HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-30-1998 SpecialProposed Minutes
Special Council Meeting
November 30, 1998
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:05
p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on November 30, 1998. This
special meeting was called by the City Council to discuss the proposed Water Resources
Management Plan.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Johnson, Black, Spigner, and Preus.
Councilmembers elect Slavik and Harstad.
ABSENT: Councilmembers Wold and Bildsoe.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Public Works Director
Moore, Park Director Blank, Finance Director Hahn, Community Development Director
Hurlburt, Water Resources Engineer Missaghi, and City Clerk Ahrens
Public Works Director Moore presented the proposed Water Resources Management Plan. The
two main purposes of the plan are to update the 1980 Storm Drainage Plan and to address water
quality issues. The City's plan must conform to the requirements of the four water management
organizations and must be in conformance with regional plans of the Metropolitan Council. The
plan was prepared by the City's consultant, Short, Elliott, Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH).
Director Moore said the City Council held a study session in February 1998 on the goals and
policies for the plan. The completed plan was presented to the Environmental Quality
Committee for review. They made a recommendation on the plan to the Planning Commission
with minor modifications. The Planning Commission, after holding a public hearing on
September 22, recommends approval of the plan. Their recommendation includes the items
added by the Environmental Quality Committee and two additional modifications.
Mark Lobermeier, Short, Elliott, Hendrickson, Inc., presented an overview of the plan. He said
the plan has five elements: 1) Individual treatment capacity and analysis for 31 subwatersheds;
2) Preservation of exceptional wetland resources; 3) Prioritization of subwatersheds based on
land use, land use change, and ranking of the receiving lake; 4) Specific water -body action plans;
and 5) Ten City-wide goal -driven action plans. Lake ranking was the first step in the process,
followed by assessment of the 38 subwatersheds, 310 drainage areas, and 918 ponds/wetlands in
the City. The subwatershed analysis determines the future ponding needs based on ranking of the
receiving lake, anticipated land use changes, and extent of water quality treatment. Each goal of
the plan addresses obstacles, possible solutions, and cost. City-wide goals are in the areas of
water quantity, water quality, erosion control, wetlands, public participation and education,
monitoring, inspection, recreation/fish/wildlife, ground water, and finance.
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November 30, 1998
Page 2
Public Works Director Moore stated it is estimated that the cost to implement the plan over a ten
year period is about $7.8 million, which is generally in the following areas: 28% construction,
24% personnel/labor, 16% property acquisition, 14% planning studies, 6.5% equipment, 5%
laboratory analysis/monitoring, and 6.5% miscellaneous. Of the total $7.8 million, $3,654,000 is
identified as new expenditures that are not currently within the City's budget. He said the next
step is City Council approval of the plan. The plan will then be submitted to the water
management organizations and Metropolitan Council. Following the agencies' review, the plan
would be forwarded to the City Council for final adoption.
In response to a question by Councilmember Preus, Director Moore said that the estimated $1.4
million and $1.1 million in 2000 and 2001 includes large capital expenditures which could be
funded through bonding, the Capital Improvement Program, or internal borrowing.
City Manager Johnson suggested that the Council not make a decision on sources for funding
until later in 1999.
Councilmember Black expressed concern about not identifying specific funding. She would like
the Council to consider a dedicated utility fee. This would ensure a commitment to a funding
level and would help users associate the fee with receiving a specific benefit. She has concerns
that unless funds are dedicated for this purpose, they are easily spent elsewhere.
Manager Johnson said that it is generally his budget priority to cut new services before
eliminating existing programs if a choice must be made. However, the surface water utility fee
would be a future option that could be implemented when needed.
Mayor Tierney asked why staff projects that it would cost $180,000 to implement the surface
water management fee. Since it appears that the water management plan can almost be funded
without an additional utility fee, she would prefer to wait to consider the additional fee.
Director Moore explained that there would be significant costs involved in establishing the fee
because the fee could significantly vary by land use. The drainage area for every property in the
City would have to be defined and exceptions to the fee would also need to be addressed. The
estimated cost for managing the fee in subsequent years is $10,000 per year. The initial cost to
implement the fee in future years could be much less than the estimated $180,000 because the
City's GIS system base data will be fully established.
Councilmember Johnson asked if the City could issue bonds now for future projects.
Finance Director Hahn responded that the City would legally have a maximum time of between
18 and 24 months to begin construction from the time the bonds are sold.
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November 30, 1998 .
Page 3
Councilmember-elect Harstad questioned the scope of the water resources management plan. As
examples, he questioned whether fish stocking, control of noxious weeds in the lakes, and winter
lake aeration are within the scope of the plan and whether including the items in the plan makes
them optional or expected. He also expressed concern that a lot of the costs will recur, such as
eradication of milfoil.
Mr. Lobermeier said that the fish stocking meets one of the initial goals of the plan and may
address concerns of the lake associations. The DNR would likely be involved with fish stocking.
