HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-20-2012 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
November 20, 2012
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on November 20, 2011
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Willis, Bildsoe, Johnson, and
Black.
ABSENT: Councilmember Stein.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Parks and Recreation Director Evans, Administrative
Services Director Callister, Public Works Director Cote, Water Resources Manager Asche,
Community Development Director Juetten, and City Clerk Engdahl.
Minnehaha Creek Watershed AIS Plan and Watershed Issues
Water Resources Manager Asche provided an update to the Council on the Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District's draft of the 2013 "stop -gap" measures the district will implement to
control the spread of aquatic invasive specifies (AIS). Their proposed efforts are targeted for
the following areas:
1. Early detection monitoring for zebra mussels.
2. Volunteer monitoring program.
3. Watercraft Operator Education and Inspection program.
4. Self -Certification Program.
5. MCWD Clean Boats Program.
6. Communications and education.
7. Legislation regarding compliance and enforcement.
8. Water access improvement grants.
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is requesting cities to provide comments by
November 26.
Mayor Slavik stated she's concerned about inspections and boat cleaning stations they'll be
setting up, and she asked if there is a possibility that a station would be set up in Plymouth, such
as at Gleason Lake. Water Resources Manager Asche replied yes, there is the potential.
However, in the case of Gleason Lake, there is no boat launch. The watershed district is looking
for partners to do the boat cleaning and inspections.
Adopted Minutes 1 of 5 Special Meeting of November 20, 2012
Councilmember Black asked if the expense for the inspections and cleaning would come from
property tax revenues. Water Resources Manager Asche replied yes.
Councilmember Willis stated usually stop -gap measures gets "your foot in the door" with
unknowns, and this is a concern to him. He stated he doesn't have enough confidence in the
materials that the City has received from the watershed district.
Mayor Slavik stated with the Self Certification Program, it doesn't make sense for individuals to
go through the training, get certified for a year, and then not go through any inspections.
Councilmember Black stated no matter what efforts are implemented, there will be a high rate of
failure just due to the number of boats and people who use the lakes. Public education is needed.
Mayor Slavik stated the watershed district should've received more input from Plymouth in
drafting their plan due to the number of lakes that would be involved in Plymouth.
Public Works Director Cote stated if the Council is comfortable, staff will put together technical
concerns and comments from the Council which will be given to the Council later this week.
The Council was in agreement with this suggestion.
Mayor Slavik reported on December 4, the County will be conducting a meeting on their plan to
consolidate four watershed districts to two. She asked if the Council has comments to forward to
that meeting.
Councilmember Willis stated he would like to hear comments from those that currently serve on
the watershed districts as he worries about creating another entity.
Mayor Slavik stated it's her understanding that the County Commissioners don't support this.
City Manager Ahrens stated that Fred Moore, who is the City's appointed director on the Elm
Creek Watershed District, will be attending the meeting on December 4. She stated staff has
concerns regarding size and consistency and if this would work in all areas. This is a hard
transition from paid staff on these commissions to citizens to now appointed officials. She stated
with this new plan, there would be full taxing authority.
Mayor Slavik stated there 11 different organizations and structures within the watershed district,
and it might make more sense to go to three districts than two. This does provide an opportunity
to do more streamlining and make things more uniform.
Councilmember Johnson stated she likes the goals and desired benefits and outcomes.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated there are some efficiencies in reducing the number of districts,
but the City loses the ability for residents to speak on behalf of Plymouth. He stated he's
concerned about giving the County more control.
Adopted Minutes 2 of 5 Special Meeting of November 20, 2012
Mayor Slavik requested staff to provide to the Council a summary of the December 4 meeting
and where they intend to go from here.
Mayor Slavik reported that she has received calls from residents regarding the water level at
Medicine Lake. She has responded to those residents that the City isn't planning on doing
anything at this time regarding that issue. She stated she wants to make sure that the Council is
consistent with their responses to residents.
Councilmember Black stated the County owns the dam and the Department of Natural Resources
controls the water level. Water Resources Manager Asche added that the Medicine Lake group
and the Bassett Creek Watershed District have given the residents the same answers.
Franchise Fees/Financing Options for Peony LaneNicksburg Lane
Administrative Services Director Callister gave a presentation on the use of franchise fees and
other financing options for Peony LaneNicksburg Lane.
Councihnember Willis stated that the water and sewer utilities should also be included for
franchise fees. This would be treating the City's utilities in a similar fashion.
Mayor Slavik stated she's more comfortable in dedicating the franchise fees to a specific
project(s).
The majority of the Council preferred using a long-term planning process for franchise fees.
Councilmember Johnson asked about timing and when the Council would need to approve
franchise fees. Public Works Director Cote replied by early summer 2013 as the City will start to
purchase right-of-way for the project. By the end of 2013, staff will need to know the funding
sources.
Administrative Services Director Callister stated the City can borrow internally for a short time,
and if the major cost of the project doesn't come in until 2014, the debt could be issued early
2014 or the fall of 2013.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked how difficult it is to renegotiate franchise fees. Public Works
Director Cote replied Xcel and Centerpoint have been very cooperative as other communities are
implementing franchise fees.
Councilmember Willis stated he's comfortable with staff talking to utility companies and getting
that in place. Councilmember Black agreed and stated that it's hard to fund these projects
without franchise fees.
Adopted Minutes 3 of 5 Special Meeting of November 20, 2012
Public Works Director Cote stated the Council would need to modify the franchise fee section of
the agreements with the utilities. This would be done by ordinance and would take a minimum
of three months.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated this is worth considering as it treats everyone the same for the use
of roads. He prefers this over increasing property taxes by $2 million. He requested that the
franchise fees be dedicated to one or both of these projects.
Councilmember Wosje stated he struggles with the transparency aspect. He's warming up to the
issue as long as it's disclosed as a City fee. He requested that there be a sunset provision that the
fees go away when the bonds are paid off.
Councilmembers Johnson and Bildsoe stated the Council should educate the residents by using
the Plymouth News and Financial Extra.
Councilmember Black requested that staff provide to the Council a schedule/timeline for these
projects in order that the Council can stay on schedule for the decisions that need to be made.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to direct
staff to explore franchise fees and negotiate with utility companies for potential franchise fees.
Councilmember Willis reiterated that the Council look at sewer and water utility franchise fee.
He stated the City could also transfer some dollar amount from the utility Rinds to the general
fund. For him, it's an equity issue, and the City should be treated the same as the private sector.
Administrative Services Director Callister added that staff is in the process of putting together a
rate study for water and sewer in early 2013.
Mayor Slavik stated when the City charges a user fee, its just trying to cover the costs which is
different than Xcel Energy and Centerpoint, who are for-profit companies.
With all members voting in favor of the motion, the motion carried.
2013 Budget and Levy
Administrative Services Director Callister reported that due to reduction in health insurance
costs, the Council can reduce the levy from 1.94% to 1.59%. This would reduce the debt
contingency by $100,000 and would include the original levies for parks and streets.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
adopt the 1.59% levy in concept for final approval on December 11. With Johnson, Wosje,
Bildsoe, and Black voting yes, Mayor Slavik voting no, and Willis abstaining, the motion carried.
Adopted Minutes 4 of 5 Special Meeting of November 20, 2012
Adiournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
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Sandra R. Engdahl, My Clerk
Adopted Minutes 5 of 5 Special Meeting of November 20, 2012