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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 03-29-1990CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM March 29, 1990 RECYCLING CASH DRAWING March 29: $300 WINNER William McGowan 11605 - 37th Avenue No. UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS..... 1. COUNCIL MEETING -- Monday, April 2, 7 p.m. Regular City Council meeting. 2. TOWN MEETING -- Monday, April 9, 7 p.m. Town meeting for Area 2 residents A copy of the letter and meeting agenda is attached. (M-2) 3. PUBLIC INFO MEETING ON EURASIAN MILFOIL -- Tuesday, _April 17, p.m. Hennepin Parks will o a pu is information session on purple loosestrife and eurasian water milfoil at the Robbinsdale High School Resource Center, 3730 Toledo Avenue No. A copy of the meeting notice is attached. (M-3) 4. MEETING REMINDERS: A. SWAN LAKE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK MEETINGS - Meetings with Swan Lake area residents on design eve opment of neighborhood park. All meeting will be at Plymouth City Center. Thursday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. B. VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION DINNER -- Thursday, April 12, 6 p.m. The City's annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner for members of City Boards and Commissions will be held at the Scanticon Conference Center. C. RECYCLING RECOGNITION LUNCHEON -- Wednesday, April 18, a.m., Hennepin County Recycling Recognition luncheon at the Sheraton Park Place Hotel. 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM March 29, 1990 Page 2 6. DEDICATION OF MEDIA CENTER AT PLYMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL -- Tuesday, pri p.m. Attached is an invitation to the Mayor and Council to the dedication of a new media center at Plymouth Middle School. (M-6) 7. WRIGHT-HENNEPIN ELECTRIC MEETING -- Wednesday, April 4. Council - member Helliwell will e atten ing a meeting with representatives from the Maple Grove City Council and the Wright -Hennepin Electric Board of Directors to discuss a service cost study and represen- tation on the Cooperative's Board. The meeting will be held at the Minnesota Rural Electric Association Office in Maple Grove. Correspondence from Jon Elam, City Administrator, and Donal Paumen, Wright -Hennepin Board President are attached. (M-7) 8. MEETING CALENDARS attached. - FOR YOUR INFORMATION... -- Meeting calendars for April and May are 1. TRANSIT SERVICE IN PLYMOUTH - Attached are a variety of articles which ave appeared 5 a inneapolis Star Tribune with respect to transit in Plymouth. The MTC acquisition of various Medicine Lake Lines services received coverage on channels 4 and 11 last Wednesday evening. Also attached are two memorandums which Plymouth Metrolink riders have received. The first, from Medicine Lake Lines, and the second from Frank Boyles. On Monday, April 2, the MTC will be using their driver instructors (their best drivers) to cover the routes. All drivers will be meeting at the Park and Ride lot at 6 a.m., Monday for final instructions. They have assigned various street supervisors to monitor the service to ensure timely and error -free service. Service on Monday will be identical to that supplied by Medicine Lake Lines to minimize any likelihood of problems. On Friday, March 30, Frank Boyles is scheduled to meet with all MTC people assigned to Metrolink to share his concerns and expectations for the service. He will also meet with RTB and MTC officials to finalize the route changes anticipated in .northeast Plymouth after June 9. MTC graphic designers are preparing bus painting schemes using the Metrolink logo as well as a draft schedule for northeast Plymouth containing the Metrolink logo and information about Dial -A -Ride. The present schedule is a Medicine Lake Lines schedule which provides service information about existing route segments in Maple Grove, New Hope, Crytal and Golden Valley, but no Dial -A -Ride information. ICITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM • March 29, 1990 Page 3 2. PROPOSED 1991 BUDGET CALENDAR - It won't be long before we begin work on developing the proposed 1991 City Budgets. In that regard, I am attaching a proposed budget and CIP calendar. I invite the Council's specific attention to two early dates: May 21 - when the City Council will review their proposed 1991 budget priorities; and June 18 - when I propose the Council would adopt its budget priorities. I believe it is imperative that the Council meet and provide me their thoughts with respect to 1991 budget priorities. I believe this will assist us not only in developing a budget which is responsive to the Council's objectives, but will serve to conserve the time and energy of everyone involved in the budget process. (I-2) 3. MR. DAVID BETLOCK - CONCERN ABOUT SHRUBS - Mr. Betlock contacted ounce mem er Helliwell recently regar ing the severe pruning of of his hedges by city crews. The attached memorandum from Myra Wicklacz provides background with respect to the work undertaken. At Councilmember Helliwell's request, I contacted Mr. Betlock. Mr. Betlock's basic concern appears to be twofold: 1. He planted the hedges many years ago and valued them as they provided sound and visual buffering from the traffic on County Road 6; and 2. Hennepin County is seeking to acquire from him 17 feet of his lot for the expansion of County Road 6 right-of-way. The hedges are within the street right-of-way, and Hennepin County representatives indicated to Mr. Betlock that he will not be compensated for them. Mr. Betlock, of course, would prefer that he be compensated for these shrubs. (I-3) 4. SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY (SRA) ACHIEVEMENTS -- Following Council discussion on the topic of memberships in various organizations, as part of our most recent budget discussions, I spoke with -both Glen Purdue and Jim Strommen regarding their views as to the benefits of the SRA. Glen was formerly the legal counsel to the SRA prior to joining the Messerli and Kraemer law firm. Jim Strommen is with the Holmes and Graven firm. As noted in the attached materials, particularly relating to the achievements of the SRA, one can reasonably conclude that the benefits of membership to the citizens far outweigh the costs. Our costs are currently $2,450 per year, although this will increase as a result of our growing population. A representative of the SRA would be pleased to appear before the City Council to discuss the work of the SRA if you would like. (I-4) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM March 29, 1990 Page 4 5. ROBBINSDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT - COMPREHENSIVE DRUG PROGRAM TASK FORCE REPORT - Attached is a lengthy report y eis ric ompre- eF—ns ve Drug Abuse Task Force. This report was distributed at the Government Advisory Council meeting last week. Councilmember Zitur requested that copies be provided to all Councilmembers. 6. DEVELOPMENT SIGNAGE -- On Friday, March 30, development signs will e placed at the following locations: 1. Northeast of West Medicine Lake Drive and the Soo Line Railroad. eyno s Construction Company is proposing a Land Use Guide amendment and Planned Unit Development Concept Plan. The Land Use Guide Plan amendment is to reguide approximately 80 acres from LA -2 (Low Medium Density Residential) to LA -1 (Low Density Residential). The PUD Concept Plan is for 125 single family detached lots located on approximately 80 acres. (90012) 2. Southeast corner off Fernbrook and Harbor Lanes. H.I. Enterprises is requesting approval of a rezoning, ite Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and variance. The rezoning is from B-1 (Office Limited Business) to B-3 (Service Business). The Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit is for the construction of an approximate 17,000 square foot building to contain a convenience store, automatic car wash, and ten service bays for automotive repair. The Site Plan will also contain gasoline pumps. The variance is to allow for the deferral of Ordinance -required parking on the site. (90015) Both requests will be heard by the Planning Commission on Wednesday, April 11, 1990. 7. RTB - COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM -- In 1989 the Regional Transit Board implemented the ommunity Transit Planning Grant Program to assist cities in planning new transit services. The attached correspondence from the RTB solicits proposals from interested cities for the 1990 grant program. The deadline for proposals is June 15. If there is interest in the City submitting a proposal for a new transit service, it should be discussed by the Council. 8. MINUTES: a. Park and Recreation Advisory Commission, March 8, 1990 (I -8a) b. Plymouth Safety Committee, March 21, 1990. (I -8b) 9. CITY ATTORNEY MONTHLY BILLING -- The City Attorney's monthly client summary for February is attac ed. (I-9) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM • March 29, 1990 Page 5 10. I-494 REPAIR BEGINS IN APRIL -- Road construction on I-494 from 24th Avenue South in oomington to Carlson Parkway is scheduled to begin in mid-April. The attached MnDOT news release describes the scope of the repair project. In addition, MnDOT has awarded a contract for the reconstruction of I-494 from Carlson Parkway to just north of T.H. 55. This work is expected to begin in May, and also involve the ramp construction for the interchange of I-494 and CSAH 6. (I-10) 11. POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCREDITATION PROGRAM -- The attached memorandum from Dick Cariquist reports on a Accreditation conference he attended in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from which many good ideas were picked up to assist us in our accreditation process. (I-11) 12. RESIDENT COMPLAINT-- -- Attached is a police report documenting a restdent' s comp aint with the services of Dick's Towing. The resident has requested that the Council be provided with a copy of the report. (I-12) 13. PETITION FROM RESIDENT OF HARBOR LANE NORTH OF GLEASON LAKE DRIVE -- n March 23, Mr. John Larkin, 35 Nathan Lane, presented theity with the attached petition from residents in the Harbor Lane area, north of Gleason Lake Drive. The residents oppose the City's construction project to create a stop for Harbor Lane at 4th Avenue. Attached is a memorandum from Fred Moore responding to the petition and concerns expressed by the residents. (I-13) 14. WASTE TRANSFER STATION -- A status report on Hennepin County's application fora aste ransfer Station is attached. (I-14) 15. NEWS ARTICLES -- The following articles are attached for the Council's information: a. "Burnsville, not Bloomington, will be home of trash -handling station," Star Tribune, March 14, 1990. (I -15a) b. "Traffic scenario spooks Met Council," Star Tribune, March 23, 1990. (I -15b) c. Four articles from City & State magazine dealing computers and local government. (I -15c) 16. BZ CORRESPONDENCE -- The following correspondence on City departments or employees has been received: a. Letter from Ruth Thran, Communications Division, Hennepin County Sheriff's Department, to Lt. Tom Saba. (I -16a) b. Letter of appreciation from Steve Fraley to Plymouth Officer John Stirratt. (I -16b) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM March 29, 1990 Page 6 17. NIEL NIELSEN -- Attached is letter to Plymouth employees from Niel Nielsen. ATso included is a touching poem Neil composed describing his bout with Lyme's disease. Neil is still recuperating at home. (I-17) 18. CORRESPONDENCE: a. Letter from Marilyn and Eric Foss, 4615 Oakview Lane, to Fred Moore, requesting resolution of a storm sewer water runoff problem involving an adjacent drainage pond. (I -18a) b. Letter to Steve Cheney, Cheney Carpet, 14025 23rd Avenue North, from Chuck Dillerud, on a zoning ordinance violation involving a "for lease" sign on the property. (I -18b) c. Letter to Wayne Wallace, 15300 37th Avenue North, from Dick Carl qui st, commending Mr. Wallace for his involvement in reporting and assisting the Plymouth Police with a theft from vehicles case. (I -18c) d. Letter from Chikita Davis Henry to Mayor Bergman registering a complaint of misconduct relative to two Plymouth police officers. A response to Ms. Henry from Dick Carl qui st is also attached. (I -18d) e. Letter from Mike Berkopec, Waste Management Co., to Mayor Bergman, on a proposed Earth Day event to plant four 4 trees in Plymouth in recognition of the City's curbside recycing program. Mark Peterson, Parks Superintendent, will be working with Mr. Berkopec to select a suitable site for the tree plantings. (I -18e) f. Letter from West Medicine Lake Community Club to Eric Blank, allowing the City to use the Club's ballfields for the period May 14 through July 27. (I -18f) g. Letter from Plymouth residents to Mayor Bergman, concerning the condition of neighboring property at 10715 15th Avenue North. (I -18g) James G. Willis City Manager M— ZL TOWN MEETING AGENDA AREA 2 April 9, 1990 7:00 p.m. I. 1990 PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS A. Streets B. Sanitary Sewer C. Water D. Public Buildings E. Parks/Trails II. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT A. Development Activity B. Comprehensive Plan Update III. PUBLIC SAFETY A. Police/Fire Report B. Police/Fire Alarm Permits C. Neighborhood Watch Program D. Animal Control IV. OTHER ITEMS A. Public Transportation - Plymouth Metrolink/Dial-a-Ride B. Local Government Cable Access Channel 37 C. Solid and Yard Waste Recycling Programs D. Water Usage - Sprinkling Restrictions cern- 31391-�%0 �!� '•��lJ•'_Tyiy �.,c.r HENNEPINPARKS ,,�..�N" i�1�}t�`•wT S{ ,rte • - v . . t! i.'ST.� .'R_t_•..,:t-ter _ SPONSORS THE INVASION OF THE EXOTIC " s AQUATIC WEEDS' :r w Public Information Session on Purple Loosestrife /y & Eurasian Water Milfoil j Tuesday, April 17,1990 7:00-9:00 p.m. \ ��J. ' -Robbinsdale High School Resource Center�„�. 3730 Toledo Avenue North a` (Hwy. 100 & 36th Ave. No.) a s Topics •What are these weeds and why are they a'problem? „- • What can be done now in control efforts? • What is the latest research on control? s: • How can the public help? ='tt • Update on legislative efforts. M-3 ri Presentors 0 v �• Dr. David Weaver, Director of Natural Resources Management, Hennepin Parks Jack Skrypek, Chief of Ecological Services, D.N.R. Tom Jahnke, District Forester, Hennepin Parks -- 3z.�.• John Barten ,Water Quality Manager, Hennepin Parks - .xca�t�.s:-• M-3 ri Who Should Attend v �• This is a public seminar open to anyone concerned about the environment including boat owners and lakeshore or wetland property owners. No Pre -Registration Required For more information call Hennepin Parks at 559-9000 F€� 42nd Ave % Fd - Seth Ave .�;�a' Q. " *ROBBIN3DALE HIGH SCHOOL' - $ ��::rr..�,.•, , - - -• ' •t• •� `� seth Ave r,� CL t�= j 1 ^. t O�C►1 0, M-3 ri 26 KAR 1NDEPENDENTSCHOOLDISTRICT281 ,J3G Roiiims4k Arra School: ..... LeoMing for • lifctint of Srowini o\ + 1 MAR 2. , �m M• ' tea. C�owt. 3A400 i'7 ,,,00 h gOVJEA.U" d. You are Gordiall invited +o +h c, ed' � , G&+ ion of 4hG Plymou+h Micicll& School New Media, Center -ruesday , Apri 13. Iggp 3: 00 5' o P. rn. Prog ro na at q : oo p, m . C�r��3/a�tGo - - City of a e move 9401 Fernbrook Lane, Maple Grove, Minnesota 55369-9790 612420-4000 March 23, 1990 . l r` MAR f.' k l _ Ms. Carole Helliwell k`f`,: P.O. Box 42183 Plymouth, MN 55442 Dear Ms. Helliwell: Enclosed is the letter of invitation we received from -Donald Paumen, President of Wright-Hennepin's Board of Directors, asking our Council to meet with them. The letter indicates the date of April 10th but the actual date we settled on was Wednesday April 4th, at 7:00 a.m. This meeting will be held at the UPA offices which are located across from the Maple Grove Perkins on 73rd Avenue. We look forward to you joining us that evening! JE:CT cc: Jim Willis James Deane Mawr Cern- o Sincerely yours, e'l-T Jon Elam City Administrator "Serving Today, Shaping Tomorrow" AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER David Burtness Charles F. Dehn DonaldJ. Ramstad Councilmemher Councilmembcr Councilmember DonnaRyon Councilmembcr -_7 f `-_� Wright -Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association P.O. Box 330 • Maple Lake • MN 55358-0330 • (612) 963-3131 .• Metro 441-5280 d . Fax Ext. 356 • Fax Ext. 207 March 16, 1990 VT President Donald J. Paumen Honorable Mayor and City Council Maple Lake, Mn. City of Maple Grove 9401 Fernbrook Lane Vice President Maple Grove, MN 55369 Alvin E. Heinz Rogers, Mn. Dear Mayor Deane and Council: Donald J. Paumen Arthur E. Watkins President - Board of Directors Hamel, Mn. DJP/jmo General Manager David P. Larson Buffalo, Mn. 0 tirA A� P. MINNESOTA 1990 Cpm _31a�+1Clo It is the desire of the Board of Directors of Secretary -Treasurer Wright -Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association to E.S. Knickerbocker meet with you to discuss the following items. Annandale, Mn. - A future cost of service study. Directors Byron C. Gustafson - Board representation and other areas of mutual Buffalo, Mn. concern. We are considering making recommendations to the Milton C. Hickman membership in accordance with our By -Laws and feel it Buffalo, Mn. is important to gain the input of the City Council before we formulate said recommendations. Chris A. Lantto Annandale, Mn. We suggest a meeting at the Minnesota Rural Electric Association Statewide Office in Maple Grove at 7:00 p.m. on April 10th, or any other date that is Philip R. Hamilton convenient to you. Maple Plain, Mn. Sincerely, Kermit H. Dietrich Maple Plain, Mn. Donald J. Paumen Arthur E. Watkins President - Board of Directors Hamel, Mn. DJP/jmo General Manager David P. Larson Buffalo, Mn. 0 tirA A� P. MINNESOTA 1990 Cpm _31a�+1Clo IA N Q a � aD In D x ^ •- N fh O n a O W N O to N M r 3 U a Q W r OD LD N GA F N N O n O N N f O - y N N 0 a� J Q N CV) LL N O to N N O H O N N W o n a x = 3 N N U Q O N N F O - - co O i a h N Cpm . 3la-�(�, o 00 N Q \ Q M cr- Q N U%V— 00 N- N NW Q LL O O 0 � cr- LL M O n CO N N Q z CD � z wX: U) H� LU • LU � a a m D U o 0 H N CF)�M xM Cfl oa Loon. (n oLU U CD Cl Z I�ZM C'3M LI Z Z V— s >- a a Q U) W H O M N Q ��-4 z� CD C) azo =C) �Uo C) co MUo Z CY W O J ^ N J ct wH o� co ow10- M O N '-Q LL�m N M w 0 Z N y Q W Q n Z D U) t f) N d) 00 N N Cpm . 3la-�(�, o N Q) m N m r CO U) N Q) U. " N N Q N N N N n N N O Q CO N o 0 N �+ N W 333 2 N (1) to N f00 f IQ N N 7 0 LO N N .0- r CO b N D m Q N N N N Q Of O M Q CO N J Q O M O^ N ZH Z N (1) to N f00 f 7 0 LO N N fA Q D Q N CD r r N Q 0 LL w r' V- N Nul WLLI f I- j d L O_ H O0 � M < M M a� V-x� N M a � U m LU W '�-iOO ..UM C7M ZLLI ^ nrz omaM " <� N U- n. r N a C') z Q � N W Pr N O O O W 04g ~ �o �o N Oo C) r- 00 CCM, ems: r— M � N as n N J U i U i N d Z < W Od 00_ U CD C) O CD M p f C LL. cm LL W Z t0 O V) 2 = x F- U w H Ct' a LU OC) N cr W f Z r- N CD N Cern-3/aS190 'Medici r�e Lake- Boslile's for Chapter -11 By Ingrid Sandstrom past several months with a potential Staff Writer buyer, Laidlaw Transportation Inc., of Burlington, Ont. Medicine Lake Bus Co., which pro- vides scheduled and chartered bus The Canadian firm applied last service primarily in the western Twin month to the Regibnal Transit Cities suburbs, filed for protection Board, which is responsible for tran- from creditors Thursday under sit planning for the seven -country Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy metro area, for assignment of some code. The company said it will con-. of Medicine Lake's contracts. tinue to operate. Ina statement, the company said it has more than $4 million in assets and more than $4 million in liabil- ities. It has been negotiating over the Laidlaw apparently was doing so be- cause it was purchasing some of Medicine Lake's.assets and all of its 'school bus operations. Neither Medi- cine Lake nor Laidlaw officials have confirmed their negotiations. Medicine Lake said in its statement that it intends to complete the pro- posed sale despite the bankruptcy fil- ing Medicine Lake, a privately owned, nonunion company based. in Golden Valley, was the low bidder in July for the University of Minnesota's Route 52 commuter bus -service contract, winning it from the Metropolitan Transit Commission, which had Bas line continued on page 5D Bus line Continued from page 1D served the university since 1970. The . government bodies motivated -the university . agreed to pay Medicine bankruptcy filing. Lake about $3.72 million to operate the University routes over the next two years. Company officials .would not offer further comment yesterday but in a statement the company said that de- lays caused by its inability to obtain approval for assignment of Medicine Lake's contracts from several local ;� i 114.E :r►.u.vn. ..., ' MTC awarded Plymouth contract The Metropolitan Transit Commis- sion has been awarded a one-year contract to operate Metrolink bus service for the city of Plymouth. The contract .will exceed $800,000. The 'previous operator was Medicine Lake Lines, which was rumored this' month to have attracted a potential buyer. Laidlaw Transportation Inc. of Burlington, Ontario. The transit commission said that starting April 2, it will operate 10 40 - foot buses between the two Plymouth Park -and -Ride lots and downtown Minneapolis. A subcontractor, the Morley Bus Co., will operate six minibuses to the Park -and -Ride lots from different points throughout )r C�rT+-3►a-L1CID Earlier this week, the MTC won a one-year contract to operate Metro- link bus service for the city of Plym- outh,. an $800,000 contract previous- ly held by Medicine Lake. <<: A Chapter 11 petition protects the company from creditors while the business is reorganized. Plymouth. Service west of Medicine Lake will remain the same; service north and east of that area will be modified and expanded during the year. meD1 7iI'lE? Ke --- OGI�I'Ls�'c�' A $35 DECATUR AVE. NO. • GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55427 • (612) 545-9417 • FAX: (512) 591-9198 March 27, 1990 To Our Valued Customers: Please be advised that Saturday, March 31, 1990 Is the last day that MLBC wilf be serving routes in the West suburban areas. On ,M•orfday, _ Marsh 26th "R�gbil"':Tr`iit "Goard: votad. not -oto_ -renew a' contise�ct' which previously Istel between lilledlcine ''Lake ~Bus CompM -and the Rei gional Transit lBoard. instead, the Regional Transit Board issued a contract to the ' MTC wh1ch covers all services currently operated in Medicine Lake Lines' public transit area which serves Crystal, New: Hope, Golden Valley, Maple Grove and Plymouth. As a result of this action, It. Is financially and politically Impossible for Medicine Lake Lines to Continue Its transit -'operations which It has provided on an uninterrupted basis the past 50 years... We have thoroughly enjoyed being your neighborhood bus • company for the 25+ years that the Johnson Family has operated the bus line. servicing our valued customers has been a tradition we have taken great pride In, however, the current political difficulties have made It Impossible to continue operating from Medicine Lake Lines' perspective. It Is hand to believe that it now must come to an end after such a long harts battle to serve our people with high quality service. Any questions concerning future pians and service levels should be referred to the Metropolitan Transit Commission at 349-7400. Sincerely, _ — 'Of es _��+ Nfa.' • .. • r - .. .. .. 