HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 10-29-2013 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
October 29, 2013
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on October 29, 2013.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Willis, Stein, Prom, Johnson, and
Bildsoe.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Callister, Public Works Director Cote, Community
Development Director Juetten, Water Resources Engineer Asche, Senior Planner Drill, and City
Clerk Engdahl.
Bassett Creek Watershed District Issues
Ginny Black, City's director on the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission
BCWMC), and also chair of the commission, discussed issues that are before the BCWMC. The
issues are:
1. AMLAC's request to create a document regarding the Medicine Lake dam and lake level.
Residents who signed a petition are requesting that the dam be raised as it's difficult for
boats to get in and out of the lake in the summer. If the water is held back above the
current elevation, the flood level around the lake will be raised. The south bay is filling
in with sediment from the Highway 169 dredging from the east area, and in the middle of
the lake, there is a shallow spot where they're getting weed growth. The BCWMC has
distributed a survey to primary stakeholders to determine what they believe the issues are
in Medicine Lake. The projected requesters have clearly indicated that they don't want to
pay for the studies necessary to change the outlet structure, but other sources such as a
special assessment to cities in the watershed, ad valorum tax on the entire watershed
district, or form a lake improvement association (lake conservation district), should be
considered. The requesters only need majority of property owners to bring a petition to
the Department of Natural Resources, but there needs to be 100% support/agreement for
the project to proceed if there needs to be additional flood storage easements. This is a
recreation issue, not a water quality issue. The majority of the Council stated they don't
support raising the dam for recreational purposes.
2. Approval of the joint powers agreement (JPA) amendment that expires January 1, 2015.
Letters were sent to member cities informing the cities that the JPA expires on January 1,
2015 and requesting each city to review the current JPA. The BCWMC asked for any
Adopted Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of October 29, 2013
comments the cities might have on recommendations to amend the JPA or to extend the
term of the JPA without amendments to January 1, 2025. Eight cities had no comments
on the JPA including the recommended amendment. The City of Medicine Lake is the
last city to approve the joint powers agreement, and it appears that they are withholding
comment on the agreement until the Medicine Lake water level issue has been resolved.
Update on the Four Seasons project. Currently, the project is on hold pending a second
review of the alternatives given in the final feasibility study and additional alternatives
identified by residents, commissioners, and City of Plymouth staff. The additional
alternatives include rip -rap the whole system, pond on east/west side of Lancaster Lane,
pond in green space, pond on New Hope side, or piping the whole project.
Erich Schroeder, 3955 Orleans Lane North, resident who lives in the area, stated he
supports doing something in the area but only 25% of the phosphorous would be
removed.
John O'Hara, 3925 Orleans Lane North, stated he's disappointed that no pictures have
been shown of the wildlife in the area that would be disrupted with a project.
Lynn Schroeder, 3955 Orleans Lane North, stated the phosphorous should be treated
before it goes to the pond.
Councilmember Stein voiced his frustration that the Council wasn't notified of this
project earlier when it's projected that 1,000's of trees would be removed. It also doesn't
make sense to spend funds on removing 25% of the phosphorous when there are no plans
on how to remove the remainder.
Councilmember Johnson stated she agrees with Councilmember Stein that the Council
needs to quantify if it makes sense to spend the money on the project. She asked with the
Four Seasons property, could there be an opportunity to wait and see what happens with
development. Ms. Black stated whenever the Four Seasons property develops, the
property owner will have to do water quality projects on their property.
Councilmember Wosje requested an overall strategy plan to reduce the phosphorous. If
the City is responsible for 25%, the Four Seasons property owner is responsible for 25%,
who's responsible for the remainder.
Mayor Slavik summed up the Council is concerned about the Four Seasons project and
the phosphorous removal. She requested that staff keep the Council updated.
4. Dispute resolution issue. There is a flooding problem in Golden Valley. Water is
contributed by Crystal, New Hope and Golden Valley. The cities have struggled to come
to an agreement on a feasibility study that would resolve the flooding issues. They have
asked the commission to assist in resolving the issue which is in progress.
Adopted Minutes 2 of 3 Special Meeting of October 29, 2013
City appointments to BCWMC. Ms. Black stated she's interested in serving another three
year term on the BCWMC as the City's director as is David Tobelmann who serves as the
alternate. The goal is that they would switch their roles after a year.
Microbreweries and Taprooms
Senior Planner Drill discussed the staff report requested by the Council regarding microbreweries
and taprooms. The Council provided direction to staff on discussion items that were raised in the
report and requested staff to bring back a proposed ordinance for Council consideration.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
AAW
andra R. Engdahl, C y Clerk
Adopted Minutes 3 of 3 Special Meeting of October 29, 2013