HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06-10-1998 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
June 10, 1998
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
7:04 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on June 10, 1998. The
meeting was called by the City Council.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Black, Bildsoe, Johnson, Preus.
ABSENT: Councilmembers Spigner and Wold.
STAFF PRESENT: Assistant Manager Lueckert, Public Works Director Moore, Park
Director Blank, Finance Director Hahn, Community Development Director Hurlburt, and
City Clerk Ahrens.
Mayor Tierney said that the City Council would first meet jointly with the Hennepin County
Commissioners and then address additional business items. Hennepin County
Commissioners Mark Stenglein, Penny Steele, and Mary Tambornino were introduced.
1.1 County Road 101 Project
Assistant Manager Lueckert reported that traffic on County Road 101 continues to
increase. Residents report traffic safety concerns, particularly near Greenwood
Elementary School. The reconstruction of County Road 101 is in the City's Capital
Improvement Program for 2001 and 2002 to coincide with the County's schedule.
Councilmember Bildsoe said that he appreciates the efforts of the County to move the
project up in priority. There is severe congestion on this roadway. During rush hour,
traffic is backed up on County Road 101 from County Road 24 to County Road 6.
Traffic continues to increase as development occurs in the area.
Commissioner Tambornino said that the City is asking that Hennepin County
accelerate the project and the County needs funds for consultant costs in order to do
so. The County is asking the City to split the cost of consultant for the project. She
said the issue is not whether the road is safe, but rather the source of funds for the
project. She believes that Hennepin County is responsible and has been responsive to
the concerns about the roadway.
Commissioner Stenglein said that the County is waiting to learn whether Plymouth is
willing to pay 50 percent of the consultant costs in order to advance the project.
Public Works Director Moore said that the City has received no commitment that the
County Road 101 project will be moved up in priority even if the City agrees to pay
Adopted City Council Minutes
June 10, 1998
Page 2
50 percent of the consultant cost. Director Moore said that the City Council has
officially communicated to the County that the City would up front the consultant
costs, with the City receiving credit for the costs later in the project. He noted that the
City will be required to pay 40 percent of the project construction cost.
Mayor Tierney said that the City will be paying 40 percent of an estimated $5 million
project.
Commissioner Steele said that the County has already agreed to move the project up
by one year, and more consideration could be given if the City pays 50 percent of the
consultant costs.
Commissioner Tambornino said that she hopes the City and County could enter into
negotiations to try to come to agreement on how to proceed. The cost is the problem.
Councilmember Preus asked whether Hennepin County is willing to commit to move
the project up by another year if the City agrees to split the consultant costs. He
noted that this would be an increase to the City from $50,000 to approximately
275,000 for consultant costs.
Councilmember Bildsoe said that he does not believe it may be a good use of the
City's money to pay an additional $225,000 to move the project up by one year.
Commissioner Tambornino suggested that a joint Council/Commission/staff
subcommittee be formed to negotiate this issue.
1.2 Mowing along County Roads
Councilmembers expressed concern about the County's mowing practices,
particularly along County Road 9. Councilmember Black said there are two issues --
1) that the County only mows twice per year; and 2) that only a specific distance is
cut back from the curb relating to the width of mower. Councilmember Johnson said
that there is also the question of whether the City can enforce its weed ordinance on
County property. She is reluctant to enforce the ordinance on private property owners
when the County does not comply.
Commissioner Tambornino said that when the weed inspector phones the county that
the ordinance is violated and mowing is needed, it will be done. She provided a
memo from the County's Director of Transportation on Mowing Practices along
County Roads responding to the City Council's resolution requesting that the County
increase the extent and frequency of mowing. If the County were to double the
mowing frequency, it would increase the annual county -wide mowing costs from
55,000 to $110,000, all of which is funded through property taxes.
Adopted City Council Minutes
June 10, 1998
Page 3
Commissioners Steele and Stenglein also encouraged the City to phone their offices
when mowing is needed if there is not adequate County staff response.
1.3 Overcrowding at Adult Correction Facility
Community Development Director Hurlburt reviewed a letter that she recently sent to
the Adult Correction Facility staff regarding overcrowding at the facility. During a
recent tour of the facility, city officials observed beds in the hallways and the gym
area. The conditional use permit from the City of Plymouth specifies that a total of
601 beds or a maximum of 601 inmates are allowed in the facility. If the total
number of beds are exceeded, there could be a violation of the conditional use permit.
And, if there are beds outside of normal sleeping areas, there may be building or fire
code issues. The administrator of the adult correctional facility has responded that
they will take measures to ensure that the population is under 601 and do not intend to
request an increase under the conditional use permit. Commissioners confirmed that
the overcrowding tends to occur on weekends.
In response to a question by Commissioner Stenglein, Director Hurlburt said that an
increase in the maximum number of beds/inmates would require a full conditional use
permit process which would include public hearings.