1 .. - - in in•A:fo :hason_-- President James A. Johnson' Vice President MRJ/JAJ:dy ell- 1 Omega Travel Gray Line Minneapolis/St. Paul Consolidated Tours 646-8855 .591-0988 645-8783 Cern-3Jac (C, CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 MEMO DATE: March 27, 1990 TO: Plymouth Metrolink and Medicine Lake Passengers within the City of Plymouth FROM: Frank Boyles, Assistant City Manager SUBJECT THE FUTURE OF PLYMOUTH METROLINK Effective April 1, 1990, Medicine Lake Lines will no longer provide transit services in Plymouth as they are going out of business. On April 2, the Metropolitan Transit Commission and Morley Bus Company will provide all transit services within the City of Plymouth. FARES, ROUTES & TIMES All fares will remain the same and will be collected on the full-size buses only. From April 1 through June 8, routes and times will remain the same for a commuter/ reverse commuter service in the City. On June 11, route changes will occur primarily in northeast Plymouth. To assist our riders with the new route changes, schedules will be available and distributed two weeks prior to the changes. WHAT CHANGES YOU CAN EXPECT As a rider, you will notice a few changes. 1) Initially, regular MTC and Morley buses will be used to deliver the service. While these vehicles will not display the Metrolink color or logos, each will prominently display the current route names. 2) By June 11, newer vehicles will be dedicated to Plymouth Metrolink. Full size coaches will be 1988 M.A.N. buses. The mini -coaches will be 1990 Collins Diplomats. All will be identified as Plymouth Metrolink vehicles. 3) Convenience fares will no longer be available from the drivers. The MTC will continue to accept MLL convenience fare cards for a short period of time. Fare cards can be purchased at the Transit Store and the Plymouth City Center. Other outlets for fare cards are being looked into and we will advise you of their locations as soon as they are established. 4) Because of the registering fare boxes, dollar bills cannot be accepted on MTC vehicles. CONCERNS We know that you have been pleased with the drivers provided by Medicine Lake Lines over the years. The City of Plymouth intends to continue a strong positive relationship between Metrolink customers and the MTC and Morley drivers. If you have any concerns about Plymouth Metrolink, please call me at 550-5013. We want to keep you as our very special passengers! 03/23/90 1991 BLUGEr AND 1991/1995 CAPITAL BWFOVEVJHNr PFCGWM ADCPPICN CAIIINIIAR April 13 Personnel, contractual services, employee training, professional organizations and capital outlay request forms to departments from Finance Department. W May 4 Department personnel requests returned to Finance Department. May 11 Exployee training, professional organizations and capital outlay requests returned to Finance Department. May 21 City Council reviews their proposed 1991 Budget priorities - Study meeting 4:30 p.m. City Council Conference Room. June 8 Finance Department distributes 1991/92 working draft budgets for department review, including 1990 expenditure data through April 30. Finance Department prepares 1991/92 revenue forecasts including valuation, tax capacity, state aids, levy limits and estimated tax capacity rates. June 18 City Council adopts 1991 Budget priorities June 18-29 Finance Department reviews departmental requests with department heads and supervisors. July 17-25 City Manager meets with departments on proposed budget. Aug 1 Department of Revenue certifies L.G.A. and levy limits. Aug 3 City Manager submits proposed 1991/1992 Budgets to City Council. Aug 13 City Council Budget Study Session I - 4:30 p.m., City Council Conference Rocm Aug 20 City Council adopts proposed budgets and proposed tax levies Aug 30 Planning Department publishes public hearing notice for 1991-1995 CIP. Sept 12 Planning Commission holds public hearing on proposed 1991-1995 CIP. Sept 17 City Council Budget Study Session II - 4:30 p.m., City Council Conference Roan Sept 18 City Council Budget Study Session III - 4:30 p.m., City Council Conference Roan Oct 15 City Council sets public hearing date for 1991 City Budgets and considers 1991-1995 C.I.P. Oct 24 City Clerk publishes notice of Council Budget Hearings. Nov 5 County to mail proposed 1991 tax statements. Nov 14 Planning Camission recam*ends 1991-1995 CIP to City Council. Nov 19- City to hold public hearings to adopt final budget and final property tax Dec 3 levy, and to discuss the % increase in property taxes and uses of increases. Dec 3 City Council holds second public hearing and adopts final 1991 City Budgets and final tax levies. Dec 28 Last day to certify 1991 tax levy to County. Cpm - 3 la --,,I c -,o T3 MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 DATE: March 21, 1990 TO: Chuck Dillerud, Community Development Coordinator FROM: Myra Gibson Wicklacz, Development Services Technician SUBJECT: INTERSECTION SIGHT OBSTRUCTION AT ARCHER LANE AND COUNTY ROAD 6 On August 8, 1989, a bona fide complaint was received in regard to an intersection sight obstruction at the southeast corner of Archer Lane and County Road 6. Upon inspection of the property by the City Forester on August 8, 1989, it was determined that a hedge was obstructing traffic visibility of west bound traffic on County Road 6 when stopped on Archer Lane. The property directly adjacent to this violation was noted at 1420 Archer Lane North, owned by a David Betlock. On August 14, 1989, a letter was sent to Mr. Betlock, stating that the shrubs were causing an intersection sight obstruction in the public right-of-way and that if, in 15 days, the obstruction was not removed, the City would be required to enforce Section 810 of the City Code and remove the intersection sight obstruction in the public right-of-way and assess the cost of administration and labor back to the abutting property owner. On August 25, 1989, I received a call from Mr. Betlock where we discussed the removal of the hedge that runs parallel to County Road 6. Mr. Betlock requested that he not be assessed with the cost to remove the hedge, since he alleged that Hennepin County would be removing the hedge with the winding of County Road 6, and that he did not want to incur any additional assessments related to that. Upon conferring with the City Forester, he and I agreed not to assess the cost back to Mr. Betlock, but that the Forester would remove all portions of the hedge which were in this right-of-way which caused an obstruction. On September 20, 1989, I sent a letter to Mr. Betlock confirming what our discussion had been on August 25, 1989. On or about September 20, 1989, City Forester, Don Kissinger, removed that portion of the hedge which he felt was causing a sight obstruction. After some trimming of the hedge had been done, Don Kissinger met with Mr. Betlock cpm-3)a-dCL.0 Intersection Sight Obstruction March 21, 1990 Page 2 to discuss further how the hedge should be trimmed back to alleviate the sight obstruction. Mr. Betlock was upset that so much of the hedge had to be removed, but he and the City Forester tried to keep as much hedge as possible to help screen his house from County Road 6. In addition to this correspondence which happened late last summer, I have heard from Mr. Betlock sometime back in early winter 1989 requesting a copy of the letters that I sent him. This memo is a response to Jim Willis' inquiry through Councilmember Helliwell. cc: File 29-43-0062 Corres. File (nu/mw/betlock:dl) C,.rc\ - 3 /a.9 /C. c .TAMES M. STROMMEN Attorney at Law Direct Dial (612) 337-9233 March 22, 1990 Mr. James Willis City Manager City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Re: Suburban Rate Authority Dear Jim: HOLMES & GRAVEN CHARTERED 470 Pillsbury Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 (612) 337-9300 vvt 0 T- LA We spoke earlier this year regarding the issue of the City of Plymouth's continued membership in the Suburban Rate Authority. You requested some material summarizing present SRA involvement in utility matters and its benefit to Plymouth. I have enclosed a memorandum prepared by Glenn Purdue on April 20, 1988 entitled "A Review of SRA Achievements". Also included are Comments of Glenn Purdue Regarding the Suburban Rate Authority April 1, 1986. The memorandum provides a rather extensive review of SRA accomplishments through early 1988. Mr. Purdue estimates that the dollar savings to SRA members since 1975 is conservatively $177,460 per vote. (SRA members are presently assessed $350 per vote, one vote per 5,000 in population.) Since July 1989 NSP has filed for a rate increase, U.S. West has petitioned for approval of an incentive -based rate plan, and the MWCC has been pressured by the EPA regarding sewage treatment discharge. The SRA is monitoring each of these matters. You and the Plymouth City Council members are .in the best position to evaluate how this analysis relates to Plymouth. It would appear, however, that Plymouth has substantially benefitted from the SRA's involvement in the telephone and electric utility matters. The present issues involving sewer separation funding and MWCC sewer treatment challenges from the EPA also raise significant cost issues for Plymouth residents. In reviewing its participation in the SRA, the City should consider the following: First, there is no question that the SRA represents suburban cities before the Public Cpm - 31 a� Icio --_ 4 Mr. James Willis Page Two March 22, 1990 .. Utilities Commission far better than any city could represent itself on its own. This is a function of the cost of representation before the Commission and the weight given to the voice of a party which represents a large number of residents and businesses. The loss of major cities like Plymouth would significantly detract from the SRA's ability to actively intervene in utility cases. Even with present membership, the SRA is largely unable to fund the rate experts who may charge $30,000 to $60,000 for the type of rate analysis the Commission relies upon in some of the more technical areas. A significant erosion of SRA membership would reduce the impact of SRA representation before the Commission. Second, the SRA` deals with issues routinely involving millions of dollars to suburban rate payers. Even a seemingly minor issue in a rate case can make a significant difference to city residents and businesses. Because of the complexity of rate matters, not all issues get a full airing. It is possible that the issues will be ignored to the detriment of suburban ratepayers, absent SRA involvement. Without the SRA, suburban cities have virtually no voice before the Commission. The attorney general's office represents residents on a statewide basis. On issues that are drawn along suburb/urban or suburb/rural lines, suburban cities will at best be placed with the group as a whole or, at worst, be descriminated against. We identified the latter problem in the Northwestern Bell Tier System case. As a result of SRA involvement, telephone rates for outer suburbs have been reduced dramatically over the last ten years. Municipal pumping rates charged by NSP is another example of the success achieved through SRA representation. Further changes may be forthcoming. The SRA recognizes that non -SRA suburbs also reap the benefits of SRA representations without paying membership fees. It also recognizes that budget restrictions prevent cities from joining every worthwhile organization. Nevertheless, the SRA is a valuable organization for Plymouth and Plymouth is a valuable member of the SRA. The SRA has achieved significant results for its members, including Plymouth. The SRA will continue to play an increasingly important role in serving as spokesperson for suburban residents and businesses in the expensive and complex area of utility rates. I would be happy to answer any further questions you or the City Council might have. Very truly yours, HOLM RAVEN, CHARTERED James M. Str mmen JMS:gak c-- �m-3/a`►119o 2000 First Bank Place West Minneapolis Minnesota 55402 Telephone (612) 333-0543 Telecopier (612) 333-0540 J. Dennis O'Brien John E. Drawz David J. Kennedy Joseph E. Hamilton John B. Dean Glenn E. Purdue Richard J. Schieffer Charles L LeFevere Herbert P. Lefler III James J. Thomson, Jr. Thomas R. Galt Steven B. Schmidt John G. Kressel James M. Strommen Ronald H. Batty William P. Jordan William R. Skallerud Rodney D. Anderson Corrine A. Heine David D. Beaudoin Steven M. Tallen Mary Frances Skala Leslie M. Altman Timothy J. Pawlenty Rolf A. Sponheim Julie A. Bergh Darcy L. Hitesman David C. Roland Karen A. Chamerlik Paul D. Baertschi Arden Fritz Clayton L LeFevere, Retired Herbert P. Lefler, Retired LcFevere Lef ler Kennedv O'Brien & Dra%%7 a Professional Association MEMORANDUM TO: SRA Board of Directors FROM: Glenn Purdue, SRA Counsel% �R DATE: April 20, 1988 SUBJ: Review of SRA Achievements At the January Board meeting, the Board asked me to report on the achievements and successes -the SRA has experienced in recent years. In preparing this response, I have consulted with Dave Kennedy (Clayt is wintering in Arkansas) and have reviewed SRA minutes, board memoranda, and financial information. The Suburban Rate Authority was organized in the winter months of 1963, for the purpose of providing for group strength with regard to the Minneapolis Gas Company, which served the original members. Attachment A provides some historical background. In 1974, the legislature adopted the Public Utilities Act (Chapter 216B) to provide for State regulation of gas and electric utili- ties, except for cooperative electric associations and municipal utilities, by the Public Service Commission. SRA assisted the State in setting up regulation and intervened in the early gas and electric cases with the hope of 'providing leadership and direction in utility regulation. Since that time, it has also been active in matters concerning the Metropolitan Waste Control Commis- sion, in providing uniform gas and electric ordinances to the membership, i.e. telephone rate regulation and in legislation concerning the Public Utilities Commission, with some notable successes. There follows, in inverse chronological order, counsel's attempt to spotlight the highlights related to specific matters over the last several years. While less tangible in most cases, the general flow of information which results from membership has benefited many. -: April 20, 1988 Page 2 Metropolitan Waste Control Commission 1987 SAC Refund Plan, Sewer Service Areas, Rate Structure. SRA provided ,testimony (through Grady Boeck) at the legislature. Board resolu- tion supporting changes in sewer services areas and the rate structure as proposed by the study commission. 1986 Supported similar legislation, which failed. 1985 Directors DeGhetto and Honchell served on the Rate Structure Task Force. The Board was active in the formulation of-. . funding proposals for the Combined Sewer Overflow projects in the Cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul and South St. Paul. SRA involvement probably limited the pass-through of these costs to member communities. 1984 SRA Director Jim Spore served on the MWCC Administrative Review Committee. Jim and Clayt LeFevere assisted Touche Ross with the manage- ment review study of the MWCC (the "Boland Commission") 1982 SRA organized and, with other organizations, sponsored a conference on the management of the MWCC. Dubbed "Spotlight on the MWCC," the conference started the ball rolling toward review of management practices, policies and philosophies of the MWCC. The one -day confer- ence was attended by over 100 persons and it started a dialogue which resulted in the management study and rate structure reviews. 1981 SRA created an ad hoc committee on MWCC over- sight. The committee, chaired by Bill Schoell, established subcommittees to study operating efficiency, storm sanitary sewer separation, total costs and allocation methodology, future construction program, wage rates, comparative costs and similar districts. Committee reports were received and forwarded to MWCC. Uniform Franchise Ordinances The statutes allow cities to require gas and electric utilities operating within their boundaries to obtain Lac-,-3l,:� 0 LA April 20, 1988 Page 3 non-exclusive franchises, which are granted by ordinance. Prior to 1974, these franchise ordinances regulated virtually all facets of gas and electric service, includ- ing pricing and conditions of service. SRA members adopted the first SRA uniform franchise in the early 1960s. These expired 20 years later. In 1982, SRA established a committee to work with Minnegasco on a replacement gas franchise. Such a franchise was agreed to in meetings which spanned the course of a year. - Counsel is of the opinion that the strength presented by the SRA accomplished very much in terms of providing member cities with a strong gas franchise ordinance. Most SRA members adopted the franchise as negotiated, at insignificant cost. In 1984, the Board formed a committee to negotiate a uniform electric franchise with Northern States Power Company. After many spirited discussions between the committee and NSP representatives, a uniform electric franchise, generally acceptable to NSP, was adopted by the Board in April of 1987, and distributed to members for action. Many members have adopted this franchise ordinance. While obtaining company approval of a fran- chise ordinance acceptable to SRA was far more difficult than with the Minnegasco ordinance, counsel is of the opinion that group strength provided a very significant advantage over the bargaining strength of individual cities, at small cost to individual cities. Intervention in Utility Rate Cases The Suburban Rate Authority has intervened in the follow- ing rate cases: 1987 NSP General Rate Filing. This is the current case, described in recent Board Minutes. Northwestern Bell Extended Area Service Docket. This case is presently underway and SRA action is described in other memoranda of the same date. After a significant pause, part two of this case will get underway this fall. SRA director Bruce Nawrocki appeared as a witness. 1986 NSP Gas General Rate Case. We monitored this case, which was refiled after the dismissal of the 1985 case because of NSP misconduct in hiring a commissioner before he acted on NSP's rate request. Redeliberation on Northwestern Bell Cases. We obtained very substantial reductions in the tier system ratios. These changes resulted in c��-31a�1�a April 20, 1988 Page 4 very significant savings in telephone rates for most SRA business and residential users. 1985 Northern States Power General Rate Case. The SRA sponsored expert witness Derick•Dahlen on several issues. We 'pioneered" an issue as to fossil fuel inventory. We also helped maintain the municipal pumping rate, and we defended prior SRA accomplishments as to accounting practices. Very substantial savings were realized through SRA intervention. This case was appealed to the. Court of Appeals and the State Supreme Court and SRA (alone) participated with MPUC in successfully defending MPUC's action. 1983 Northwestern Bell General Rate Filing. We attacked the tier system of pricing. SRA director Gayle Norberg appeared as a witness. Some gains were made in reducing the tier system ratios, thus resulting in savings to most SRA business and residential customers. 1982 Minnegasco General Rate Increase. We monitored the financial matters in this case. SRA supported Minnegasco in a failing effort to maintain free inside safety inspections as a condition of service. 1981 NSP Electric General Rate Increase. We moni- tored the financial matters in this case to assist in preserving _accounting principles established previously by the SRA. 1980 NSP Electric General Rate Case. SRA monitored the case, successfully preserving previously established accounting treatment as to nuclear fuel amortization, deferred taxes, and alleged lag in payment of depreciation. Minnegasco General Rate Filing. SRA partici- pated as a party in this case but did not sponsor testimony. It reviewed financial data. 1977 NSP Electric General Rate Case. SRA sponsored testimony of George Hess concerning various accounting practices. 1975 NSP Electric General Rate Case. SRA sponsored the principle of original cost rate base (rather than present value). This principle was accepted and had extremely significant and favorable consequences for all consumers. Q vrXN-3/a-%ISa = '4 April 20, 1988 Page 5 PUC Legislation Following the disclosures of alleged misconduct by commissioners of the MPUC in 1986 and early 1987, reac- tive legislation was proposed in the Minnesota legisla- ture. SRA counsel appeared with the Attorney General and with the counsel for the MPUC in urging reasonable corrective action and advising against proposals which were deemed excessive. SRA counsel testified before legislative committees. The resulting statutory amendments provide safeguards for the public. . Other Subject Areas SRA has considered issues and taken minor actions in a number of areas. Some of these are: The Pipeline Safety Act,. United and Continental Telephone, the Landfill Abatement Act fees, solid waste control legislation, Counsel membership on MPUC rules study group. Estimated Dollar Savings from SRA Efforts The Board requested that I estimate dollar savings arising out of SRA activities. There are only a few instances where circumstances allow an estimate. ?n an effort to be able to contrast savings with assessments, I have tried to calculate these on a per vote basis (5,000 of population). 1975 NSP. George Hess estimated $18 to $20 per household. Using 3.4 persons per household, this would be approximately $26,500 per vote. The figure does not include business savings. 1977 NSP. I can find no estimate of dollar savings in the file. The 1975 principles were defended successfully. It is thus reasonable to state that the $26,500 per vote continued from 1975 and onward. To be conservative, use five years or $132,000 per vote for NSP electric through 1980. 1980 Minnegasco, 1981 NSP, 1982 NSP, 1982 Minnegas- co. I can find no calculation in the file. We again defended principles previously established in NSP cases. No dollar impact can be fairly calculat- ed. 1982 Northwestern Bell. We commenced our attack on the tier system. Northwestern Bell has estimated a shift away from suburban communities of about c'm'31acnlcto April 20, 1988 Page 6 $2 million to $3 million per year as a result of SRA intervention in the three Bell rate cases through early 1986. Using $2 million per year and the assumption that SRA represents approximately half of the suburban businesses and households (this has not been calculated, it is just an estimate), the savings is about $6500 per•vote per year. Over three years, this is $20,000 per vote. 1985 NSP. Our consultant estimated savings due solely to SRA intervention at about $8 per household per year. Over the two years the rate was in effect, this is a savings of about $23,500 per vote. We supported others on other issues. 