HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06-22-2010Adopted Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
June 22, 2010
Mayor Slavik called a Regular Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on June 22, 2010.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councihmembers Murdock, Bildsoe, Johnson, Black, and
Willis.
ABSENT: Councilmember Stein.
STAFF PRESENT: Administrative Services Director Portner, City Attorney Knutson, Park
Director Blank, Fire Chief Kline, Police Chief Goldstein, Public Works Director Cote, Planning
Manager Senness, and City Clerk Engdahl.
Plymouth Forum
There was no one present to address the Council.
Presentations and Public Information Announcements
4.01) CenterPoint Energy's Community Partnership Grant
Jay Hibbard, Area Manager for CenterPoint Energy, spoke of the partnership grant that they are
awarding the City. He presented a check the Council in the amount of $800 which will be used
to purchase fire pagers.
Motion was made by Councilmember Willis, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to adopt
a Resolution Accepting Grant from CenterPoint Energy Company to the Fire Department
Res2010-152). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
4.02) Swear in Police Officer Alan Shrode
City Clerk Engdahl administered the oath of office to Police Officer Shrode.
4.03) Recognition to Office Support Representative Dorothy Aksteter
The Council recognized retiring Office Support Representative Dorothy Aksteter for her 10 years
of service to the City. Mayor Slavik read a proclamation declaring June 24 as "Dorothy Aksteter
Day"
Adopted Minutes 1 of 6 Regular Meeting of June 22, 2010
Mayor Slavik reminded everyone of Music in Plymouth on June 30 as well as the 5k run on June
26.
She announced that Plymouth came in first in the highest total steps for the Step to It Challenge,
which was a friendly competition between 18 cities.
She also announced that she will be running for reelection to the Mayor's position for another
four year term.
Approval of Aeenda
Item No. 6.08 under the Consent Agenda was removed from the agenda.
By request of applicant, item No. 8.2 under General Business was tabled to July 13.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe , and seconded by Councilmember Black, to
approve the amended agenda. With all members voting in favor motion carried.
Consent Agenda
By request of Councilmember Willis, item No. 6.05 was removed from the Consent Agenda and
placed under General Business as item No. 8.2.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, and seconded by Councilmember Murdock, to
adopt the amended Consent Agenda that included the following items:
6.01) Approval of Regular Minutes from June 8.
6.02) Resolution Approving Disbursements ending June 12, 2010 (Res2010-153).
6.03) Resolution Approving a Conditional Use Permit to allow an Adult Daycare for
Community Connections Partnership for Property located at 3431 Highway 169 (2010037 —
Res2010-154).
6.04) Resolution Awarding Contract for 36th Avenue Landscape Enhancements Project (8104 —
Res2010-155).
6.05) (This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and placed under General Business as
item No. 8.2).
6.06) Resolution Approving Payment No. 1 and Final for 2010 Crack Repair Program (100 11
Res2010-156).
Adopted Minutes 2 of 6 Regular Meeting of June 22, 2010
6.07) Resolution Approving Receiving Engineering Proposals and Designating the Engineer for
Well No. 17 (10024 — Res2010-157).
6.08) (This item was removed from the Consent Agenda).
6.09) Resolution Extending the Licensed Premises for Old Chicago, 3505 Vicksburg Lane
Res2010-158).
With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
General Business
8.1) Site Plan Amendment for a Parking/Drive Aisle Addition at Birchview Elementary
School(2010023)
Planning Manager Senness gave the report. The proposed site plan amendment involves
constructing a new parking lot and a new parent/child turn around area. In addition, by request of
area residents, there would be no parking on the north side of 5th Avenue west of Ranchview
Lane.