Public Works Director Moore said the DNR currently will not do fish stocking in Bass Lake
because there is no public access to the lake. He explained that the plan does not dictate the
outcome; the plan raises issues that are yet to be resolved. The Council will need to make
decisions on many future issues relating to the plan. The plan has an implementation schedule
and financing plan but it does not allocate funds.
Councilmember Preus said the plan does not differentiate between mandated and optional items.
He also believes that the plan should focus attention on the biggest problems, such as large areas
of impervious surface where water runs down the streets and directly into the lakes.
Manager Johnson said the proposed capital expenditures for Parkers Lake and Medicine Lake
will address that issue. He said that virtually nothing in the plan is mandated.
Councilmember Black suggested that a detailed study should consider a 50 -year period when
considering improvements to determine the lowest cost on a long-term basis. For example, the
costs of installing a regional pond, land acquisition, and loss of tax base should be weighed
against the higher maintenance costs of a mechanical fix. She noted that there will be some areas
where the only choice will be mechanical treatment.
Director Moore explained the review and approval process. He said that Plymouth's proposed
plan uses the most restrictive requirement from the four watershed plans throughout the City.
This plan will meet the minimum requirements of all four watersheds and, in most cases, go
beyond the minimum requirements.
Councilmember-elect Harstad said he had anticipated that the plan would include trend
information over several years in order to address the at -risk lakes first. He also asked how
successes would be measured.
Mr. Lobermeier said that Medicine Lake is in the at -risk category. He noted that ground water is
pumped into Medicine Lake in order to maintain a swimming beach. He believes that a realistic
goal for Medicine Lake would be to get it to fall within the normal measures for similar lakes in
this area of the state.
Public Works Director Moore explained that just as Plymouth was involved in paying for flood
control improvements which largely impacted Minneapolis and Golden Valley, the water
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November 30, 1998
Page 4
management organizations will likely be involved in funding issues related to Medicine Lake.
He explained that the water management organizations have been very good at viewing issues on
a regional/multi-city basis.
Councilmember Johnson asked staff to respond to the Planning Commission recommendation
that the City adopt a City-wide ban on the sale or use of phosphorus base fertilizers.
City Manager Johnson said the City Attorney has advised that there may be problems banning the
sale of phosphorus base fertilizer in Plymouth. The staff and Environmental Quality Committee
are recommending a ban on the use of phosphorus base fertilizer in the City.
In response to a question by Councilmember-elect Harstad, Mr. Lobermeier explained that
phosphorus causes big problems through algae growth.
Director Moore said that if there is a City-wide ban on the use of phosphorus based fertilizer, a
provision could be included to allow phosphorus where there is a proven need.
Councilmember Johnson said the Planning Commission also recommended that the City offer
incentives to homeowners to provide buffers adjacent to lakes and wetlands. She asked if buffers
could be retroactively required.
Director Hurlburt explained that buffers could be required when there is resubdivision or
redevelopment, and there may be incentives to encourage people to install or maintain buffers.
As discovered when the wetlands ordinance was adopted, it is extremely difficult to retroactively
require regulations that did not exist when the home was built or when the property was
purchased.
Councilmember Preus left the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Public Works Director Moore did not expect major changes to the plan from the water
management agencies or the Metropolitan Council.
The Council directed staff to place the Water Resources Management Plan on the December 16
agenda for approval.
Councilmember Black said she would like the plan to include a study on the long-range options
for water quality in developed areas of the City, as well as cost issues.
Director Moore responded that review of each subwatershed will identify what can be done, e.g.
retention ponds, modification of existing wetlands. The studies will identify possible means to
achieve the improvements and the associated maintenance costs. The study would provide
information to decide whether to pursue the long-term or short-term solution to improve water
quality.
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November 30, 1998
Page 5
Councilmember Johnson asked whether the ban on the use of phosphorus should be implemented
before the 1999 growing season.
Councilmember Spigner spoke against an immediate ban on phosphorus based fertilizer. She
would like to educate citizens before implementing a complete ban. She said that one year would
give residents advance notice of the proposed ban, as well as time for the vendors to have the
product available.
Water Resources Engineer Missaghi said that phosphorus -free fertilizer is not currently available
at Dundee's or Home Depot. Director Moore stated the decision of which product to sell is made
nationally by major retailers. He added that Dundee doesn't offer phosphorus free fertilizer
because there is no market.
Mayor Tierney said the City has done education with residents and vendors for several years and
she believes a City-wide ban is reasonable.
Mayor Tierney asked staff to respond to the recommendation from the Environmental Quality
Committee that the City develop a street sweeping plan.
Manager Johnson said the City has a street sweeping plan and budgets funds for this purpose.
The recommended statement that "the City will develop a street sweeping plan" would direct the
staff to consider its current policy in light of the water resources management plan.
Motion was made by Councilmember Spigner, seconded by Councilmember Black, to adjourn
the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Motion carried, five ayes.
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