1987 NSP. This case is addressed in a concurrent memo. Estimated savings from the fuel issue' is $1,600 per vote per year. MWCC. I have not tried to estimate savings. We have been attentive to 'shifts of the revenue burden from the central cities to the suburbs. This was particularly true in CSO funding (the Legislature just "undid" some of that success in the "Garbage Bill"). I suppose it also came into play in the sewer service area changes and the administrative changes urged by SRA. It is my judgment that these savings were very significant, but they are not quantifiable without an undue amount of research, and assumptions which could not be well -supported. Uniform Franchises. The gas and electric uniform franchises were negotiated at a cost of approximate- ly $40 per vote. If as favorable terms could be negotiated individually, which is quite doubtful, cost of staff and attorney time would considerably more. An average member might have 3.5 votes and its cost would thus be $140 for the SRA product. Attorney and staff costs for doing it individually might easily be ten times that, a savings of $1260 per member or $360 per vote. Summary. A conservative estimate of dollar savings to SRA members because of SRA activities over the years since 1975 is $177,460 per vote. Very likely a case could be made for multiples of this figure. SRA assessments through 1988 total $1,513.50 per vote or 0.85 percent of the estimated savings, without regard for the non -quantifiable rewards of membership. The per vote assessment history is: 1984 - $245.40 1985 - 368.10 cpm-3/a4L4p April 20, 1988 Page 7 0060MEO1.B18 <--krn-3/ac,Ic,a 1986 - 200.00 1987 - 350.00 1988 - 350.00 LeFevere Lef ler hennedv O'Brien S Drama .4%%mi2lits 1 The combination of Northern Natural's rate increases and the apparent discrimination between Minneapolis and the suburbs led a number of suburbs to form an ad hoc orga- nization called the "Suburban Gas Agency" to investigate the rate -making practices of the company. This occurred in 1957 and 1958. Eighteen communities cooperated in financing an initial study by a Colorado firm which returned findings that, in a number of respects, the higher rates being charged in the suburbs could not be justified under standard rate -making practices. The newly formed Suburban Gas Agency engaged a nationally recognized utility rate consulting firm from Washington, D.C., Martin T. Bennett & Associates, Inc., to assist in analyzing the gas company's rate -setting practices and to ATTACHMENT A c I c.o Comments of Glenn Purdue 2000 First Bank Place West M lis Regarding the Suburban Rate Authority - Minnasots 55402 April 1, 1986 TNeph om 1612► 333-0543 TMecopier !61213330540 the period between 1950 and 1960 the rapidly expanding ClWoIn Neeben P �er°re Lefler suburbs of Minneapolis were experiencing a series of as J. DenirioisP. rate increases imposed by what was then known as the JolmnE.Drewz Minneapolis Gas Company. The individual suburbs had very David K",.d'' JM B. Dean r, ohn B. inadequate franchises, providing no protection to rate Glenn E. Purdue payers. The State of Minnesota did not regulate the ftkftrd J. Sctimffer rates and policies of gas companies. The City of Charles L. LeFwere Herbert P. Lefler III Minneapolis ' has a rather detailed franchise which re - P James J. Thomson. Jr. quired that gas rates be established using the value of Thomas R. Gait the facilities within the city and serving the city. Brian Nolan Because these facilities were older and were largely JBo�M G. Vi�ssel depreciated, the rate base on which the gas company could Lorraine S. CLvg earn a rate of return was low by comparison with the James M.rry Ronald H. Barry a suburbs. Rates in the suburbs were approximately 15% PP Y William P. Jordan higher than they were in Minneapolis. Susan Dickel Minsberg Kuri J. Erickson William R. Skallerud Northern Natural Gas Company, which supplied Minneapolis PP Po Rodney D. Anderson with its gas supply, was required to get approval of its Corrine A. Heine rates from the Federal Power Commission. However, the John R McDonald. Jr David D Beaudoinlaw permitted any rate which they applied for to go into effect six months after the filing. Northern Natural adopted the practice of filing for one rate increase after another ("pancaking") with the most recent in- creases going into effect before the earlier increases had been adjudicated and approved. The combination of Northern Natural's rate increases and the apparent discrimination between Minneapolis and the suburbs led a number of suburbs to form an ad hoc orga- nization called the "Suburban Gas Agency" to investigate the rate -making practices of the company. This occurred in 1957 and 1958. Eighteen communities cooperated in financing an initial study by a Colorado firm which returned findings that, in a number of respects, the higher rates being charged in the suburbs could not be justified under standard rate -making practices. The newly formed Suburban Gas Agency engaged a nationally recognized utility rate consulting firm from Washington, D.C., Martin T. Bennett & Associates, Inc., to assist in analyzing the gas company's rate -setting practices and to ATTACHMENT A c I c.o assist in negotiating a new franchise for the suburbs. Mr. George Hess, one of the principals of that firm, assumed responsibility for the task. He analyzed the rate -setting practices of the company. He also concluded that the company was departing from established rate- making procedures in several major respects. There followed a prolonged negotiation on a new uniform fran- chise for the suburbs. The company proposed that the suburbs all adopt a franchise similar to the franchise in Minneapolis except that the new, more expensive property in the suburbs would provide the suburban "rate base" and the "fence around Minneapolis" would be retained. We were successful in negotiating an entirely different concept for the suburbs. It provided in detail how the rate base would be calculated and how the company's rate of return on its rate base would be determined from year by year. It provided for a uniform franchise in all of the Minnegasco suburbs and for the creation of the Suburban Rate Authority. The Suburban Rate Authority in turn engaged Mr. Hess to supervise and enforce the performance of the gas company under the uniform fran- chises. The new franchises were adopted by all of the suburbs then served by Minneapolis Gas Company. By 1961, the benefits of the new franchise began to become evident and the gap between suburban rates and Minneapolis rates was narrowed. At the end of 1963 Mr. Hess reported that the suburbs paid $440,000 less that year than they would have had to pay under the Minneapolis -type franchise. By the end of 1965 savings to Suburban consumers amounted to approximately $2,350,000, below rates which would have been charged under the Minneapolis formula. Such savings continued at ever increasing rates through the 1960's so that by approximately 1970 the rates in the suburbs were at the point of falling below the rates being charged in Minneapolis. At that point the City of Minneapolis entered into negotiations with the gas company in an effort to secure the kind of franchise which was in effect in the suburbs. In the mid 1970's the legislature, after years of contro- versy on the matter, empowered the Railroad and Warehouse Commission (now the Public Utilities Commission) to regulate gas and electric rates. The regulation became effective January 1, 1975. Until that time the only regulation of rates was by individual communities under their franchises. Many communities either did not have franchises, had very deficient franchises or had virtual- ly no enforcement of such franchises as they had. While the customers of Minneapolis Gas Company were quite well -protected, there were many electric and gas consum- ers throughout the state who were not. When state regulation took effect, Northern States Power Company was the first utility to file for a major rate cpm -31a --Ii c.a increase. A number of municipalities, not members of the Suburban Rate Authority, expressed a desire to have the Suburban Rate Authority enter into electric rate -making proceedings and to represent them. As a result, the Suburban Rate Authority changed its joint powers agree- ment so as to permit it to (a) participate in electric, gas and telephone matters before the state commission and to (b) admit any community of the metropolitan area as a member. As a consequence of that action, the membership of the Suburban Rate Authority expanded from -25 munic- ipalities to approximately 45 municipalities. In addi- tion many outstate communities entered into a special arrangement with the SRA to represent them on selected rate -making proceedings. In the first NSP rate proceeding, the company filed for a so-called "fair value" rate base. This would have permitted the company to earn a return on the claimed present day market value of all of its properties rather than on the depreciated book value of its properties. The Suburban Rate Authority objected to the form of NSP's filing. As a consequence of the SRA's action in this case, the state commission made a precedent -setting determination that the book value rate base advocated by the SRA would be used in Minnesota. In the first filing, the savings which resulted to electric consumers as a result of that decision ran into millions of dollars each year. Such savings have been realized each year since that time on both gas and electric rates. In the first several rate proceedings Minneapolis and St. Paul undertook to have the central cities established as a separate rate zone so as to obtain the benefit of older, lower-cost, and more -fully -depreciated properties in their rate base. The suburbs opposed this action and were successful in preventing a return to the old central city -suburban dichotomy. As regulation by the state commission became better established, the role of the Suburban Rate Authority could bo and was somewhat reduced. Nevertheless the Suburban Rate Authority continued to follow and partici- pate in each of the major NSP Electric and Minnesota Gas Company filings applicable to the metropolitan area. In the most -recent NSP electric case, SRA has joined with approximately 20 other cities in an effort to reduce the revenue requirement, and to save the municipal pumping rate. In recent years, SRA has been active on several fronts: MWCC - sponsored a one -day symposium on the rela- tionship of the MWCC with its customers. Called "Spotlight on the MWCC," it started a dialogue between the agency and its customers C--\ c',-31ac, (40 that has substantially reduced tensions. SRA promoted the concept of a Management Study and two of its representatives sat on the study commission. We also participated on the recent Rate Structure Task Force. Telephone - SRA has intervened in three rate filings by Northwestern Bell. In all three we sought,___ to eliminate the Tier System of rate zones,' or to reduce the adverse effects of the Tier System on SRA members. The company has es- timated a shift away from suburban communities of about $2-3 million per year as a result of the SRA intervention. Uniform Franchises SRA has negotiated a Uniform Gas Franchise with Minnegasco. Through *the strength of its numbers and through its experi- ence, SRA developed a strong franchise at minimal cost. We are currently working on an NSP electric franchise. Legislation - We appeared before the legislature for the purpose of guiding bills which were a reaction to the revelations concerning utility influence on PUC commissioners. Our role was to help shape legislation which might help prevent similar occurrences in the future but not over -react to the point of jeopardizing the system. WIF AD REGIOM4TINNSIT804111) Mears Park Centre 230 East 5th Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 612/292-8789 March 20, 1990 To: Interested Communities =- `1 i• MAR 26 ,;.��� ►�. As part of lts effort to improve transit services throughout the region and encourage -y loco? government to participate in the planning process, the Regional Transit Board (RTB) is continuing the Community Transit Planning Grant Program. This program was established in 1989 to enlist the involvement of communities in the seven -county area in planning new and innovative transit services responsive to their needs. Types of planning projects eligible for funding under the Community Transit Planning Grant Progrom are: examination of restructuring existing or new services including regular route, subscription bus, community circulators. dial -a -ride services, reverse commutes, suburt)-to-suburb circulators, rural circulators, or ridesharing strategies, along with other types of transit services communities may Identify. In 1989, the Community Transit Planning Grant Procgrarn funded planning projects that examined issues such as suburban circulator service,• travel demand management si rategies and the development of a computer transportation model. Funding is to be used for the purpose of planning transit services. Planning projects showing merit ,"nay be considered for future implementation by the RTB. The- Solicitation for Applications under the Community Transit* Planning Grant Program is attached. Proposals are due at the RTB on June 15,1990. A roview team will evaluate the proposals and the RTB will make grant awards in June. We have also scheduled a review meeting to discuss the Community Transit Planning Grant Program and onsv.er ony questions you may have about making a grant application. This meeting is scheduled for April 5,1990,2:00 p.m., in Conference Room A, first Floor, Mears Fars'•( Cen":re. A reap of our location is also attached. We look forward to working with you in solving some of the transit problems we face in the metro area. If you have any preliminary questions about the Community Transit Planning Grant Program, please call Gameth Peterson (229-2708) or Assata Brown (229-2-718) of the RTB staff. Sincerely, Michael J. Ehti /ann Chair An Equal Opportunity Employer C\-(�-3fa-Lc, o SOLICITATION OF APPLICATIONS COMMUNITY TRANSIT PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM The Community Transit Planning Grant Program, sponsored by the Regional Transit Board (RTB), was established in 1989 to aid communities in planning new and innovative methods for meeting their present and future transit needs. The program provides funding to selected communities for the purpose of planning transit services. The RTB funded four Community Transit Planning Grants in 1989, and has allocated $150,000 for the program again in 1990. Communities are invited to compete for the funds, which will be awarded to the proposals that best fit the criteria. Eligibi7ty Grants are available to any local unit of government (county, city, or township) within the seven -country metropolitan area . Experience shows that transit grant programs of this type have the best chance for success when they are undertaken with the support of the local community. Planning projects showing merit may be considered for future implementation. by the RTB. Project Guidelines 1. Financial assistance is limited to planning. Funding for implementation of potential projects will be a separate process with the operating costs programmed into future budget requests using the adopted RTB cost sharing arrangements. 2. A 10% funding match is required; in-kind contributions are also encouraged. 3. Projects should be coordinated with existing service and/or service providers where applicable. 4. Joint venture' proposals that encompass more than one local unit of government are encouraged. 5. Types of projects. eligible for funding under the Community Transit Planning Program include but are not limited to the following: • Examination of new services including regular route, subscription bus, community circulators, dial -a -ride, reverse commute, suburb to suburb circulators, rural circulators, and other new services communities may identify. • Restructuring existing transit services that focus on serving local needs. • Examination of ridesharing, travel demand management, or other strategies that help alleviate peak hour congestion. cpm-31a,15o If7 Page 2 • Projects which address the needs of'transit dependent populations. • Planning of new innovative services that can feasibly and economically be integrated into the regional transit system. Application Format There are no special forms necessary to submit your proposal. However, for the review team to give each proposal a prompt and accurate evaluation, the following subject categories should be included: • Proposal Abstract This section should provide a brief summary of your proposal. The abstract should include a narrative discussion of the need, purpose, goal, and objective for the study. • Work Plan This section should describe the work tasks and include an itemized budget. It should detail research objectives, data collection procedures and methodology. • Evaluation Methods This section should describe what kind of decision.will be supported by the evaluation findings. • Funding Request This section should indicate the amount of funding being requested to undertake the study, including all costs for consulting contracts. Matching funds and in-kind contributions should also be identified. • Local Government Support This section should describe the local government's commitment for any future project implementation. Local governments should anticipate funding a portion of annual operating costs of any services determined to be feasible as a result of these planning studies. • Contact Person Please provide a name, address and telephone number of a person knowledgeable about the grant request who could answer any questions. Response Date Please submit ten (10) copies of your proposal, on or before 4:00 P.M. on June 15, 1990 to: Garneth O. Peterson, CTPG Project Manager Regional Transit Board Mears Park Centre, 7th Floor 230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, MN 55101 612/229-2708 Any proposals received after this time. will not be considered. Proposals should be thorough, but as concise as possible. Cann -310'%1", o Page 3 Evaluation Process A review team consisting of members from the RTB staff, the RTB's Provider Advisory Committee and Rideshore Advisory Committee, Metropolitan Council staff, and the Metropolitan Council's Technical Advisory Committee, will evaluate the proposals based on how well they meet the evaluation criteria listed below. The Regional Transit Board will make the final awarding decision based on the results of the review team evaluation. The Board may desire to fund projects at a greater or lesser amount than requested. If so, RTB staff will work with the the applicants to adjust the research scope. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be reviewed for their relative strengths in the following areas: • The community has identified a potential transit need for which (20%) some type of planned action is necessary, and/or the the proposal is relevant to priority areas of concern as reflected in the RTB's Transit Service Needs Assessment. • The appropriate procedures, methodology, evaluation design, (15%) personnel, and budget are in line with the overall program objectives. • The project has demonstrated community support and meets (10%) community planning goals. • The project proposes innovative and creative solutions to (10%) transit problems. • The objectives of the proposed project are sharply defined (10%) and clearly stated. • The project objectives are realistic and can produce (10%) measurable and cost effective results. • The adequacy of the proposal and the demonstrated grasp (look) of work to be done. • The project could be integrated into the regional transit system, 00%) with the possibility of being implemented 6 to 12 months after completion of the study. • The planning study can be in progress before the end of calendar (5%) year 1990. 100°k circ,-31a- I1ti0 Page 4 Time Schedule 1. Solicitation for Community Transit Planning Grants begins. March 2. Proposals due from communities. June 15 3. Review Team recommends proposals for funding. June - 4. Regional Transit Board awards grants. July Cpm-3la515o Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting March 8, 1990 Page 5 Present: Commissioners Anderson, Edwards, Hanson, Waage; staff Blank, Patterson, Pederson; Councilman Ricker Absent: Commissioners Beach and Rosen, Chairman Freels 1. CALL TO ORDER The March meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. Director Blank introduced new commissioner Marlene Waage. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Hanson and seconded by Commissioner Edwards to approve the minutes of the February meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary Patterson announced that softball registration was in progress with returning teams registering the week of March 5 and new teams beginning March 12. She stated that the new City newsletter would be in the homes sometime in April and would contain summer recreation offerings for the months of May through August. She reminded commissioners that the deadline to register for the Olympic Festival Torch Run is March 16. An "Earth Day" celebration will be held April 28 at Armstrong High School. This special event, sponsored by Plymouth Park and Recreation is called "Celebrate the Outdoors in Plymouth." Another worthy project, "Kids Save The Earth," is gaining notoriety all over the country. It should be noted that this project was started by a Plymouth youth who recently died of cancer. The Minnesota State Walk will be held in Plymouth this year on May 5, with the walk beginning at Parkers Lake Park. The state walk is free, non- competitive and is for all ages and abilities. c. Others. None. 4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. 1990 Park Proiects. Council approved the 1990 park projects, which include the Swan Lake neighborhood park, the Bass Lake playfield, the trail along West Medicine Lake Drive and the 46th Avenue trail. They also approved making improvements to six ballfields for use by the youth baseball associations. b. 1990 Fee Schedules/Rental Policies. Council approved the fee schedule and rental policies for park facilities, ball fields and Parkers Lake Pavilion. