HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 10-11-20027;p
y
OCTOBER 11, 2002
Youth Advisory Council October 14 meeting agenda...................................................................... Page 3
Planning Commission October 16 meeting agenda......................................................................... Page 4
Official Meeting Calendars for October, November, and December ............................................... Page 5
Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings ..................................................... Page 11
NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
Notice of the October 29 2002 Lieutenant Governor Transportation Forum ................................. Page 12
Notice from the Planning Department of a withdrawal of application for site plan
amendment for Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital (2002119)........................................................... Page 13
Notice from the Planning Department of a withdrawal of application for site plan
amendment and variance for Holiday Stationstores Inc. (2002115) .............................................. Page 14
Notice from the Planning Department of a request for a variance from Margaret
Peabody(2002126)......................................................................................................................... Page 15
Notice to residents of a request to amend the land use guide plan, land use guide plan
map, and transportation plan related to the County Road 73 Corridor Study ................................ Page 16
City news release announcing the invitation of public participation in the Highway
55 Coalition.................................................................................................................................... Page 18
City news release announcing the October 30 deadline for the Plymouth Photo Contest ............. Page 19
City news release announcing the Plymouth Fire Department has received the Residential
Fire Safety Institute Life Safety Achievement Award for 2001 ..................................................... Page 20
Notice of the Hennepin County Commissioners "Hennepin Green Day" on October 29 ............. Page 22
Notice of a Prevention Forum scheduled for October 22 at St. Louis Park City Hall I ................... Page26
CITY COUNCIL INFORMA TION MEMO
October 11, 1002
Page 2
Sun Post news story about the Golden Valley City Council's interest in developing its own
youthcouncil.................................................................................................................................. Page 27
Metropolitan Council notice of an October 22 public meeting on the proposed Inclusionary
Housing Incentive Plan .................................................................................................................. Page 29
STAFFREPORTS
Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility monthly report ....................................................... Page 34
Information pertaining to Revised 2002 Section 8 Budget............................................................ Page 35
MINUTES
Park & Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) September 12 meeting ................................... Page 38
Environmental Quality Committee (EQC) September 18 meeting ................................................ Page 43
Housing & Redevelopment (HRA) September 19 meeting........................................................... Page 45
CORRESPONDENCE
Thank—you letter from "Plymouth on Parade" Event Coordinator Karol Klint Greupner
to all participants in the October 5 parade...................................................................................... Page 49
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS
Notice of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) 2002 Policy Adoption
Meeting, scheduled for November 7. A draft copy of the proposed legislative policies comes
to you under separate cover............................................................................................................ Page 50
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
7:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Time
Allotment
1. Approvals: 7:30-7:35
a) Agenda
b) September 30 meeting minutes
2. Guest Speakers and Special Items: 7:35-7:50
a) Review goals and work plan ideas
3. Committee Updates: 7:50-8:15
a) Intergenerational Committee
b) Marketing Committee
c) Youth Town Forum Committee
d) Youth Services Awards Committee
4. Future agenda items 8:15-8:20
5. Adjournment 8:20
6. Additional Materials:
1. Sun Post news story about efforts to start a youth council in
Golden Valley
2. "Shutting off the Tap To Teens" meeting notice
3. Hennepin County "Teen Read Month" flyer
4. October, November and December Calendars
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
FOO ® WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2002
WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Plymouth City Hall
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission
and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a
Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from
the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC FORUM
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6. CONSENT AGENDA*
A. Marjorie Peabody. Approve variance to allow redevelopment of an undersized lot
and an impervious surface coverage variance to allow 30 percent coverage where 25
percent is permitted for property located at 2360 Ives Lane North. (2002126)
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. City of Plymouth. Consider changes to the land use guide plan, land use guide plan
map and transportation plan related to the County Road 73 Corridor Study. The
property included in the study area is bounded by Highway 55 on the north and the
City of Minnetonka border on the south. It includes all the properties on both sides
of County Road 73 from the Minnetonka border to South Shore Drive. It also
includes the properties along both sides of Cottonwood Lane to the west of Plymouth
Shopping Center. (2001155)
8. NEW BUSINESS
9. ADJOURNMENT
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
October 2002
Sunday Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
Sep 2002
S M T W T F S
7:00 PM
PLANNING
7:00 PM HUMAN
RIGHTS
1:00 PM -5:00
PM
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
COMMISSION,
COMMISSION -
PLYMOUTH ON
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Council Chambers
Council Chambers
PARADE
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29 30
6
7
8
9
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12
5:30 PM SPECIAL
COUNCIL
MEETING:DISCUSS
IVESIJONQUIL
7:00 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY COMMITTEE
7:00 PM HRA -
council
Chambers (this
DISCUSS ISSUES;
(EQC), Bass Lake Room
T
STATION IN AUTUMN
STUDY SESSIONS E
meeting only)
Public Safety Training
Room
7:00 PM PRAC,
Medicine Lake
Room (this
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
meeting only)
Council Chambers
13
14
15
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7:30 PM YOUTH
ADVISORY
COUNCIL,
Council Chambers
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
COLUMBUS DAY
(OBSERVED),
Public Works
Division closed
20
21
22
23
24
2 1z
26
7:00 PM LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS CITY
COUNCIL CANDIDATE
"�'s'�A
PLYL10l1TN-MNNETONKA
auslNEU COl1NGL, 11.11..+..
IIo c"Y0"Pb'r
7:00 PM
PLYMOUTH
ADVISORY
7:00 PM LEAGUE OF
WOMEN VOTERS
STATE LEGISLATIVE
CANDIDATES FORUM,
FORUM, Council
Council Chambers
Chambers
AEETIM RENIEWC SHINGLE
CREEK AND ELM CREEK
SECOND GENE
COMMITTEE ON
TRANSIT (PACT) -
P AWTEk 9SiMyT.- naa`""'
Bass Lake Room
]:W PM REGULAR COUNCIL
FETING, Cwdl CNNrt.es
27
28
29
30
31
Noy 2002
DAYLIGHT
SAVINGS ENDS-
7:30 PM
YOUTH
7:00 PM LEAGUE OF
VOTERS
WOMEN CONGRESSIONALD
S M T W T F S
1 2
set clocks back 1
hourCOUNCIL,
ADVISORY
DISTRICT
CANDIDATES FORUM,
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Council
Council Chambers
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Chambers
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modified on 10/11/2002
0
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
November 2002
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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2
Oct 2002 Dec 2002
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
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GENERAL
ELECTION -
7:00 PM
PLANNING
7:00 PM
CHOCOLATE
Polls open 7 AM
COMMISSION,
SAMPLER
Plymouth Gireek
- close 8 PM
Council Chambers
Center
7:00 PM HUMAN
RIGHTS
COMMISSION -
Council Chambers
10
11
12
13
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VETERANS
DAY
5:30 PM SPECIAL
COUNCILMEETING:
CONSIDER OPTIONS
FOR POLICY ON
7:D0 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY COMMITTEE
7:00 PM PARK &
REC ADVISORY
(OBSERVED),
DISPOSALOF
CITY -OWNED
(ECC), Medicine Lake
Room
COMMISSION
City Offices
PROPERTY SET
FUTURE STUDY
(this month)
(FRAC), Council
Chambers
Closed
SaferyOTmining Public
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
7:00 PM SPECIAL
COUNCIL
MEETING -DISCUSS:
PUBLIC SAFETY
ADVISORY BOARD
7:00 PM
PLANNING
COMMISSION,
7:00 PM
HOUSING &
REDEVELOPME
CONTINUANCE
FIREFIGHTER POLICY;
Ci0UDC11 Chambers
AUTHORITY
WEED MOWING6
REVIEW
(HRA), Plymouth.
Creek Center
ORDINMKCE
FINAL BUDGETARY ITEMS;
(this
meeting only)
FALLEN TREES POLICY;
SCHEDULEFUTURE
STUDY SESSIONS, Council
Chamber
7:00 PM PUBLIC
SAFETY ADVISORY
BOARD (PSA Police
Dept LibraryB),
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
7:30 PM
YOUTH
11:45 AM
PLYMOUTH-MTKA
BUSINESS
7:00 PM
PLYMOUTH
THANKSGIVING
HOLIDAY - City
Chanukkah
begins at sunset
ADVISORY
COUNCIL, location
ADVISORY
Center Offices
COUNCIL,
o be announced
COMMITTEE ON
Closed
TRANSIT (PACT) -
Council
Bass Lake Room
THANKSGIVING
7:00 PM REGULAR
COUNCIL
Chambers
HOLIDAY - City
Center Offices
MEETING, Council
Chambers
Closed
modified on 10/11/2002
F61
OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS
December 2002
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
S
6
7
2:00 PM OLD
FASHIONED
7:00 PM TRUTH IN
Canal Chamb�erslNG,
7:00 PM
PLANNING
7:00 PM HUMAN
RIGHTS
CHRISTMAS-
SPECIAL COUNCIL
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
COMMISSION -
Council Chambers
PI mouth
y
MEETING:
IMMEDIATELY
Historical
FOLLOWING TRUTH IN
Society Building
TAXATION : FIRE
CONSIDEROPULL TAB
FUTTURE STUDY
SESSIONS, Council
Chambers
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
B:DD PM TRUTH IN TAXATION
HEARING RECONVENED (IF
NEEDED), C ndChnWr�
7:00 PM
ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY COMMITTEE
7:00 PM PARK 8
REC ADVISORY
e.ao PM (oa sAS1EDIATELv
FOLLOWING TRUTIN IN
TAXATION) SPECIAL COUNCIL
MEETING TO INTERVIEW
(EOC), Medicine Lake
Room (this month)
COMMISSION
(FRAC), COUDCII
Chambers
BOARDICOMMISSION
CANDIDATES, UI R—
T:M PM YOUTH ADVISORY
COUNCIL, Caawil ChrnErs
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
7:00 PM
REGULAR
7:00 PM
PLANNING
7:00 PM HOUSING b
REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY (HRA),
COUNCIL
COMMISSION,
Council Chambers
MEETING, Council
Council Chambers
Chambers
7:00 PM PUBLIC
SAFETY ADVISORY
BOARD (PSAB), Police
Dept Library
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
7:30 PM
CHRISTMAS
YOUTH
HOLIDAY - City
ADVISORY
Offices closed
COUNCIL,
Council
Chambers
29
30
31
Nov 2002
Jan 2003
S M T W T F S
S M T W T F S
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G
Tentative Schedule for
City Council Agenda Items
October 22
• Announcement of November 5 General Election, City Clerk Sandy Paulson
• Announcement of Chocolate Sampler, Park Director Eric Blank
• Approve HRA's issuance of bonds to West Lutheran High School
• Public hearings for 2002 removal and destruction of diseased trees and weed
eradication and destruction
• Assessment hearing on Schmidt Lake area street reconstruction (east of Larch Lane,
west of Zachary Lane including 45th Avenue through 48`h Avenue — Project No. 2001)
• Assessment hearing on Nathan Lane/Lancaster Lane Street Improvements (Nathan
Lane from County Road 9 to 45`h Avenue and Lancaster Lane from County Road 9 to
approximately 1,105 feet south of County Road 9 — Project No. 10 14)
• Deny rezoning from C-2 (Neighborhood Commercial) and C-3 (Highway
Commercial) to C-4 (Community Commercial) for three parcels including the
Plymouth Shopping Center located south of Highway 55 and east of Cottonwood
Lane. Gem Enterprises. (2002092) (Plymouth Shopping Center)
• Consider comments on Met Council 2030 Blueprint
• Approve tobacco license for Four Seasons Liquors
• Public hearing for Four Seasons Liquors 3, Inc., d/b/a Four Seasons Liquors, 4232
Lancaster Lane
• Approve variance to encroach 16.25 feet into the required 25 foot front yard setback
to allow construction of a 3 -car garage (the existing garage would be converted into
living space) for property located at 2825 Evergreen Lane North. Joseph Scheitlin.
(2002117)
• Deny Variance to allow construction of an in -ground swimming pool and concrete
patio structure setback to the wetland 12 feet into the required 15 foot wetland buffer
for property located at 4895 Rosewood Lane North. Jeffrey & Cheryl Chanen.
(2002114)
• Set special meeting to canvass results of Nov. 5 General Election
• Approve Revisions to Resolution Approving a Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit and
Variance for Elm Creek Golf Course located at 19010 State Highway 55. Craig
Scherber.(2002075)
• Accept third quarter Financial Statement
• Approve increase in maximum allowed unreimbursed medical from $2,000 to $3,000
November 12
• Consider Eligibility for Relocation Benefits: Richard and Janice Pickering for 3030
Highway 101, and James and Evelyn Anderson for 17915 30th Place
• County Road 73 Study
• Amend ordinance for Surface Water Utility Appeal Process
November 26
December 17
M,Wd:/a■ Arm
■/1IVlJEFA�
/OVIV �, 1
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TRANSPORTATION FORUM
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
7:30 — 9:00 AM
Minneapolis Airport Marriott
2020 East 79th Street
Bloomington, MN
$25 per person advance registration
$30 per person at the door
Featurin,a 2002 Lieutenant Governor candidates:
Carol Molnau (IR)
Martha Robertson (Independence Party)
Julie Sabo (DFL).
- M Affls"Im"IMMAET
■Wic•IJvA�
Moving South Metro Transportation
Projects Forward
MOVE is a coalition of business, industry
and municipal leaders concerned about the
growing needs and continued lack of
investment in the south metro area. The
mission of MOVE is to speed up
transportation system funding and quickly
move people and goods through the entire
Twin Cities metro area.
This forum has been planned with lite
following event partners: Burnsville
Chamber of Commerce/Golden Triangle
Transportation Management Association
(GTTMA)/Greater Minneapolis Chamber,
Bloomington Airport Council/Eden Prairie
Chamber of CommercelEdina Chamber of
CommercelLakeville Chamber of
CommerceINorthern Dakota County
Chamber of Commerce/Twin West
Chamber of Commerce.
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Cost: $25 (includes hot breakfast)
Marriott Airport Hotel, Bloomington, MN.
The 2002 Lieutentant Governor Transportation Forum will focus on the mounting transportation needs of the south
metropolitan area. At the present time there are more than $2 billion of unfunded transportation projects on existing south
metro area roadways and bridges, and no new monies for any projects scheduled within the seven -county metropolitan
area beyond the year 2020.