Terry Rey, 15610 5th Avenue North, stated he doesn't support the current plan. He stated the
school district is trying to provide additional safety for the children and diminish the traffic
problem. However, these efforts would be increasing the traffic problem by funneling everyone
to 5th Avenue for the student drop off area. Part of the wooded area that faces his home would be
removed for the main parking lot. He stated there would be new bushes and trees that would be
planted along 5IhAvenue, but they can't replace his current view across the street. He stated
perhaps they could consider diagonal parking on 5th Avenue that would use some space that
wouldn't be wooded and be able to utilize that space better without removing any trees. He's not
confident that parents would adhere to the speed limit when they come down 5th Avenue.
Therefore, perhaps rather than using the Ranchview Lane bus stop, the bus traffic could come
down 5th Avenue, as they are professional drivers who would follow the speed limit, and this
would limit the tire traffic footprints on that road.
Councilmember Murdock stated that she supports student safety, but she has some concerns due
to being contacted by a number of 5th Avenue residents. She asked if there would be more or less
blacktop along 5th Avenue and is no parking on both sides of 5th Avenue an option. Planning
Manager Senness replied there would be one additional paved driveway access onto 5th Avenue
Adopted Minutes 3 of 6 Regular Meeting of June 22, 2010
than what there is currently. Regarding the no parking on both sides of 5`h Avenue, that could be
discussed with the school district.
Councilmember Murdock asked if there would be a way for vehicles to drive behind the school
so the majority of the traffic wouldn't be on 5th Avenue. Planning Manager Senness replied that
was an option the school district explored, but it didn't accomplish their goals.
Dr. Tom Koch, principal at Birchview Elementary, stated they've been working on this project for
several years and trying to address significant safety issues for students. He stated they wouldn't
be increasing the amount of traffic on 5th Avenue. Regarding eliminating parking on both sides
of 5`h Avenue, that would be a hardship for families who are attending activities at the school
during the day. Their intention is to promote safety with the proposed design of the project.
Brenton Boelter, project manager for this project, stated they considered a number of options for
this project, but all of them created challenges and competing interests. They tried to find middle
ground to appease most of the interest at the site.
Jennifer Peterson, 500 Ranchview Lane North, agreed that something needs to be done. The
amount of traffic on 5h Avenue at the beginning and end of the school day is awful. She stated
the new parking on Ranchview Lane has helped. She noted the increased walkers to the school.
She stated that he current traffic situation on 5thAvenueisn't good. She indicated her support for
the project, but she suggested flipping the parking lot and parent/child turn around.
Public Works Director Cote stated regarding Mr. Rey's suggestion to construct diagonal parking
on 5`h Avenue, 5th Avenue would need to be reconstructed after it's recently been reconstructed.
Councilmember Murdock asked if the Ms. Peterson's suggestion of flipping the two lots would
cause less in tree loss. Mr. Boelter replied they looked at that option. One of the primary
entrances to the school is at the northwest corner of the building, and if children weren't dropped
off closest to that entrance, that would create safety problems. Dr. Koch agreed and stated the
northwest corner and the east side of the building, where the buses unload, are the two main
entrances. He noted that there is an unloading dock near the northeast corner of the building and
if children were dropped off in that area, they would be concerned about safety and supervision
in that area.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if they considered moving the lots further to the west. Mr. Boelter
stated they didn't look at moving the parking lots further to the west as that would impact the ball
field. He stated the proposed plan wouldn't increase the amount of traffic on 5th Avenue as the
majority of the traffic is occurring there now. He stated the existing parking lot is striped with 66
parking stalls. If they were to reconstruct the parking lot and to just to put back the same number
of parking spaces, they would need to widen the drive aisles and parking spaces to meet the
City's ordinance.
Councilmember Johnson asked if staff has looked at deviating from the ordinance and/or if there
are similar parking lots. Planning Manager Senness replied staff hasn't looked at other smaller
Adopted Minutes 4 of 6 Regular Meeting of June 22, 2010
size parking lots. The school district is currently 12 parking spaces under the ordinance
requirement, and the proposed plan would add those 12 parking spaces.