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Swan Lake Neighborhood Park Timetable. Director Blank stated that a series of meetings is planned for the purpose of planning the Swan c kir-3lag ic,o gam. March 1990 PRAC Minutes Page 6 Lake Neighborhood Park. The first meeting is scheduled for March 29, with a second meeting on April 4. The third meeting will be held April 19, at which time PRAC�,will review the master site plan. If PRAC approves the plan, it will be forwarded to the City Council for their May 7 meeting. b. Bass Lake and Parkers Lake Playfields. Director Blank stated that the City Council authorized Brauer and Associates to do a feasibility report and cost estimate on both playfields. Brauer's report should be available to the Council for their April 16 meeting. If the Council authorizes the City to proceed with the construction, a public meeting would be held to get citizien input. Director Blank indicated that there probably will not be enough funding to light all of the Bass Lake Playfield in its first phase. The facilities that may be lighted the first year include the parking lot, skating rink and tennis court. Commissioner Waage asked about public access to this playfield from the north. Director Blank said that because of a deep ravine, there was no direct access from the north. Access would be available from both Northwest Boulevard and Pineview Lane. c. Trails - West Medicine/46th Avenue. Strgar-Roscoe is doing a feasibility study on the West Medicine Lake Drive trail, and the City's engineering staff is designing the 46th Avenue trail. d. Comprehensive Plan Update. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan March 28. PRAC should attend the public hearing if possible. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. New Plats. None. b. Annual Park Tour Date. May 17 is tentatively set for PRAC's annual park tour. The bus would leave City Hall around 5 p.m. Box suppers will be served. The tour should conclude by 9 p.m. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank stated that he learned from the Consumer Product Safety Bureau at the MRPA State Conference that nine inches of pea gravel is a safe surface beneath playground equipment. Any surface must have less than a 200-G force from a 12 foot height. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Q%M-3(-)C-►14a MINUTES PLYMOUTH SAFETY COMMITTEE March 21, 1990 PRESENT: Tom Nelson, Bob Fasching, Don Kissinger, Ken Johnson Craig Bechtold, Don Kilian, Joel Franz, John Ward, Andy Jordan, Dave Johnson, Kevin Leuer, Bob Pemberton ALSO PRESENT: Dave Drugg, North Star Risk Services, Dave Volker, Employee Benefit Administration; Judy McMillin Joel Franz introduced Jim Armstrong, a new Police Officer, who was attending to observe how the Committee functioned. I. OLD BUSINESS A. Approval of February 21, 1990 minutes -- The Committee approved the minutes as su mitte . B. Report on Safety Activities: 1. Fire Station III Fitness Facility -- Bob Pemberton advised that employee training sessions on the proper use of fitness equip- ment had been held on Tuesday, March 20, and that two additional sessions were scheduled for Thursday, March 22. He also reported that the key lock changes at the fire station are anticipated for completion this week. 2. Deer Warning Devices -- Tom Nelson reported that no alternate ocation could a ound on the front bumpers of the City squads to solidly mount the deer warning devices. He therefore recommended that usage of the devices be discontinued. John Ward asked if the devices could be mounted on the visibar. Tom stated that they prefer not to drill into the visibar because of potential for moisture problems. Dave Volker indicated that adhesive backed type devices had held up effectively on his company's fleet vehicles and recommended they be tried on the city squads. He also suggested that the device be placed between the upright lights and brace in order that it is protected from the car wash brushes. Bob Pemberton asked Tom Nelson to try the adhesive backed type devices for a one month period. 3. Warning Lights on Fire Inspector Vehicles -- Kevin Leuer presented options for installing -amber warning lights on fire inspector vehicles. The purpose of the warning lights is to provide visual warning to traffic when an inspector's vehicle is parked along a roadway at a fire scene. Light options discussed included a magnetically mounted highlighter mini light bar, and a permanently mounted federal mini jet light bar. Tom Nelson stated that it is preferred not to drill holes in the vehicle's roof to permanently mount a light bar, but instead to use a magnetic mounted light bar. He advised that a magnetic light bar was in inventory at the Public Works garage. Bob Pemberton asked Kevin to check the light at the Public Work garage and report back at the April meeting. c"m-a/a5f4 6 PLYMOUTH SAFETY COMMITTEE March 21, 1990 Page 2 II. ACCIDENT REVIEW A. Consent Agenda -- The Committee approved the consent agenda for vehicular and personal injury accidents. Two personal injury accidents were determined non -preventable, and one vehicular accident was determined preventable. A report and recommendation will be forwarded to the City Manager. B. Review of Personal Injury Accidents -- The committee reviewed two personal injury accidents 6th accidents were determined non -preventable. A report on the Safety Committee's findings and recommendations will be forwarded to the City Manager. C. Review of Vehicular Accident-- The committee reviewed one vehicular accident. The accident was determined to be preventable. A report and recommendation will be forwarded to the City Manager. The committee's review of the accidents resulted in the following recommendations or items for follow-up: 1. To assist employees in lifting and removing catch basin covers, a two -person T -bar lift with chains and hooks should be designed and fabricated at the Public Works garage. 2. By memorandum advise Park Maintenance and Public Works employees of potential exposure to poison ivy when burning brush regardless of the season of the year. III. NEW BUSINESS Bob Pemberton advised that training for temporary City employees would take place during April. The training sessions will be videotaped for future use. Tom Nelson recommended the training emphasize proper vehicle and equipment operation and usage. He suggested that an incentive program for temporary employees to take better care of their equipment be looked into. Craig Bechtold suggested a vehicle testing course could be used to test a vehicle operator's driving proficiency. He also suggested the initiation of an internal City driving license. Bob Pemberton stated he would take the recommendations under advisement and discuss them with Mark Peterson and Jim Kolstad. Dave Volker distributed new OSHA standards for trenching operations. He asked that the standards be reviewed for discussion at the April meeting. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. c\.m -31 aqtci-b HOLMES & GRAVEN CHARTERED 470 Pillsbury Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 Telephone 612/337-9300 CL IENT SUMMARY Plymouth, City of 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 March 22, 1990 FED. I. D. 41 -1225694 ------------------------------------------------------ 47 Bauer v City 95.00 0.75 $95.75 50 10th Avenue Eminent Domain Project 161.50 0.00 $161.50 648 51 v Larry Begin 95.00 0.00 $95.00 53 Cartway Land Registration 1,090.50 6.00 $1,096.50 54 Bonds - Special Matters 28.50 0.00 $28.50 55 Begin Nuisance Abatement and 579.50 0.00 $579.50 Assessment Appeal 65 Complaint Draft 1,655.00 0.00 $1,655.00 66 Roy O'Donnell and Robert Miller v 465.50 0.50 $466.00 City 67 Grunwald Appeal 763.00 10.00 $773.00 71 Schmidt Lake Road Eminent Domain - 38.00 0.00 $38.00 Project 705 74 Korsmo Land Registration 542.00 7.35 $549.35 75 Metrolink - MTC Bid Project 2,697.00 59.20 $2,756.2-0 76 Rockford Road Plaza TID 1,011.75 4.53 $1,016.28 79 Harstad Company Banruptcy 228.00 0.00 $228.00 sdadara,Gf gw------------------------------------------------------------------- E:2t Phis a:. uni, cVm or demand Client PL 100 Totals: $29, 889. 00 $1,008.28 $30,897.28 Is juat a±d corect and Snag no pat of h has been paid. Retainer Credit: $ 682.42 TOTAL: $ 30,214.86 ,,-Anaof Claimant HOLMES &GRAVEN CHARTERED 470 Pillsbury Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402 Telephone 012/337-9300 C L I E N T S U M M A R Y Plymouth, City of.'.t... March 22, 1990 '• 3400 Plymouth Blvd. 4; 1 Plymouth, MN 55447 j ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FED. I. D. 41-1225694 Matter Services Disb. Total 3 TIF 639.75 1.05 $640.80 5 TIF III Ryan Development 47.50 6.60 $54.10 9 Quist Proceeding Subsequent 201.00 0.00 $201.00 11 Prosecution Office Time 4,494.00 432.18 $4,926.18 12 Prosecution Court Time 4,494.00 199.15 $4s693.15 13 Project 912 Eminent Domain 228.00. 1.45 $229.45 14 Project 853 Vicksburg Lane 323.00 0.00 $323.00 Improvement From State Highway 55 to County Road 9 *24 Plat Opinions 455.00 3.45 $458.45 27 Metrolink 332.50 0.00 $332.50 28 Begin Special Assessment Appeal 161.50 0.00 $161.50 Project 544 29 HRA 38.00 0.00 $38.00 *32 General 7,086.00 263.92 $7,349.92 37 County Road 6 Eminent Domain 392.50 0.00 $392.50 Project 250 - 38 County Road 18 Condemnation 833 503.50 7.35 $510.85 43 Claims - General 425.00 0.00 $425.00 44 v J Begin Injunction 53.00 4.80 $536.80 45 v Begin (Cottonwood Plaza) 85.50 0.00 $85.50 Cern-3/-?=� IS.a *cnntintied fM Naxt Pace* 4�NNEs�- C7 ��- Mn,./DOT 0-PA4 ews �J' MINNESOTA _ ��y� 5Q° 1990 OF 7RP� Date: To be Releasec&rch 16, 1990 IMMEDIATELY I-494 REPAIR PROJECT WILL BEGIN IN APRIL Motorists traveling on I-494 this spring and summer will find crews repairing an 18 -mile section of the interstate from Bloomington to Plymouth. The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced a $5.6 million dollar plan to improve I-494 from 24th Ave. South to Carlson Parkway. Crews will be overlaying the pavement, replacing guardrails, repairing storm sewers and building barrier walls under the bridges. - The majority of the work will be done at night to reduce the impact to the 143,000 vehicles that travel on I-494 each day. Crews will begin night work no earlier than 7:00 P.M. and they must be off the freeway by 6:00 A.M. Daytime delays will be minimal. If weather permits, the project will begin in mid-April and will last through September. There will be no lane closures from June 29 to July 15 because of the increased traffic volumes during the U.S. Olympic Festival. The apparent low bidder for this project is C.S. McCrossan, Inc., of Maple Grove. The project will be financed by both state and federal funds. CONTACTS: Tom Ravn Project Engineer 493-5166 Dave Miller Resident Engineer 493-5166 I i- Don Stevens " Public Affairs, 593-8414 Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2055 N. Lilac Dr., Golden Valley, MN. 55422 c\r,%-3la-%lc�o MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 DATE: March 26, 1990 TO: National Accreditation File FROM: Richard J. Carlquist, Public Safety Directo SUBJECT: COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CONFERENCE, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO One of the group topical workshops that I attended was on the subject of "MISTAKE ESCAPE". The following comments are related to the speakers and moderator associated with that topic. First of all it was stressed to avoid common mistakes, the following points were made: 1. Important to attend meetings - it was stressed by the speaker that persons assigned to the accreditation process, whether they be the person in charge or a committee member, should keep in touch with the CALEA conferences. Since there are revised, or new standards contemplated, it is important to have someone on top of this subject. In addition, many helpful ideas can be obtained by associating with other CALEA agencies. 2. Assign one person to the accreditation process - we have already learned that lesson! It was stressed over and over by the panelist that a person who is meticulous, highly organized, and innovative be placed in charge of the accreditation program. I firmly believe that we have found such a person in Lt. Paulson. 3. Keep publicizing status of accreditation to the "troops" - it is important to update the rank and file on what is happening with the accreditation program. As much as possible, it is suggested that up to one third of your agency could be involved in one shape or form in developing directives. "If you get the one third to participate the other two thirds will follow". C �rR - 31 a4 I n-0 March 26, 1990 National Accreditation Page 2 4. Form a committee to spread the workload - the accreditation manager can not write all the policies and directives himself. As much as possible certain chapters of the accreditation handbook can be delegated and then re -delegated to utilize as many persons as possible in the organization. 5. Set realistic time tables - this was stressed in order to keep the process going. The average time from start to finish is two to three years. Since we have had our profile accepted this past December, I am hopeful that at the outside i.e. three years, we should be ready to invite assessors to look at our organization by late Fall of 1992. 6. Don't reinvent the wheel - the members were encouraged to reach out to member agencies for assistance in developing some of the directives and answers to the standards required. In that regard, local state organizations, who are forming networks of police accreditation committees, can assist each other in this overall process. 7. There are certain buzz words that one has to become acquainted with and comfortable with - words such as measurable, quantifiable, validity, and adverse impact are terms that will be brought up by on-site assessors when they review our files. Therefore, we should be at ease with using these words and reflecting on their meaning when directives are proposed to meet standards. 8. Mock On-site Assessment - all of the presenters emphasized the importance of having a mock on-site assessment prior to the request for an on-site assessment from CALEA representatives. Persons who could be on this committee are ones who have previously been assessed and have reached accreditation status. There is a cost to this part of the program. It was suggested that the regular salaries of the persons contacting the mock assessment be covered because these persons will have to take vacation time from their own agency. A mock assessment would take approximately three days. One of the on -the -scene assessors stated that there are three areas that he looks for when he examines a file folder that is related to a particular standard. These three areas are "plan", "procedure", and "criteria". He stated that' these words are frequently used in the standards and they must have some type of documentation associated with them in order to meet the standard. Merely placing something in the file stating "Interview Capt. Jones regarding plan" is not acceptable. C %'rn --3 la.`tii;i�b March 26, 1990 National Accreditation Page 3 10 A further bit of advise from this assessor was not to seek an on- site assessment if there is any question or doubt about a particular standard. Furthermore, he strongly encouraged that particular words or phrases that may meet a standard should be highlighted in the folder so, that the assessment team does not have to spend undue time searching for compliance. In addition, it was recommended that any directive system utilize a cross reference numbering scheme to facilitate identifying standards while at the same time avoiding or minimizing contradictions that could come about by accident. One of the chiefs that I talked to stated that the goal of accreditation is to obtain another tool to improve your department. Less than one percent of the Nation's police agencies have been formally accredited as of this date. The Mayor of Albuquerque is a former college president. In his remarks before our group he stressed the important of peer review in order to achieve professionalism and uniformity. The accreditation standards deal with appropriate management functions found in any police department. These functions are: planning, organizing, staffing, training, budgeting, equipment, public information, reporting, directing and inspection. RJC:lk cc: James G. Willis, City Manager Lt. Dennis Paulson C1M-3I�IiD PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT GATE/TIME REPORT MADE _ MESS KE•�' CONTROL NUMBER OCA CONT, AGENCY NCIC IDE NT. CAG 3/22/90 2110 E C, 1./ 1 M N 0 2 7 1 7 0 0/ LNBR GATE REPORTED RPD TIME RPD TRP LOCATION GRID NBR (LGN) DAY: S M T W T F S 2❑ ! 0 312 2 9 0/ 1 7 5/ // PLACE COMMITTED (PLC) 16225 14th AV N O L NBRHRU ASSISTED BY SQUAD OR BADGE s (SON) TIME ASIG. (TAS) TIME ARR (TAR) TIME CLR (TCL) � /� /4, 01 / I 1 7 F 51 17 1 21 18 1 / T LNBR ISN UOC UCS ®/F0 08 /❑ LNBR ISN U C ®/0/ / OFFENSEO OR INITIAL COMPLAIN -TO INFORMATION VICTIM (IF FIRM. NAMF OF FIRM L Q D.O.B. IF VICTIM IS A PERSON ERSON REPORTING OFFENSE TO POLI SAME AS ABOVE OFFICER ASSIGNED ASSISTED BY PREGLER ARMSTRONG SUPR. APPROVED O TECTIVE ASSIGNED A -c;0 & AdviP66 HRD Codes P - Phone R - Radio A Alarm I In Pelson V Visual M Mad T Other DATE L TIME OCCURRED 3/22/90 1725 HRS BUSINESS ADDRESS BUSINESS PHONE HOME ADDRESS HOME PHONE ION IF SCHOOL GRADE PARENT'S NAMES JUVENILE BUSINESS ADDRESS BUSINESS PHONE HOME ADDRESS FINDINGS, DISPOSITION OR LOSS MENTIONED: Dick's Towing Service HOMEPHONE nm �•l AH !^ m M M O The following information was -documented on -the complainant's -request, -The complainant also requested that the City Council be provided with a copy of the following information: The -complainant advised that her son's -automobile had been impounded -by Dick's Towing. - Upon arriving -at Dick' -s Towing --impound lot,- it was determined that -the vehicle impounded would- not start. - The -complainant requested- that she be permitted to check -.the engine compartment in an attempt to determine why the -car would not -start.- The complainant -was advised -by Dick -that their, insurance company's policy did not permit anyone to work or attempt to -service vehicles within their impound lot. The complainant was -then advised by Dick that they- would provide towing of their vehicle to their home• residence, which the complainant accepted. After the vehicle was- left at the complainant's residence, -it- was immediately determined -that -the reason the vehicle would not start was because the ignition coil -wire had been pulled. - The complainant alleges that Dick's Towing intentionally pulled the ignition coil wire so that they would be able to tow the vehicle home and charge an additional $60 for the service. I spoke with Dick of Dick's Towing and was -advised that he had informed the complainant that they•would provide a• means of removing the vehicle from the lot -at which -time they could perform any service on their vehicle that they chose. Dick believed-that•the complainant misinterpreted this as him soliciting their towing service to get their car home. Dick stated further that they - never -disable -any • vehicle -impounded there and they at no time raised the hood on the complainant's vehicle. PREGLER:kb CSM- 3 /a�T 146 j' PERSONS ARRESTED—SUSPECTS— WITNESSES L ADDITIONAL DETAILED REPORT ON CONTINUATION SHEET l i•f" CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 f MEMO DATE: March 23, 1990 TO: Fred Moore, Public Works Director FROM: James G. Willis, City Manager SUBJECT PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF HARBOR LANE NORTH OF GLEASON LAKE DRIVE Mr. John Larkin, 35 Nathan Lane, (525-1054) came by the office to give me the attached petition. Mr. Larkin has owned property on Harbor Lane for many years, although he currently resides in a different location. He and many neighbors in the area are apparently upset about the planned changes to Harbor Lane which would have the affect of creating a stop for Harbor Lane at 4th Avenue. Mr. Larkin perceives the changes to solely benefit the new residential development at the expense of the older developed neighborhood. I tried to explain to him the contemplated extension of Fernbrook Lane and the importance of that road would have on our transportation system. I also indicated to him that the City had not chosen to use the Harbor Lane as the routing for this road out of respect for the many homes that were in existence. He does not recognize the need for the extension of Fernbrook Lane and•would prefer of course if it did not cross the former railroad track right-of-way. I would appreciate your reviewing this petition and developing a response that I can send to Mr. Larkin as well as the City Council. I will send a copy of the petition out with the agenda for April 2. cc: S/F 3/28 Q "pct, - 3 1QCL I cto Plymouth, Nin March 19,1990 City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth,Mn.55447 James G. Willis City Manager S �3 It has come to the attention of the residents of the Harbor Lane area that the city of Plymouth intends to interupt and seriously impede the natural flow of traffic on Harbor Lane by installing a "Stop' sign and other unnatural traffic barriers where recant housing developements adjoin harbor Lane. Harbor Lane is the sole access and ogress for the owners and occupants of fifty six homes on Harbor Lane,Seventh Ave.,Tenth Ave.and Ithaca Ave. housing apprximately 175 people and anestimated 125 vehiclss,all of which would be&seriously and needlessly inconvenienced by such an action. It should also be considered that Harbor Lane has been established in its present configuration and traffic patern for well over forty years and the residents have a reasonable expectation that the natural traffic flow should not be disrupted or diverted for the frivolous and unpro- ductive purpose of giving traffic precedence to the small project now under construction on the East side of Harbor.Lane. In view of all of the above we,the undersigned hereby petition the city to cease and desist from any sunk undesireable and unreasonable action. Name Address It rr �r �r (Z v\ - Jac., 15 � Yi A all- .C- - � - 7-K 0 - - Name dress �. i ---y--�-- �, - - -- --,, Yi =._.:.s„t��,vw9.�!xb tX�w�-. `.a . •A. �' — •: y�, : 1 c,5..::��!:✓: �.'4C.�=^.