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
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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
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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