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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 08-17-1999Adopted Minutes Regular Council Meeting August 17,1999 A regular meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on August 17, 1999. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Brown, Black, Harstad, Johnson, Bildsoe, and Slavik. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Ahrens, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Parks and Recreation Director Blank, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, City Attorney Knutson, and City Clerk Paulson. Plymouth Forum No one spoke at the Forum. Presentations and Public Information Announcements 4.1) Introduction of City Clerk Sandra Paulson Assistant Manager Ahrens introduced the new Plymouth City Clerk Sandra Paulson. Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to approve the agenda. Councilmember Brown requested to add as item No. 9.2 the recognition of outgoing members of the HRA. Manager Johnson stated he has been informed by some of the Council Members that a town meeting hosted by Senator Martha Robertson and Representatives Ron Abrams and Peggy Leppik is being conducted from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Building. Some of the Councilmembers have expressed an interest in attending that meeting should the Council adjourn their meeting before the Town Meeting is adjourned. If that is the Council's desire, he suggested this be added to the end of the agenda and then if there is time, the Council could adjourn the meeting to that location. Motion was made by Councilmember Black and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to add this item to the agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 2 Mayor Tierney requested to add as item No. 9.3 the staff report on compliance checks. There being no further corrections or additions to the amended agenda, and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Approval of Consent Agenda Manager Johnson reported on a small correction to the August 3, 1999 Council Minutes. He stated the motion for item No. 9.1 (options for reducing speed limit on Vicksburg Lane, Highway 55 to County Road) was amended to add, "and to give staff direction as recommended in the City Council agenda report." Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to approve the Consent Agenda including the amended minutes. Councilmember Black commented she didn't remove item No. 6.7 from the Consent Agenda but she expressed some concern with the DNR on shoreland regulations. She stated the DNR is not giving the City enough direction for properties with shoreland regulations and how the City should be managing them since the City has the ability to utilize NURP ponds. She will probably make some effort to work with the DNR to give cities some more direction in that area. Councilmember Bildsoe stated he wanted to abstain from item No. 6.7. With all members voting in favor of the amended Consent Agenda, the motion carried. 6.1) Approval of City Council Minutes Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of July 20, 1999, Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting of July 27, 1999, and the Regular Council Meeting. of August 3, 1999 as amended. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.. 6.2) Approval of Disbursements Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-329 Approving Disbursements for the Period Ending August 6, 1999. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.3) Adoption of an Ordinance Amending City Code Section 400 Relative to Building Construction Regulations Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Ordinance 99-22 Amending Chapter IV of the Plymouth City Code Concerning Building Construction Regulations. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 3 6.4) Approval of Final Plat for Plum Tree East 3'd Addition located east of Peony Lane, west of Holly Lane, and north of Rockford Road (98129) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-330 Approving Final Plat and Development Contract for Lundgren Brothers Construction, Inc. for "Plum Tree East 3'D Addition" for Property Located North of Rockford Road, South of the Soo Line (CP) Railway, East of Peony Lane, and West of Holly Lane 98( 129). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.5) Approval of Final Plat for Gem Court located at 710 and 730 County Road 101 North 99017) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-331 Approving Final Plat and Development Contract for Jem, Properties, for Gem Court, Located at 710 and 730 County Road 101 (99017) and Resolution 99-332 Adopting Assessments for City Project No. 9018 Watermain Area Gem Court. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.6) Approval of Change Orders for Plymouth Creek Center Project Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-333 Approving Change Orders No. 1 and No. 2 with Shingobee Builders, Inc. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.7) Approval of Planned Unit Development (PUD) Amendment for Pike Lake Woods 2,d. and 3'd Addition located north of Bass Lake Road and east of Hemlock Lane North (99057) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-334 Approving PUD Amendment for Landform Engineering Company to Increase the Maximum Impervious Surface Area Coverage for the Pine Lake Woods PUD, Located North of Bass Lake Road and East of Hemlock Lane, Ordinance 99-23 Amending Chapter 21 of the City Code to Amend Section 21655.13 for the Pike Lake Woods PUD, Located North of Bass Lake Road and East of Hemlock Lane North, and Resolution 99-335 Approving Findings of Fact for Amending the Zoning Ordinance Text for the Pike Lake Woods PUD, Located North of Bass Lake Road and East of Hemlock Lane (99057). With all members voting in favor but Bildsoe who abstained, the motion carried. 6.8) Approval of Lawful Gambling Exemption for Oakwood Elementary School PTA Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-336 Finding No Objection to Lawful Gambling Exemption for Oakwood Elementary PTA. