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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-27-2012 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting November 27, 2012 Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:40 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on November 27, 2012. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Willis, Bildsoe, Johnson, Black and Stein. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Parks and Recreation Director Evans, Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Northway, Community Development Director Juetten, Administrative Services Director Callister, and Deputy Clerk Baird. Gas Station Report Community Development Director Juetten reported that on September 18, 2012 the Council reviewed, and ultimately approved a SuperAmerica store and associated fuel pumps to be located at the northeast corner of Vicksburg Lane and County Road 47. During the discussion of the proposed store, questions were raised as to how City Code addressed pay - at -the -pump operations being open 24 hours per day. Staff responded that based on its interpretation of code all sales, inside or outside of the store, were limited to 6:00a.m. to 11:00 p.m. unless approved for extended hours as part of a conditional use permit. He stated after the discussion at the Council meeting on September 18, staff reviewed the current operations and approvals for the 19 operating fuel stations in the City. All the stations have pay -at -the -pump, and currently the hours are not enforced. No complaints have been made to the City regarding pay -at -the -pump hours or store hours. The current ordinance was drafted before pay -at -the -pump technology. The staff report in the packet outlines staff's findings. Based on these statistics, staff would like direction from the Council on the enforcement of pay -at -the -pump hours of operation. Councilmember Black asked when the ordinance was last amended. Community Development Director Juetten said he was not sure of the date, however, it was probably somewhere in the mid 1990s. Councilmember Willis asked if there were any known crime incidences relating to the pay - at -the -pump services. Community Development Director Juetten replied there were no concerns from the police department. Adopted Minutes t of 4 Special Meeting of November 27, 2012 Councilmember Wosje asked if it was known what time of day the theft devices had actually been placed on the card readers at the pumps in the most recent national theft incident? Do the stations that have pay -at -the -pump service at night have lights or not? Community Development Director Juetten replied that it varies from station to station whether there are lights or not. It is also not known when the theft devices were placed on the pumps. Councilmember Wosje also asked if there were regulations in place for banks with their ATM machines. Community Development Director Juetten replied no. Councilmember Black stated that she continually hears noise complaints from residents in regards to speakers from the stations, specifically, the Holiday by the Four Seasons Mall area. If Council is considering making changes they need to be cautious about the distance to residential areas and buffers. If 24-hour access were allowed, the noise would need to be regulated. Mayor Slavik stated that if there are no complaints at this time and the service is currently working, why should the Council restrict the pay -at -the -pump services. The Council directed staff to bring a draft ordinance to the Council in January, and to check with the Police Department regarding incidences occurring from pay -at -the -pumps. Trail Gap Study and Trail Maintenance Parks and Recreation Director Evans reported that the trail gap study is being given to the Council so there will be understanding for the additional $200,000 being requested for trail maintenance in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). She stated there are currently 144.5 miles of trails in Plymouth (131 miles are City and 12.5 miles are state or regional). These trails connect neighborhoods to parks, schools and other areas. Within the trail network, there are gaps that need to be filled and connections that must be made to provide trail loops and better access to schools, parks, transit facilities and other destinations. hi the past, staff recommended multiple trail sections for construction based on residential requests, usage and/or safety concerns. h1 recent years, it has become more difficult to complete trail gap projects because there are fewer requests and many of the remaining trail sections are more difficult to construct and are more costly. The City does try to install new trails and/or gaps with regards to new developments and road construction projects. Within the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), trail gap projects are scheduled utilizing the Park Dedication Fund. In 2014 there are proposed future allocations of $366,000 and $260,000 in 2016. hi 2012, staff changed the funding methodology for trail projects to every other year and increased the CIP budget to accommodate the completion of more costly gaps and sections. Adopted Minutes 2 of 4 Special Meeting of November 27, 2012 A review of the trails, sidewalks, remaining gaps, extensions and corridors was completed this fall. The document shows nine section maps of the City and 90 gaps/sections, an estimated 60 miles within the trail network. Going forward, the completed trail gap study will assist with long-range planning, budgeting and prioritizing gap projects. The process included reviewing the trail system, indentifying approximate gap start and end locations as well as the length and location of the trails. In addition, staff categorized potential trail priorities based on safety concerns, user requests, high usage, establishing a trail loop or connecting to a destination. Finally, staff placed the trail gaps into five categories based on presumed construction complexity and/or timing. The categories include; desirable (i.e. no noticeable issues), challenging (i.e. possible homeowner/business concerns or easement issues), not possible (i.e. insufficient space on a bridge overpass), future construction (i.e. completed with road and/or road reconstruction) and undefined. She stated at the June 26 Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) meeting, commissioners made the recommendations outlined in the packet. In addition to the gap study, Parks and Recreation needs to budget for maintenance of the trails/sidewalks once they are in place. The City will need to do continual maintenance which includes inspection, maintenance and repair on a yearly basis. Maintenance and repair funding is programmed in the CIP utilizing the Park Replacement fund. Proposed future CIP allocations are 75,000 for 2013 and 2014 and $90,000 for 2015 and 2016. Staff anticipates allocating $200,000 per year for repair/maintenance beginning in 2014. This would provide two to four miles of maintenance/repair based on the trail condition. Under the current funding schedule, staff is only able to repair less than one mile of trail per year. Councilmember Willis asked how long the paved surface lasts and what causes the trails to crumble. Parks and Recreation Director Evans replied the paved surfaces will last 10 to 15 years. Sometimes new trails are overlaid on old paths because the old path provides a good base for the new pavement. Some of the trails crumble from tree roots or other natural causes. Councilmember Stein agrees that it is not just the cost of putting in the trails, it is also the maintenance. He asked what are some of the issues with some of the trail gaps, and why are they not complete? Parks and Recreation Director Evans reiterated that there are several reasons, including factors of pending or upcoming road construction projects, new developments, monies needed to acquire land, and also some homeowners that refuse the easement. Some homeowners now think they should be paid for an easement and that has never been City policy in the past. Adopted Minutes 3 of 4 Special Meeting of November 27, 2012 Councilmember Stein asked what the cost is of snow plowing the trails in the winter. Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Northway replied that those funds are budgeted from the park replacement fund under maintenance, and they are not itemized separately. Councilmember Stein asked if there is a plan in place for the next 10 years on the trail gaps? Parks and Recreation Director Evans replied that staff is making changes to the CIP as well as at the time of making Comprehensive Plan changes. She stated there are three to four gaps that are important that hopefully will be scheduled in the next few years. Councilmember Johnson asked what the major source of funding is for trails. Parks and Recreation Director Evans replied Park Dedication funds come from new developments and those funds can be used towards new trails or new parks. Park Replacement funds can only be used for replacements of parks equipment and trails. Beyond 2015, staff needs to find a funding source. In 2012, Going beyond 2015 we need to find a funding source. Also, $90,000-$100,000 from 2012 general fund surplus will be put into this category. Councilmember Johnson stated that a larger share of the general levy will be put into this fund which goes to the property taxes. She asked if this would mean a levy increase. If the City only sustains two to four miles per year it will take a commitment from the Council to either cut something else or add more to the levy. Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Northway stated that the $75,000 to $90,000 from Park Replacement Fund helps to repair one mile of trail. The $200,000 additional requested would repair four miles of trail. It was requested to add trail gap #43 — Medina road to the priority list. Adiournment Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:55 Adopted Minutes 4 of 4 Special Meeting of November 27, 2012