Participation is limited to 100 seats, registration deadline is Wednesday, October 23, 2002. Register today to make
sure you don't miss this exciting opportunity to hear firsthand how our candidates for Lieutenant Governor and their
running mates plan to provide sufficient funding for the future of the south metro area's transportation system needs!
Registrations, payments received after 10/23/02 or those without pre -registration by mail will be assessed an additional $5
fee at the door.
Name:
Address:
City
Phone: U
Organization:
State Zip
Fax
E-mail
MOVE is a non-profit 501c6 charitable organization and membership is tax deductible.
October 7, 2002
CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
SUBJECT: WITHDRAWL OF APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN AMENDMENT
FOR PLYMOUTH HEIGHTS PET HOSPITAL, 4301 STATE
HIGHWAY 169 (2002119)
Dear Owner/Occupant:
On October 4, 2002, the City mailed notices to all property owners within 200 feet of the
Plymouth Heights Pet Hospital, regarding a proposal to construct a 720 square foot
addition to the north end of the building located at 3401 State Highway 169. That notice
stated that the proposal was scheduled to be reviewed by the Plymouth Planning
Commission at their October 16, 2002 meeting. However, the applicant has withdrawn
their request, therefore the proposal was subsequently removed from the October 16,
2002 Planning Commission agenda.
INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined. at the roinmunity
Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday
through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please
contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400.
Sincerely,
N4?1)�r vY
Barbara G. Senness, AICP
Planning Manager
2002119-2-propnotice3
C3
PLYMOUTH sl Beautifu[Place?o Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-14£2 TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000
u n...er n nl. n♦h r....
CITY OF
October 10, 2002 PLYMOUTH
SUBJECT: WITHDRAWL OF REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN AMENDMENT AND
VARIANCE FOR HOLIDAY STATIONSTORES INC. (2002115)
Dear Owner/Occupant:
On October 4, 2002 the City mailed notices to all property owners within 200 feet of the
Holiday Station Store, regarding a proposal to allow relocation of fuel pumps and
installation of a canopy at the Mr. Gas station located at 11021 State Highway 55. That
notice stated that the proposal was scheduled to be reviewed by the Plymouth Planning
Commission at their October 16, 2002 meeting. However, the applicant has withdrawn
their request, therefore the proposal was subsequently removed from the October 16,
2002 Planning Commission agenda.
INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community
Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday
through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please
contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400.
Sinc
erely,
Gal w►4✓1,
Barbara G. Senness, AICP
Planning Manager
2002115prepnoticewithdrawl
PLYMOUTH A Beautifu[Pface To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000
mrww ri.nlvrnntrth.mn.us
CITY OF
PLYMOUTFF
October 4, 2002
SUBJECT: VARIANCE FOR MARJORIE PEABODY (2002126)
Dear Owner/Occupant:
This letter is written to inform you that Marjorie Peabody, under file 2002126, submitted
a planning application requesting approval of a variance to allow redevelopment of an
undersized lot and an impervious surface coverage variance to allow 30 percent
coverage where 25 percent is permitted for property located at 2360 Ives Lane North.
VNle a formal Public Hearing is not required, it is the City's policy to inform adjacent
property owners/occupants of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your
property is within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and
cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at
7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 16, 2002, in the City Council Chambers at the Plymouth
City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard.
INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community
Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday
through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please
contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400.
Sincerely,
mm �Mwl
Barbara G. Senness, AICP
Planning Manager
2002126propnotice
PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Plate To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000
CITY OF
October 4, 2002 PLYMOUTH+
SUBJECT: COUNTY ROAD 73 CORRIDOR STUDY (2001155)
Dear Property Owner:
Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you
of a request by the City of Plymouth, under File 2001155, to consider changes to the land
use guide plan, land use guide plan map and transportation plan related to the County
Road 73 Corridor Study. The property included in the study area is bounded by
Highway 55 on the north and the City of Minnetonka border on the south. It includes
all the properties on both sides of County Road 73 from the Minnetonka border to
South Shore Drive. It also includes the properties along both sides of Cottonwood Lane
to the west of Plymouth Shopping Center.
Hennepin. County records indicate your property is within 750 feet of the site of the study
area. You are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a Public Hearing to be
held by the t lyrgouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 16,
2002, in Aw Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard.
The public, will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning the study and
study recommendations at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at
(763) 509-5450 for more infoa-mation.
The City of Plymouth will consider the following changes:
■ A change from C (Commercial) and LA -1 (Living Area 1) to MXD (Mixed Use)
for the properties south of Highway 55 on both sides of Cottonwood Lane and the
two properties that make up the Plymouth Shopping Center site - and the
undeveloped property immediately to the east.
■ A change from LA -1 (Living Area 1) to LA -2 (Living Area 2) for the two
properties fronting on the east side of County Road 73 immediately north of the
border with the City of Minnetonka.
■ A text change in the land use guide plan 1) summarizing the guide plan map
changes and the transportation plan change and 2) indicating that the City will
initiate reguiding of the two parcels currently guided LA -1 (Living Area 1) and C
(Commercial) on the north side of Sunset Trail opposite the Plymouth Apostolic
Lutheran Church if County Road 73 is upgraded, resulting in these parcels
becoming isolated from the remaining single family homes in the area.
((
PLYMOUTH ABeautifufPfaceToLive
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD - PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447-1482 - TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000
• A text change in the transportation plan to identify the City's preferred design
standards for an upgraded County Road 73, including a three -lane section south of
Sunset Trail with paved shoulders, a trail on one side and sidewalk on the other
and boulevard trees and a four lane section running straight from the current
intersection with Sunset Trail to South Shore Drive.
INFORMATION relating to the corridor study may be examined at the Community
Development Information Counter (lower level), on Mondays and Wednesday through
Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except
holidays.
Your comments and questions regarding the study are welcome. Please write .or e-mail
me (bsenness@ci.plymouth.mn.us). All comments will be shared with the City Council
and Planning Commission. Or, you may telephone me at 763-509-5452.
Sincerely,
Barbara G. Senness, AICP
Planning Manager
2001155propnotice2
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
September 27, 2002 John Knudsen, Hennepin County Public Affairs
(612) 348-6883
Highway 55 Coalition Seeks Public Involvement
The Highway 55 Corridor Coalition, an organization advocating for improvements in the Highway 55
corridor from Plymouth to Annandale, invites the public to come and participate in the development of
important future plans for Highway 55 at two open house meetings. These meetings are being hosted by the
Highway 55 Corridor Coalition in cooperation with the Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to give the
public an opportunity to provide input and learn more about coalition efforts to improve safety and expand
capacity in key areas of the corridor.
The Highway 55 Corridor Coalition was formed in 2001 for the purpose of advocating increased safety
and capacity improvements in the Highway 55 corridors from I-494 in the City of Plymouth to the western
limits of the City of Annandale. The Coalition is comprised of public and private sector member organizations
as well as concerned citizens working with the support of MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota
Transportation Alliance to address the increasing safety and congestion problems along Highway 55.
"We're working hard to involve citizens, local governments and private organizations in our efforts to
develop and promote improvements to Highway 55," explained Ken Jude, Coalition Chair and Wright County
Commissioner. "The increasing fatalities and growing congestion along this highway affect all of us. We need
to work together to advocate for a future Highway 55 that provides safe, convenient access to our communities.
A big part of that effort is protecting needed right-of-way to allow for future expansion," Jude said.
Two open house dates have been set:
Thursday, October 17, 2002 — Wright County Government Center, Commissioner's Board Doom
4:30-7:30 p.m. —10 Second St. N.W., Buffalo
Thursday, October 24, 2002 — Hennepin County Public Works Facility, Medina: 4:00 — 7:00 p.m.
1600 Prairie Drive, Medina
Concerned citizens are encouraged to attend the open house most convenient to them
For further information about these open house meetings or Highway 55, contact Karen McDougall at
(763) 477-5484.
-30-
c 6_
City of Plymouth
News Release
For Immediate Release
October 9, 2002
Contact:
Helen LaFave, 763 509-5090
Deadline for Plymouth Photo Contest is October 30
With abundant autumn colors still available, now is a great time to get out to take some
photos for the Picture Plymouth Photo Contest. The deadline for the contest is Oct. 30. The City
will award a grand prize of $100 and $25 prizes to the top photos in each category - nature,
cityscapes, people and events.
"People enter the contest for many reasons. Some are interested in winning the prize
money, but I think many others are simply interested in seeing their work published and showing
the pride they have in Plymouth," said Communications Manager Helen LaFave.
The City will publish winning entries in the city newsletter, Plymouth News. "We also
publish many photos that don't win in the city newsletter and may also use them on the city web
site. The photographers really enjoy having their work shared with the more than 66,000 people
that live in the community," LaFave added.
Rules
• You must live or work in Plymouth.
• Submit your photo(s) of nature, cityscapes, events or people.
• Submit color or black and white 5" x 7" prints (no slides).
• Enter up to four photos.
I �
For an entry form, call Jean Lyons at 763-509-5081. Be sure to leave your name, mailing
address and the number of entry forms you need. You can also download entry forms from the
City web site, www.ci.plymouth.mn.us.
The Plymouth Fire Department Earns 2001 Life Safety Achievement Award
The Residential Fire Safety Institute (RFSI) has presented the Plymouth Fire Department with a
Life Safety Achievement Award for the year 2001. The award recognizes that no lives were lost
to fire last year and the department's public safety program.
For nine years, the Life Safety Achievement Award has recognized the local fire prevention
activities that contributed to reducing the number of lives lost in residential fires, according to
Roy L. Marshall, Director of the FRSI, announced the award. The Plymouth Fire Department
qualified for this award in 2001 because it recorded no fire deaths in structures in 2001 and
because it sponsored a comprehensive fire and life safety educational program.
Although residential fires in the U.S. account for only 20% of all fires, they result in 80% of all
fire deaths. The RFSI is committed to reducing that number. A total of 1,106 fire departments
in the U.S. and Iceland received the 2001 Life Safety Achievement Award.
"Experience tells us that fire prevention activities and public education can significantly reduce
life and property loss from residential fires," Marshall said. "Prevention and education are very
cost effective compared to the traditional approach of relying on fire suppression. The Life
Safety Achievement Award recognized Plymouth Fire Department for its innovation in fire
prevention programming and commitment to injury prevention."
"We take great pride in our fire and life safety programming and are as committed to it as we are
to fire suppression," said Fire Chief Richard Kline. "It is an honor," said Kline.
The RFSI is a public interest group whose mission is to reduce residential fire deaths and
injuries. The RFSI advocates the use of residential fire sprinklers, smoke alarms, carbon
�, l
monoxide detectors, and teaching people fire -safe behavior. The RFSI assists local fire
departments with implementing residential sprinkler/smoke alarm program. Membership in the
RFSI includes the United State Fire Administration, the National Association of State Fire
Marshals, and private industry/associations with an interest in and commitment to residential fire
safety.
The Plymouth Fire Department sponsors many family orientated programs including the
Smokebuster Smoke Detector Program, Child Passenger Safety/Car Seat Check-ups, Where's
Lester the Missing Smoke Detector, and the Adopt a Fire Hydrant program. To learn more about
the department's programming, please call the Plymouth Fire Department at 763-509-5198.
�v
MIKE OPAT
CHAIR
Greetings,
612-348-7881
FAX 348-8701
mike.opatOco.hennepin.mn.us
BOARD OF HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A-2400 GOVERNMENT CENTER
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55487-0240
Hennepin County -- both as a government and as a place -- is celebrating its 150` birthday this year.
As chair of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, I am pleased to invite you to attend
Hennepin Green Day, a daylong event to promote sustainable living. It will be held on Oct. 29, 2002
from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County Government Center on our Public Service (skyway)
Level.
Our event will include exhibitors from nonprofit organizations on reduction of waste, as well as
recycling and reuse, and will feature sound economical and ecological choices on a myriad of topics
including transportation, housing, and landscaping.
We have also planned a special noon -hour program, Green City Initiatives Worldwide ... Sweden,
Santa Monica, Hennepin County and Local Municipalities. The program will include the following:
➢ Sustainable city initiatives around the world featuring Santa Monica and Sweden
➢ Hennepin County activities including energy and transportation by Commissioner Peter
McLaughlin; and recycling and solid waste management by Commissioner Randy Johnson
➢ Goals and workplan for Minneapolis Green City Initiative by Mayor R.T. Rybak
➢ Local suburban municipality sustainability initiatives
Hennepin County is a steward of public resources including our land, water, and air, and also of the
health and well being of our citizens. I think you will find Hennepin Green Day innovative and
informative and I hope you will attend.
Sincerely,
OCT - fv
Mike Opat, Chair
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners
P.S. If you have any questions about this event or for more information, aag�co' rSe Hennepin
County Public Affairs Department at 612-348-3848. A link to our location and parking information,
including directions, is located on the home page of our Internet site, www.co.hennepin.mn.us
Enclosures: Hennepin Green Day flyer
Exhibitor List
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Exhibitor Expo
7:30 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
Government Center
Public Service Level
• Get the latest info on living
green, living simply and
living smart today and for
tomorrow.
• Discover ways to preserve
and use our natural resources
for another 150 years.
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002
Green Day
Presentation
Noon —1 p.m.
Government Center
A Level Auditorium
• Learn about current
worldwide initiatives.
• View innovative projects
from around the world.
• Find out how you can get
involved.
1952 4
Sponsored by Hennepin County Public Affairs
20 Minneapolis Green City Initiative • Hennepin County Transportation and Solid Waste
• Alliance for Sustainability
���/VQ,��
Hennepin Green Day
Where: Hennepin County Government Center
300 South Sixth St.
Public Service Level
Minneapolis, MN 55487
Tuesday, October 29 Time: 7:30 to 2:30
When: a.m. p.m.