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 4 6.9) Award of Contract for Reconstruction of Fire Station No. 2 Parking Lot (Project 9015) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-337 Awarding Bid Parking Lot Reconstruction Project For Fire Station No. 2, City Project No. 9015. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.10) Appointment of Sandra Paulson as Council Secretary Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to approve this appointment. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.11) Approval of State Contract for Fire Department to Provide Radiological Response Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-338 Authorizing Renewal of the Contract with the State of Minnesota for the Fire Department to Provide Response Services in the Event of Radiological Incidents at the Monticello and Prairie Island Nuclear Facilities for Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.12) Approval of Site Plan Amendment for a Trash Enclosure at 3500 Annapolis Lane in the Plymouth Business Center (99058) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-339 Approving a Site Plan Amendment and Variance for United Properties for Property Located at 3500 Annapolis Lane North (99058). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.13) Approval of Interim Use Permit to Revise the Grading iPlan for Plymouth Business Center Phase 6 located at 3430 Fernbrook Lane North (99066) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-340 Approving Interim Use Permit for United Properties for Property Located North of 34' Avenue, East of Fernbrook Lane, and West of Annapolis Lane (99066). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.14) Approval of a Variance for Six-foot High Fence Along the East Side of Brockton Lane between 30' Avenue North and County Road 24 (99069) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-341 Approving a Variance for Tom Hill for Properties Located at 3025, 3035, and 3045 Alvarado Lane North (99069). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 5 6.15) Approval of Second Quarter 1999 Financial Report Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to approve the Second Quarter 1999 Financial Report. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.16) Approval of Reduction of Development Contract Financial Guarantee for Mission View Addition (94158) Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-342 Reducing Required Financial Guarantee Mission View Addition (94158). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 6.17) Authorization of an All -Way Stop at Vicksburg Lane and Schmidt Lake Road Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-343 Authorizing "All -Way" Stop at Schmidt Lake Road and Vicksburg Lane. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Public Hearings There were no public hearings scheduled. General Business 8.1) Approval of Site Plan Amendment for Construction of a Stadium at the Wayzata High School Located at 4955 Peony Lane North (99052) . Community Development Director Hurlburt illustrated to the Council the proposed site plan. She stated the complex would be constructed around the existing 400 -meter track and would consist of a football/soccer field, an approximate 3,000 sq. ft. building for ticket sales and concessions, a 335 sq. ft. press box, home bleachers with 3,911 seats, and visitor bleachers with 1,496 seats. She noted that both the School District and the Planning Commission conducted public hearings, and no one appeared in opposition. She indicated the applicant will also be requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit at a future Council meeting which would allow the installation of an eight ft. chain link fence around the stadium, sign Variances, and a Variance to allow an accessory building (press box) to exceed 20 ft. in height. Following the Planning Commission's public hearing that will be conducted on August 25, 1999, a recommendation will be presented to the City Council. Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 6 Mike Swanson, from ATS&R Architects, Inc. representing Wayzata Schools, stated only one individual appeared at the School District hearing, and they were not opposed to the project. Motion was made by Mayor Tierney, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt Resolution 99-344 Approving a Site Plan Amendment for Armstrong, Torseth, Skold and Rydeen Inc., for Wayzata High School Located at 4955 Peony Lane North (99052). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 8.2) Approval of Phase II Year 2000 Readiness Report Information Technology Manager Hohenstein presented the Phase II Y2K readiness report to the Council. He stated the Y2K technology assessment is largely complete. A total of 160 technology issues were identified in the original Y2K risk assessment. As of today, 85% or 137 of those items are complete and ready. An additional 18 items are currently in process and being reviewed by staff and key stakeholders. The remaining five items have not been started. The five items include four fax machines that will be replaced before the end of the year and one software issue. The software issue, along with the 18 issues in progress, in many cases are issues where staff is waiting for software upgrades and have scheduled the installation or staff is waiting for software upgrades from outside vendors or the product needs to be tested. The majority of these items are scheduled for completion by the end of October 1999. Two of these items (SFG Financial Systems and Utility Billing) are critical and will be completed by the end of October 1999. Therefore, staff is confident that the City's information technology will be Y2K compliant by November 1999. Public Safety Director Gerdes stated on the business operations side, planning was conducted by staff early in the year and several contingency plans were accepted by the Council in the Phase I report. He mentioned the individuals who would be on call and the response time anticipated. He stated community