*-.: is=�F•', ° '.: - S2S_ IO Sy MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 DATE: March 28, 1990 TO: James G. Willis, City Manager FROM: Fred G. Moore, �Director of Public Works SUBJECT: PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF HARBOR LANE NORTH OF GLEASON LAKE DRIVE I am responding to the petition submitted by Mr. John Larkin from residents in the Harbor Lane area, north of Gleason Lake Drive. The petition states that they are objecting to the City's construction project which will require Harbor Lane to stop at the newly constructed 4th Avenue. This will only be the condition for southbound traffic on Harbor Lane. I am attaching a copy of a drawing from the City's construction project showing the proposed construction. The area shown in "dark" will be constructed by the City this summer. That portion of 4th Avenue indicated by "crosshatching" was constructed by the developer in 1988. As the petition states, Harbor Lane is the sole access for 56 homes within this area. The residents of the homes on the furthest end of this dead -end -street system travel approximately 3/4 of a mile to get to their home. Harbor Lane is a local residential street. It should have a second access developed because of its long dead-end length. The City's Thoroughfare Guide Plan indicates the need for a "Collector" street within this area to serve the residential properties. There are large tracts of land which are currently undeveloped and guided for higher density housing. The first development to be undertaken is that by Hans Hagen Homes at the southerly end which had reconfigured the street intersection. Since Harbor Lane was an existing residential street, it was not proposed to make it into a "Collector" street to serve the additional development. A traffic study completed by the City in 1982 indicated that the new residential development would be expected to generate about 2,600 vehicle trips per day. This traffic volume is expected on "Collector" streets, but far exceeds the traffic volumes expected by residents living on local streets. The need for the "Collector" street in the area of Harbor Lane was again verified in 1984 when the City received a petition from the residents living along Niagara Lane and 9th Avenue north of Gleason Lake Drive. Niagara Lane/9th Avenue/Shenandoah Lane is the only other existing cpm - 31aal­L.a I3 SUBJECT: PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF March 28, 1990 Page Two street between Vicksburg Lane and connection from Gleason Lake Drive to within this area were requesting the approximately the Luce Line Trail in their street. This street connection the City's Thoroughfare Guide Plan. Xenium Lane which provides a County Road 6. The residents City to close this street at order to reduce the traffic on is also a "Collector" street in Additional traffic studies done in 1984 again verified the need for the "Collector" street in the area of Harbor Lane. When this additional "Collector" street is constructed, it would reduce the existing traffic on Niagara Lane. For this reason, the City Council determined that no action would be taken on the closure of Niagara Lane until after the City's Thoroughfare Guide Plan was completed and the additional "Collector" street providing continuity between Gleason Lake Drive and County Road 6 was constructed in the area of Harbor Lane. The Harbor Place Addition, which was begun by Hans Hagen Homes in 1987, was the first subdivision to finalize and implement the "Collector" street within this area. A portion of the "Collector" street has been constructed and it is indicated as 4th Avenue on the drawing. In the future, as the property to the north continues to develop, 4th Avenue will be extended northerly and connect to existing Fernbrook Lane at the Luce Line Trail. This will then provide the "Collector" street that is required for the area. The purpose of the City's Thoroughfare Plan is to ensure that this existing single family residential area is protected from unnecessary traffic. As previously mentioned, this area only has one access point to Gleason Lake Drive. With future development, I would anticipate that a second access point would be constructed between Harbor Lane and the 4th Avenue "Collector" street extension somewhere between existing 7th Avenue and 10th Avenue. This second connection will continue to reduce the traffic on Harbor Lane, since the residents will now have two options to access the area instead of only one access point. There have been two public hearings which presented the street configuration to the property owners within this area. One of the public hearings- was held in 1987 by the Planning Commission as part of the Preliminary Plat approval for the Hans Hagen development. The other public hearing was held by the City Council as a public improvement hearing for the construction on Harbor Lane. Property owners within the area were notified of these public hearings. There were no objections at the public hearing to preserving Harbor Lane as a local street and constructing a new "Collector" street. I believe that the petition received from the residents does not adequately consider the long range traffic impacts as the existing vacant land continues to develop. The City's Thoroughfare Plan considers the traffic needs at full development of the area. FGM:kh attachment Cpm .3 Jac-,1,::�o } 3 x c�T'n-31aC-L 1ctz T O Z W ti co 00 0) 0 N N O �r�� \^ E o� ° o _ o o « � � a ° CL x E co W w v L4 N m E C1 O a N C6 d1 O O d d (A fn E C m _C CO O CL w E t m m o CO m E O w EE J O co x O O N N f V W J Q --�`�LA MEMO CITY OF PLYMOUTH 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 DATE: March 29, 1990 TO: James G. Willis, City Manager FROM: Char es lerud, Community Development Coordinator SUBJECT: HENNEPIN COUNTY APPLICATION FOR WASTE TRANSFER STATION (89057) On July 23, 1989 Hennepin County made application for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a solid waste transfer station at the northeast corner of County Road 6 and I-494, pursuant to Section 9, Subdivision D. of the Zoning Ordinance (Hazardous Waste Facilities Conditional Uses). Development Review Committee review of the application commenced immediately together with activity to retain a qualified consultant to review the application on behalf of the City of Plymouth, as the Ordinance specifies. It should be noted that the review by the outside consultant is at the expense of the project applicant. On August 29, 1989, we drafted a letter to Hennepin County reviewing 35 items that are in need of modification; additional clarification; or additional information. These review comments were only the result of review by the City of Plymouth staff and usual retained utilities and traffic consultants. On July 24, 1989, we advised Hennepin County that the City of Plymouth had selected Black and Veatch, Kansas City, to be the consultant that would review technical aspects of their application on our behalf. On August 4, 1989, Hennepin County delivered the necessary financial deposit and authorization to proceed with the review of the application by the outside consultant. On August 10, 1989, -we instructed Black and Veatch to proceed with their review. Black and Veatch completed their review and. on October 18, 1989, we transmitted a copy of the Black and Veatch report, together with a list of 34 additional design -related items requiring additions, modifications of clarifications related to plans that had been submitted by Hennepin County for this facility. These additional design review items were generated from the report presented by Black and Veatch. To date, neither our design review letter of August 29, 1989, nor our design review letter of October 18, 1989 has been responded to by Hennepin County. The project remains in Stage 2 of the development review process, and cannot proceed until the applicant has provided responses we have requested. C\ r 't -31Q5. 'I c, C) r Page Two It Hennepin County Application for Waste.Transfer Station y \� On March 6, 1990, we sent a letter of inquiry to Hennepin Count requesting an expression of intent regarding the application.. (Copy attached' On March 15, 1990, we received a letter from Hennepin County transmitting construction plans with minor modifications which are responsive to omissions made on those plans in the June, 1989 submission. The letter also makes reference to complete response to our earlier DRC letters to be expected by mid-April. 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'silaEwuwl of 1u2m1im -moa Mig E opum l us'uq Ausdmoo aq1 1ug1 lnq `slauunbpuaq AAau s•; SI ash M)jj pa°aAuoJ IaloH ,: City & State, February 26, 1990 GOVERNMENT MANAGER I COMPUTERS GU7 1 _ I Computer boom drives need for security By LEN STRAZEWSKI ■ Mainframes. Minicomputers. Per- sonal computers. Data bases. Image files. Executive information sys- tems. Public access terminals. State and municipal information resource managers call it the "infor- mation explosion," and this rapid expansion of information technol- ogy and the accessibility of wide ranges of computer data is affecting government managers at all levels. For the first time, senior govern- ment managers are beginning to have access to information from dozens of sources, including large state data-processing centers, indi- vidual agency data bases and data from networked microcomputers within individual agency offices, said Chuck Raz, director of the in- formation technology consulting practice for stale and municipal governments at Ernst & Young, an accounting firm In Chicago. And, for the first time, middle managers do not necessarily hcve the opportunity to filter the data through explanatory reports and other time -tested organizational de- vices, be added. "This data sharing raises all sorts of issues," be said. "First, we have the issue of sensitivity. Who should have access to all this information? tant to the California's Teale Data What is sensitive and what isn't? Center in Sacramento, "State and Then, what kind of tools are needed local governments have been put in to deliver the data and help people the difficult situation of having to manage it successfully?" do more with less. New issues for "As a result, they have been ag- governments gressively automating their data These questions are old news to private -sector companies that have been grappling with the information explosion for nearly a decade, added David Harper, vice president in charge of the technology and tele- communications practice at A.T. Kearney Inc., a Chicago -based man- agement consulting firm. But they are new issues for state and local governments. Within states, most data devel- opment was at the agency level," Mr. Harper said. "Data was stored and managed for internal use only and accountability to the executive or legislative branches was con- ducted through annual reports or regular filings. "Then, as agencies began to com- puterize and consolidate data pro- cessing with ether agencies in sate data centers, large volumes of data became accessible to those who un- derstood computers," he said. Added Alan Harris, industry mar- keting manager for sate and local governments at Tandem Computers Inc., Cupertino, Calif., and a consul - c,cmc, - 3I.-ptLC't, functions, creating many opportuni- ties and a few problems." Data became powder keg This consolidated, computerized data became the powder keg, fie, gw shut tri ld Ih Om.scent was the OXens ersonal or m1 - c ute read- sheet�a at�. rt1pa. Vthe private sector, issues were access and security," Mr. Harper said. "And these are big issues for states and other entities, too. 'But (in the public sector) there also is the issue of John Q. Public. What records should be available to the public as well as the managers who need them? What should be ac- cessible under freedom ofinforma - tion doctrine and what dad shoul be protected under a right to pri vacyr' Sate and local governments are working out these problems in a va- riety of ways: new information re- source management agencies; in- F. teragency guidelines for technology purchases; and long-range planning for future applications, including ways of making the data more ac- cessible to the public as well as managers. But probably the most important response is a change in attitude about information, said government information resource managers. "The information explosion is transforming the way we think about and manage technology and information," said Mike Hale, exec- utive administrator of the Florida Information Resource Commission, a 5 -year-old agency. Created by the state Legislature atter a two-year study of the state's information technology needs, the IRC is responsible for managing all state data centers as well as devel- oping computer standards for all state agencies. Different technological steeds "We've got 17 state data centers serving 25 state agencies, trine unl- versities, four state boards and 20 state's attorneys' offices, all of which have different technological and information needs," explained Mr. Hale. "Not only do we have to manage the hardware, the software, the training and the maintenance, we have come to the point where the Information itself must be managed as an additional capital asset" Accumulation of information, not just accumulation of tools with which to manipulate information, is the commission's challenge, he said. "Information placed in the hands of our managers is the end result of our efforts," Mr. Hale said. "But all this information means that manag- ers need a new way of thinking and new tools for dealing with this in- formation and integrating it into their declsionmaking. Management education "So, the commission has added management education to its re- sponsibilities, working with agency managers to expand their under- standing of information technolo and the way in which it can be used to improve planning and public ser- vices. "The education effort is more than just classroom work," he said. "We are talking about the develop- ment of practices, policies and priorities for all managers," Mr. Hale said. "It's as much a people issue as it is a technology issue because it's the people who are using the products we provide." Continued on Page GM8 fiMB 4'-:; "t� 1 • City & State, February 26, 1990 GOVERNMENT MANAGER I C&PUrERS Long-term contracts for computer repairs carry downtime risk By JULIE BENNETT ■ In government, computer down- time can, literally, be deadly. A "frozen" data base, or a termi- nal that won't turn on, can mean fire trucks and ambulances cannot be dispatched swiftly, or that prison doors won't open. -The price of keeping our com- puter system working can't be de- scribed in dollars and cents," said David P. Hanifin, director of Man- agement Information Systems for Collier County, Fla. Computerization is fraught with high prices. The very MIS or Infor- mation Resource Management directors who are responsible for public safety also are responsible to a budget process that tries to hold down all costs, including that of computer equipment maintenance and repair. To make matters worse, service contracts also are subject to failure. A vendor whose name is on the con- tract may go out of business, or the computer maintenance company may send a personal computer - trained technician to tackle a main- frame job. Public -sector computer customers can keep their systems humming and their repair costs down by mak- ing maintenance and repair require- ments part of their computer equip- ment bid specifications. These specifications should be written to allow officials the leeway to elimi- nate companies that cannot provide acceptable support. The first step in guaranteeing fu- ture support service from a vendor is making sure the computer manu- facturer or software house will be around when they are needed. Today, computer companies with jazzy names flash in and out of the marketplace with Incredible speed. A great Computer price means little if the manufacturer's service hot line has been disconnected. How can you determine if a com- puter company is viable? Louis P. Herremans, a partner in the Detroit office of Andersen Consulting, a member firm of Arthur Andersen Worldwide Corp., Chicago, said you can check the staying power of a computer vendor by researching the company's financial status. "Small vendors often enter the market with a great product that they can sell successfully for a year or two," Mr. Herremans said. "But the marketplace is so competitive that their original product will be- come obsolete quickly. To stay in business, a vendor must have the capital to afford research and devel- opment activities and to produce new products as well. It takes a lot of money to play the game." Ask potential vendors for finan- cial statements, and analyze each vendor's research and development budget and capitalization numbers. Does the company have enough funding to market existing products while developing new ones? Even a hefty research and devel- opment budget is no guarantee that a company will be around through the ninth inning, experts warn. A company with a history of canceled research projects or with a commit- ment to one -of -a -kind products that are not compatible with the prod- ucts of other manufacturers also is likely to fail. Of course, even a financially sound company can produce an un- sound product or product line. Ray Olson, a computer procure - III COMPUTER FACTS s, rs as .ern , s• �g, s or failure can be the fault of the party ,,, cos o nvid� agency, Mr. Olson said. The condi- _rnmtluter repair for up to 391t less tions of a service contract can be ifian a �do ..� voided if the vendor finds the �wme for Sorbus Inc., equipment has been moved or if it is 1159% operated in an area unsuitable for 460% computer use. � . . more than 3,000 employees and its limit their service contracts with educational facilities technicians computer vendors to one year. are trained to repair more than 400 Often, the vendor is not the menu- brands of computer hardware. facturer, but a value-added reseller, Such flexibility may be essential a computer systems consulting com- for agencies operating equipment pany or a software house that also purchased from many vendors. provides the hardware needed for a A final trap agencies should avoid complete application. Is paying for a service contract for Value-added resellers often sub- equipment they could fix them - t' 119" 19as low 1sa7 Computer equipment was cateporized by computer power measured in millions of Inst uc ions per second (MIPS). .,A Snail wofttations), sa,roa: YvwFoswn.aon Masuar: low. Nsab m,.nnwic � tatlwssr tetra a ssxmsaon swan. rsw. Q \rn- 3)a5(40 mint specialist for the U.S. Pension and Welfare Benefits Administra- tion, said, "Avoid buying the first system manufactured by a company — the bugs won't be out of it yet. Mr. Hanifin, of Collier County, on Florida's west toast, said, "When we first started buying computer equipment from the Digital Equip- ment Corp., their nearest service of- fice was in Miami. After we were strong in voicing our criticism, they opened a new center right here, in Naples. Since then, our computers have been up and running 90.3% of the time." Steve Adrian, U.S. Customer Ser- vices Marketing representative for Digital, said his company and other vendors have different levels of ser- vice for which customers pay differ- ent prices. "If you need a certain minicom- puter to write a major report, or complete a billing cycle on the third Thursday o1 each month, don't pay for 24-hour coverage of that ma- chine for the other days," Mr. Adrian said. If paying for a fast response time, Explosion Continued from Page GM7 Nancy Abraham, director of Washington state's Department of Information Services, agrees. Dur emphasis has shifted to the development of strategic goals for information technology, Including Ike development of techniques for delivery of information to top state management and the understanding of data as a resource for all manag- ers; !she said. "This has created a lot of interest in new information technology tools such as executive information sys- tems and geographical information systems that allow non-technical managers to pull up information from one of our data bases and ex- amine it visually,," she said. In Ohio, state officials have al- ready taken several steps toward containing and exploiting the infor- mation explosion. In 1993, the state established an Information resource management department under the jurisdiction of the Department of Administrative Services to coordi- i i "write as much penalty as possible Generally, having the vendor pro - into the contract If the companyvide repair services for computer fi fails to x your equipment on time," ' hardware Is the most expensive op - advised Mr. Olson. lion. A contract with a lod-p-^ Sometimes an equipment problem dent service company, tailed third - or failure can be the fault of the party ,,, cos o nvid� agency, Mr. Olson said. The condi- _rnmtluter repair for up to 391t less tions of a service contract can be ifian a �do ..� voided if the vendor finds the �wme for Sorbus Inc., equipment has been moved or if it is of Frazer, Penn., a national inde- operated in an area unsuitable for pendent computer maintenance computer use. company, said the company has Governmental entities should more than 3,000 employees and its limit their service contracts with educational facilities technicians computer vendors to one year. are trained to repair more than 400 Often, the vendor is not the menu- brands of computer hardware. facturer, but a value-added reseller, Such flexibility may be essential a computer systems consulting com- for agencies operating equipment pany or a software house that also purchased from many vendors. provides the hardware needed for a A final trap agencies should avoid complete application. Is paying for a service contract for Value-added resellers often sub- equipment they could fix them - contract the repairs to manufac- selves or replace cheaply. turer service technicians or art Inde- David Corbett, senior systems pendent maintenance company. support engineer at Electronic Ser - "You can eliminate the middle- vice Specialists Ltd., Menomonee man by acting as your own com- Falls, Wis., provides fourth -party puter contractor and dealing maintenance for Digital owners directly with the technical people willing to do some of the mainte- yourself;" Mr. Herremans said. nance work themselves. He said _also suggested that eovern- some contracts are unnecessary. ment agencies not sten lone -term "Of course, it's vital to have an contracts with so twarehomes — expensive new minicomputer under contracts matcos of a service contract with the vendor." e arc ase Mr. Corbett said. "But we've found Mr tags are out of the pro- customers who were paying 250,000 gram after the first year, and if you for maintenance of 300 terminals are comfortable with the way it's that cost less than $500 each. For running, then you may be better off just $5,000, they could have pur- not signing another contract and chased 10 backup units and re- using the money to buy a software placed the broken terminals them - upgrade package later," he said. selves." a nate all computer and telecommunl- cations activities. One of the department's first steps was to establish the Ohio Data Net- work, a data center driven by 10 mainframe computers in Columbus, but linked to agency minicomputers around the state as well as personal computers in various state offices. According to Jerry Hammett, dep- uty director of the Department of Administrative Services, the net- work handles 55% of the state's data processing but is responsible for communicating much more data as a clearinghouse between systems. We realized early on that the real eed in the state was the manage - mens of the data that managers need Ito get their jobs done, what some information resource theorists call enterprise data; " he said. Access to this information is critical, but not all of it resides in one place. Our mainframes handle a lot of data processing, but there is a lot of data being generated at the agency and local office as well" Providing access to all of this in- formation is the department's pres- ent challenge, he said. And so far, the answer to the challenge is the development of personal computer- based workstations that can be used to access data bases around the state. Another answer is general pur- pose computer data bases such as those of CompuServe Inc., also based in Columbus, and Dayton's Mead Corp.'s Nexis and Lexis data bases, which provide national fi- nancial and legal data. We need to give managers a bade tool for handling all of the in- formation available," Mr. Hammett said. "They should be able to write letters, send electronic