Participants: Alliance for Sustainability
B -Bop Coalition
City of Minneapolis, Regulatory Services --Environmental
AA
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Animal Care & Control
Children's Environmental Health
Environmental Management
Food Safety & Environmental Health
EarthSave Twin Cities
X7
EcoEducation
Friends of the Mississippi River
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K7
§Hamline
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Green Institute
University - Center for Global Environmental
Education
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I(I'M
Hennepin Conservation District
Hennepin County, Environmental Services
Eco -Yard
Waste Reduction
Hennepin County Library
Hennepin County Master Gardeners
hOurCar
Midwest Food Alliance
Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance Sustainable
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0
Communities & Next Step
Minnesotans for an Energy -Efficient Economy
Minnesota
Recycling Association of
Sustainable Resources Center
Transit for Livable Communities
left
Wo
University of Minnesota Green Map
Women's Cancer Resource Center
Lim
Contact: Diana Houston, Hennepin County Public Affairs
Phone: 612.348.5130
diana.houston@co.hennepin.mn.us
as
PKEVENTION
F0_RUM
WORKING
WITH
ELECTED
OFFICIAL5
IN
ADVOCATING
FOR
YOUTH
The act of telling policymakers how to write
and change our laws, policies and ordinances
is at the very heart of our democratic system.
It is an alternative to what occurs in many
other countries: tyranny or revolution.
Advocating for change has helped keep
America's democracy evolving over more
than two centuries.
Advocacy isn't some mysterious rite that
takes years to master. You can learn how to
influence policymakers in a short time. Who
do you call? When do you call? What do you
say? Come and learn how to be most
effective when conveying your concerns.
MM WE
COM®
(IIMfMip12 pllVllllD(I R.SONfC! ClflN
C O A L I T l U N
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When: Tuesday, October 22, 2002
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
S
P
E
K
E
R
S
Where: St. Louis Park City Hall
Council Chambers
5005 Minnetonka Blvd.
St. Louis Park, MN 55425
Cost: Free - no need to pre -register
Lunch: Bring your lunch.
Beverages will -be provided.
Leah Preiss
MADD Minnesota
Youth Services Coordinator
Judd Mowry
Community Prevention Coalition
Partnership Council member
Marcia Avner
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Public Policy Director
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GOLDEN VALLEY
Local News
GV Council encouraged to form a youth council
By Sue Webber
Sun Newspapers
(Created 10/3/02 8:24:21 AM)
It isn't often that high school students address the city council.
But it's practically unheard of for a young person to donate money to the city.
Jennifer Havrish, 15, recently did both.
A sophomore at Hopkins High School, Jennifer has donated $500 toward the creation of a
Youth Council in Golden Valley.
Last spring, Jennifer won one of five western metro -area Time Warner Youth Service
awards presented for outstanding volunteer efforts. With the award came a $1,000 savings
bond and a $500 cash prize for Jennifer to donate to the charity of her choice.
On Sept. 17, she appeared at the Golden Valley City Council meeting to donate the
money.
"I have a passion for engaging in meaningful public service," she said. "I am donating this
money to the Golden Valley Human Service Foundation to be set aside for a youth council.
I am proud to call Golden Valley home, and I would be proud to serve my hometown on
the youth council."
Jennifer said she believes many teenagers in Golden Valley would be willing to help make
a difference in the lives of the city's residents.
"It's very exciting; Golden Valley would benefit significantly from a youth council," she said.
She always has been very active in volunteer work, Jennifer said later.
"I was influenced by my parents, and I've always found [service] opportunities at school,"
she said.
For the last six years, she has helped out at a "Time Out for Moms Camp," an outing for
single mothers conducted during Memorial Day weekend.
"While the parents go to classes, I had a chance to work with the 5-, 6- and 7 -year-olds,"
Jennifer said.
Through her community service homeroom at Hopkins North Junior High School last year,
she had an opportunity to help with Meals on Wheels, Feed My Starving Children and
activities at several metro -area nursing homes.
a_�
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Jennifer was president of the Hopkins North Junior High Student Council last year.
This year, she plays alto saxophone in the band at Hopkins High School, and is on the
school's varsity debate and golf teams.
"I've been a member of the League of Women Voters for a year, and I absolutely love it,"
she said. "It's such a neat group of people."
In her research on youth councils, Jennifer said, she visited the Plymouth Youth Council.
"I was really moved at how organized the students were and how much they accomplished
in a short period of time," she said.
Michelle Saylor, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Hopkins North Junior High,
nominated Jennifer last year for the Time Warner award she received.
"She was the only ninth -grader who won the award," Saylor said. "She shines!"
Saylor recalls especially Jennifer's interest in career -shadowing U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton
last year during the school's Career Day.
"He couldn't come to our school for Career Day, but he invited Jennifer to go to
Washington, D.C., to shadow him there, so she did," Saylor said. "She had lunch with the
Clintons and Mark Dayton."
Saylor said students in the community service homeroom she and colleague Paula Len
supervised donated time at the Ronald McDonald House, Shalom and Chapel View
nursing homes, Walk for the Animals, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and
collected more than 300 coats for kids.
"It was a phenomenal group of students," Saylor said.
Golden Valley Mayor Linda Loomis said last week she hopes Jennifer's donation will "get
the ball rolling" for a youth council in the city.
"The City Council hasn't formally discussed it, but I've thought we needed something like
this," Loomis said. "It always helps to get young people tied in to the community. [Young
people] are one of the groups in Golden Valley that is under -served. We don't have a
whole lot for kids."
Loomis said she believes that the youth would formulate their own ideas for agenda topics
and issues to study.
"They could help shape youth recreation activities or sponsor a summer event," Loomis
said.
Judy Johnson, a member of the Plymouth City Council now running for mayor,
spearheaded the organization of that city's Youth Council five years ago.
"We had a gap in programming for 13- to 18-year-olds," Johnson said.
Plymouth's youth council originally was comprised of seven members, she said; it now has
11 student -members. Sam Kelner, a youth activist who has set his sights on a career in
public service and now is a college sophomore, began working with Johnson on the
concept when he was a sophomore at Armstrong High School.
"We had one student representative from each [of the city's four] wards, plus three at
large, like the City Council," Johnson said. "We were very mindful of our four school
districts and tried to keep a balance with the school districts and with gender. We
encouraged home -schooled and private school students, too, so we would have a good
blend."
Plymouth's Youth Council is a fully -commissioned board, similar to the city's Park and
Recreation or Planning commissions, Johnson said.
But whereas most of the city's commissions meet monthly, the current Youth Council has
chosen to meet every other week, Johnson said.
oL o
"We get kids from all walks of life who really want to have a voice in the community,"
Johnson said. "Something like this can only bless your community."
The youths' agenda comes from a variety of sources, she said. Sometimes the Plymouth
City Council sends them an ordinance to study, such as curfew, or issues on which their
input is important, such as those relating to the activity center or alcohol or tobacco.
"They also bring issues to us, whether they're youth -related or not, such as transit and
development topics," Johnson said.
Last year, Plymouth's Youth Council began an intergenerational dialogue with Plymouth's
Senior Council that occurs several times a year. They talked about politics and last spring
discussed "bridging the gap:" the perceptions each group has about the other, Johnson
said.
The Youth Council also provides liaisons to other Plymouth groups, such as the Park and
Recreation Commission and Senior Council.
Now, a $250,000 grant shared by Minnetonka, Maple Grove and Plymouth will enable the
Youth Council to work on a "Teens Driving Safe" collaboration to educate young people,
Johnson said.
Johnson, first elected to the Plymouth City Council in 1996, said she was an active
mom/volunteer in school and Cub Scout activities when she sensed that young people in
the community were "very disconnected."
"We found an interest, a need and a desire," she said. "The League of Women Voters
helped, and the city manager, staff and council were supportive. We set it up like the city
council. It wasn't just about issues of youth recreation activities or a teen coffee shop."
Once the students were brought into city hall or taken on a tour of a water treatment plant,
she said, they became engaged.
"If we don't bridge the gap to them, what will the next generation look like?" Johnson said.
She has taken the concept to a higher level, as well. As a member of the League of
Minnesota Cities board, Johnson introduced the concept there. Since then, youth councils
have been formed in Rochester, Duluth and St. Cloud.
"They're really popping up," she said
In 2000, Johnson took Plymouth's youth delegation to Washington, D.C., for the National
League of Cities convention.
There the students from Plymouth met people from California, Massachusetts and
Louisiana, and talked about their commonalties and their differences, Johnson said.
"If youth want to do it, it will succeed," Johnson said. "They have such energy and
motivation. They need to be empowered."
This site and its contents 02000, 2001. Sun Newspapers
- lain Office. 952-829-0797 webinfo@mnsur..com -
Created and maintained by Quantum Digital lriteractivejcorbo@quantumsite.com
it Metropolitan Council
Building communities that work
1 �n
NOTICE C."
You are hereby notified that the Metropolitan Council will hold a pulj
following matter:
Proposed Inclusionary Housing Incentive Program
The meeting will be held on:
October 22, 2002
3:00 p.m.
Mears Park Centre
230 East Fifth Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1626
Overview:
The Minnesota Legislature (M.S. Stat. 473.255 subd. 3), authorized the Metropolitan Council
to work with municipalities and developers to provide incentives to inclusionary housing
developments such as waiver of service availability charges and other regulatory incentives
that would result in identifiable cost avoidance or reductions for an inclusionary housing
development. Council staff has proposed a permanent program to support both inclusionary
housing and wastewater conservation goals to be financed from SAC resources and fees.
Additional Information:
Additional information describing the program and detailing the eligibility criteria for both
developments and communities is attached.
Public Comment:
The public will be able to ask questions of staff and comment on the proposed project during
the meeting on Tuesday, October 22,.2002 at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the first
floor of the Mears Park Centre building at 230 East Fifth Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. For
those interested parties who cannot attend, written comments should be sent to Jason Willett
or Guy Peterson before the meeting at the Council's address or by e-mail to
data centerametc.state.mmus. Comments may also be FAXed to (651) 602-1464.
Review and Adoption of Recommendations:
The Environment and Livable Communities Committees of the Council will consider all
comments received on October 22, 2002, following the public meeting. Action on the
proposal by the full Council is scheduled to occur on October 30, 2002. �.
www.metrocouncil.org u' F Metr
230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1626 (651) 602-1000 • Fax 602-1550 �r4904
An Frninl Onnnrfimfhi Fmnfowr
Line 602-1888
Metropolitan Council
Inclusionary Housing Incentive Program '
Program Description and Purpose:
The Metropolitan Council will implement an Inclusionary Housing Incentive Program to:
1) reduce the total development cost and complement the cost reduction incentives
provided by local government for low- and moderate- income affordable housing units in
inclusionary housing developments, and 2) provide incentive to communities to reduce
extraneous flow within the wastewater system and to conserve water.
Program Authorization:
System Availability Charges (SAC) are authorized and governed by Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.517, and subd. 3. A waiver of SAC is permitted by Minnesota Statutes
473.255 subd. 3, which says:
The metropolitan council may work with municipalities and developers to provide
incentives to inclusionary housing developments such as waiver of service
availability charges and other regulatory incentives that would result in
identifiable cost avoidance or reductions for an inclusionary housing
development.
Program Financing and Funding Level:
The program will be funded by use of SAC resources. In 2003, up to $1 million of
waivers (e.g. 784 waivers at $1275 each) is proposed, with loss of SAC receipts to be
absorbed within the existing reserve. In 2004 and beyond, the SAC rate shall be increased
by an additional amount to restore the SAC receipts to the level anticipated for
wastewater capital expenses. For example, a $50 additional increase, on top of an
expected $75 increaseJor a total SAC rate in 2004 of $1400; this additional $50 x 18,300
(projected units) will provide $915,000 or 654 waivers.
A. Program Elements:
1. Funding levels for SAC waivers will be determined on an annual basis.
2. Waivers granted on a first come — first served basis to eligible and qualifying units.
-3.. Waiver applicable for use within 12 months of Council authorization
4. Eligible units must be served by the Metropolitan Disposal System (MD.S).
30
B. Community Criteria:
SAC fees pay for building capacity necessary for the future growth of the Region.
Reduction in wastewater flow or peak demand by the current users of the system has the
same effect as increasing capacity in the existing system and thus forestalling the need to
build new capacity. Communities that do not meet criteria (as determined by the Council
annually) will not be eligible to have housing units receive waiver of SAC:
1. Communities that do not have an effective "inflow and infiltration" program to
prevent clear water entering the sanitary sewer, and
2. Communities that do not have effective water conservation program elements as
determined by the Council.
C. Inclusionary Housing Criteria:
1. Eligible units must meet the definition of inclusionary housing set forth in MN Stat.
473.255, Subd. 1 and Subd. 4 (see below) but do not have to receive LCA funding
through the LCA Inclusionary Housing Account.
2. Eligible units must be part of an inclusionary housing development in which at least
20 percent of the units in the development rent or are for sale at market rates not
affordable to low- and moderate- income households.
3. Eligible units must have rents affordable to households at no more than 50 percent of
area median income adjusted for household size, ora purchase price affordable to
households at no more than 60 percent of area median income.
4. Proposals seeking SAC waiver must demonstrate cost avoidance and reduction
through the use of local incentives to qualify it as an Inclusionary Housing
Development. The cost savings for each unit qualifying for Council's SAC waiver
must be equal to or greater than the base SAC rate at the time of application. These
local incentives may include possible waiver 'of local fees, including any local
SAC/WAC fee.
Definitions:
Inclusionary Housing Development
An inclusionary housing development is a new construction development (new housing
or converted vacant buildings), owner -occupied or rental housing, or a combination of
both, with a variety of prices and designs which serve families with a range of incomes
and housing needs, and demonstrates identifiable unit cost avoidance or reduction as the
result of the use of local incentives in the form of local restrictions that would otherwise
add to the cost of the housing.
These incentives may include but are not limited to: density bonuses, reduced setbacks
and parking requirements, decreased roadwidths, flexibility in site development standards
and zoning code requirements, waiver of permit or impact fees, fast-track permitting and
approvals, or any other regulatory incentives that will result in identifiable cost avoidance
or reductions that contribute to the economic feasibility of inclusionary housing.
Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Programs
Inflow and infiltration of rain and ground waters into the sanitary sewer system cause
peak flows up to seven times the normal flow in a 1 -hour period. This means that Council
facilities (interceptors and plants) need to be enlarged much sooner than if the I&I were
minimized. Capital costs for these expansions may be hundreds of millions of dollars
within the next 20 years. The Council will determine annually. which communities do not
have effective I&I programs.
For 2003, an effective program shall be one that includes:
- an ordinance (adopted before the end of 2002) which requires disconnection of all
rain leaders (a.k.a. roof drains) from the sanitary sewer system. The ordinance shall
require implementation by or before January 1, 2005. This only applies to
communities that have in the have had or contributed to downstream sewer backups
or overflows.