Commissioner Stenglein asked if the Public Safety Department has any concerns
about the facility.
Public Safety Director Gerdes said that there are no current issues of concern that
relate to law enforcement.
Mayor Tierney expressed concern that the gymnasium is being used to house inmates
because it is unavailable for recreation uses. Director Hurlburt said that the gym may
actually be preferable to hallways from a fire code perspective.
Commissioners agreed to place the City on the mailing list for monthly reports on
numbers of inmates housed at the facility.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if the new jail will meet the growing demand for this
type of facility.
Commissioner Stenglein explained that construction of the new jail is on schedule
and is anticipated for completion in 2001. The new facility will have capacity for
70,000 bookings per year.
Commissioner Steele said the new facility will have 270 beds.
Councilmember Preus asked staff about the resolution of the overcrowding situation.
Adopted City Council Minutes
June 10, 1998
Page 4
Director Hurlburt said the County staff has indicated that the population will be
reduced to 601 by June 30, and they don't expect to exceed that number in the future.
Brief discussion was held on the recent escape of an inmate from the facility. Public
Safety Director Gerdes said that there was good cooperation on this issue, including
the use of the phone calling system in the neighborhood.
Mayor Tierney requested that staff also notify the Council along with the initial call
to the neighborhood network.
1.4 Year 2000 Computer Schedule
Mayor Tierney asked if Hennepin County computer systems are Year 2000
compliant.
Commissioner Steele responded that the Year 2000 compliance project is on
schedule.
Mayor Tierney called a five minute break. County Commissioners left the meeting.
2.1 Traffic Enforcement Issues
Councilmember Bildsoe requested that staff consider the addition of a third officer to
the Traffic Enforcement Unit for Council consideration in the 1999 budget. He said
the primary concern for residents is traffic safety and the officer could concentrate on
public education and various forms of enforcement.
Director Gerdes described the members of the Traffic Enforcement Unit. He said the
request will be forwarded for consideration in the budget, but added that another
supervisory position is currently recommended in order to provide 24-hour
supervisory coverage.
2.2 Disaster Preparedness
Mayor Tierney requested that staff describe the City's Disaster Preparedness Plan.
Public Safety Director Gerdes described how emergency ordinances can be enacted
and enforced, and summarized the roles of staff and Council. He reviewed the
Emergency Operations Plan.
Assistant Manager Lueckert said that staff regularly conducts exercises and
simulations on the Plan.
Councilmember Johnson requested that Councilmembers be notified of the next
simulation so they could observe the procedures.
Adopted City Council Minutes
June 10, 1998
Page 5
2.3 Showmobile Rental Fees
Park Director Blank presented the staff report on the proposal for rental fees for the
portable stage (showmobile).
Councilmember Preus asked in which category the Plymouth Civic League would fall
for the Music in Plymouth event. He also noted that Skyway Tent Rental has very
high rates compared to the city rates listed.
Director Blank said the Civic League would be considered a nonprofit group for the
Music in Plymouth event and would pay the nonprofit rental fee. He presented rental
policies from several communities for comparison.
Councilmember Johnson said that she would have preferred receiving the rental
information at the same meeting as the Council considered the bid award for the stage
purchase.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson,
to adopt a showmobile use and rental policy with the following fees: City -sponsored
events - no charge; Nonprofit agencies and groups - $250; All others - $850.
Councilmember Black said that neighboring communities would pay $850 under this
proposal.
Councilmember Bildsoe said that there are private companies that rent similar
equipment and he does not believe the City should offer a better deal.
Motion to amend was made by Councilmember Preus, seconded by Councilmember
Bildsoe, to adopt the following fees: City -sponsored events - no charge; Nonprofit
agencies and groups - $500; Neighboring communities in northwest Hennepin County
1,000; Other organizations and groups - $1,500.
Councilmember Black spoke against the motion for the reason that nonprofit groups
tend not to have a lot of money.
Assistant Manager Lueckert noted that the Council could establish fees at an
attractive and affordable level in order to attract users and could gradually increase
the fees in subsequent years.
Councilmember Johnson suggested that the fee for nonprofit groups be $200, and that
neighboring communities have the same rates as nonprofit groups.
Councilmember Preus withdrew the motion.
Adopted City Council Minutes
June 10, 1998
Page 6
Motion to amend was made by Councilmember Preus, seconded by Councilmember
Johnson, to establish the fee for nonprofit groups at $250; neighboring communities
at $600; and other groups at $1,200.
In response to a question, Park Director Blank said that Hennepin Parks and the
school districts in Plymouth would be considered nonprofit groups under the fee
schedule.
Councilmember Preus said that the school districts and Hennepin Parks should be
charged the same as neighboring communities. Several Councilmembers concurred.
Motion to amend carried, five ayes. Main motion carried, five ayes.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
City Clerk
FA
LOLL