HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-30-2013 SpecialProposed Minutes
Special Council Meeting
April 30, 2013
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on April 30, 2013.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Black, Stein, Willis, Johnson,
and Bildsoe.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Park and Recreation Director Evans, Community
Development Director Juetten, Administrative Services Director Callister, Fire Chief Kline,
Police Chief Goldstein, Director of Parks and Recreation Evans, Deputy Director of Parks and
Recreation Northway, Finance Manager Bursheim, Accounting Supervisor Berg, and City Clerk
Engdahl.
Preliminary Budget Discussion
A significant amount of discussion was held on the RFP process for the purchase the Begin farm
property which is a 39.5 acre parcel in Northwest Plymouth. This process is being handled by a
legal firm representing the Begin family. The discussion centered around the following points:
The expectation and/or need for a 10th playfield.
Public/private partnership with potential developer(s).
Financing to purchase the property which would include open space bonds and other
revenue sources.
The need to update the 2012 appraisal on the property.
s The current LAR -2 guiding of the property.
Following this discussion, the Council scheduled a closed session of the Council on May 7 at
6:00 p.m. to discuss the purchase of the Begin farm property.
Administrative Services Director Callister discussed the 2012 year end surplus of $2.36 million
and requested direction from the Council on where to direct those funds. The projects mentioned
for those funds were the repair of West Medicine Lake retaining wall, Peony Lane and Vicksburg
Lane projects, and 10th playfield. The majority of the Council also stated that they could support
a 2% increase in the levy, which would include implementing the franchise fees.
He stated that MN/DOT has proposed improvements to I-494 in 2015 which is the same year that
the City is redoing Vicksburg Lane. Therefore, MN/DOT has requested that the City delay the
Proposed Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of April 30, 2013
Vicksburg Lane project for one year. The Council stated that they would proceed with the
Vicksburg Lane project as scheduled.
A discussion was held on where crosswalks are placed and the enforcement of those crosswalks,
especially on four lane roadways instead of two lane roadways that provide a safer crossing
environment. It was noted that Hennepin County no longer marks crosswalks. The Council
requested staff to provide a report on the criteria that's used on where they are placed as well as
the pre and post improvement and cost benefit.
Administrative Services Director Callister provided a handout that compared Minnesota fire
relief associations that have over $3 million in assets. This information was requested at a
previous study session where members of the Plymouth Fire Relief Association requested an
increase in their pensions. The City is above market and salary; however, staff is concerned
about the long term viability, especially with State funding. He stated that the Legislature is
currently considering a bill that would impose a surcharge on individuals' private insurance, and
that revenue would fund the State's allocation of funds for fire relief associations.
City Manager Ahrens informed the Council of a meeting to discuss the final report and summary
of the North Hennepin County Fire Shared Services Study on May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Crystal
Community Center.
Police Chief Goldstein discussed a two proposed initiatives in the Police Department. The first
initiative would be the cites of Plymouth and Maple Grove purchasing an armored police vehicle
that would be used in natural disasters and other situations. Mayor Slavik suggested that staff
also approach the City of Minnetonka to see if they would be interested in purchasing this
vehicle. The cost of the vehicle is $275,000 which would be divided between Plymouth and
Maple Grove. Staff would pursue the lease to own option which would cost the City $21,721.61
per year for seven years. The City's share would be financed internally and be included in the
replacement plan.
The second initiative is establishing a physical fitness program for the Police Department. This
program would assist in making the police officers more physically fit thereby reducing workers
compensation claims and reducing sick time. The officers would participate, or work out, before
or after work, or during their lunch break. The Council supported both of these police initiatives.
At 9:17 p.m., the Council tools a five minute break.
Parks and Recreation Director Evans discussed the need to repair the West Medicine Lake
retaining wall. A consultant has provided a variety of options to repair or replace the wall. At
this point, no funding source has been identified. The Council was in agreement that this wall
needs to be repaired as this is a heavily used trail on the east side of the city.
She also briefly highlighted the Council on improvements that have been previously discussed
for the Plymouth Ice Center as well as constructing the dry land training facility. She noted that
there will be energy grant opportunities to assist in the funding of some of those improvements.
Proposed Minutes 2 of 3 Special Meeting of April 30, 2013
Staff included a proposed budget calendar that outlined dates to discuss the 2014/2015 budget
and CIP. Council approved those dates, and they canceled the July 23 regular Council meeting.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
hahA1&1 -
Sandra R. Engdal-A, 9ty Clerk
Proposed Minutes 3 of 3 Special Meeting of April 30, 2013