For 2004, an effective program shall be one that includes:
the ordinance described.above, regardless of prior practices or problems (i.e. required
in all communities), and
- an ordinance (adopted before the end of 2003) which requires disconnection of sump
from the sanitary sewer system. The ordinance shall require implementation
by or before January 1, 2005. The ordinance must also have an effective enforcement
provision (such as requiring inspections at time of sale or during the remodeling
permit process).
Water'Conservation Program Elements
Effective water conservation reduces the need for wastewater capacity. Communities that
have their own water systems serving more than 100 persons are required to have a water
conservation plan approved by the DNR. In addition, a water conservation plan is a
required element of the Public Facilities Section of the Local Comprehensive Planning
Act.
The Council will determine annually which communities have effective program
elements related to wastewater capacity.
For 2003, an effective program shall be one that includes:
each community with a public water supply and a population serving more than 1,000
people must have a DNR approved Conservation and Emergency Plan as required by
MN Stat. 103G.291 subd.3, and
each community with. a public water supply must have submitted a water supply plan
that meets the requirements for a Public Facilities Section in the Local
Comprehensive Plan, MN Stat. 473.859 subd. 3(4)
For 2004, an effective program will require these plans regardless of community size and
ownership of a public water supply.
33
DATE: October 8, 2002
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Anne Huilli%rft, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report
Hennepin County Community Corrections staff has submitted their monthly report on average
daily population for the month of September 2002.
The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility in September was 534, less
than the occupancy limit of 601 set by the Conditional Use Permit.
The chart below shows the average monthly population since we began receiving reports in
June of 1998.
700
Reff
500
0 400
m
m
300
a 200
100
HCACF Monthly Population Report
0000 On On (D O O p
0) C� d7 O O p O
C U C U = U .W
0 LL 0 LL O LL
Month/Year
3 L'
N N
O p R O
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❑CUP Limit
NA\erage Count
DATE: October 11, 2002
TO: Mayor and City Council 44-
-FROM: Denise Hutt, Support Services Manager through Anne Hurlburt, Executive
Director
SUBJECT: Information Pertaining to Revised 2002 Section 8 Budget
On August 28, 2002 the HRA Board gave their approval for the City Council to adopt the 2003
HRA Preliminary Budget. In the 2003 Section 8 Program budget, staff requested to increase the
24-hour per week Housing Eligibility Specialist position to 40 hours per week. On September 9,
2002 the City Council adopted a resolution approving the proposed 2003 budgets, which
includes the HRA Preliminary Budget.
On October 10, 2002 the HRA Board gave their approval to revise the 2002 Section 8 Program
budget and authorized that the Housing Eligibility Specialist become a full-time position
effective October 26, 2002. Attached is a copy of the memo dated September 25, 2002 to the
HRA Commission requesting the acceleration of the change of the Housing Eligibility Specialist
to full time status.
Attachments:
1. Memo to HRA Commission dated September 25, 2002
3�
3�-
DATE: September 25, 2002 for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Meeting
of October 10, 2002
TO: Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commission
FROM: Denise Hutt, Support Services Manager through Anne At Executive
Director
SUBJECT: Revised 2002 Section 8 Budget — Accelerate the Change of the Housing
Eligibility Specialist to Full Time Status
On August 28, 2002 the HRA Board gave their approval for the City Council to adopt the 2003
HRA preliminary Budget. In the 2003 Section 8 Program budget, we requested to increase the
24-hour per week Housing Eligibility Specialist position to 40 hours per week.
Due to an increasing workload in the Section 8 Program and the need to address collections on
account balances due from other housing authorities (particularly Minneapolis PHA) by year
end, I am requesting that the Housing Eligibility Specialist become a full time position effective
October 26, 2002. By making this position full-time now, it will free up the Housing Technician
to concentrate on reconciling accounts due from other housing authorities before year-end
reports are due to the fee accountant and HUD. Attached, please find a revised 2002 Section 8
Program Budget indicating the additional dollar amount for salary plus fringe benefits ($3,620)
for the remainder of the year. The administrative fees that we receive from other housing
agencies for administering their vouchers in Plymouth is sufficient to cover the additional funds
needed to change the Housing Eligibility Specialist to a full-time position for the remainder of
the year.
I recommend that the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board of
Commissioners approve the revised 2002 Section 8 Program Budget and authorize that the
Housing Eligibility Specialist become a full-time position effective October 26, 2002.
Attachments:
Revised 2002 Section 8 Program Budget
'j 6
Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting
September 12, 2002
Page 30
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Krahulec, Meyer, Musliner,
Rezabek, and Singer; staff Blank, Evans and Pederson
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Chair Anderson.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Commissioner Meyer and seconded by
Commissioner Rezabek to approve the July minutes. Motion carried with all
ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present at the meeting.
b. Staff - Diane Evans. Evans discussed the success of the summer recreation
programs. At a future meeting she will have statistics on how many
participants we had, a revenue report, etc. Evans said we are working on
fall programs. She talked about the Autumn Art Fair. We have about 40
artists registered. On October 5 is the Plymouth on Parade event. We have
87 parade units registered, and we expect that number to increase by
parade day. There are other activities prior to the parade and following
the parade. LifeTime fitness will be open for swimming, and the Ice Center
will be open for free skating. There will be another Ducky Derby in the
pond at the Amphitheater. The Teens Driving Safe and Sober Concert is
October 12. The Big Wu will be performing. They are a nationwide, well
known teen group. We are expecting up to 6,000 people to attend. The
event runs from 3-9 p.m. Big Wu performs beginning at 7. It will be
interesting to see how the space handles the crowd. Singer said they
don't perform hard rock, but it's not gospel either. There will be a heavy
police presence there. The target age group is late junior high through
high school. Evans stated that staff is working diligently to update the
City's website. Evans has been working with IT on this process. We expect
to launch the new website in November.
c. Others. There were no others present.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
The bid was awarded on the Ice Center parking lot. They are scheduled to
begin work. on Monday, September 16. A 60 car parking lot will be added,
with 40 spaces behind the Ice Center and 20 in front.
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 31
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Millennium Garden update. Blank discussed the progress being made on
the garden and showed some slides of it. We will wait until June, 2003, to
have the dedication. The bricks are installed. Anderson asked who was
the brainchild behind the garden. Blank said many different folks were
involved.
b. Greenwood youth sports update. We've started playing soccer on this
new complex. Fiemann said the sign at the entryway is great. The
baseball fields are all set for play next spring.
c. Mud Lake new name update. Blank stated that the name of the lake has
been officially changed to Lake Camelot. All of the residents want the
name of the park to be Lake Camelot Park. Staff is also recommending
this name. A question was raised about the word "neighborhood" being
in the name of the park. Blank said it doesn't have to be included in the
name. That just identifies it as a neighborhood park in the park system
plan. SINGER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE NAME LAKE CAMELOT PARK.
KRAHULEC SECONDED. ALL AYES.
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Name for Environmental Park. The playground is in and being used. Blank
said he thinks this park will primarily be an outdoor education center.
Singer asked about the reasoning for using "special use" in the name.
Blank said it's because we don't want to label it with a name that would
imply a specific use, because this park has the potential to serve more
than one purpose, i.e., nature area and youth sports. The words special
use would not be in the name, but this puts it in that category in the park
system plan. Park maintenance staff have been referring to it as Nature
Canyon Park. A couple of the commissioners liked the name Tamarack
Park, after Blank explained that several years ago, tamarack trees grew in
the low swamp land area. Our forester is checking to see if tamarack can
be planted again in this location. It would not be a good idea to name it
Tamarack if the site will not support this type of tree, Krahulec said. Blank
will do more research on whether or not tamarack could survive here and
will bring his findings back to the next meeting.
c. 2003-2007 CIP - review possible update to plan. Blank had a power point
presentation on some of the wish list items in the CIP. Because of Singer's
suggestion last year, the East Beach building was updated, Blank said.
Imperial Hills park was discussed first. There has been a request for some
lighting in this park to curb vandalism. This park is totally enclosed by trees.
Blank described the layout of the park and its amenities. Blank questioned
31
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 32
the value of adding lights, because there's no one that can see into the
park even if lights are installed. The next photo was of a baseball field.
Infield areas need to be renovated. Park maintenance thinks it would cost
about $5,000 per field to do this. Blank said we could schedule four infields
per year. The third photo was of Egan Park, which Blank is recommending
for a dog park. Many years ago, we had community gardens at this
location. Watering was a problem here, however, so gardens were
moved to the workhouse property on Shenandoah Lane. A small gravel
parking lot could be added here. There is some wetland in this park, so
boardwalks might need to be added. The area is 3-4 acres in size.
Krahulec and Rezabek think this area would need to be fenced. Other
commissioners agreed. Our park maintenance supervisor feels that it does
not need to be fenced. Blank said even though the dogs would be off
leash, they must be under voice control, so a fence may not be
necessary. Singer asked Blank to research the cost to fence it. Blank said
the easiest fence would be the orange, plastic type you see around
construction areas, rather than chain link. Rezabek said this area may not
stay rural for too long. Blank said we may have to put in two dog parks,
one in the northwest part of Plymouth and another in the southern portion
of town. The fourth picture was of Bass Lake Playfield. A resident wants this
rink paved. Blank said he told the resident that if the neighborhood can
raise $5,000 toward the cost, that PRAC will seriously consider it. Only one
person in the neighborhood hasn't signed the petition to pave it,
according to the resident behind the drive to get it paved. The fifth
picture was of the turf removal at the fieldhouse. The new Astroplay is
being installed tomorrow. The next picture was of Plymouth Creek
Playfield, where Blank is thinking of installing the old Astroplay turf that's
being removed from the fieldhouse. West Lutheran High School practices
soccer here. We propose getting quotes to install the turf here. This would
be one site where we could get lacrosse and rugby players on the field
sooner than on a regular grass surface playfield. Another site for the old
artificial turf could be Ply Creek Elementary, but there's no parking here to
speak of. Blank explained that the old turf is being removed because it's
blemished. The next photo was of Zachary Park and the pinwheel of four
baseball fields. The wood retaining walls need to be replaced with
poured -in-place concrete. This will be costly, perhaps over $100,000. The
next photo was along Rockford Road looking west from Zachary Lane.
Neighbors have requested a trail here. Three neighbors do not want the
trail to be on their property. It would run from Larch Lane to Zachary. The
next photo was along Lancaster Lane near the Four Seasons shopping
Center. Blank said this is a dangerous street. It's lined with apartment
buildings and has many "S" curves. The next photo was near the Willow
Creek movie theaters and Nathan Lane. There are also many apartment
buildings along here, too. The extended stay hotel is in this vicinity also.
1. 0
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 33
The high density apartment dwellers use this route daily. Some research
needs to be done by our engineering department as to the best place to
locate a trail in this area. The next two photos were of the warming house
at Ridgemount Playfield. This is the only playfield in our system that does
not have a concrete warming house. Blank is not proposing something
that grand, but perhaps a nice vinyl sided building in the range of
$40,000-$50,000.
Blank then discussed additional items that are on the wish list. Greenwood
may need some additional parking. A small playground would be nice at
the amphitheater. When we built Zachary Playfield we traded some
property with the church. We also worked a deal that they could use our
parking lot on Sunday mornings. We use their parking lot as an overflow lot
other days when necessary. Blank talked with the pastor of the church
about the BMX course and skate park being built here. Blank suggested a
five year lease with the pastor that would be renewable. It would include
an escape clause. Blank hopes to hear back from the pastor by the
November meeting regarding the opinion of the church's members on
locating the BMX course nearby. We are running out of storage at
Plymoufh Creek Center. Blank said we have a spot down in the northeast
corner of the fieldhouse where a double space garage could be built to
store tools, etc., that would be used to maintain the Millennium Garden.
The indoor tennis court was discussed briefly. At the Hilde Performance
Center there's a need for additional lighting and an improved sound
system. We need to replace the Rolling Hills playground at some point. It's
the oldest one in the system. The third sheet of ice at the Ice Center is still
of interest.
The current CIP was then reviewed. Rezabek asked about the outdoor
hockey rink at the high school. Blank said it's not on the list, because of
the low density housing there. He doesn't see a need for another skating
rink at this time. Blank doesn't see a parking issue at the Ice Center if we
add a third sheet of ice there. Fiemann said Breck spent millions to put in a
rink along Hwy. 55 west of Theodore Wirth Parkway. Our estimate to add a
third sheet is $4.5 million. Blank said the operating cost of a free standing
indoor ice rink is what makes it cost prohibitive, not the capital cost.
Fiemann said we don't have enough ice time now to handle all the
requests at the Ice Center.
Blank asked for additional ideas from the Commissioners. The City
manager has had the finance department looking at big capital items
over the next 10 years including the acquisition of property for the NWG, a
third sheet of ice, police department and fire department needs, etc. All
could be financed, but the trick will be the land acquisition.. Land cost
PRAC Minutes/July 2002
Page 34
increases at 15% per year. The finance study shows that we need to buy
land. Some current money comes out of a fund called the Capital
Improvement Fund to purchase land, Blank explained. Some money
would come from park dedication, and some would also come from the
CIF in 2003. In 2006, we would have to repay the loan to the CIF, Blank
said. We're now looking at a new scheme that says whatever money is in
park dedication, half would be committed to land acquisition and half to
projects each year. A key piece of property is the Begin land. Mr. Begin is
having serious health problems. We cannot negotiate at this time with the
Begins because of this. We're probably going to hold a lot of money aside
for land acquisition, and limit some of the building projects. The police
department wants an underground parking garage for the squad cars.
Musliner asked about the teen center. Blank said there's nothing planned
for right now. They could have some of the space in the finished lower
level of the Plymouth Creek Center. However, we have learned that we
may have to scale back on what we do with the lower level and
complete it in two phases, instead of all at once, although it would cost
$80,000 less to do the entire project in one phase. Staff is leaning toward
waiting to see what the legislature does this session before making any
final decision.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
Singer discussed her tobacco free crusade. Cloquet has adopted a tobacco
free policy. Evans is doing research on this topic and is trying to get
surrounding communities to buy into the idea. She stated that Roseville is
tobacco free. Singer said she could have the soccer club draft a letter
supporting such a policy. Our plan is to bring something to the Commission in
January. Singer stated she was encouraged by all the ideas for teen
programming.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
Blank handed out forms to sell chances on the Rotary Duck Derby race. The
race will be October 5 in the amphitheater pond after Plymouth on Parade.
9. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE
MINUTES — MEETING NO. 120
Wednesday, September 18, 2002, 7:00 p.m.
Members Present Terry Jaffoni, Kathy Osborne, Megan LeDell, Karen Chesebrough, Terri
Goodfellow -Heyer, Boe Carlson, Chris Graham and Stephanie Pool
Members Absent Andy Walstead
Others/Staff Present Councilmember Ginny Black
Brian Vlach, Three Rivers Park District
Shane Missaghi, Water Resources Engineer
Margie Vigoren, Environmental Education Coordinator
Patty Hillstrom, Secretary
Guest Eric Blank, Director of Park and Recreation
Call to Order Ms. Osborne brought the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Introductions Introductions were made to new EQC members, Boe Carlson and
Stephanie Pool and to Eric Blank, Director of Park and Recreation.
Agenda Ms. Goodfellow -Heyer asked for an update of the 2003 budget process
and discussion of EQC event displays.
Minutes It was moved by Karen Chesebrough, seconded by Terri Goodfellow -
Heyer and unanimously approved by the committee that the minutes for
Meeting No. 119, August 14, 2002, be approved as written.
Hybrid Vehicle, Ms. Vigoren provided a brief presentation in the back parking lot on the
Toyota Prins electric/gasoline powered, Toyota Prius. She stated that the Toyota
Prius gets twice the miles per gallon in comparison to the gas powered
pool cars, but more importantly is the reduction in emissions. She said
the cost for the Toyota Prius is $3,000 higher than the gas powered
vehicles, but that more favorable pricing might be available on the
county's purchasing contract.
Northwest A presentation on the Northwest Greenway Corridor was provided by
Greenway Corridor Eric Blank, Director of Park and Recreation.
2002 Business Ms. Vigoren referred to the memo regarding the 2002 Business
Environmental Environmental Champion Award winners and stated that Honeywell
Champion Award Solid State Electronic Center and Progress Castings Group Inc. will be
Winners presented the award at the City Council meeting on September 24, 2002.
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45
Winners will also be announced in the City newsletter and The
Advantage.
Luce Line Mr. Missaghi reported that the Gleason Lake Association and the City of
Environmental Plymouth are partnering to create a demonstration garden that will
Demonstration capture runoff before it flows into Gleason Lake.
Garden
Medicine Lake Ms. Chesebrough indicated that the Medicine Lake Aquatic Vegetation
Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan is ready for review by the EQC. The EQC may
Management Group present the plan at a public meeting, if desired, then to the City Council
for their approval and inclusion in the budget process.
It was suggested that the plan be provided to the Medicine Lake
Watershed Subcommittee for their review and comments.
The plan will be presented at the November 13, 2002, EQC meeting
with the possibility of an early start (6:00 p.m.). Meeting start time will
be verified with members.
Shingle Creek 2"d As requested by the City Council, Mr. Missaghi provided the Shingle
Generation Water Creek 2"d Generation Water Plan to the EQC members for their review.
Plan
Mr. Missaghi will provide a copy of City staff comments regarding the
plan to the EQC members and discussion of the plan will be scheduled
at a future EQC meeting.
Small Grants In an effort to promote landscaping with native plants to improve water
Project Overview & quality, Ms. Vigoren reported that 112 persons have been involved in
Evaluation activities including the small grant program, plant sales and landscaping
workshops. She distributed a copy of a draft survey which she intends
to send to those 112 persons involved with these programs and asked for
any comments or suggestions regarding the survey from the EQC.
Recommendations for the survey include the following:
Include positive and negative experiences and ask for a
recommendation for improvement.
Add "prior to receiving the grant" to #4.
Ask for effort needed for maintenance in 2"d, 3rd and 4d' year on #12.
The final draft of the survey will be provided by Ms. Vigoren at the
October EQC meeting.
Ms. Vigoren suggested site visits as an assessment tool in gauging the
effectiveness of the small grant program. Ms. Goodfellow -Heyer
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4'k
offered to help with the site visits and Ms. Osborne would like to do the
site visit to the participant in her neighborhood.
Ms. Vigoren noted the lovely black compost that is now available at the
yard waste site for anyone who is interested and also that the Special
Collection Day is being held Saturday, September 21, 2002.
Other Councilmember Black distributed an order form for the Audubon
Minnesota 2002 Bird Seed Sale.
Ms. Jaffoni informed the group that she would be unable to attend the
October 9, 2002, EQC meeting.
Next Meeting Topics for the next meeting include a review of the 2003 budget and
display signs used for events.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2002 at 7:00
p.m. in the Bass Lake Room.
Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patty Hillstrom
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MINUTES
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
September 19, 2002
PRESENT: Chair Susan Henderson, Commissioners Steve Ludovissie, Leon Michlitsch, and
Sandy Hewitt
ABSENT: Commissioner Tim Bildsoe
STAFF PRESENT: Executive Director Anne Hurlburt, HRA Specialist Tracy Jones, Office
Support Representative Barb Peterson
OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Scott Harstad, Steve Fenlon representing West
Lutheran High School
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Henderson called the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting to order
September 19, 2002 at 7:04 p.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Ludovissie, seconded by Commissioner Hewitt, approving the
August 28, 2002 minutes.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion approved unanimously.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Plymouth Towne Square — Accept monthly housing reports.
B. Approve Revised Multi -Family Housing and Industrial Development Revenue Bond
Financing Policies.
MOTION by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, approving the
Consent Agenda items.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
4. NEW BUSINESS
4A. West Lutheran High School - Application requesting the Plymouth HRA issue "Bank
Qualified" revenue bonds on behalf of West Lutheran High School.
Director Hurlburt stated that West Lutheran High School has submitted an application requesting
that the Plymouth HRA issue Industrial Development Bonds for the purpose of refinancing
existing debt they currently have. She explained that at the August 28th HRA meeting the Board
passed a motion to adopt the City bond policy, and formally adopted the written policy tonight.
45-
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
September 19, 2002
Page 2
Director Hurlburt presented background information regarding the proposal. The application fee
and issuers fee will cover any expense for monitoring the bond issue over the years, and the
applicant will reimburse any out-of-pocket costs. She said the City has issued bonds in the past
for other organizations in Plymouth, however, not for a project like West Lutheran High School.
Director Hurlburt said the Board should decide if the issuing of these bonds fits the mission of
the HRA. Even though the HRA will hold the public hearing and the bonds will be issued in the
name of the HRA they will require the Mayor's signature and the City Council will need to
authorize the Mayor to sign the documents.
Steve Fenlon, representing West Lutheran High School, gave a presentation explaining the
financial process. Commissioner Ludovissie asked if they have sought private financing. He
stated they have private financing in place but the interest rate is at 7%. He said the building will
be used as collateral whether they use private funds or bonds. He explained the loan process and
stated there is no direct financial impact to the HRA or the City, as all of the costs and fees are to
be paid by the applicant. Mr. Fenlon stated that they use Anchor Bank and explained the
financial status of West Lutheran High School. He said there is not any new construction
associated with the bond issue. Commissioner Ludovissie asked what the total real estate value
of the buildings is. Mr. Fenlon said it is approximately 5 million dollars but that schools are
difficult to appraise.
Commissioner Hewitt stated that this is a policy decision and questioned if that is the direction
the HRA wants to go. She asked if they are planning to add more staff at the school, which
would create more jobs. Director Hurlburt explained that some of the policies do not directly
apply to this type of project. When West Health was financed it created new buildings and
employees. The Board questioned how many other non profit organizations would want funds
also. Director Hurlburt stated that the HRA will receive an application fee and 1/8t' of a point
for acting as the issuer. She said the law limits the amount of "Bank Qualified" bonds an entity
may issue in any given year to 10 million dollars. This could become an issue if the HRA would
want to issue bonds for another activity such as a housing development and the total would
exceed the 10 million dollar cap. Discussion was held regarding what would happen if the deal
does not close in 2002. Director Hurlburt explained that the bond issue could be conditioned
upon it closing in 2002. Or, if it did not close and a bond issue in 2003 resulted in a cost to the
HRA, there could be an agreement with West Lutheran for reimbursement similar to what the
City required for a bond issue in a previous instance.
Commissioner Ludovissie asked if the bond issue has come before the Council yet. Director
Hurlburt said it has not. Chair Henderson stated that by helping the non-profit organization it
helps the economic situation of the area.
MOTION by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Ludovissie, that the Board
adopt the resolution relating to a refinancing under Minnesota Statutes Sections 469.152 through
469.165 on behalf of West Lutheran High School and the issuance of Industrial Development
Bonds to refinance outstanding loans and calling for a public hearing thereon.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
4C
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
September 19, 2002
Page 3
4B. APPEAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DENIAL FOR SUBORDINATION OF FIRST
TIME HOMEBUYER LOAN.
Director Hurlburt explained the guidelines of the First Time Homebuyer program for
subordination of loans. The Board could make an exception to the rules. She explained that the
HRA has already allowed flexibility from the loan to value ratio policy when a subordination
request was granted in March of 2002, and the cash out policy to allow the homeowner to
purchase a new handicap accessible van. This current request is for a cash -out home equity loan
of $20,000, putting the HRA loan in third position. It would also raise the loan to value ratio to
102% which exceeds the 90% loan to value ratio required in the First Time Homebuyer program
rules. Commissioner Hewitt said she is not comfortable with 102% and recommended that credit
counseling be suggested. Commissioner Michlitsch agreed that the homeowner would benefit
more from credit counseling than by the HRA approving the subordination. Director Hurlburt
suggested providing the homeowner with referrals for programs that could assist her financial
situation.
MOTION by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, that the HRA Board
uphold staff's denial to subordinate a First Time Homebuyer second mortgage to a new home
equity loan.
Vote. 4 Ayes. Motion adopted unanimously.
4C. HRA STRATEGIC PLAN — Discuss format and timeline for updating Strategic Plan
Director Hurlburt reviewed background information provided to the Board and requested that
they give staff direction on the scope of the update, format of strategic planning sessions and
discuss a schedule to do the planning.
Director Hurlburt said she spoke with Commissioner Bildsoe and he had suggested we schedule
a meeting in January and again at the mid point of the year to review progress on the strategic
plan. He also recommended a special meeting sometime in the middle of November to update
the plan. Chair Henderson does not think we need to begin from scratch but need to look at the
action plan. The Board agreed that the Mission and Vision statements were probably fine the
way they are written now She suggested the Commissioners make any minor changes to the
existing mission and vision statements and fax their suggestions to Housing Manager Barnes
before a meeting takes place.
Commissioner Hewitt said she would like to look at land trusts, which seem to come up
frequently. Commissioner Ludovissie stated that the Board should be concerned about spreading
themselves too thin by doing too wide a variety of projects. He feels they should be more
selective about what they want to work on and become more focused. Director Hurlburt said
operations and on-going projects might need to be separated from new action items. Chair
Henderson also thinks we need to focus on specific actions. Director Hurlburt suggested taking
an inventory of what the HRA Board and staff do now and prioritize the opportunities we want
to focus on. . The Board decided that they would work on the Strategic Plan at the regular
4
Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority
September 19, 2002
Page 4
meeting on November 21 St, but start at 5:30 p.m. Staff was asked to reserve a room at Plymouth
Creek Center if available.
NEW BUSINESS
Director Hurlburt gave an update on the part-time Section 8 position that is proposed to be full-
time in January. She said staff may be requesting that the full-time position begin sooner than
January and they will be bringing a proposal back to the Board for their approval. She spoke
about the Sec. 8 position and how the program has grown requiring additional help. She also
spoke about financial problems with the Minneapolis Housing Authority and how the situation
will consume more Section 8 staff time.
5. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Commissioner Hewitt, seconded by Commissioner Michlitsch, to adjourn the
meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
HRA/Minutes/091902
October 7, 2002
Dear Plymouth on Parade Participant:
On behalf of the City of Plymouth I want to thank you for your participation in our fifth
annual Plymouth on Parade celebration. We have received many positive comments
from the community concerning the event (particularly the parade). The fall colors of
the city center setting attracted over 3,500 residents who enjoyed the parade (over 100
units) and entertaining post -parade events.
Thank you again for your presence in this event and we look forward to your repeat
involvement next year on October 4, 2003! If you have any questions or comments
concerning this year's parade, please call me at 763/509-5223.
In appreciation of your community support,
Karol Klint Greupner
Event Coordinator
City of Plymouth Recreation Department
4i
9
Association of 2002 of����
Metropolitan Adoption Me
,
Iunicipalities
When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2002 / 5 - 7 p.m.
Where: League of Minnesota Cities &i/ding (LMC)
145 University Ave. W., 5t. Paul, MN
The Po/icy Adoption Meeting is one of two major meetings the Association of Metropolitan
Municipalities (AMM) holds each year for YOU -- the membership. All mayors, couacilmembers,
managers and administrators, as well as city staff are welcome to attend. A 45 -minute social
featuring /fight hors d'oeuvres wil/begin at 5 p.m., followed by the business meeting from 5,45-
7 p. m. There is NO charge to attend the social and/or meeting.
This is your opportunity to debate and adoptAMM's 2003 L egislative Policies and to determine
the top priority issues that AMM will 5pend much of its time and resources on during the 2003
Legislative Session. Cities are encouraged to send more than one representative to contribute
to the policy discussion.
Vote on AW5 2003 Legislative Policies
Determine AMM s 2003 lobbying priorities
Network with your metropolitan peers
Enclosed is a copy of -the draft policies that the membersh/P will be
voting on The draft policies were developed by our four policy committees and
approved by the Board of Directors at their last meeting. A two-thirds vote of
those members attending the Policy Adoption Meeting is required to adopt official
AMMpolicy.
Please R.S. V.P, by calling Laurie Jennings
at 651-215-4000 by Friday, Oct. 25.
145 UniversityAve. W. ♦ St. Paul, MN 551031 Phone: 65 -21a5-40001 Fax.• 651-281-12991 Email.• amm@a amm 145. org
This flyer has been mailed to a/IAMMmayors, councilmembers and managers/administrators
LMC Building
Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM)
145 University Ave. W. ♦ R. Paul, Minnesota 55103
Phone: 651215-40001 Far 651-281-1299
Email- amm@amml45.org
" Highway 36
Maryland Ave.