mail, track projects and access data from a sin- gle desktop unit." Workstations of this sort,` operated by managers trained to analyze and interpret data, will help t turn the information explosion into a source of administrative energy, not confusion, he said. ✓ -Z= l SC GM12 GOVERNMENT MANAGER I COMPUTERS City & State, February 26, 2990 Mainframe dinosaurs assigned new tasks By LEN STRAZEWSKI ■ Less than 10 years ago, a gov- ernmental agency that wanted to computerize had to spend more than fI million to build a special room and fill It with a behemoth called a mainframe that ate data on thou- sands of punch cards. Today, a single worker can buy the same computing power by mall for less than $1,000 and carry it in one hand. And all the data fits on a disk just a little mom than 3 Inches wide. Compared with the small, fast and friendly personal computers of today, the mammoth mainframes of yesterday may seem like dinosaurs ready for extinction. But don't write them off as dead yet. Although personal computers still are the rising stars in government offices around the country, the old mainframes are filling an important niche in government information resource management as the back- bones of multi -agency networks and the central repositories for the huge data bases created by social service and licensing agencies. Several states, including Califor- nia, Ohio and Kentucky, have turned their mainframe computers into revenue sources by developing value-added services and charging costs back to agencies. "The rise of personal computers changed many of the rules of com- puting," said David Harper, vice president in charge of technology and telecommunications consulting at A.T. Kearney Inc., a Chicago management consulting company. "But it didn't change the game of computerization. "Mainframes aren't just big pieces of hardware than can be dumped when the next generation of com- puter becomes available. They are part of the overall computing pro- cess and still serve a key role in any data -intensive organization. "And there are few organizations more data -intensive than a govern- mental body;" he said. As states and local governments begin to cope with the explosion of information created by the wide- spread use of personal computers, they are discovering the need for ways to absorb and store data created at the local agency level, he said. Then they must distribute that data to other agencies as needed on the new local area networks that have been developed within and be- tween agencies, he said (see related story, Page GM33). WHEN LOOKING FOR A PROVIDER OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES, GO STRAIGHT TO THE TOP. • We are the industry leader in implementing and providing benefit services, and have the following experience in these areas: ✓ Supplemental Security Income ✓ Aid to Families with Dependent Children ✓ Child Support ✓ Food Stamps of Medical Eligibility Verification ✓ Unemployment Insurance Call TransFirst to meet your governmental needs. TF TRANSFIRST An ACS Company Ckm `3/Q9l90 "In Oils role, the mainframe has evolved into a giant file server that is the memory and traffic cop of the LAN," Mr. Harper said. Steve Bardige, marketing man- ager for stare and local governments at Wang Laboratories Inc., Lowell, Mass., agreed. "WIN all the entities we talk to, the emphasis is on the management of Information," Mr. Bardige said. "State and local governments have entered into an era of information - sharing and the old, reliable main- frame has evolved into the corner- stone of the information -sharing networks." e o—ST re tire—advent of personal computers, agencies brought their raw data to mainframe, computers in Inge state data centers for "batch,' or one-shot, processing and took Computer By JULIE BENNETT ■ Welcome to the world of com- puters, a world where common words like worm and byte take on new, complicated meanings and ac- ronyms describe everything from languages to entire companies. The following glossary may help to translate some of the more com- mon computer terms into a format you can handle. Computer hardware Dumb terminal: A computer monitor screen, called a cathode ray tube (CRT) and a keyboard A dumb terminal has no independent pro - home reams of computer printouts. Now agencies and local offices still need the processing power the data centers offer, but users want to enter data on personal computers or workstations in their offices and get answers on the same desktop units. California's Teale Data Center in Sacramento, for example, provides data processing for 180 state agen- cies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, said Alan Harris, marketing manager Yor state and local governments at Tandem Com- puters, Cupertino, Calif., and a con- sultant to the Teale center. But, in most cases, data is trans - rallied from the Teale mainframe back to agencies as they need it or to other agencies that need to compare cross-reference data. The center charges the cost of processing and interagency transactions back to individual departments. "Personal computers created little islands of automation and the main - glossary ceasing capabilities, and performs only input and output. (UO) htnc- tions. It must be connected to ■ minicomputer or mainframe to work. personal (PC) or "Intelligent" computer. The personal computer was Introduced in the late 1970s by Apple Computer Inc. and, in 1981, by IBM Corp. The popularity of this "Intelligent" terminal, which can perform a huge variety of tasks, las grown dramatically, from 700,000 in operation in 1990 to more Nan 50 million today. The personal com- puter, or PC, is sometimes called the microcomputer, and the newest, fastest personal computers are su- per microcomputers. frame data centers have become the bridges between those islands," Mr. Harris said. 'The need for informa- tion around the slate has driven agencies to combine their data bases and Teale has become the clearing- house for the agencies, helping them link their own dissimilar systems." Teale also has become the state's computer madman. operating an in- teragency electronic mail system. In Ohio, mainframes also are vital to statewide information resource management, said Jerry Hammett, deputy director of the Department of Administrative Services. The state's data center in Co- lumbus has 10 mainframe com- puters and still handles processing chorea for more than halt the state's agencies as well as the huge workers compensation administration and state education data bases. Like California, Ohio has turned its data center into a revenue center by charging agencies for processing services. Through the Ohio Data Network, which links computers around the state, the data center also connects with five other mainframes in state departments as well as about 20,000 workstations and personal com- puters in individual offices. "The personal computer is the tool of choice of most end-users;" Mr. Hammett said, "but we don't see the stand-alone personal com- puter as the end-all of computing. Our users need data from many sources and it's our job In informa- tion resource management to pro- vide them with the information they need. "In Ohio, that means networking as many different data sources and kinds of computing power as we can," he said. "Our next goal is to make this comectivity as transpar- ent as possible so the technology will not distract from the informa- tion it provides." Also buoying the mainframe is a new interest by senior government managers and elected officials in Executive Information Systems, personal computer -driven worksta- tions that help managers organize and analyze timely information from large statewide data bases stored on mainframes, said Rick Crandall, president of Ann Arbor, Mich. -based Comshare Inc., a com- puter software developing company. In Washington, budget analysts already use the Commander EIS to explain the state's budget break- down. And the Department of In- formation Services is researching other applications. 7n some ways EIS is becoming a th(td t�oirnmnu mz•t.nn. mant- putating datastored on a mainframe rxrsona computer technology in a new eranhics-onmeee-Toren.^' said Mr. Crandall. aids user Minicomputer: The minicom- puter is larger than a personal com- puter and can hold a larger data base. These computers, also called midrange computers, are about the size of a filing cabinet, and make up the heart of most government com- puter bsstallations. Mainframe computer: Main- frames are huge machines that must operate under special environmen- tal conditions, usually in special rooms "behind the glass wall." Mainframes are necessary when an enormous amount of data must be processed. Workstation: A personal com- puter connected to a computer net. Continued on Page 14 Z- k 5 c , City & State, February 26,1990 t t a, ` OM9 ` ` �L— GOVERNMENT MANAGER I COMPUTERS Software: Off-the-shelf or ,custom-made? By RODD ZOLKOS ■ Getting the hardware In place is only half the battle for government information resource managers. The next step is making it work — and that means software. The software decision often in- vo vas w e er o o - e -shell_ saltware proclucu or so Ware Ica v es] user, ei er e in that decision fre- qumtl is the the use. or�F�many c�nputer applications, readily available software packages might be perfectly appropriate and provide significant savings over custom packages. For some complex applications, however, It might be worth the time and trouble of writ- ing a custom software package. An expanding computer industry that's making an ever-growing number of software products avail- able has brought other considera- tions onto nearly equal footing with application, however. Training and the user's plan to upgrade the program in the future have become key considerations. Information managers in North Dakota have been successful using bothoff-the-shelf and custom soft- ware packages. There the decision has been driven almost "elusively by the Intended use. "It's absolutely application -de- pendent," said Jerry Fossum, asso- ciate director for operation in the data-processing division of the North Dakota Department of Man- agement and Budget. "It's a ques. tion of what's available off-the- shelf at the time." 04 When ori -the -shelf software has , fallen Short in North Dakota, it's ty- pically been because the ultimate user of the software hasn't been spe- cific enough about the program. "We've had situation where we brought in oft -the -shelf stuff and It's been just fine," Mr. Fossum said. "But we've had other experiences where we've brought in off-the- shelf (software) and ended up custo- mizing it to the point where we might've been better off writing it ourselves in the beginning." The problem lurking in that sort of customization, however, is that over time it can become increasingly difficult to train employees to use it. The training element is a huge con- sideration, said Flank Fowsey, mi- crocomputer specialist in Dallas' De- partment of Information Services. The training support that fre- quently comes with off-the-shelf software can be a considerable ad- vantage in dealing with problems of frequent personnel turnover. That -0 turnover also causes problems when custom software designed to meet the specification of one informa- tion manager isn't in line with the wishes of a subsequent official. Another disadvantage to specially designed me spent developing software rograms, notjust �the time spent writing the program, Mr. Fowsey noted. There's also time spent writing the accompanying documen- tation and eliminating problems. Going outside for custom -written software raises its own problems, the Dallas speciaWt believes. "Once you put out your bid for software and people are responding to that, how do you know they are state-of-the-art software deve- lopersr' be asked. Other issues to consider when seeking customized software in- clude legal question about owner- ship and property rights; the de- veloper's Liability for consequent damages to the computer system caused by the software; issues of technical support and training; and the question of future upgrading. work.' But now the industry has come oft -the -shelf software. "rhe, we have to figure out how "If you say 'I've got some special so far that there probably is off -the- "It's very difficult to have a staff much it's going to take to store all needs, there's nobody else in the shelf software available that can do of highly skilled people that are cur - this," Mr. Fowsey said. "You may be world doing It this way: then Bw everything a government needs." rently trained in all the latest tech - coming up with some hardware tom software make some sense." kir What's more, in considering cus- nology," said Jerry L Lewis, deputy changes." Mr. Byrd said. 'But if you just want tom -designed software, government administrator of the department. Conversely, when a government to do accounts payable, it doesn't Information managers mud rmtem- And development time is a major buys off-the-shelf software, the in- formation manager knows what he's make sense." As government computer use has her the cost aren't limited to the present, but add on for keeping that consideration. "Everybody's got their projects they want done now," getting. "You know it's been It- grown, more approppriate software software current in the future. Mr. Lewis said. ttnsed and tested," he said. has bees'developed, offering gov= "When you develop your own "Cities by and large don't need to ernment managers considerable software, you've got to have a re- bs In the risk-taking business: ' W d chola in off-the—shelf products. source base to maintain that soft -Municipal Jerry Byrd. executive vice president "I would say heretofore in govern- -ware," Mr. Phaup said. "You have Systems Consulting •of United Systems Technology Inc., matt, probably a good bit of effort to have data-processing people who Irvtrrg, Texas, a software vmdoz. was put into Beating unique soft- can upgrade and maintain IV Needs Assessments - RfPa - En4amm •'That's best done by the priwta ware," said Art Phaup, information In the Iowa I)epartmmt of Gm- RSCA, Irrc., Rpt, Box 1138 sector. By definition, custom soft- technology planner fon the Virginia oral Services, those staff cost con- Ramsetserville, NY 12147 ware is risky business. If it works, Department of Information Tbchnol- sideration are amajor factor be- 616.767-3964 you'll be the first one to make It ogy. hind the state's reliance on Moredim just a; OAN 40 lr6e; Risograph Typical copier If you're burned up about breakdowns, Risograph beats the heat. Most copiers produce heat. Lots of heat. Heat is a major cause of copier breakdowns. Dcnvntime. Angry users. Service calls. More and more main- tenance costs. And shorter machine life. The Risograph design concept is unique—there's no heat buildup because theres next to no heat. Moreover, the Risograph uses fever moving pans than other machines. The bottom line is greater productivity and a machine life that's almost twice as long as most copiers. Cpm -3f -r -v)-,, What's more, the Risograph gives you great ' performance. Like 120 copies per minute. Variable stock, size and weight. A per -copy cost that's a frac- tion of other machines. And a lifetime copy volume of 10 million copies or more. For more -information, call or write for a free copy of"A New Look at Copy/ Duplicating" RISO, Inc., 300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 210, Danvers, MA 01923. (800)777-8099. ©CSO More than just a copies 2 k 5 c_ City & State, February 26, 1990 covEniv0lErrr Mn[vncex i conaruM Image storage makes molehills of paper peaks 3Y LEN STRAZEWSKI ■ Image storage and retrieval syc- .ems promise to redua mountains " paper to molehills and cut lite ...'es from hour to seconds. A big boast, but consultants and ,.t2ment managers who have in- 4ov' in the new technology say it lives up to its promises — if you don't expect satisfaction overnight+ teealn a e - puter- raven ctora e s ro an vendors likelo Image storage and retrieval sys- tems marketed by vendors, faelud- Ing Eastman Kodak Co., Xerox Corp., Wang Laboratories Inc. and Independent Consulting in Information Technologies Bricker A Associates, Loc. spe- cializes in the public sector, Pan'idinS• • independent systems reviews • andSl d defies ran planning • Pirisonad productivity analysis • prpJetl mamgemeol. We nuke wad implement ob- jective and practical recom• meoduivos. Plate cootact: Prier I Nauk Vice President Bricker At Associates, Ina. 0110110r the 312-78744 can It a copy of the document is needed, it can be produced on a laser printer and look better than a photocopy. However, before all the ood things can pen, paper ocu- tem, said Allan Hobgood, vice presi- dent of Docucen Inc., a San Anto- nio, Texas-based company that specializes in cenverUng paper tea orris to digital disk storage. Dow - con lists the Army, Navy and De- partment of Defense among its consulting clients and recently began marketing conversion ser- vices to slate and local govern- ments. Three years of trial and error by federal agencies have worked out most of the problems in image -stor- age systems and led to the develop- ment of rte standard for convention, but vendors still haven't found a good way to automate ban - riling the backlog, Mr. Hobgood ex- plained. r Despite all of the recent break- throughs in image technology, con- verting a masa of old documents is still a slow and labor-intensive pro- cess, he added. And that is the big weakness in the image system. • It seems silly to invest $1 million or more in a system yet not be able to reap the full benefits for a year or two until all the records are con- verted. However, that's exactly what some state and local government Public Finance Software For IBM PC%and Compatibles Arbitrage Rebate System (ROCS) Computes the bond yield, investment yield and rebate liability, also generates reports required by the IRS. Single Family Housing Software (REV) The fastest, most flexible software for structuring and verifying Single Family Housing programs. Student Loan Cash Flow Analysis Software (SL) A fast and full featured program forstmcturing and verifying student loan revenue bond programs. Final! We were the Ont to provide a microcomputer based system for ueh of the above products. Proven! Doreen of users in all pans of the Public Fin= industry. Retable! We an in our 51h year of providing unmatched software suppon service; for our clients. Easy! All systems are my to use employing state of the an pull down menus and pop up windows. Beg Price! Call us today. Compare our software features and prim to anything available on the market before you buy. AM SOFTUJRRE BISQUE 917 12th Soar - GoWea. CO 60101 Phone (303) 2784e76 FAX (101) 781160 agencies are doing. In the state of Washington, for However, Mr. Boise still believes that the system is the solution to the into the system, but we have started with the documents of highest de - example, the Department of Liters- ing recently purchased a Wang agency's long-term document stor- age problems. Unlike paper mords,q mand — birth records of new school-age children — and that will image system for $1.3 million, said Document SeM. Administrator the disks are net susceptible to the 1 elements or pests, and the search help solve our biggest problem" During school enrollment, the Wayne Rolle. Eventually, the sys- tem will rlimlmte 3,000 square feet process ti u fast as the vendor pro- raised, he said agency is deluged with requests for birth documents, he explained, and of file room space that contains 1.5 million feces of "Files that used to take hours to find can be called up on the system file searches have been taking 20 mi - `nuto W three hours. The image sys- But since the system was installed Dec. 1, 1989, only 75,000 items have in 15 to 30 seconds' he said. "And we have less of a problem with files Jtem wID reduce searches to seconds and help the agency solve some of the been scanned into the system and Mr. Boise expects only about being lost on someone's desk. "It may be taking us a few yeses special problems it encounters. Under Texas law, a child's birth 300,000 documents will be con- verled by the end of this year. to complete the project, but our re- wards are better and faster service records maY be entered under a fa- lber's ear mother's surname and sev- "We've got a lot to go, that's for sure," he said. "We were able to get to the public and lower storage costs. That makes it worth the eral years later tete [Fent hmY not )recallch nam�t the a budget for the hardware as part of pr..... price• can dawhas ours m biennial appropriation, but the Legislature would not pay for out- Ronald Hanks, • n."l.,lsrrntor o1 the Department of Vital Statistics search.our The new system, however, will side help to convert documents. So, we are doing it ourselves, little by for the city of Houston, agrees. The • Houston agency purchased a 26 -terms search records by a several criteria, including all available names and little." -trawl Wang system for $700,000 in date of birth, producing likely files in New licenses are scanned into system immediately, be said, but the September and began using it this month. So far, it has only about Iess than a minute, he said. "Better public service is our main agency must work backward on old information, creating a little contu- lo0,000 of about 3 million docu- ments stored. goal and the system will certainly improve the way we deal with in- sion about what records are stored "However, even having a small formation requests," said Mr. where. Also, while the agency has 40 workstations that can access the porton of total files on the system will help dramatically," Mr. Hanks Hanks. "Eventually we will get all of our stored documents, it has only three scanners. said. "It could be three years or more before everything is scanned records on line where they will be stored safely and economically." Tech awards honor creativity ■ Four counties and nine cities were honored with Technology travel costs for witnesses. • Dallas, Texas, for Operation • Newark, N.J., which recycled tires into an dependable asphalt Achievement Awards late last year at the National League of Cities' CLEAN, a multidepartmental stat- egy to rid areas of drug dealers, surface for city street surfaces. • Oklahoma City, Okla., which annual conference in Atlanta. The winners, recognized for their enforce housing and fire codes and demolition of unsalvageable proper- created a special development aad- emy that gives selected people op - creative means of tackling such ties and increase social services in portunities to increase management responsibilities through executive problems as crime, drugs, inade- quate day are and deteriorating In- high -crime areas. •Fort Collins, Colo., whose Po- work sessions and other training. frastructure. are: • Arlington County, Va., the lice Department's monthly able TV program offers personal safety tips • Phoenix, Aril., whose Inexpert- sive changes in residents' homes, first local government in the nation to allow homeowners to pay a local and crime -prevention measures for homes and businesses. like tank dams and low -flow show - erhads, conserved