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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 02-23-2001Dummy FEBRUARY 23, 2001 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 7: 00 PM TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 7: 00 PM 2. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 7:30 AM 3. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY28, 7:00 PM 4. THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 7:00 PM S. MONDAY, MARCH S, 7:00 PM 6 TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 6: 30 PM 7. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 7: 00 PM 8. THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 7:00 PM 9. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 7:00 PM REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers TWINWEST COFFEE BREAK, Plymouth Creek Center PLYMOUTHADVISOR Y COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT), Bass Lake Room. Agenda is attached. (M-3) HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Medicine Lake Room YOUTHAD VISOR Y COUNCIL, Medicine Lake Room BOARD & COMMISSION RECEPTION, Plymouth Creek Center PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Council Chambers CITY COUNCIL INFORMA TION MEMO February 23, 2001 10. A List of future Regular Council Meeting agenda items is attached. (M-10) 11. February, March and April Calendars are attached. (M-11) Page 2 1. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a) Letter from the Presidents of the Minneapolis and St. Paul United Way groups, summarizing their plans to combine to create the Greater Twin Cities United Way. (I -]a) b) 2000 statistical report for the Home Free Community Programs. (I -1b) 2. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY—CORRESPONDENCE a) Responses to Rodger Foltz from the City regarding branches which obstruct the view at the intersection of 200 and Annapolis. A copy of Mr. Foltz's original letter is included. (I -2a) b) Letter from George and Shirley Galvin, representing the homeowners in the Estates of Fernbrook Manor, expressing opposition to a proposed play area in the neighborhood. The letter has been forwarded to Park Director Eric Blank for a response. (I -2b) A summary report on the 2001 correspondence is attached. (1-2) 3. CORRESPONDENCE a) Letter to Mayor Tierney from Patrick Riley regarding traffic in the Fox Run neighborhood. (I -3a) b) Letter from Assistant Manager Laurie Ahrens to the Hennepin County Delinquent Tax and Forfeited Land Division regarding the proposed auction of a parcel of land in the Camelot Overlook Addition. (1--3b) 4. LEGISLATIVE ITEMS a) Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) FAX News. (I -4a) b) League of Minnesota Cities Friday FAX. (1--4b) M--2 DATE: February 23, 2001 TO: Members of the Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit FROM: George Bentley, Acting Transit Administrator SUBJECT: February 28, 2001 MEETING (Please Note Location) The Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit is scheduled to hold its monthly meeting on WEDNESDAY, February 28, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bass Lake Room (lower level of Plymouth City Hall, opposite end of the hall from the Engineering Department). The agenda for the meeting is as follows: (Please note some materials will be distributed at the meeting.) 1. Approval of Agenda. 11. Approval of minutes of January 24, 2001 (attached). III. Ridership Information and Review of Ridership Statistics for January, 2001 (information will be distributed at the meeting). IV. Identification of areas of concern and/or recommendations. V. Approval of Business Marketing Plan (attached) VI. Review of planned shuttle services (presentation at meeting) VII. Review Agreement with Pillsbury Neighborhood Services for neighborhood van services as part of "Job Stops" reverse commute program (attached) VIII. Approve Customer Surveys (to be distributed at the meeting) IX. Transit Administrator's Report. X. Other comments and adjournment cc: Paul Colton, Metropolitan Council; Paul Buherin and Jim Baldwin, Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc., Steve Mahowald, Jeff Wostrel and Joanne Smith, Metro Transit NOTE: Please call George Bentley at 763-509-5521 if you are unable to attend. DATEMP\022801.doc A '10 Tentative Schedule for City Council Non -Consent Agenda Items March 20 • 2000 Unaudited Financial Report • Comprehensive Plan amendment - Holly Lane • Public hearing for liquor license for Wild Wings Grill and Bar March 27 • Sunrise Park development • Presentation of after action report by CP Railroad on train derailment. April 10 • Present Environmental Champion Awards �t- I i OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS February 2001 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jan 2001 Mar 2001 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 eW NF RE CEGISUTNE CONFERENCE, SIrrMan Midway. St. PW-rabMp G� „�PI„„a,e,—LgWW—d a.D.Pw 2 ? J 