Sherburne Ave.
LMC University Ave.
V; State Capitol
Office
o Bldg. W
L Ln
1-94 m
Located one-half mile north of 1-94 at the
corner of Rice Street and University Avenue.
Please park in the west parking lot and enter the building through the west entrance.
January 2003
O
t0 1
Legislative
POLICIES
Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
145 University Ave. W. ♦ St. Paul, Minnesota 55103-2044
Phone: (651) 215-4000 ♦ Fax: (651) 281-1299
E-mail:amm@amm145.org
Table of Contents
Municipal Revenue & Taxation (1)
-A Levy Limits....................................................................................................... 1
-B Local Government Aid...................................................................................... 1
I -C
Sales Tax on Local Government Purchases...................................................... 1
-D
Price of Government......................................................................................... 2
I -E
Fiscal Disparity Fund Distribution..................................................................... 2
-F
Personal Property Taxation: Electric Utility........................................................ 2
I -G
Revenue Diversification.................................................................................... 2
I -H
Class Rate Tax System..................................................................................... 2
NLimited
Market Value........................................................................................ 2
I -J
City Revenue Stability & Fund Balance............................................................. 3
I -K
Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) Under -Funding .................. 3
-L
Aggregate Mining Fee...................................................................................... 3
I -M
State Property Tax: Oppose Extension to Other Property ................................... 3
General Legislation
II -A Mandates & Local Authority.............................................................................. 5
II -B Public Right-of-Way.......................................................................................... 5
II -C 911 Telephone Tax............................................................................................ 5
II -D 800 MHz Radio System.................................................................................... 5
II -E Permit Approval: Zoning/Denial Findings.......................................................... 6
II -F PERA Opt -in for City Managers........................................................................ 6
II -G Compensation Limits ..................................................................................... 6
11-H State Paid Police and Fire Medical Insurance ................................................... 6
Housing & Economic Development (111)
IIhA
City Role in Housing......................................................................................... 7
III -B
City Role in Lifecycle and Affordable Housing ...................................... :............ 7
III -C
Livable Communities........................................................................................
8
III -D
Inclusionary Housing.........................................................................................
8
III -E
State Role in Affordable Housing......................................................................
9
111-F
Federal Role in Affordable Housing..................................................................
9
III -G
Economic Development Responsibilities........................................................
10
III -H'
Tax Increment Financing (TIF).........................................................................
10
IIF -I
State Role in Redevelopment/Reinvestment.....................................................11
111-J
Authority to Issue Capital Improvement Bonds..................................................11
III -K
"This Old Shop.................................................................................................11
2003 Legislative Policies i
Contents
Metropolitan Agencies (IV)
IV A
Purpose of Metropolitan Governance..............................................................
13
IV -13
Roles & Responsibilities of the Metropolitan Council .......................................
13
IV -C
Selection of Metropolitan Council Members ....................................................
14
IV -D
Funding Regional Services.............................................................................
14
IV -E
Regional Systems..........................................................................................
14
IV -F
Review of Local Comprehensive Plans...........................................................
15
IV G
Local Zoning Authority....................................................................................
15
IVH
Implementation of Blueprint 2030...................................................................
15
1\1--1
Comprehensive Planning Schedule................................................................
16
IVJ
Adjacent Counties..........................................................................................
16
IV -K
Natural Resource Protection...........................................................................
17
IV -L
Water Management........................................................................................
17
IV M
Funding Regional Parks & Open Space.........................................................
18
Transportation (V)
V-A
Transportation Funding...................................................................................
19
V -B
Regional Transit System.................................................................................
19
V -C
Road Access Fee..........................................................................................
20
V -D
Transportation Utility.......................................................................................
20
V -E
Highway Turnbacks & Funding............::.........................................................
20
V -F
'3C' Transportation Planning Process: Elected Officials Role ..........................
20
V -G
Motion Imaging Recording System (M.I.R.S.): Traffic Law Compliance ............
21
V -H
Airport Noise Mitigation..................................................................................
21
V-1
Cities Under 5,000 Population........................................................................
21
V -J
County State Aid Highway (CSAR) Distribution Formula .................................
21
V -K
Municipal Input (Consent) for Trunk Highwyas..................................................
22
V -L
Municipal State Aid Rules for Urban Road Systems ........................................
22
Committee Rosters
Housing and Economic Development Policy Committee ........................................... 23
Metropolitan Agencies Policy Committee................................................................... 23
Municipal Revenue Policy Committee........................................................................ 24
Transportation and General Government Policy Committee ....................................... 24
ii Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Municipal Revenue &
Taxation (I)
I -A Levy Limits
The AMM strongly opposes levy limits and urges the legislature to not re-enact them for 2004 and
beyond. The AMM also opposes the imposition of artificial mechanisms such as valuation freezes,
payroll freezes, reverse referenda, super majority requirements for levy, or other limitations to the local
government budget and taxing process. Expenditures for capital improvements such as infrastructure
reconstruction should not be subject to levy limits.
1-13 Local Government Aid (LGA)
AMM supports the continuation of Local Government Aid (LGA), which provides for revenue sharing
between cities and the state, compensates cities for the cost of carrying -out state mandates and helps
provide all Minnesotans with an adequate level of basic public services at a reasonable cost.
However, the program should be revised so that:
♦ the formula is simpler and easier to understand and communicate;
♦ the formula better reflects city "need," and utilizes more reasonable need/ability-to-pay criteria;
♦ a portion of the funds are distributed on a per capita basis;
♦ there is an established mechanism by which the total amount of money appropriated for LGA grows
with inflation and the economy.
Given the fact that the 2001 Omnibus Tax Bill increased the appropriation for LGA by $140 million, no
city should have received less LGA in 2002 than they did in 2001. Therefore, if the Legislature elects
not to undertake an in-depth review and updating of the LGA formula, it should, at the very least, return
those cities that lost LGA to their 2001 LGA levels. This will cost less than $4 million. Also, the legisla-
ture needs to determine which census, 1990 or 2000, more accurately reflects the actual percentage of
pre -1940 housing, since it is improbable that pre -1940 housing could increase in 270 cities.
I -C Sales Tax on Local Government Purchases
The legislature should reinstate the sales tax exemption for all local government purchases without
requiring a reduction in other aids.
2003 Legislative Policies
Revenue & Taxation
I -D Price of Government
The price of government calculation in regard to local governments should be based on (1) changes in
the sum of the levy and state aids, and (2) examination of long-term trends, not single year events. In
addition, consideration should be given to service provision transfers between governmental units,
increased demand for services by citizens and legislative mandates or tax rate changes.
I -E Fiscal Disparity Fund Distribution
The AMM opposes the use of fiscal disparities to fund social or physical metropolitan programs since it
results in a metropolitan -wide property tax increase hidden from the public.
I -F Personal Property Taxation: Electric Utility
The AMM opposes proposals for exempting Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) from the personal
property tax. Under no circumstances should local units of government and their taxpayers be required
to shoulder the burdens of tax relief for IOUs.
The personal property tax is a significant portion of the metropolitan fiscal disparity pool and, if elimi-
nated, would have a metropolitan -wide property tax impact.
I -G Revenue Diversification
The AMM supports revenue diversification for cities in order to reduce reliance on the property tax.
The AMM opposes legislated reduction or limitation of various license fees, development fees or other
general fees which would force increased property taxes to pay for related services.
1-H Class Rate Tax System
The AMM opposes a change from the class rate tax system to a market value system, which would
cause tremendous shifts of tax burden between classes of property, or applying future levy increases to
market value, since this would further complicate the property tax system.
14 Limited Market Value (LMV)
The AMM strongly opposes extension of artificial limits in valuing property at market for taxation
purposes to additional property classes since such limitations shift tax burdens to other classes of
property and create disparities between properties of equal value. The Legislature should monitor the
2 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Revenue & Taxation
effects of the LMV phase-out to avoid excessive tax burden increases to currently benefiting properties.
The AMM believes that enhanced targeting for special circumstances better serves the tax system.
W City Revenue Stability & Fund Balance
The state should not attempt to control or restrict city fund balances. These funds are necessary to
maintain fiscal viability, meet unexpected or emergency resource needs, purchase capital goods and
infrastructure, provide adequate cash flow and maintain high-level bond ratings.
W Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) Under -Funding
The 2001 legislature increased employer and employee contributions to PERA by 0.35 percent each,
made some administrative changes in qualification, and extended the amortization period from 20 to 30
years to deal with PERA's long-term funding deficiency. Recent analysis has indicated that some of the
trends leading to the deficiency have slowed or possibly reversed.
The state should carefully analyze future actuarial reports and experience studies to determine if the
2001 contribution rate increases and plan modifications are sufficient to cover the plan's deficiency. The
state should assist local governments in covering any deficiency that may still exist.
I -L Aggregate Mining Fee
In order to provide an incentive for the extraction of local aggregate resources prior to urbanized
development and in order to help offset the negative impacts of aggregate mining on local communities,
the state should authorize cities and townships to collect a host community fee of not less than 30 cents
per ton from the operators of aggregate mines, with the fee proceeds to be deposited in the
municipality's general fund.
I -M State Property Tax: Oppose Extension to Other Property
The 2001 Property Tax Reform Act shifted general education funding to the state, and funded it, in part,
with a state property tax on commerical/industrial and cabin property. Since cities' only source of
general funds is the property tax, AMM would oppose extension of a state levied property tax to
additional classes of property.
2003 Legislative Policies 3
Revenue & Taxation
Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
General Legislation
II -A Mandates & Local Authority
The AMM opposes statutory changes which erode local control and authority or create mandated
additional tasks requiring new or added local costs without a corresponding state appropriation or
funding mechanism. New unfunded mandates cause increased property taxes which impede cities'
ability to fund traditional service needs.
II -B Public Right -of -Way
The AMM supports the continued effort of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) to protect the
authority of cities to maintain jurisdiction over municipal public rights-of-way, to establish relevant
criteria and to obtain reasonable compensation for its degradation and to retain franchise and fee
collection authority for gas, electric and cable services.
II -C 911 Telephone Tax
The AMM supports an increase in the current charge per phone line 911 access fee to provide neces-
sary and mandated upgrades and modifications to 911 systems in public safety answering point (PSAP)
locations throughout the state. This fee increase is needed to maintain reliable emergency communication
services and to comply with the FCC mandate for cell phone automated location identification. The
increased funds should be distributed to the local PSAPs in a fair and appropriate manner. The Legisla-
ture should also restore the Commissioner of Administration's authority to establish the surcharge
amount.
II -D 800 MHz Radio System
The AMM supports the continuation of the Metropolitan 800 MHz Radio System legislation and board,
as long as cities are not forced to modify their current systems or become part of the 800 MHz Radio
System until they so choose. The system should provide a phased transition guaranteeing uninterrupted
service and be technically capable of allowing communities the flexibility to form various coordinated
arrangements for dispatching and service provision. In that one of the prime advantages of this system is
the fact that local public safety agencies and other units of local government throughout the region will be
able to communicate with each other, regional funding of the entire system should be considered.
2003 Legislative Policies
General Legislation
II -E Permit Approval: Zoning/Denial Findings
The permit approval statute delineating time limit requirements should be modified so that in the case of
a residential to commercial rezoning requiring a super -majority vote, a motion to table (simple majority)
that extends action beyond the 60 day time requirement constitutes a denial. Current law provides
automatic approval if no action is taken.
In addition, if an approval resolution fails for any permit request, the city should be allowed, by statute,
to provide a denial resolution with findings of fact at the next regular meeting or granted an automatic
time limit extension.
II -F PERA Opt -In for City Managers
In 1981, when vesting was at 10 years, city managers were allowed to opt -out of PERA since many did
not stay at their positions for a full ten years. Now that vesting in PERA is three years, city managers
should be allowed to opt back in to PERA.
II -G Compensation Limits
The Legislature should acknowledge that all state and local governments, not just school districts, must
be competitive in recruiting and retaining upper level management employees. In addition, there is no
correlation between the compensation of citizen volunteers and career public sector professionals.
Therefore, the state should repeal or modify laws limiting the compensation of a person employed by a
statutory or home rule charter city to the governor's salary.
II -H State Paid Police and Fire Medical Insurance
♦ The state must fully fund programs that pay for health insurance for police and fire employees
required under M.S. 299A.465, as amended in 1997, for police and fire employees hurt or killed in
the line of duty.
♦ The Legislature must clarify whether M.S. 299A.465 applies to injuries incurred prior to June 1,
1997 (the effective date of the law).
♦ The Legislature must clarify the amount of an employer's contribution under M.S. 299A.465 and
whether it changes over tune.
♦ The Legislature must identify a single public entity as the authority for making the disability determi-
nation for purposes of the benefits assigned under M.S. 299A.465, establish the minimum criteria
used to determine ability to work, and set a percentage threshold of disability for eligibility into this
WS
6 `� Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Housing & Economic
Development (III)
Introduction
While the provision of housing is predominantly a private -sector, market -drive activity; all levels of
government– federal, state and local – have a role to play in facilitating the production and preservation
of affordable housing in Minnesota
AMM's housing policies recognize the intergovernmental nature of this issue — starting with policies A
through D, which outline the role of cities. Cities are responsible for much ofthe ground -level housing
policy in Minnesota– including land -use planning, building code enforcement, and often times, the
packaging of financial incentives. However, the state must also playa major role by empowering local
units of government and providing a variety of funding programs and tools. Policy E addresses the
state's responsibility to provide financial resources and establish a general direction for housing policy.
Finally, policy F speaks to the urgent need for the federal government to increase its financial support for
the production and preservation of affordable housing.
III -A City Role in Housing
In the state of Minnesota, the provision of housing is predominantly a private sector, market-driven
activity. However, all cities facilitate the development of housing via responsibilities in the areas of land -
use planning, zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations and many cities choose to play an additional
role by providing financial incentives and regulatory relief, participating in state and regional housing
programs and supporting either local or county -wide Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. Cities
are also responsible for ensuring the health and safety of local residents and the structural soundness and
livability of the local housing stock via building permits and inspections.
AMM strongly opposes any effort to reduce, alter or interfere with cities' authority to carry out these
functions in a locally determined manner.