water and sub - tax by automatic direct deposit directly to the treasurer. •Fort Worth, Texas, which in- creased effectiveness of its lesser -teed stantially reduced sewage water.d, a.Prinee George's County, •Coryus Christi, Texas, whose Department of Parks and Recre- foe statics by making them centers that specialize in various areas of res- which saves $17,000 per year In re - placement costs by recycling da- ations created after-school recre- ation programs at elementary tare and equipment repair. • Montgomery County, Md., maged and obsolete traffic control signs into usable sign blanks. schools for children ofworking par- ents at little or no cost to the- which reduced costly liabilityinsur- mee for obstetrical services for in. *Scottsdale, Ariz., which crested a think tank that produced parmts, digent patients by employing pri- more than 150 Ideas to generate or •Dade County, Fla., where a video teleconference system allows vate obstetricians as part-time County Health Department employ- save money. • Virginia Beach, Va., whose people scheduled for a court ap- pearance Gia Metro Dade County to ees under self-insurance and habil- ity cap programs, freeing the methane -to -energy plant, jnstalled at no expense to the city, produces be imtervfewed from remote site, thus reducing absenteeism and county's own full -tune physicians to provide more natal care. substantial revenue while reducing ozone-damagingemissions. City & State, February 26, 1990 It buying By TODD SLOANE ■ Whether to buy or lease a new system is the only computer decision normally out of the hands of the in- formafion resource manager. That's because It is viewed by most government officials as an ad- ministrative and financial problem usually handled by finance officers. Thus, only normal equipment fin- ancing factors should come into play — such as available resources, future cash flow and financing costs. Some experts, however, believe there should be another component in the decision, one in which the top computer official should be in- volved. "Whether to buy or lease (may be) more of a financial question than a technological one," said Bar- bara Pequ(gnot, director of govern- mental marketing for Comdisco Inc., a Rosemont, M. -based com- puter company. "But with the way computer technology changes over time, governments need to look at how often they are going to have to update their technology before making an investment. H you are going to have to fi- nance something for five years or more, but the technology will be outdated before then, it doesn't make much sense to buy. You should lease," she laid. While no national figures are available, experts say that outright purchases are still the most common form of computer acquisition, with lease -to -purchase arrangement& second and simple leases a distant third. However, lease -to -purchase ap- pears to be the fastest-growing pus chasing method. "The data-processing department defines the requirements and the fi- nancedepartment looks at what money Is available and then decides what's possible. Unfortunately, they don't look at system life," said Thomas Hanrahan, a New York - ,based government consultant. "If you intend to keep a system for anything more than five years, you should buy it. But if you intend to change a system or replace it be- fore then, you should look at leas- ing;" he advised. James Joseph, of the Government Finance Officers Association, a non- profit association based in Chicago, said although outright purchase of hardware makes sense because of the savings on financing costs, by leasing "you can usually make more money investing your public funds and using tax-exempt debt to make the acquisition. Frankly, even If you have got the money, It may still not be worth a dirt purchase. "A lease allows you to upgrade more regularly. You can't be locked Into a computer system for 10 years," Mr. Joseph said. Many state governments and a few larger cities are using "mas- ter leases" to make major equip- ment purchases, said Robert But- ler, president of Public Resources Inc., an Edison, N.J.-based public finance company. Over the past five years, New Jer- sey has Issued some $375 million in certificates of participation, a ver- sion of lease debt, about $100 mil- lion of that for data-processing pur- chases, Mr. Butler said. Using COPS, mvestors purchase securities that are a lien on a por- tion of the equipment being fin- anced. Debt service is actually lease payments to those investors. When the payments are completed, the government owns the equipment. New Jersey's Office of Telecom- munications and Information Sys- ` GOVERNMENT MANAGER I COMPUTERS takes byte*out of budget, try leasing - terns reviews all computer acgtt they tend to rely on lease-to-pur- rFeew deal res usually structured so "It very much depends on the tion requests from departments sad chase arrangements. 'that system addwns are far more kind of computer system you are decides on priorities bised on what While this saves on month -to- expensive. talking about. finance officials say Is possible. month costs o1 financing, Com- •It a system or software has a "For example, some departments Because of the size of the equip- disco's Ms. Pequignot said there are short-term life expectancy or may may be experimenting with a new, ment purchases and the stability of times when it's •mistake for a mu- be expanded in two to three years, computer-based service, but may state governments, bond insurers nicipal government to eater tato gamy computer firms will simply need to fine-tune things as they go will write policies for master leases, these kinds of leases. lease the equipment. While the city allowing states to get the most fa- Governments adding an or chang- - (toes not wind up with a system once along. Maybe the system they got as too large or too small. Leasing vorable credit rating on the debt. ing a computer system can generally the lease is completed, it also has ives you the freedom to change Because of their size, most mums- do so much more freely with a not paid some financing coats and is hings to suit what you are trying to �Igccomplish," Ipalities can't do master leases, so leased system; while a lease-to-pur- dot tied to a technology, she said. • - Ms. Pequignot said. ■ r C 3/.-rn WE'VItCHANGED OUR NAME BUT WE'RE STILL THE COMPANY YOU KNOW Recently, we've changed our name—Lockheed Datacom Is now Lockheed Information Management Services. We haven't changed what we do—we've only expanded our repertoire. Our success only bred demands: clients wanted to see other services and products. And now, as part of Lockheed's new Technology Services Group, we're better able to oblige—to bring our abilities, our resources, and our reputation to bear on a host of new challenges. We offer an array of data processing applications to municipal and state govern- ments. Whether It Is motor vehicle applications. child support enforcement, or municipal revenue services, our advanced technology and expanded resources can Improve any program. We haven't, however, forgotten our clients—our base, upon which our long-term success has been built. What we've done, we've done well. For that reason, we've become known to policy makers as one of urban AmerlcVs most valuable Informational management resources— a company that could make the critical difference for hard-pressed titles and programs. The name has changed, but we're still the Lockheed you know and trust. LOCKHEED IMS—SERVICE... TECHNOLOGY... COMMITMENT. nsENodoeed information Management Services Company A Subsidiary of Lockheed Corporation Corporate Headquarters a Glenpolnts Cordre Fast Teaneck, New Jersey 07668 a 1.800.759-3282 C_- SHERIFF DON OMODT ��{tz¢ of thr �I�PrZtf Lt. Tom Saba Plymouth Police Department 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Lt. Saba: =\LDc, 6 COURTHOUSE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55415 (612) 348-3744 March 23, 1990 I would like to thank you for your participation in the recent 911 ESN reassignments for the City of Plymouth and to commend the fire volunteers who filled out the required forms to implement the changes. Thanks also to Mr. Kevin Leuer who resolved the few questions I had on the ledgers. For your review, enclosed is a hand-written MSAG based on the ledgers submitted. I am sending all the ledgers to the Metro 911 Coordinator today who will in turn submit them to U.S. West Enterprises for update in the 911 database. I am requesting I be notified when all the changes have been made to the database. Again, my thanks to all involved in this project. Please call me if you have any questions or there are any corrections to be made to the enclosed MSAG. Sincerely, DON OMODT, SHERIFF By: Ruth Thran Communications Division 9300 Naper Street Golden Valley, MN 55427 544-8508 cc: Kevin Leuer, Plymouth Fire Department Captain Vodegel Muriel Haglind, Metro 911 Coordinator c.m.31aSJclo Minn. Stat. 387.03 "The sheriff shall keep and preserve the peace of his county..." -. A�i/1iI V' I 01 mt 'dl� J lul aff 12 J :Y � Y JL:- , I/ y,�.., ,,ny , ;tU: � ��i L(1i ,,�4�� � � l� f �.: t•�y;�lr� r.. „ c�,Cl%���i.• 1�1�•/•� ��l', ✓' ✓ 1, � I /ice IIJ�� l� �./.l J.i' .i , � �l W• V11' fy/, (/ �'•'� / a• /✓� Lc 0 i r r CSM 3 /Ca 5IC,v All City Employees. March 20, 1990 City Of Plymouth. 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth Mn. 55441 Dear Friends and fellow workers. Though I've been out for some time with a illness I've not forgotten any of you. I miss the friendliness of all of you, I miss the good times and the jokes and I really miss harrassing a certain few. As you may know I have Lymes Disease. I know many of you do not know what Lynes disease is but it= is one of-- the most -debilitating diseases one could contact. I am on the road to recovery and am hoping to see you all soon. With this illness I am unable to do any activity which leads to complete boredom. I cannot thank you enough for the surprise I received in the mail the other day when I received the tape with all your friendly voices and jokes. With my memory loss at least I have the jokes on tape, Hearing your voices and get well wishes really did brighten up my day, In fact I had a lump in my throat. One of the big problems with this disease is memory loss and I told the doctor that lately all I am thinking of is the hereafter, She said why are you thinking of the hereafter, I told her that every room I go into I ask myself what am I in here after.( lousy joke huh.) Another thing about this affliction is (I forget what I've got and I can look forward to hiding my own easter eggs. Again thanks friends for your thoughtfulness I miss you all. Hope to see you soon and give my best to all. Sincerely �� &--N C-�rn-314-1140 THERE'S A DEMON WITHIN No one knows the hurt I have but the pain is oh so real. So much pain, so many places I forget how I rea11.y -should: €eel Sometimes its hard to move at all my muscles and joints ache so much. My vision is blurry, my feet feel like mush my body hurts to the touch. Sometimes I feel there's a demon within.., or why should I feel this way. My body jerks, my head it throbs confused from day to day. There's a demon within and it wakes me at night so the pain can continue some more.. My body so tired, its hard to move so I sit and stare at the floor. The endless'days of aches and pain some days its hard to walk. My memory gone, I hide away so I don't have to talk. It's hard to sit and try to read but I can't concentrate. The words they seem to blur and move I can't even remember the date. There's a demon within, my body its home will it ever leave me be. The doctor says it will take time just you wait and see. Some days I seem to reach my end I just can't take it no more. The aches and pain, my body so tired so depressed I want to walk out the door. How much longer will it be the suffering and the pain. How much longer can my wife stand by and not complain. This demon within turned my life u-pside down from my home, to the work that I do. My family, my friends, the daily life I know its affecting them too. I'll keep trying as long as I can and say I'll beat this thing. Right now it seems this demon within wants to be the king. y Niel Nielsen i c m March 19, 1990 Mr. Fred Mobre City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth MN 55447 Dear Mr. Moore: As I am sure you are fully aware, you and 1 have ha discussions regarding the storm sewer water runoff which the City of Plymouth is placing into our pond at 47th and Oakview. Over the last seven years I would estimate that my phone calls to you and other Plymouth employees has numbered well over one hundred. To say that Marilyn and I Fire unhappy, frustrated and feeling helpless is an understatement. Let me refresh your memory with some of the background of your problem. Marilyn and I and our family moved into our Plymouth home in early 1983. At that time there wPr.P two storm sewer runoffs going into the pond Immediatel.y next -to our property. Our lot has a pie shnped wedge inserting into the pond which did not have an easement for water runoff. But, we had no water problems and no trees were at that time being destroyed by your water. Then came the West Medicine Lake Terrace addition which added a third storm sewer entrance into the pond. I called you many, many times about the high water levels and silt encroachment onto the pons. My records indicate that on October 31 I placed call number 42 to you regarding the problem. Nothing happened except you brought the old red pump out numerous times to lower the water level. Meanwhile, our trees were being killed by your water on our property. Then, in 1985 Marilyn and 1 experienced the 'rammy Middlemist addition. I spoke with the Planning Commission about my concerns regarding the fourth storm sewer runoff. Somehow the addition was approved anyway and, is there now a fifth entrance at Tammy Middlemist next to the fourth one`.. Much silt entered the pond and I called you and notified you in writing and nothing happened. Silt and more silt continued to enter. I got so frustrated that, as a taxpayer of Plymouth, I stopped paying my water bill and you assessed it against my real estate taxes. Then, in late 1985, we agreed to settle with us with an easement and your promise of a pump which would allow you to maintain the water level at an acceptable level. Your letter. of. November 1, 1985 agreed to remove the silt but it has never been removed. Marilyn and I gave you the easement for a very small sum of cash and title to the outlot. We have spent a considerable number of hours and a large amount of money maintaining the outlot in a park- li k(, manner. We invite you to drive. by the outlot. sometime and peruse it; every Plymouth citizen should treat their C � (v%- 31a% f c. o ri property like this is maintained. The easement, copy attached, says "This easement is valid providing City maintains water 'level at or slightly below 93U feet MSL elevation except during and immediately after rainfalls or flooding conditions." The date of the easement is January 21, 1986. Also attached is a letter dated January 7, 1986, which you personally signed agreeing to, among other items, "The City agrees with my memo of November 7, 198!)." Included in my memo of November 'l, 1985 is the following statement: 'It is the understanding of myself and my wife that, when completed, the manhole and adjacent areas will not be visually or aFSth(ttically unappealing to us and that the wzat.er if-ivel wi1 1 be, rnr,,int.zahit ed at or bf�low 930 feet except for occasional large rainfalls when the level may exceed 930 feet temporarily for a short period of time which you stated would be no more than 24 hours.' Fred, the height of the pond has been over 930 feet MSL many, many times, for more than a day. After the big rain in July 1987, it took 23 days for it to reach 930 feet MSL. I called Dick Youliott. last Sunday, March 11 and advised him that the pond was well over the easement level. On the following Monday you brought in a pump and on Thursday you prematurely removed it. As of Monday, the 114th, the pond is still well above 930 fet:t. 1 call ud you and left, ,a mu -sage regarding the pump removal last 'Thursday and you did not return my call. We must come to an agreement as to a long term solution to your problem. You are in violation of our easement and we want It stopped. We. will rio longer tolerate: any more situations whcsre the: City o.1' Plymouth is taking advantage of our rights as a property owners and residents of this community. Let us restate the problem: the water level in tee pond txl '., htd&U tg ; =rLy timrs,. s -yebr, We are. flexible arid willing to :accept an occasional variance, such as the 'rain of the century' in 1987, but, really 23 days is ridiculous. We lost so much property such as a rototiller, a 12 KW generator and numerous trees due to your water. You personally agreed to 24 hours and we want you to live up to that with only catastrophic exceptions. Legally, right now, Wu do not have to give you any exceptions. There are three reasons for this problem. 1. Too much water is being diverted into the pond. 2. Much too small of a pump system was installed after the easement agreement. 3. A significant area of the pond has been .removed due to silt and City dredging practiva:;. c%Tv-% 81QC�lri.o E'7-z� Solutions? 1. Divert one or more of the runoffs into another storm sewer system. Perhaps the West Medicine Lake Terrace runoff could be transferred into the next pond in line South of 45th Avenue. L. A much larger pump and pipe could be installed to hasten the lowering of our pond to within agreed upon legal limits. 3. Our pond should be dredged and the silt removed from all four inlets. The West Medicine Lake Terrace silt was piled on the snore by the City after the easement was granted and it significantly reduced the holding area of the pond. The Schmidt Lake West silt and the Tammy Middlemist si.1 L has neves b( -,en removed arid causes the holding area to be vul):,tantial.ly smzal L"r and therefore results in the rapid water buildup onto our property. We must have a resolution of this problem or we will be offered no oLh(2.r choice than to involve legal council and revoke the easoment.. You :are. in violation of the terms of the easement and we are, by this correspondence, officially notifying you of Luch violation. I am certain that neither the City of Plymouth or Marilyn and I want to get into the expense of a lawsuit in which we will most certainly prevail. We are looking; forward to your written response with your solution to this problem. Sincerely, Eric & Marilyn Foss cc: Mr. Robert Zitur Mr. Kim Bergman Mr. James Willis carr. afas(c.o EASEMENT THIS AGREEMENT made this day ofN� �/C r 1g , -,L&I between Eric E. Foes and Marilyn J. Foss, Husband and Wife. part ies of the first part, and THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, a Minnesota municipal corporation, party of the second part, WITNESSETH: That the part ies of the first part in consideration of the sum of ONE DOLLAR AND OTHER GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do hereby grant and convey unto said party of the second part, its successors and assigns, the following described permanent and temporary easements lying over, under, across and through part of the below described parcel of land lying and being in the County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, to -wit: DESCRIPTION OF PARCEL: (11-118-22-33-0008) Lot 1, Block 2, Schmidt Lake West according to the recorded plat thereof, Hennepin County, Minnesota. DESCRIPTION OF EASEMENT: A permanent easement for drainage and ponding purposes over and across that part of the above described parcel described as beginning at the Northwest corner of said Lot 1; thence on an assumed bearing of South 0 degrees 01 minutes 56 seconds East along the West line thereof 105.08 feet; thence North 61 degrees 18 minutes 20 seconds East 52.80 feet; thence North 47 degrees 05 minutes 28 seconds East 50.36 feet; thence North 48 degrees 13 minutes 24 seconds East 50.25 feet; thence North 29 degrees 04 minutes 36 seconds East 3.36 feet; to the North line of said Lot 1; thence North 85 degrees 46 minutes 50 seconds West 122.70 feet along said North line to the point of beginning. This easement is valid providing City maintains water level at or slightly below 930 feet MSL elevation except during and immediately after large rainfalls or flooding conditions. This Instrument Drafted By: State Deed Tax Due: $ Fred G. Moore, Director of Public Works None City of Plymouth, 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, Minnesota 55447 IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the said part ies ha ve sett their hand a the day and year first above written. t%0001 . eAr_&Leel" Eric E. Foe Marilyn J. Fos January 9, 1986 Mr. Dick Pouliot I Project Coordinator City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Dick: This is to inform you that Marilyn and I are accepting alternate "A" as outlined in your memo of January 6, 1986 subject to the follwing items: water will be permanently maintained at or slightly below 930 feet as outlined in my memo of November 7, 1985. the "mouse ear" at the north end of the outlot will be vacated and transferred to us as part of the easement transaction. all stipulations in this agreement will be automatically transferred to subsequent land owners of our property. n my letter of January 7, 19869 is part of this agreement. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, Eric E. Foss 4615 Oakview Lane North Plymouth, MN 55442 C.-_ %rc-, 31 a4 l q 0 January 7, 1986 Mr. Richard Pouliot Project Coordinator City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Dick: Thank you for your memo of January 6, 1986 regarding the ponding easement and Outlot A. I am inclined to go with option "A" at this time with the following understandings: 1. The City of Plymouth agrees to maintain the water level in the pond at or below 930 feet above mean sea level. The City agrees with my memo of November 7, 1985. This is intended to be accom- plished by installation and maintainence, at City expense, of a pump as outlined in Fred Moore's memo of November 1, 1985. 2. All costs nf maintaining the ponding area for storm sewer runoff will be at the expense of the City of Plymouth. This includes, but is not restricted to, dredging, pumping, cleaning and repairing the ponding area and associated systems. 3. All known special assessment against Outlot A have been paid anti, to the best knowledge of the City Staff at this time, no further special assessments will ever be made on said property. -' 4. All costs incurred in transferring the outlot to it's new owner(s) will be paid by the City of Plymouth during the one transfer tr-ansaction. In other words, if I intend on conveying portions of Outlot A to other neighbors, this must be done at the time the lot is transferred to me. If not, it will be private expense. All surveying costs to split the lot will be at private expense. 