds. Youth Advisory Councilmember Trent Eisenberg presented a comparison of curfew laws in Plymouth with several other metropolitan suburbs. He reviewed curfew laws in northern Minnesota, in Decorah, Iowa, in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, and in Scottsdale Arizona. He also reviewed curfew situations in Israel, in South Africa, and in a community in Cambridge, England. He stated the Youth Advisory Council found the Plymouth curfew ordinance was restrictive for 17—year olds. Councilmembers thanked the Youth Advisory Council for its efforts. Public Safety Director Gerdes said that county laws cover curfew in areas where none exists. He said that a community may have a more restrictive ordinance than the County's, such as in the case of Plymouth's. He said County Sheriffs deputies were normally the sole enforcers of the County ordinance. Manager Johnson said that the City Attorney's office found no situations where city police would enforce the county law. Local law officers could tell young people to disband, however. Councilmembers discussed the idea of aligning Plymouth curfew laws with other communities who share the four school districts that cover Plymouth. Councilmember Johnson said that the situation is too complex to compare with other cities in the same school districts, but she believed the City can work on what happens within its own boundaries. She noted that three bordering cities already have curfew set at Adopted City Council Minutes March 9, 1999 Page 3 12:30 AM, and that the Youth Advisory Council is only asking for a change in the curfew affecting 17—year olds and older. She said she would like to get a formal recommendation from the Public Safety Advisory Board. Councilmember Spigner left the meeting at 8:25 PM. Proposed new format for Plymouth News Communications Supervisor LaFave presented a mock—up draft format for the Plymouth newsletter. Assistant Manager Lueckert introduced Robyn Lingen of Designwrite Studio, who presented her recommendations for the changes in the use of color, graphic design and layout for the City newsletter. Assistant Manager Lueckert stated that the plan to produce a bi—monthly newsletter would improve the quality of article content, and would free up staff time and effort by using outside professional design. She said the Park and Recreation Department has also wanted to separate the recreation information booklet, to give its programs greater visibility. She said the plan is to change the format in July, and that the existing budget can accommodate the change through the end of the year, but that the budget for fiscal year 2000 would reflect the increased costs for color and professional layout. Councilmembers thanked staff for efforts and directed them to go forward with the plans. Seal—coating Program (requested by Councilmember Bildsoe) Councilmember Bildsoe said he wanted to express concerns over the use and appearance of seal—coating and slurry coating. He stated he did not find the cost benefit of using these processes. Councilmember Spigner returned to the meeting at 8:56 PM. Public Works Director Moore stated he was unable to find any definitive studies on what process will prolong the life of roadway in Minnesota. He stated that the slurry seal is a better product, and is less expensive than seal—coating. He said he believes it is beneficial and can extend the usage period a street surface. Manager Johnson stated that he found references to studies and would report back to the Council in April. City Center Streetscape Plan Planning Supervisor Senness presented an update on the plans for City Center Master Plan streetscape design. She reviewed options for city lighting, and how it relates to achieving a uniform identity for the diverse use area. She presented proposals for parking Adopted City Council Minutes March 9, 1999 Page 4 along Plymouth Boulevard, as well as the effects of changes in street design on traffic speeds. She stated that while the price tag for a total project is $4 million, staff is only concerned about setting priorities. Councilmembers agreed to examine priorities as part of their discussion on goals and objectives at the March 13 Special session. Manager Johnson said the issue of downtown development could also be put in this year's planned resident survey, in an effort to learn the public priorities for the City Center. Use of City facilities and equipment Manager Johnson explained that no policy exists about the use of City facilities and equipment, especially at the Maintenance Facility. He asked councilmembers to review the situation and comment on what they feel would be appropriate, and how such a policy might be applied citywide. He said there would be controls in any policy that would limit the City's liability. He said the City Attorney's office takes a broad view of what the law allows. Councilmembers agreed that they would not want a formal ban on the use of tools and equipment by employees, but directed staff to discuss further with employees what areas of usage would be appropriate without impinging on morale. Reconsider date of Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting on the Comprehensive Plan scheduled for March 31 Councilmembers discussed the appropriateness of holding a public meeting on the eve of a major Jewish holiday. They agreed that it was too difficult to reschedule the meeting at this point. Councilmembers directed staff to make an announcement about the meeting at the March 16 Regular Council meeting, and to apologize for the scheduling error. They asked that the Human Rights Commission bring forward a list of religious holidays from all the major religions and present them as days to avoid when scheduling meetings. Councilmember Johnson asked that the information be further passed on to the school districts for their awareness. The Meeting was adjourned at 10:35 PM.