III -B City Role in Lifecycle and Affordable Housing
AMM supports lifecycle and affordable housing and recognizes that it is key to the economic and social
well being of individual communities and the region. Cities can facilitate the production and preservation
of lifecycle and affordable housing by:
♦ Applying for funding from applicable grant and loan programs;
2003 Legislative Policies 7
Housing and Economic Development
♦ Working with developers and local residents to blend affordable housing into new and existing
neighborhoods;
♦ Expediting review processes; and
♦ Working to reduce locally -imposed development costs.
III -C Livable Communities
The Livable Communities Act (LCA) program operated by the Metropolitan Council provides a
voluntary, incentive -based approach to affordable housing development, brownfield clean-up and
mixed -used, transit -friendly development/redevelopment. AMM strongly supports the continuation of
this approach, which has been widely accepted and is fully utilized by local communities.
Currently the LCA program is primarily funded via a Metropolitan Council property tax levy, which is
subject to levy limits. AMM supports the loosening or removal ofthese levy limits as well as the
appropriation of additional state funds for this program in order to allow it to more fully meet the dem-
onstrated need that currently exists in the metropolitan area.
Use of interest earnings from LCA funds should be limited to covering the costs of administering the
program. Remaining interest earnings not used for program administration should be considered part of
the LCA funds and used to fund grant requests from the established LCA accounts, according to
established funding criteria.
The Metropolitan Council, in cooperation with the LCA participants, should develop a benchmark to
measure a city's efforts in regards to affordable housing. The benchmark should replace the Affordable
Life -Cycle Housing Opportunity Amount (ALHOA).
III -D Inclusionary Housing
AMM supports the location of affordable housing in residential and mixed-use neighborhoods through-
out a city and would support enabling legislation that authorizes cities to utilize new and innovative
means of achieving this goal. However, AMM does not support passage of a mandatory inclusionary
housing law that would require a certain percentage of units in all new housing developments to be
affordable to households at a particular income level.
Advocates of a mandatory inclusionary housing law often point to its use in Montgomery County,
Maryland. However, AMM does not believe the situation or experiences of Montgomery County are
broadly applicable or transferable to the Twin Cities metropolitan region, given this area's development
stage, housing market and state - local government structure. Furthermore, a close look at the Mont-
gomery County experience shows that the production of affordable housing units has fallen -off signifi-
cantly from the levels achieved in the mid -1980's to the point where, today, it is not achieving large-
scale production of affordable housing units.
8 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Housing and Economic Development
Mandatory inclusionary housing policies are based on the assumption that in every new housing devel-
opment cities are capable of providing enough regulatory relief, via things such as density bonuses and/
or fee waivers, for the developer to produce below market rate units without a direct financial subsidy
or cross -subsidization from the other houses in the development. While AMM does believe there are
cost savings to be achieved through regulatory reform, density bonuses, and fee waivers, AMM does
not believe a mandatory inclusionary housing approach can achieve the desired levels of affordability
solely through these steps.
III -E State Role in Affordable Housing
By establishing and funding statewide housing programs, to be administered by the Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency (MICA), the legislature establishes a general direction/prioritization for the state on
housing issues. The state's financial support of homeless shelters, transitional housing, supportive senior
housing, and low-income family housing is essential to communities throughout the state and should be
continued.
In recent years, the State of Minnesota has been an active partner in addressing lifecycle and affordable
housing issues. However, AMM believes the state's continued, and increased, participation is essential
to addressing this ongoing issue.
Therefore, the state should:
♦ Increase funding for MHFA's development and redevelopment, supportive housing and housing
preservation programs and appropriate new funds to help establish affordable housing land trusts.
♦ Modify the property tax law regarding rental property so that the market value of low and moder-
ate -income units reflects the reduced rents paid to qualify for subsidized financing.
♦ Amend the tax exempt bond allocation statute to maximize its availability for affordable rental
housing.
♦ Provide exemptions from or reductions to the sales, use and transaction taxes applied to the devel-
opment and production of affordable housing.
♦ Continue the policy of not reducing a person or household's Minnesota Family Investment Program
monthly grant if they are residents of public or Section 8 housing.
♦ Authorize cities to amend their comprehensive plans, in order to facilitate increased lifecycle and
affordable housing, with a simple majority vote of the city council, rather than a super majority.
III -F Federal Role in Affordable Housing
The AMM strongly believes that the financial support of the federal government is necessary in order to
address the affordable housing challenges facing this, and other, metropolitan areas.
Historically the federal government has been a major partner in the provision of affordable housing for
low and moderate -income individuals and families. However, during the last twenty years, the federal
2003 Legislative Policies 9
Housing and Economic Development
government has significantly reduced its commitment and its financial support —reducing the amount of
funds available for the production of affordable housing and eliminating key tax credit programs.
A recent report by the Congressionally -commissioned Millennial Housing Commission reaffirms that
there is a federal role in the provision of low and moderate -income housing, and calls for new or ex-
panded programs in the areas of housing production, tax-exempt bonding, and federal tax credits, as
well as increased flexibility for states spending federal block grant dollars. AMM believes the
Commission's report should serve as a starting point for a federal housing policy that reinserts the
federal government as an active partner with state and local governments and the private sector.
AMM urges the Governor, the Legislature and local governments throughout the region to adopt
memorializing resolutions and utilize other means, such as public forums and roundtable discussions, to
inform federal officials and members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation of the urgent need for
federal support.
III -G Economic Development Responsibilities
The state of Minnesota should continue to recognize cities as the primary unit of government responsible
for implementing economic development policies and land use controls. However, the state should
adopt policies that encourage cities to jointly plan for and implement economic development projects.
New or amended economic development programs designed to address specific economic circum-
stances within cities or counties should use problem definition as the criteria rather than geographic
location, city size or similar criteria.
111-H Tax increment Financing
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) has been and continues to be the primary tool available to local commu-
nities for assisting economic development, redevelopment and housing projects. However, recent
judicial decisions and property tax reforms have raised several issues that could require legislative
action. Among the issue are the changing nature of redevelopment, such as the emergence of mixed-use
developments and the concept of economic obsolesce vs. blight; the challenge to the findings to estab-
lish a district; potential shortfalls resulting from the tax reforms and the scheduling of activities within the
TIF districts
During the 2003 session, the legislature should:
• Amend the TIF statute to provide a time frame for bringing a cause of action regarding the findings
to establish a district. The adoption of a time frame could also include provisions requiring in-
creased public notice and public meetings to discuss the findings.
10 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Housing and Economic Development
Continue to monitor the impacts of tax reform on TIF districts and, if warranted, provide cities with
additional authority to pay for possible TIF shortfalls. Such authority might include, but should not
be limited to, an extension of district duration limits.
• Define "mixed-use" developments and allowable uses of TIF in such developments.
• Eliminate the five-year rule and provide for plan amendments to be approved by a certain date but
allow implementation to occur after that date.
III -1 State Role in Redevelopment/ Reinvestment
The need to undertake redevelopment/reinvestment activities is a natural part of the development cycle
experienced by all cities. Redevelopment allows local communities to adjust to changing market condi-
tions, better utilize existing public infrastructure, and maintain a viable local tax base. However, due to
the higher up -front costs of redevelopment, as compared to greenfield development, desirable redevel-
opment projects often require public assistance.
The State of Minnesota has a responsibility to work with local governments to provide a practical,
flexible and multi-purpose nix of tools, resources and authorities that will allow local communities to
address the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities of redevelopment.
III -J Authority to Issue Capital Improvement Bonds
Currently, Minnesota Statute 373.40 grants counties the authority to develop five-year capital improve-
ment programs and to fund those improvements through the issuance of capital bonds. Eligible capital
improvements include the construction and/or maintenance of roads and bridges and public facilities
such as administrative buildings, public safety facilities, libraries and parks.
Cities of all sizes and at a variety of development stages need to make similar capital improvements in
order to maintain and improve the economic viability of their communities. Therefore, cities should have
the same authority that counties currently possess to develop and fund capital improvement programs.
III -K "This Old Shop"
AMM supports the passage of a "This Old Shop" law, similar to the existing "This Old House" law
(M. S. 273.11, Subd.16), which would allow owners of older commercial/industrial property to defer
an increase in assessed value as the result of significant reinvestment in their property.
2003 Legislative Policies 11
Housing and Economic Development
12 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Metropolitan Agencies (IV)
IV -A Purpose of Metropolitan Governance
The statutorily -defined Twin Cities metropolitan region is made up of 193 cities and townships covering
over 3,000 square miles in seven counties. The effective and efficient delivery of certain public services
and the continued economic growth of this region is enhanced by the existence of a regional entity to
provide coordination and facilitate cooperation.
Therefore, AMM supports the continued existence of a metropolitan governance system for the pur-
pose of:
♦ Facilitating long-term region -wide planning with the cooperation and consideration ofthe affected
local units of government; and
Planning for and providing those public services that are needed by the region, but cannot be
effectively and efficiently provided by local governments or the state.
With or without the Metropolitan Council as it exists today, the region needs some entity to perform
these functions. However, the Twin Cities' metropolitan governance structure should not be granted,
nor should it assume, general local government or state agency powers.
IV -B Roles & Responsibilities of the Metropolitan Council
The primary responsibilities of the Metropolitan Council are to:
♦ Plan for the orderly and economical development of the metropolitan area by preparing a compre-
hensive development guide that includes long-range comprehensive policy plans for the transporta-
tion, aviation, wastewater treatment and recreational open space systems.
♦ Review local comprehensive plans for compatibility with the plans of neighboring communities,
consistency with Metropolitan Council policies and conformity with metropolitan system plans.
♦ Provide specific regional services and administer select regional grant programs as assigned by state
or federal law.
♦ Provide technical assistance, research and information to local units of government.
2003 Legislative Policies 13
Metropolitan Agencies
Any additional responsibilities taken on by, or authority granted to, the Metropolitan Council should be
the result of a specific statutory assignment or grant.
IV -C Selection of Metropolitan Council Members
Members of the Metropolitan Council should be selected via an open process that includes an opportu-
nity for local governments and other stakeholders to provide meaningful input. Council members should
be understanding of and responsive to the districts they represent while also serving the best interests of
the region. Metropolitan Council members should serve fixed, staggered terms.
IV -D Funding Regional Services
The Metropolitan Council should continue to fund its regional services and activities through a combina-
tion of user fees, property taxes, and state and federal grants.
User fees should be set by the Metropolitan Council via an open and visible process that includes public
notice and public hearings. User fees should be uniform by type of user and set at a level that will: 1)
support effective and efficient public services, based on commonly accepted industry standards; and 2)
allow for sufficient reserves to ensure service and fee stability over the long-term.
Fee proceeds from one service should not be used to fund another regional service or program.
IV -E Regional Systems
There are currently four regional systems defined in statute — transportation, aviation, wastewater
treatmer_t and recreational open space. The purpose of these regional systems and the Metropolitan
Council's authority for them is clearly outlined in state statute. In order to alter the focus or expand the
reach of any of these systems, the Metropolitan Council must seek a statutory change.
The system plans/statements prepared by the Metropolitan Council for these regional systems should be
specific in terms of the size, location and timing of regional investments in order to allow for consider-
ation in local comprehensive planning. System plans should clearly state the criteria by which local plans
will be judged for consistency and the criteria that will be used to find that a local plan has a substantial
impact on or contains a substantial departure from the metropolitan system plan.
Additional regional systems should only be established if there is a compelling metropolitan problem or
concern that can best be addressed through the designation. Common characteristics of the four
existing regional systems include public ownership of the system and its components and an established
regional or state funding source. These characteristics should be present in any new regional system that
might be established.
14 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Metropolitan Agencies
IV -P Review of Local Comprehensive Plans
In reviewing local comprehensive plans and plan amendments, the Metropolitan Council should:
♦ Recognize that its role is to review and comment, unless there is a substantial impact on or departure
from one of the four system plans.
♦ Be aware of the statutory time constraints imposed by the legislature on plan amendments and
development applications.
♦ Provide for immediate effectuation of plan amendments that have no potential for substantial impact
on systems plans.
♦ Require the information needed for the Metropolitan Council to complete its review, but not pre-
scribe additional content or format beyond that which is required by the Metropolitan Land Use
Planning Act (LUPA).
IV -G Local Zoning Authority
Local governments are responsible for zoning. Local zoning decisions should not be conditioned upon
the approval of the Metropolitan Council or any other governmental agency. AMM strongly opposes
the creation of any appeals board with the authority to supersede city planning or zoning decisions.
IV -H Implementation of Blueprint203O
The latest metropolitan development guide — Blueprint 2030 — forecasts an additional 930,000 people
and 460,000 households for the seven -county metropolitan area by the year 2030.
In order to accommodate this growth in a manner that preserves the region's high quality of life:
♦ natural resource protection will have to be balanced with growth and developmentireinvestment;
♦ significant new resources will have to be found for transportation and transit; and
♦ new households will have to be incorporated into the core cities, first and second -ring suburbs, and
developing cities through both development and redevelopment.
In order for regional and local planning to result in the successful implementation of Blueprint 2030
principles:
2003 Legislative Policies 15
Metropolitan Agencies
♦ the state of Minnesota must contribute additional financial resources —particularly in the areas of
transportation and transit, reinvestment, affordable housing development, and the preservation of
parks and open space;
the Metropolitan Council must recognize the limitations of its authority and continue to work with
cities in a collaborative, incentives -based manner; and
♦ metropolitan counties and school districts must be brought more thoroughly into the discussion.
Overall, it is the Metropolitan Council's role, through Blueprint 2030 and its accompanying policy
plans, to set broad regional goals and then provide cities with technical assistance and incentives to
achieve those goals. Local governments are ultimately responsible for zoning, land use planning and
development decisions within their borders.
IV -1 Comprehensive Planning Schedule
Cities are scheduled to complete new comprehensive plans in 2008. The adoption of a new metropoli-
tan development guide (i.e. Blueprint 2030) in 2002 does not warrant a change in this schedule.
Any future changes to the schedule for local comprehensive planning should be accompanied by the
statutory estabiishment of a complementary schedule for regional planning. This schedule should: (1)
protect cities from being forced into a state of perpetual planning in response to regional actions; and (2)
ensure sufficient time for cities to understand and incorporate regional policies into their local planning
efforts.
IV -J Adjacent Counties
As the Twin Cities region continues to grow and expand outward, it will become increasingly important
for the traditional seven -county region to work collaboratively with the 12 adjacent counties in Minne-
sota and Wisconsin, and the cities within those counties. There are environmental, transportation and
land -use issues that cannot be solved by the seven -county area alone.
