HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-18-1997 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, 1997
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor
Tierney at 6:17 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth
Boulevard, on February 18, 1997.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Preus, Spigner, Black,
Bildsoe, Wold, and Johnson.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Lueckert,
Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore,
Public Safety Director Gerdes, Park and Recreation Director Blank
GOALS AND PRIORITIES
Manager Johnson discussed the accomplishments made on the 1996 goals and
objectives.
Assistant Manager Lueckert outlined the process of setting goals and priorities of
the issues in the city. Issues were broken into categories of high, medium and low
level of priority and staff effort. She recommended councilmembers for 10 to 15
top priorities to be accomplished over the next two years. The City Council had a
brief discussion on several of the proposed objectives.
It was moved and seconded that those objectives receiving 6 or more votes be
categorized as the "A " list in terms of priority, those objectives receiving 5 votes
be designated as the `B" list in terms of priority, and those receiving under 5
votes be designated as the "C" priority list. The motion carried. The priority lists
are as follows:
A' Priority List
Conduct process (like city center) for Northwest Plymouth; conduct survey
Financial Analysis (budgeting) — Look at reserve accounts, long-term
planning
City/Business Relationships
Improve community involvement in local government, develop ideas or
strategies to better interact with public & high schools, encourage
participation; better utilize Channel 37
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February 18, 1997
Page 2
Enhance Employee Training and Development; Employee Recognition
Crime Prevention Activities; proactive service & crime watch; Elevate role
of Public Safety Committee
Activity Center
Strengthen community policing efforts
Develop greater transit opportunities/transit hub
Continue to plan downtown Plymouth and strengthen sense of community as
a gathering place for citizens
Complete surface water management plan/Study Sessions
B' Priority List
Landscaping Ordinance
Present to voters the supermajority tax rate option
Bike Patrol/Industrial Security
Skateboard park
C' Priority List
Implementation of Housing Plan goals
Consider means of retaining and attracting quality employees; avoid burnout
among council and staff
Establish a natural vegetation demonstration area
Install Opticon system (semaphore control); convert signals
Update Comprehensive Plan
Plan, finance, and build the field house
Town Forums/Ward Meetings
Get East Medicine Lake Trail started
Reduce Fire Department response time
New Plymouth Community Guide and Comprehensive Plan booklet
Update flood plain regulations
Explore methods of greater input from residents on in -fill development
Add students to Human Rights Commission
Subdivision Regulations
Improve Ferndale North
Enhance enforcement efforts for erosion control requirements
Comprehensive look at Plymouth Creek
Keep taxes down, lower if possible
Continue computer enhancements for Police department
Prepare fiscal analysis for Northwest Plymouth
Explore preserving horse ownership/stables in NW Plymouth
Traffic Enforcement
Business Forums (2)
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February 18, 1997
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Address Oakwood School "hangout" problem
Noise Ordinance
Maintain/increase patrol and fire staffing to keep up w/growth
Sign Ordinance
Citizen's academy
Explore Kids Plus Conflict Resolution Project
Establish council subcommittee on drainage issues
Monitor trends in salaries, etc. as percent of total budget
Ensure proper replacement of existing fire equipment
Continue to evaluate new fire equipment
Use employees with expertise as instructors.
Evaluate existing and new opportunities for assignments.
Transit Issues
Joint meetings with school boards and cities, counties
Economic Development Initiatives
Road Alignment of Peony Lane from the new high school to C. R. 47
Monitor new zoning ordinance for effectiveness, improvements
Enhance programs for safety training/personal fitness
Maintain good working environment, morale on staff
Study revisions to development contracts to enhance environmental
protection
Begin roadway design projects for safety and beautification
Address water quality and water run-off into Medicine Lake
Continue participation in Northwest Hennepin Human Services Cadet
program
Increase individual responsibility for training
Explore shelter for amphitheater
Special assessment districts for developments
Councilmembers discussed what should happen to lower priority items, and
whether the higher priority items would be too much to accomplish. Assistant
Manager Lueckert stated that some of the items are on the agenda for board action
this year anyway. She said staff would develop a work plan to account for items
shifting in priority as other goals are accomplished.
It was decided by the council to examine the list at the end of 1997 and raise some
items to higher priority if it was felt things weren't getting accomplished.
Assistant Manager Lueckert said some items may logically fall together as the
staff work plan is developed. Manager Johnson said he believed the City could
accomplish one third of the items in one year, and two thirds of the items over two
years. He said that was a workable plan.
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February 18, 1997
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VISIONING PROCESS
Assistant Manager Lueckert presented different approaches to the process creating
a vision for the city, and said councilmembers should consider whether to
undertake the process and if so, what process to follow. Councilmembers
discussed how much of the vision creation process had been accomplished in
setting goals and objectives.
Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember
Johnson to formulate a vision from findings in surveys; from ward meetings with
residents; from a review of the Comprehensive Plan; from the Northwest
Plymouth development Review; and from advice from the advisory boards and
committees.
Councilmember Preus stated he had participated in vision creation processes and
believes often too much effort was put in, without a clear result. He said the city
should seriously consider how much effort to put into the process.
Councilmember Spigner made a friendly amendment to request a completion of
the vision process by the end of 1998.
Motion carried, six ayes; Councilmember Preus nay.
PRO -PLYMOUTH PLEDGE
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember
Spigner to change the title to "The Plymouth Pledge".
Discussion took place over changing the name of the pledge to "The Plymouth
Pledge" or the "Plymouth Council Pledge". Councilmembers discussed the intent
of the pledge and the impact of retaining or deleting the term "Pro-" in the title.
Motion failed, five nays; Mayor Tierney and Councilmember Johnson, ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Mayor Tierney, to
employ the title, "The Plymouth Council Pledge." Motion failed, three ayes, three
nays, Councilmember Bildsoe did not vote.
Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Preus
to retain the title, "The Pro -Plymouth Pledge" as approved at the January 8, 1997
meeting. Motion carried, five ayes; Councilmember Johnson and Mayor Tierney,
nay.
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February 18, 1997
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Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Preus,
to retain the preamble of the Pro -Plymouth Pledge as approved at the January 8,
1997 meeting.
Councilmembers discussed interpretation of the language of the Preamble, and its
effectiveness.
Motion carried, four ayes.
Councilmembers debated articles of the approved version of the Pledge.
Motion was made by Councilmember Preus, seconded by Councilmember Black,
to amend Article 1 of the approved Pro -Plymouth Pledge to read: "To be civil in
interactions with fellow councilmembers, staff, and citizens in public by fully,
openly, and respectfully debating the issues and the facts behind them."
Motion carried.
Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Preus,
to accept Articles 2 through 6 as approved. Motion failed, 3 ayes, 4 nays.
Councilmembers discussed interpretations of the terms `debate' and `disagree' in
reference to placement in Article Two of the Approved Pro -Plymouth Pledge.
Motion was made by Councilmember Preus, seconded by Councilmember
Spigner, to amend Article 2 to read, "To listen carefully and state accurately the
positions of those with whom we disagree and refrain from describing the
character or motives of fellow councilmembers, staff, or citizen in a negative or
unfair manner."
Motion carried five ayes, two nays.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember
Spigner, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Kurt Hoffinan
Deputy City Cler
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