5. The City agrees that, for a period of 24 months from 1-1-86, I may apply for subdivision and all internal City fees such as permit application etc. will be `''` .b� :6c 6. The options outlined in Richard J. Pouliot's memo of January 6, 1986, will• remain in effect not less than 90 days from the date of the memo and will require 30 days written notice before expiration. To expedite settlement, I would appreciate your continued responsivness. Thank you 1 Sincerel the City of Plymouth is in agreement with the above items. City of Plymouth ------------ Eric E. Foss by_Fr��_�(o=�� ____ title_Q,�c�.��_�_ P„bi.� +.•�.x3 4615 Oakview Lane North Plymouth, MN 55442 e,tm alaq[-iz November 7, 1985 Mr. Fred Moore City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth Mn 55447 Dear Fred: This is in answer to your memo of 11-1-85 regarding 4615 Oakview Lane North and the ponding area immediately to the Nest of this property. . We are granting permission to the City of Plymouth to utilize our property immediately adjacent to the proposed manhole area for the purpose of placing a rubber treaded backhoe on the property to dig the hole for the man- hole and trench to the pond with a minimal interruption to the wooded area on the 5outhNest side of our property in the immediate vicinity of the proposed construction area, . You requested that we give permission to dig the trench for the pond overflow pipe between the manhole area and North into the pond even though this area may not be included in the 10 foot easement on that edge of the property. We are giving the City of Plymouth permission to install such piping for the purpose of maintaining the water level at or below 930 feet above average sea - level under the following conditions: 1) said piping must be under the ground an adequate distance to facilitate gardening and other normal residential Jot functions in the area immediately above (over) the piping. In other words, we wish not to loose the functional nature of the property but can see no reason that a buried pipe should cause ourselves or subsequent landowners the loss of such use. 1) After construction is completed we request that 20 yards of pulverized black dirt be hauled into the current garden area utilizing the construction road established and not disturbing our property and that such dirt be furnished by the City of Plymouth as compensation for allowing the pipeline to be constructed on the non -easement area of the property. . It is our understanding that the City of Plymouth will, at their expense, replace all sod, dirt etc. in the non -easement area to its current, well kept status, We are also assuming that the area of construction on the easement area of our property will be properly replaced and landscaped after construction is completed. We feel seeding is unacceptable in comparison to sodding. . It is the understanding of myself and my wife that, when completed, the manhole and adjacent areas will not be visually or asthetically unappealing to us and that the water level will be maintained at or below 930 feet except for occasional large rainfalls when the level may exceed 930 feet temporarily for a short period of time which you stated would be no more than 24 hours. The following areas are specifically not addressed in the above four paragraphs: disposition of damages caused to property by previous water levels and disposition of outlot A. In addition, no implications should be construed from the above that we are granting to the City of Plymouth permission to place storm sewer runoff water anywhere on our lot in the non -easement pond areas. c % m - 31aa I s.o 1 Page 2 - Fred Moore It is also our understanding that the sound of operation of the pump will not be audible anywhere on our property except perhaps in the immediate vicinity of the manhole. We might suggest that the developer who is drag -lining the pond be required to install sod in the area between the storm sewer and the pond after dredging. He had ample opportunity to hydro -mulch the area as you stated and we feel that, at this point in time, the more immediate effect of the sod would benefit the situation in the long run. Also, at this time, we choose to ignore the damage that the dredging equipment has caused to our property. This maybe should be the first paragraph and not the last but here we go again. Thursday morning we visited the other side of the pond where the home construction is commencing and where the West, fourth, storm sewer drain enters the pond. Again, no silt stop is present and a distinct delta is forming. We really don't understand how these developers can get by with this but they sure seem to. If you recall, I phoned you some weeks ago about this and you indicated you would send someone out to check it. Please help get this under control without any further involvement from us. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Marilyn and Eric Foss 4615 Oakview Lane North Plymouth MN 55442 C k m - 3/a.`►14 Cb t A March 20, 1990 Mr. Steve Cheney Cheney Carpet, Inc. 14025 23rd Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55441 SUBJECT: ZONING ORDINANCE VIOLATION - SIGNAGE (27-23-0011) Dear Mr. Cheney: Myra Wicklacz has referred your letter of March 7, 1990, for review and response. Please accept my apologies for the time required to generate this response. Review of the file in this matter, indicates that on January 2, 1990, Ms. Wicklacz informed you in writing that a 32 square foot "For Lease" sign located on your property was in violation of the Zoning Ordinance provision, limiting such signage to 8 square feet in area. You were requested to remove that sign, or reduce area of that sign to the Ordinance prescribed maximum in 10 days. On January 19, 1990, Ms. Wicklacz again notified you of the same violation, noting that a reinspection was done on January 17, 1990, and it was found that no reduction in size of the subject sign or removal had been accomplished 5 days beyond the date provided for on January 2. Ms. Wicklacz advised you that unless the sign was removed by January 26, 1990, we would have -no option but to route the matter to the City Attorney for immediate action. Your letter dated March 7, 1990, indicates that you would propose that the "For Lease" sign that is now in violation be allowed to remain ..temporarily while the old sign ordinance is being reconsidered..." You noted that you had spoken with both the City Attorney and the Mayor about this. I have spoken to both Mayor Bergman and to City Attorney Jim Thomson, and based on these discussions, I can only conclude that you have two options available under the Zoning Ordinance, as that Ordinance is now constituted as follow: 1. Reduce the size of the subject sign to 8 square feet, resulting in compliance with the existing Zoning Ordinance. 2. Once the sign has been longer exists, you could square feet, requesting Ordinance to permit that standards. C ern-3Ja5(�o removed or reduced in size and the violation no apply for a sign permit for a sign in excess of 8 a variance from the provisions of the Zoning sign in excess of Zoning Ordinance maximum size 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 550-5000 Mr. Steve Cheney March 20, 1990 Page 2 Please understand that there is no process available whereby the City can, even temporarily, suspend the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance to permit existence of a violation to that Zoning Ordinance. While it is true that the entire Plymouth Zoning Ordinance is currently being reviewed by the Planning Commission, there is no specific review of the sign provisions currently underway, and the overall consideration of the Zoning Ordinance could extend several months into the future. Incidentally, the pnU vehicle available to a City by state statute4to impact development activity during the review of an Ordinance is a moratorium. Obviously, a moratorium would not be in your best interest at this time. Steve, as of today, you remain in violation of the Zoning Ordinance, and I am, by a copy of this letter, requesting the City Attorney continue his actions with regard to this violation. I have outlined above a potential due process that would be available with respect to your perceived need to have signage in excess of what the Zoning Ordinance would otherwise allow. To aid you in your determination of whether you wish to proceed with that process, I have enclosed a photocopy of a portion of the Zoning Ordinance that provides for 6 standards that must be met prior to the Board of Zoning Adjustment and Appeals granting ba variance. Variances are handled.by the Board of Zoning Adjustment and Appeals, and by the City Council only on appeal of a Board of Adjustment and Appeals' decision. The Board must find that all 6 standards have been met before they can grant a variance. I would sincerely appreciate your immediate compliance with the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance with respect to the sign on your property. If I can provide you any additional information, or be of any assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, We. D i all e'ru d Community Development Coordinator Enclosure cc: File 27-23-0011 Blair Tremere, Community Development Director James Willis, City Manager Jim Thomson, City Attorney -Kim Bergman, Mayor (pl/cd/27-23-0011:dl) CITY OF March 26, 1990 PLYMOUTH+ Wayne C. Wallace 15300 37th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 SUBJECT: CITIZEN COMMENDATION Dear Mr. Wallace: Because of your alertness and willingness to become involved, two suspects were arrested for stealing property from cars. Unfortunately, most of the time we are unable to solve thefts from vehicles. These crimes usually occur in the same general vicinity. What typically happens is several cars are vandalized and many items stolen. Thus, we have many unsolved crimes! However, such was not the case during the early morning hours of March 23. Your observations, a quick call to our dispatcher, and your positive identification during a show up, all contributed toward the arrest of these criminals and the recovery of stolen property. Thank you for getting involved. When citizens assist the police, we become much more effective and efficient. Your involvement gives testimony to this fact. Thank you for getting involved. Sincerely, Richard 3. Carlquist Public Safety Director RJC:lk cc: Officer Tim Oie James G. Willis, City Manager C %,m-31a5(CLO 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447. TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800 March 23, 1990 Ms. Chikita Davis Henry 11100 Cedar Hills Blvd. #164 Minnetonka, MN. 55343 Mayor Kim Bergman City Of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN. 55447 Attn: Mayor Kim Bergman, —z"194— This letter is in reference to an incidence I had with two policemen with the city of Plymouth on February 24, 1990 at approximately 1:00 am. There badge numbers were 23 and 32. I was driving down highway 169, doing approximately 50 to 55 miles per hour and was stoppped by the two policemen, that had the above mentioned badge numbers. They inform me that I had been speeding on 36th Street in Plymouth. These officers did not turn on their lights until I was on HWY 169, between HWY 55 and HWY 12 (394); this is approximately 3.5 miles from where the officers alleged I was driving between 42 and 44 miles/hour in a 30 miles zone. I know this information is inaccurate because on 36th Street, the snow was compacted and it was very slippery and I make it a point to take my time and drive carefully in those type of conditions. I was at a get together (games party) on Evergreen Street, right off of 36th Street. Once on 36th Street there is a stop sign two blocks (Zachary Ln./ Medicine Lake Blvd.) and another stop sign six blocks from there (Pilgrim Ln.). According to the ticket that was issued, it states that I was clocked going between 42 and 44 miles/hour west bound of Lancanster. I don't understand that if was alleged to be speeding on 36th Street, why wasn't I stopped before I was between HWY 55 and HWY 12 (394) on Hwy 169.. The first thing the officer did when approach my car was to ask me for my license and then he asked me if I had been drinking. I stated that I had a little to drink, not much. First and foremost I am not an alcoholic and I also make it a point not to become intoxicated such that it impairs my driving ability. The officer then asked me to step out of my car so that I could perform a drunk test. Evidently I passed; however this was very humiliating, it was extremely cold out there, and I felt it was totally inappropriate. Then after I performed the test the officer instructed me to get back in my car and that they would mail me my driver's license in the mail because they got a priority called and 'S N grj-- they didn't have to write a ticket. I thought that to be relatively strange, since you are required to keep some form of I.D. on you at all time. I then ask the officers for their names. Instead of writing their names down, one of the officers wrote their badge number on a piece of paper (attached is a copy of this paper). I definitely was not speeding west bound of Lancaster or for that matter any other place on the morning of February 24, 1990, because as I have already mentioned in those type of road conditions, I make a point to take my time and drive carefully. I felt that it was essential for me to have some form of indentification, so I went and picked my license up on Saturday (February24,1990), approximately 10:00 am. I feel that the city of Plymouth and the Plymouth Police Department should apologize for their inconviencing me. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter please feel free to contact me at (612) 545-4217. Sincerely, Chikita Davis Henry cc:Mr. Richard Carlquist Chief of Police, City of Plymouth Attachments 1 1 ATTACHMENT 1 i e Names of Streets On 36th Street Distance (Starting from Evergreen and 36th Street) 1. Cottonwood Ln .0001 miles 2. Zachary Ln / Medicine Lake Blvd. .0002 miles (First STOP SIGN) 3. Ximines Ln. .0003 miles 4. Wellington Ln. .0004 miles 5. Union Tier Ln .00057 miles 6. 4 Trenton La. .0006 miles 7. Saratoga La. .0007 miles 8. Pilgrim Ln. .00088 miles (Second STOP SIGN) 9. Lancaster .0011 miles _ (last street before entering Hwy 169) Note: i r o The distance from Evergreen and 36th Street to Hwy 169 is @ 1.2 miles o The distance from Lancaster and 36th Street to Hwy 55 is @ 2.7 miles o The distance from Hwy 55 to Hwy 12 (394) is 0.6 miles@ Chikita Davis Henry 3/23/90 G Cern —� J3°✓IS'cm 1 1 7 t � tCIO • ��� t I n March 26, 1990 r E _y �. CITY OF PUMOUTR Chikita Davis Henry 11100 Cedar Hills Blvd., #164 Minnetonka, MN 55343 \ 8CL SUBJECT: CITIZEN COMPLAINT REGARDING ALLEGED MISCONDUCT OF POLICE OFFICERS Dear Ms. Henry: Thank you for taking the time to register your complaint and concerns relative to two Plymouth police officers. I believe that your contact with the police officers must have been perceived as both humiliating and perhaps frightening. The police officers do,not generally know the caliber of the people they stop on the street. This is particularly true when it occurs after midnight; and, the driver of the vehicle they are stopping has been observed violating a traffic law. In your case, the officers observed your vehicle traveling at 15 m.p.h. over the speed limit on what was considered an icy roadway. You also indicated that you had "a little to drink, not much." Based on those facts it was imperative that the officers determine the degree of your driving impairment. In reading the officers notes relative to your ticket, I noticed that he observed your car to sway on 169. The typical scenario for a driving while under the influence arrest is someone who violates a traffic law and then subsequent driving violations are observed. In order to obtain corroborative evidence it is frequently necessary for the officers to follow the vehicle at some distance from the site of the original traffic violation. Thus, the reason you were stopped beyond Highway 55 on 169. The call that the officers responded to when they took your license was a disorderly conduct situation at a nearby apartment. They were the closest car. Those types of calls usually involve persons drinking and fighting and it is important for a high priority response. I do apologize to you for the officers taking your drivers license. Situations like yours (traffic ticket vs. high priority call) have come up in the past when I was a street officer. My usual response was to tell the traffic violator that he/she lucked out - I didn't have time to write them a ticket. Nor did I feel compelled to follow up on it later. 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYh OUTH. MINNESOTA 55447. TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800 I 3/a515o Ms. Chikita Henry March 26, 1990 Page 2 By copying this letter to the officers involved, i.e. Mike Buske and Mike Goldstein, they will know my philosophy on such matters. The bottom line is simply that it was not necessary to take your license! Whether they followed up at a later time with either a citation or complaint is within their discretionary powers. I cannot assume responsibility for reviewing the judgement of individual officers in all cases involving traffic citations. Differences of opinion on whether or not an offense took place can best be resolved in court. I am sorry that this incident occurred. I hope that any future contact you may have with a member of the Plymouth Police Department will be in a much better vein. Sincerely, Richard J. C lquist Public Safety Director Plymouth Police Department RJC/sb cc: Officer Mike Buske Officer Mike Goldstein James G. Willis - City Manager Mayor Kim Bergman City Council Clan - 3/a9I 50 M i RECYCLEAMERICA9 -7- � &<e_ � i t i i March 22, 1990 Kim M.!Bergman, Mayor City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Bergman, As youlknow, April 22 will mark the 20th Anniversary of the first Earth Day- an event instrumental in focusing our nation's attention on the importance of protecting the environment. In honor of the significant contribution the City of Plymouth residents have made to preserving natural resources through our curbside recycling program, Waste Management- Savage•ywould like to invite you to co-sponsor an Earth Day celebration of our own. In thellmonth of April, we would like to plant 4 trees, representing the over 2500 tons recycled through the City of Plymouth Curbside Recycling Program. And to celebrate this planting, we would like to invite you to join us at a formal tree planting ceremony which we will be scheduling the week before Earth Day. Like our curbside recycling program, the planting of trees underscores what we all can do together to protect the environment. Trees save energy, fight pollution, provide shelter for small animals and are investments that appreciate over time. The City of Plymouth's participation and your appearance at the formal Earth Day Tree Planting Ceremony would highlight our curbside recycling program's contribution to saving"valuable natural resources and landfill space. 3 Please;contact me personally if you should have any questions, to let me know of your interest in co -sponsoring this Earth Day event. We will want to begin by obtaining your assistance in identifying a location where additional trees would benefit the City of Plymouth. i . Thank you, in advance, for you effort to promote a cleaner and healthier environment. ! Si rely, Mike Berkopec, General Manager Waste Management -Savage _ (612-890-1100) cc: Dick Pouliot Black ICLo C WEST MEDICINE LAKE COMMUNITY CLUB 1701 FORESTVIEW LANE • PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA*55441 March 16, 1990 City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN. 55447 Erick J. Blank Director of Parks & Recreation Dear Erick: Your request to use West Medicine Lake Community Club's ballfields on Monday through Thursday from May 14th through July 27th has been approved by our board of directors. On behalf of the West Medicine Lake Community Club, we welcome Plymouth Parks & Recreation to use our ballfields. Any improvements you wish to make to the facilities to put them in better playable condition is more then welcome. Any further questions, please callme at 553-1107. Sincerely, WEST MEDICINE LAKE COMMUNITY CLUB Dolly Reveling Rental Agent DMR: dr cc: M. E. Kochevar cern - 31x914 0 I t t Mr. Kim M. Bergman Mayor City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 RE: 10715 15th Avenue North Dear Mayor Bergman: March 26, 1990 During the past several years, we have repeatedly contacted officials for the City of Plymouth concerning the above residence. The individuals contacted have included Mayor Virgil Schneider, Councilwoman Maria Vasiliou, various Community Service Officers, --and Police Officers. Unfortunately, the problems persist. The Martins (owners of this property) continue to have a total disregard for their property, and a total lack of consideration for any of their neighbors. Presently, these are the specific items of concern for which we are seeking an immediate remedy: 1. A large section of old carpeting was placed out by their garbage can before Christmas. The garbage collector does not collect that type of item, so it has been lying.spread out on the ground around their garbage can since that time. It has been snowed on, rained on, and driven on. 2. A unsightly pile of lumber and debris which has been stacked on the edge of their property now for over two years. When questioned about it, the Martins have repeatedly responded by saying it is to be burned. They have been responding that way for over two years. 3. Some type of wood structure filled with hay. We have no idea what the purpose of this structure is. They do have a dog, but it is a house dog and is never left outside. 4. Since there are so many people staying there,ithey park their cars and trucks in such a manner that they stick out into 15th Avenue North, which is a city street, making it difficult for us to enter and exit our property. On occasion, they park right on 15th Avenue North, making it even more difficult to get in and out. 5. An unused car, which is obviously parked on the property simply for storage purposes. No one ever drives it, and it is parked on what most people would consider to be their lawn. 6. General unsightly conditions. There is always an abundance of dunk sitting on the deck, shoved'under the deck, and around the house. I The list could go on. We urge you to take a drive out to this property and examine it for yourself. As we indicated, we have been fighting this battle for years, and have copies of all our previous correspondence to prove it. We do not feel these conditions should be allowed to exist in one of the more affluent suburbs of the Twin Cities, and believe that laws and ordinances should be enforced to prevent such abuse. If the public officials we elect to work on our behalf continue to ignore this situation, we will take action to inform the public, through newspaper and TV, of just how ineffective they are at meeting their constituents' needs. Please respond to this letter in writing within 10 days of receipt, after which we will proceed to take (further action. Sincerely, Plymouth, MN 55441 cc: Maria Vasiliou Page 2 C �r-,-315a