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL, Parkers Lake 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 U B:00 PM MEDIC NE UKE WATERSHED (EOC) 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SRmfn( E «+t 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 700 PM HUMWN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Modicir Wa Rove 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PRAC, 7:00 PM YOUTH SPECIAL PLANNING Council ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMISSION, Chambers COUNCIL, MEETING: Council Medicine Lake VARIOUS Chambers Room TOPICS, Council Chambers 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM EQC, Council Chambers 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: Surface Water Utility Fee Rate Structure, Police Department Training Room 7:00 PM HRA Meeting - CDBG PUBLIC HEARING, Council Chambers LMC CONFERENCE FOR NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS, Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park LMC CONFERENCE FOR NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS, Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETYADVISORY BOARD, Police Dept. Library LMC EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park LMC EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, Doubletree Hotel, St. Louis Park 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 PRESIDENTS DAY - City Offices Closed 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council 6:30 PM MEDICINE LAKE WATERSHED SUB -COMMITTEE, Medicine Lake Room Medicine Lake Chambers Room 25 26 27 28 7:30 AM -TWINWEST COFFEE BREAK, Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM PACT - Bass Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers modified on 2/23/2001 M'f I OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS March 2001 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Feb 2001 Apr 2001 7:00 PM S M T W T F S S M T W T F S HUMAN 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RIGHTS 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 COMMISSION - 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Medicine Lake 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Room 25 26 27 28 29 30 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM 6:30 PM BOARD 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PRAC, YOUTH AND PLANNING Council ADVISORY COMMISSION COMMISSION, Chambers COUNCIL, RECEPTION, Council Medicine Lake Plymouth Creek Center Chambers Room 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM EQC, 7:00 PM HRA - Council Medicine Lake Chambers Room 7:00 PM PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY BOARD, Police Dept. Library 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM YOUTH REGULAR PLANNING ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMISSION, COUNCIL, MEETING, Council Medicine Lake Council Chambers Room Chambers 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 7:30 AM LOCAL BUSINESS COUNCIL, Radisson 7:00 PM PACT - Bass Lake Room 6:30 PM MEDICINE LAKE WATERSHED IEocl 5:00 PM THRU SATURDAY - PLYMOUTH Hotel SUB -COMMITTEE, Medicine Lake Room FINE ARTS 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL PRIMAVERA COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers SHOW, Plymouth y Creek Center modified on 2/23/2001 I✓I- I OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS April 2001 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DAYLIGHT 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM SAVINGS YOUTH PLANNING HUMAN COMMENCES - ADVISORY COMMISSION, RIGHTS set clocks COUNCIL, Council COMMISSION - ahead 1 hour Medicine Lake Chambers Medicine Lake Room Room 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7:00 PM 7:00 PM EQC, 7:00 PM PRAC, REGULAR Council Council COUNCIL Chambers Chambers MEETING, Council Chambers 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM HRA - 11:00 AM CITY YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD OF REVIEW, PLANNING COMMISSION, Medicine Lake Room EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION COUNCIL, Medicine Lake Council Chambers Council Chambers 7:00 PM PUBLIC LUNCHEON, Plymouth Creek Room SAFETY ADVISORY Center BOARD, Police Dept. Library 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:30 AM LOCAL BUSINESS COUNCIL, Radisson Hotel 7:00 PM PACT - Bass Lake Room 6:30 PM MEDICINE LAKE WATERSHED (EQC) SUB -COMMITTEE, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 29 30 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY Mar 2001 May 2001 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 COUNCIL, 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Medicine Lake Room 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 31 modified on 2/23/2001 February 22, 2001 Mr. Dwight Johnson City Manager City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth MN 55447-1482 Dear Dwight: 11739 n'y. eiQ 0 United Way Today marks an historic occasion. The