Councilmember Murdock asked if the parking lots were flip flopped and moved further to the
west, could the lots be narrower and deeper so some of the parking spots would actually go
behind the school to some degree. Mr. Boelter replied this suggestion could be reviewed, but
they would be revisiting some of the complications with previous options they reviewed
regarding the handling of storm water runoff on the site. He noted that the property is in two
watershed districts which creates challenges. He noted the proposed rain garden that would be
constructed with the proposed plan to treat the additional storm water runoff. They are unable to
address the additional storm water runoff on the west side of the school property.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Willis. to adopt a
Resolution Approving a Site Plan Amendment for hispec. hic. to allow Reconstruction of the
North and East Parking Lots and to Construct a Parent/Child Staging Area at Birchview
Flemenfnn, Qchnnl lnrntp l nt d75 R nnrhvia .. T a,a NTn,O, 0W M7Z — RP'7nl0 1 rM o,A
West of Ranchview Lane (Res2010-160).
Councilmembers Black and Willis stated that there is no perfect solution, but the proposed plan
before them is the best solution.
Councilmember Murdock disagreed and stated there were other alternatives that were discussed
this evening that could be looked at a little closer. Therefore, she wouldn't be supporting the
motion.
Mayor Slavik stated if the proposed plan would be modified, there could potentially be problems
with the loading dock area. The goal is to get the children in and out of school in a safe manner.
Councilmember Johnson stated the athletic associations utilize the ball field, so there is a need to
retain that ball field.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor but Murdock, the motion
carried.
8.2) South Shore Drive Rehabilitation Project (10002)
Councilmember Willis asked if there is a special assessment for the lateral benefit for the City of
Medicine Lake. Public Works Director Cote replied not at this time, but if they desire to access
that service in the future, they would subject to another agreement where they could pay an
assessment.
Councilmember Willis indicated his desire to note this discussion in the minutes for future city
councils. First, utility lines will be installed with this project that will also benefit the City of
Medicine Lake for two reasons—that in the future, if they desire to connect to the lines for
Adopted Minutes 5 of 6 Regular Meeting of June 22, 2010
services, the City will have to address the lateral benefit charge. Secondly, by virtue of installing
a second fire hydrant — the fire department will have use of a fire hydrant at no cost.
Motion was made by Councilmember Willis, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to adopt a
Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for South
Shore Drive Rehabilitation Project (10002 — Res2010-161) and a Resolution Approving the Joint
Powers Agreement between the City of Plymouth and the City of Medicine Lake for the South
Shore Drive Rehabilitation Proiect (10002 — Res2010-162).
Mayor Slavik noted the email correspondence received by the Council today regarding the
installation of speed humps on South Shore Drive, of which that resident doesn't support. She
stated the speed humps are currently there, and they will be put back in. Councilmember
Johnson added that the requests for the speed humps came from residents in the area. She will
continue to support the replacement of the speed humps.
Mike Wittkop, 10805 South Shore Drive, stated he has a couple of concerns. First, when they
cleared the lot for the Habitat for Humanity home, they cleared 25 trees on his property.
Secondly, he was hoping to get connected to City sewer and water. Third, there was discussion
last winter about whether there would be any movement in property lines. His fence goes right
up to the roadway, and he's concerned whether his fence will need to be relocated. Public Works
Director Cote stated as the project currently stands, there will be no additional right-of-way
needed so his fence won't need to be relocated. Regarding connecting to City sewer and water,
Mr. Wittkop needs to submit his request to the City of Plymouth and pay the applicable charges.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Without objection, Mayor Slavik reported on the request of Hennepin County for a study session
with the Council to discuss their new communication site. Staff was directed to contact the
county to schedule a study session that would be prior to a regular meeting and prior to when the
County Board make their decision in September.
Reports and Staff Recommendations
There were no reports and staff recommendations.
Adiournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 8:17 pm,
k,
Sandra R. Engdahl, Citgo Clerk
Adopted Minutes 6 of 6 Regular Meeting of June 22, 2010