emergency preparedness is a key component. In addition, one of the most important components from now through the end of the year is the public education component. This will be a major focus through the newsletter and the City's web site. Also, various public and neighborhood meetings will occur for the remainder of the year. Councilmember Harstad asked in reference to testing, if the City is performing its own independent testing or relying on vendors' assertions. IT Director Hohenstein stated that the City is performing its own testing. Councilmember Harstad asked if January 3, 2000 is going to be declared a legal holiday. Director Gerdes stated this has not been acted on at the Federal level nor has it been reviewed at the State level to his knowledge. Councilmember Harstad stated January 1 S` is traditionally a holiday, and if it was moved to January 3' it would give additional time to work out any problems. Director Gerdes stated there are probably advantages and disadvantages; however, he Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 7 prefers to have all areas fully staffed on January 3`d anyway to work on any minor issues that may be occurring. Councilmember Harstad asked about PC Anywhere Software package in terms of remote access and security issues. IT Director Hohenstein stated primary use of the product is by the vendors so it is under a very controlled environment. Councilmember Slavik requested more details on the neighborhood meetings. Director Gerdes replied the meetings have been scheduled through Communities of Faith. Director Gerdes stated the meetings have been scheduled in churches throughout the City. He stated he recently made a presentation, and staff is making it known that they are available for other training throughout the City as well. Mayor Tierney asked why the machines have to be replaced. IT Director Hohenstein stated they reviewed every piece of hardware which included the faxes, and they have to be upgraded. Director Gerdes added the main fax machine at the police department was recently replaced due to the same problem. Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to adopt Resolution 99-345 Receiving and Accepting Phase II Year 2000 Readiness Report for the City of Plymouth. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Reports and Recommendations 9.1) Planning for Fire Station IV Public Safety Director Gerdes stated fire department staff has been performing an on going research of the department, the service it provides, and the challenges it faces. Staffing, response time, and the ability to meet the demand for fire services into the next century have been identified as the three issues of primary concern. As part of the review during the past several years, staff has begun discussing the need for a fourth fire station. Staff is recommending that plans for a fourth fire station be included in the City's Comprehensive Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan in order to continue the City's commitment to provide excellent emergency services to the City. The need to plan for a fourth fire station was identified in the fire service study commissioned by the City Council in 1986. The consultants hired by the City predicted that a fourth station would be required by the year 2000 dependent upon development of the City. Earlier this summer, staff received a letter from the City of Maple Grove inviting the City to consider building and operating a joint station with them at a location just north of Plymouth city limits on Vicksburg, where the City of Maple Grove already owns land. The City of Maple Grove requests an answer from the City within the next several months so they can continue planning for their needs. Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 8 Director Gerdes stated the most important criteria in consideration of a fourth fire station is the issue of response time. "Total response time" is defined as the time between fire department notification by dispatch and the arrival of the first unit on the incident scene. A fire department response time of five minutes or less is the industry standard. A major component of "total response time" is drive time, the time to travel from a fire station to the incident scene. Drive time measurement for each of the three fire stations and the addition of a fourth fire station reflect several underlying assumptions: 1) The addition of two road segments which are planned for completion (Schmidt Lake Road from Vicksburg Lane to Peony Lane, and Fernbrook Lane/Cheshire Lane north to County Road 47) and; 2) An average driving speed of 30 mph. With the City's existing three stations, a large portion of the City, primarily the northwest corner, is outside a five minute drive time. Because of the historically small number of calls for service in that area of the City, drive time has not been viewed as a critical issue. Given the proposed development, however, and the direct relationship between growth and an increase in the number of fire calls, staff fully expects that the issue will become much more pronounced. Director Gerdes then discussed with the Council maps depicting the drive times for the City from the current three stations, the areas benefited by the addition of a fourth fire station at the north, south, or either site, the drive times from the north option with fire station four included, and the drive times from the south option with fire station four included. Director Gerdes stated preliminary cost estimates for a functional stand alone fire station for the City are approximately $3,000,000; however, there could be a 50% savings of that cost by pursuing a joint fire station with the City of Maple Grove. Councilmember Johnson stated according to the study from 1986, an additional fire station would be needed in the year 2000. She asked Director Gerdes what he feels is the timing on this project. Director Gerdes stated if the City chooses to partner with the City of Maple Grove, it would be three to five years before the project would be completed. Ifthe