Therefore, Minnesota Planning, the Metropolitan Council, and the counties adjacent to the Twin Cities
metropolitan area should begin meeting on a regular basis regarding growth management strategies for
the Minnesota counties. The Wisconsin counties should be included when appropriate. These strate-
gies should focus on policies that can be implemented by local governments within the adjacent counties
and by state agencies, rather than by extension of the Met Council's jurisdiction to additional counties.
All strategies should complement and recognize growth management policies currently being imple-
mented within the seven -county metropolitan area.
16 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Metropolitan Agencies
Regional services should be extended to communities in the adjacent counties only if there is a specific
problem that can be best resolved by extending the service. The area receiving the services must pay
for the service extension and agree to growth management strategies consistent with those of the seven -
county metropolitan area.
IV -K Natural Resource Protection
The Association of Metropolitan Municipalities supports the Metropolitan Council's efforts to compile and
maintain an inventory and assessment of regionally significant natural resources for the purpose of provid-
ing local communities with additional information and technical assistance. However, any additional steps
taken by the Metropolitan Council regarding the protection of natural resources must recognize that:
♦ The state has a significant role to play in the protection of natural resources — especially when those
resources are significant to a multi -county area that is home to more than 50 percent of the state's
population and a travel destination for many more. Given the limited availability of resources and the
artificial nature of the metropolitan area's borders, neither the region nor individual metropolitan com-
munities would be well served by assuming primary responsibility for financing and protecting these
resources.
♦ The completion of local Natural Resource Inventories and Assessments (NRI/A) is not a regional
system nor is it a required component of local comprehensive plans under the Metropolitan Land Use
Planning Act.
The protection of natural resources will have to be balanced with the need to accommodate growth
and development, reinvest in established communities, encourage more affordable housing and pro-
vide transportation and transit connections. Decisions about the zoning or land -use designations of
specific parcels of land not already contained within a public park, nature preserve or other protected
area are, and should remain, the responsibility of local units of government.
IV -L Water Management
Any future changes to state statute and/or administrative rules pertaining to surface water and ground-
water management should seek to clarify responsibilities and reduce duplication among the various
levels of government involved. AMM opposes any changes that will result in additional unfunded.
mandates being placed on local units of government or in the reduction of cities' authority in the area of
land -use planning.
In order for cities to participate in their local Water Management Organizations (WMOs) to the best of
their ability, individual city councils should have the authority to appoint a representative of their choice
to their local WMO Board. Therefore, legislation enacted in 1999, limiting who may represent cities on
WMO boards should be repealed.
2003 Legislative Policies 17
Metropolitan Agencies
IV -M Funding Regional Parks & Open Space
In the seven -county metropolitan area, regional parks essentially serve the role of state parks. There-
fore, the state should continue to provide capital funding for the acquisition, development and improve-
ment of these parks. State funding should equal 40 percent of the operating budget for regional parks.
18 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Transportation (V)
V-A Transportation Funding
The AMM strongly supports increased funding for transit and highways, both of which are a critical
need in the metropolitan area. In addition, funding for mass transit, including transit ways, light rail or
heavy rail in existing corridors, should be dedicated in a manner consistent with current highway funding.
Funds allocated to the metropolitan area should be flexible so that the most efficient and cost effective
transportation solution may be chosen and the main metropolitan problem (congestion relief) can be
addressed.
The AMM supports a constitutional amendment dedicating the motor vehicle sales tax and/or other
revenue source to a new Surface Transportation Multimodal Fund from which an appropriate amount is
allocated to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund to replace the auto license tab fee reduction of
2000, and the remaining amount to be used for transit and/or highway needs as priority dictates.
The AMM supports a general gas tax increase, gas tax indexing, and adequate funding for transit.
The AMM also supports a metropolitan area referendum for an additional half -cent or full -cent sales tax
to support major highway and transit needs in the metropolitan area, with the caveat that current funding
source amounts and percentages for the metropolitan area are maintained.
All non -transportation programs should be funded from sources other than currently dedicated trans-
portation funds.
V -B Regional Transit System
To provide travel choices to reduce congestion and automobile dependency the regional transit system
should be a combination of integrated traffic management systems which include use of HOV lanes,
express buses, exclusive transit ways, light rail transit, and commuter rail corridors built to connect
residents to job, retail and commercial centers, plus a variety of other transit modes, including taxi, bus,
pedestrian and bicycle.
Shifting major transit funding from the property tax to a percentage of MV ST may not provide enough
revenue growth to serve the region's growing population. Therefore, the AMM supports annual funding
increases for the metropolitan transit system that not only support the current system but also increase
Metro Transit's ability to extend service to existing and growing communities and to provide much
needed congestion relief.
2003 Legislative Policies 19
Transportation
Park-and-ride facilities for mass transit modes adequate to connect regional centers, major trip genera-
tors and communities, both urban and suburban, should have integrated feeder systems to accommo-
date local buses, automobiles, van pools, and bicycles, as well as walking facilities.
The AMM is opposed to legislative directives that constrain the ability of metropolitan transit providers
to provide a full range of transit services, including reverse -commute routes, suburb -to -suburb routes,
transit hub feeder services or new, experimental services that may show a low rate of operating cost
recovery from the farebox.
The Metropolitan Council should work with local units of government to encourage appropriate land
use controls along designated transit corridors to promote transit ridership.
V -C Road Access Fee
In order to fairly provide for major street improvements of primary benefit to a particular subdivision
development but not directly assessable and to allocate cost so that new growth pays its fair share, the
legislature should authorize cities to establish, at their option, a road development access charge to be
collected at the time that subdivisions are approved and/or at the time building permits are issued similar
to park dedication fees.
V -D Transportation Utility
The AMM supports legislation to authorize cities to establish a transportation utility for street construc-
tion and reconstruction of aging infrastructure, similar to the existing storm water utility, so that costs of
improved facilities can be more fairly charged to the users rather than the general population as a whole.
V -E Highway Turnbacks & Funding
The AMM supports jurisdictional reassignment or turnback of roads on a phased basis using functional
classification and other appropriate criteria subject to a corresponding mechanism for adequate funding
ofroadway improvements and continuing maintenance.
Cities do not have the financial capacity, other than significant property tax increases, to absorb the
additional roadway responsibilities without new funding sources. The existing municipal tumback fund is
not adequate based on contemplated turnbacks.
V -F '3C' Transportation Planning Process: Elected Officials Role
The AMM supports continuation of the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), a majority of local
elected officials membership on the TAB itself and the TAB process, which was developed to meet
federal requirements for designation of the Metropolitan Council as the Metropolitan Planning Organiza-
20 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Transportation
tion that is responsible for the continuous, comprehensive and cooperative (3C) transportation planning
process to allocate federal funds among metropolitan area projects. This process requirement was
reinforced by the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and the 1998
Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21 st Century (TEA21).
V -G Motion Imaging Recording System (M.I.R.S.): Traffic Law Compliance
The AMM requests legislative action authorizing utilization of motion imaging recording system technol-
ogy for governmental units, including cities, on streets and highways to assist in the promotion of safety
and traffic law enforcement. The technology has been proven and is currently used for law enforcement
by numerous states, municipalities and other countries. At a minimum, the state should authorize a pilot
project or projects on municipal streets in the metropolitan area.
V -H Airport Noise Mitigation
AMM supports noise abatement programs and expenditures designed to minimize the impacts of
MAC -operated facilities on neighboring communities. The Metropolitan Airports Commission should
determine the design and geographic reach of these programs only after a thorough public input process
that considers the priorities and concerns of the impacted cities and their residents. The MAC and state
should seek long-term solutions to fund the full mitigation package as adopted in 1996 for all homes in
the 64-60 DNL impact area. Noise abatement efforts should be paid for by fees and charges collected
from airport users, as well as state and federal funds.
V-1 Cities Under 5,000 Population
Currently cities under 5,000 population receive no state funding or MSA funds for collector or arterial
streets regardless of traffic volume, origination and/or destination. Current CSAH distribution to metro-
politan counties is inadequate to provide for the needs of smaller cities in the metropolitan area. Criteria
such as the number of average daily trips should be established in a small city local road improvement
program for funding qualification and a distribution method devised. Possible funding sources include the
five- percent set-aside account in the Highway User Distribution Fund, modification to county municipal
accounts and/or state general fund.
V -J County State Aid Highway (CSAR) Distribution Formula
The AMM supports modification ofthe County State Aid Highway (CSAH) distribution formula to
more fairly account for total vehicle miles traveled on metropolitan county CSAH funded roads. Al-
though only 10% of the CSAH roads are in the metro area they account for nearly 50% of the vehicle
miles traveled. The metro counties receive less than 20% of the CSAR distribution and have instituted
city cost participation, whereby cities are now forced to pay up to 45% of a CSAH road project cost in
some areas.
2003 Legislative Policies 21
Transportation
V -K Municipal Input (Consent) for Trunk Highways
The previous municipal consent statute for trunk highways was unclear, allowed multiple sign -off times
including just prior to bid letting and allowed project delay. MnDOT never invoked an appeal. The
current statute, as totally re -written in 2001, provides for MnDOT to submit detailed plans with city
cost estimates at a point one and a half to two years prior to bid letting, at which time public hearings
are held for citizen/business/municipal input. If MnDOT does not concur with requested changes,
MnDOT may appeal. Currently, that process would take a maximum of three and a half months and the
results of the appeal board are binding on both the city and MnDOT.
The AMM opposes any change to the current statute that would allow MnDOT to totally disregard the
appeal board ruling for state trunk highways. The result of such a change would significantly minimize
MnDOT's desire or need to negotiate in good faith with the city for appropriate project access and
alignment. Plus it would make the public hearing and appeal process meaningless.
V -L Municipal State Aid Rules for Urban Road Systems
Current rules and standards governing MSA expenditures impact the efficient use of these funds be-
cause they do not take into account urban road constraints. These rules need to be changed to ac-
knowledge the technical and practical restrictions on construction and reconstruction of urban road
systems. New municipal state aid design standards should not apply to reconstruction of existing state
aid streets originally constructed under different standards. Future changes to state aid zules should
ensure the involvement of elected officials and engineering professionals in the decision-making process.
22 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Committee Rosters (VI)
Housing and Economic Development Policy Committee
Tom Goodwin, Councilmember, Apple Valley (Committee Chair)
Janis Callison, Councilmember, Minnetonka
Sharon Cassen, Councilmember, New Hope
Nancy Haas, IGR Director, St. Paul
Regina Harris, HRA Director, Bloomington
Andrea Hart Kajer, IGR Director, Minneapolis
Anne Norris, Manager, Crystal
Yale Norwick, Mayor, Mahtomedi
Ron Rankin, Commun. Dev. Dir., Minnetonka
Steve Stahmer, Asst. to the City Manager, Hopkins
Bob Streetar, Commun. Dev. Dir., Columbia Heights
James Verbrugge, Assistant Administrator, Eagan
Metropolitan Agencies Policy Committee
Beverly Aplikowski, Councilmember, Arden Hills (Committee Chair)
Bill Barnhart, Government Relations Representative, Minneapolis
Frank Boyles, City Manager, Prior Lake
Cathy Busho, Mayor, Rosemount
Mary Hamman -Roland, Mayor, Apple Valley
Anne Hurlburt, Director of Community Development, Plymouth
Andrea Jenkins, Councilmember Assistant, Minneapolis
Tom Link, Director of Community Development, Inver Grove Heights
Terry Schneider, Councilmember, Minnetonka
Blair Tremere, Councilmember, Golden Valley
2003 Legislative Policies 23
Committee Rosters
Municipal Revenue Policy Committee
Jim Smith, Councilmember, Independence (Committee Chair)
Greg Andrews, Director of Finance, Brooklyn Park
Bill Barnhart, Government Relations Rep., Minneapolis
Tom Burt, Administrator, Rosemount
Steve Devich, Assistant City Manager, Richfield
Walt Fehst, Manager, Columbia Heights
Matt Fulton, Manager, New Brighton
Pat Harris, Councilmember, St. Paul
Joe Huss, Finance Manager, Bloomington
Barbara Johnson, Councilmember, Minneapolis
Kim Kamper, Interim City Administrator, Oak Park Heights
Jim Keinath, Administrator, Circle Pines
Jim Knutson, Finance Director, Anoka
Tom Lawell, Administrator, Apple Valley
Joe Lynch, Administrator, Arden Hills
William Mars, Mayor, Shakopee
Steve O'Malley, Deputy City Manager, Burnsville
Don Rambow, Finance Director, White Bear Lake
Douglas Reeder, Administrator, South St. Paul
Ryan Schroeder, Administrator, Cottage Grove
Jerry Splinter, Manager, Coon Rapids
Steve Stahmer, Assistant to the City Manager, Hopkins
Jim Willis, Administrator, Inver Grove Heights
Transportaton and General Government Policy Committee
Steve Larson, Mayor, New Brighton (Committee Chair)
Glen Burke, Airport Manager, South St. Paul
Dave Callister, Clerk -Administrator, Osseo
Charlie Crichton, Councilmember, Burnsville
Chuck DeVore, Councilmember, White Bear Lake
Dan Donahue, Manager, New Hope
Steve Elkins, Councilmember, Bloomington
Sharon Feess, Councilmember, Brooklyn Park
24 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
Committee Rosters
Marcia Glick, Manager, Robbinsdale
Bill Hargis, Mayor, Woodbury
Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works, Fridley
Jon Hohenstein, Administrator, Mahtomedi
Patrick Hollister, Administrative Assistant, Mendota Heights
Mary Johnson, Mayor, Independence
Mike Klassen, St. Paul
Mary McComber, Councilmember, OakPark Heights
Mark McNeill, Administrator, Shakopee
Pete Meintsma, Mayor, Crystal
Joan Molenaar, Councilmember, Champlin
Veid Muiznieks, Councilmember, St. Paul Park
Bruce Nawrocki, Councilmember, Champlin
Ed Nelson, Councilmember, Brooklyn Center
DanNiziolek, Councilmember, Minneapolis
Ellsworth Stein, Airport Relations Commission, Mendota Heights
Gertrude Ulrich, Councilmember, Richfield
Karen Lowery Wagner, Government Relations Representative
John Weaver, Councilmember, Anoka
2003 Legislative Policies 25