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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