City constructed a stand alone fire station, it would be five years before the project would be completed. Councilmember Slavik asked what the negative aspect is in sharing a station with Maple Grove. Fire Chief Rick Kline stated consolidation of services is more common than sharing of services. He stated he is unsure of the negative aspects. Director Gerdes noted that staff has shared some operational measures with Maple Grove. Councilmember Brown asked about the ability to staff the joint facility. Fire Chief Kline stated as soon as the project is included in the City's Comprehensive Plan and the Capital Improvement Plan, staff can begin recruiting in that area. He noted that the City of Maple Grove has already began the process of recruiting whether a joint facility is approved or not. Councilmember Black stated there would possibly be operational cost savings for a joint facility, and she requested this information be included in staffs study. She stated there has been discussions whether the City should have full-time paid firefighters. She questioned how this Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 9 would be accommodated if the City shared a station with the City of Maple Grove. Fire Chief Kline stated he is unsure at this time; however, staff is a key ingredient, and staff would like to review this plan 15 years into the future so that it would be successful. Manager Johnson commented that the authorized level of staffing was 71, and in the past there had been a lot of problems in achieving that number. However, it has drastically improved. Councilmember Harstad commented that according to the correspondence from Maple Grove, this fire station is going to be constructed whether Plymouth joins in the effort or not. Director Gerdes stated if the Council approves the joint effort, the fire station would be constructed in three years. Councilmember Harstad questioned if Maple Grove constructs a fire station on their own, would mutual aid still be available to Plymouth. Director Gerdes stated this would probably be viewed differently especially if the City tries to utilize mutual aid at an area that the City should cover. Manager Johnson informed the Council that if the City doesn't participate, the City of Maple Grove will construct the site further north. Councilmember Bildsoe asked if staff is just considering the two specific areas that were included in the materials. Director Gerdes replied that the City needs to study the sites, and the reason why these sites were chosen is that they were naturally available. These sites were in good proximity where fire stations could be located. There are other locations, but they need to be researched. Mayor Tierney stated according to the maps in their materials, there are areas in the City which are lacking in response time. She stated she fully supports a volunteer fire department; however, the fire stations need to be located in strategic locations or the City needs to partner with neighboring cities. Councilmember Brown asked if the City has a mutual aid agreement with New Hope. Fire Chief Kline stated not currently at this time. He also asked what the level of commitment is on the part of Maple Grove. Fire Chief Kline stated he is unsure if the fire station is included in their Comprehensive Plan. Manager Johnson informed the Council that both city councils discussed this issue a year or two ago; however, Plymouth wasn't prepared to commit to a joint arrangement at that time. Councilmember Johnson discussed the difficulty in recruiting volunteer firefighters and specifically the need for child care services when there is a fire call. She suggested this be researched for any possibilities regarding a child "drop off' at the fire station and/or at a daycare facility located near a fire station. This is one area that the Council has been addressing and needs to continue discussing. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Harstad to direct staff to include fire station four in the City's Comprehensive Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Plan and to pursue the option of a joint fire station with the City of Maple Grove Adopted City Council Minutes August 17, 1999 Page 10 while continuing to study a stand alone fire station for the City of Plymouth. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Councilmember Black commented she is very sensitive to the issue of response time as she has been involved in a fire. In addition, the City needs to be fiscally prudent. Director Gerdes thanked all City departments and specifically, the Community Development Department in assisting them with their planning efforts. 9.2) Recognition to Former Members of the HRA Councilmember Brown recognized two outgoing members of the HRA, which were Brad Helmkin and Councilmember Johnson. 9.3) Discussion on Liquor Compliance Checks Mayor Tierney stated she finds the staff report on compliance checks for liquor establishments appalling. She asked if there was anything else the City could do to rectify the high number of businesses who failed the compliance checks. Evidently, the servers are not complying with the rules. Public Safety Director Gerdes stated there were some interesting results on the training. The information is provided to the businesses; however, staff has discovered that unless someone from the Police Department conducts the training, the businesses aren't paying attention to it.. He is hopeful that there will be better results on the second round of checks. He stated he feels the City is making gains but still has a long way to go. He noted that other cities are in the compliance failure rate of 50%. He stated emphasis definitely needs to be made on the educational aspect. Staff will be conducting the training for the tobacco and liquor license holders. Adjournment Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Black to adjourn the meeting to the town meeting that is being conducted in the. Public Safety building. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. andra R. Paulson, City Clerk