boards of our two United Ways have announced plans to form a new organization, Greater Twin Cities United Way. This begins a new era in providing even more effective United Way leadership for health and human services across the eight -county region we serve. The name of the new organization, Greater Twin Cities United Way, is quite appropriate. The sum will be greater than its former parts. Greater Twin Cities United Way will provide greater service, greater impact, greater leadership, greater collaboration and greater opportunity. A hallmark of the past success of our two organizations is providing services to meet the unique needs of individual communities and neighborhoods and helping service providers change lives — one life at a time. That won't change. What will change is our ability to provide a stronger voice and leadership for regional solutions to the issues faced by our local communities and neighborhoods. One set of priorities will provide for improved coordination of services and flexibility to respond to emerging needs. And finally, combining our fundraising strength will provide efficiencies that allow us to address a rapidly changing fundraising environment while improving service to our individual and corporate donors. We have enclosed a news release that outlines these enhancements in greater detail. We know you will share our excitement for this monumental step forward. Greater Twin Cities United Way will provide the highest degree of leadership, quality services and innovation to the communities we serve, our volunteers and donors. Sincerely, James C. Colville President United Way of Minneapolis Area Encl. United Way of Minneapolis Area 404 South Eighth Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404-1084 main 612.340.7400 • fax 612.340.7675 www.unitedw.lyminneapolis.org a'� /. Lauren A. Se rl President United Way of Saint Paul Area United Way of the Saint Paul Area 166 Fourth Street East, Suite 100 Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101-1448 main 651.291.8300 • fax 651.291.8353 www.unitedwaysaintpaul.org Home Free Community Programs 3409 Kilmer Lane N. Plymouth, MN 55441 February 20, 2001 Dwight Johnson City Manager 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mr. Johnson: Business (612) 545-7080 Crisis Line (612) 559-4945 Fax (612) 545-7071 As we have ended another year, I would like to thank the City of Plymouth for their time and commitment to battered women and their children. I must say that I have been very impressed with the level of involvement that I have seen with the Plymouth Police Department. We could not do this work if not for the support we receive from Plymouth. Thank you. I have encfosed the year end statistical report for 2000. I do apologize for this report getting to you so late. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, 6� Laura Landis Program Coordinator Home Free Community Program CC: Craig Gerdes, Chief of police Sgt. Mike Goldstein Elliot Knetsch, City Prosecutor Pat Murphy, Mission Inc. Mary Monteon, Home Free Nita Quinn, Home Free CITY OF PLYMOUTH 4TH QUARTER REPORTS OCTOBER 1, 2000 TO DECEMBER 31, 2000 Police Activities: Arrests Dual Arrests Juvenile Arrests Non Crime Incidents Complaints Home Free Not Notified by Police City Prosecution: Formal Complaints Tab Charges (Charged at time of arrest) Charges Declined by Prosecutor Home Free Victim Services Provided: OFP's Written OFP's Granted Harassment Orders Court Advocacy Provided Safety Plans Family Financial Assistance Systems Advocacy _Community Visits Transportation Provided Face -to -Face Contacts Phone/Letter Contacts Information/Referral # of Support Groups Held UNDUPLICATED NUMBER SERVED: _ # of Women Sheltered # of Children Sheltered # of Women Attending SupportGroups # of Children in Support Group Childcare # Victims Served in Community Programs Total Unduplicated 2000 6 1999 i 4TH QTR. YTD QTR. YTD 25 104 i 33 1 2 i 0 27 111 19 51 2 11 2 13 1 13 1 2 4 40 20 i 99 10 54 3 3 4 49 31 55 6 0 i 2 21 3 5 25 104 18 33 1 2 0 0 701 2,698 444 ; 1242 11 51 14 30 7 33 9 22 2 13 1 3 90 346 34 80 41 252 57 182- 21 70 11 41 39 97 11 47 4 6 1 3 37 109 23 48 51 207 36 76 238 982 133 393 138 463 111 278 22 69 3 39 6 0 2_ 0 0 0 4 25 91 17 47 41 131 26 71 116 359 116 275 182 587 159 399 Plymouth 2000 10-01-00 - 12-31-00 Unduplicated Victims: 116 Race/Ethnicity: African American 19 American Indian 1 Asian 4 Caucasian/White 82 Hispanic 4 Other 4 Unknown _ 2 # of females: # of males: 99 17 Age: 0-12 1 13-17 7 18-24 23 25-29 11 30-34 14. 35-44 39 45-54 13 55-64 3 65-74 2 Unknown 3 # of Children: 34 Plymouth 2000 10/01/00 - 12131100 # of OFPs Written: 11 # of HAs Written: 2 # of Face to Face: 51 # of Letters: -7n # of OFPs Granted: 7- # of Transports: 37 # of Phone Calls: 168 # of Community Vi 4 # of Info/Referrals: # of Safety Plans: 138 41 of Court Advocacy # of Family Financial As 90 21 # of Systems Advocacy Contacts: 24--(< Plymouth 2000 10-01-00 to 12-31-00 # of Arrests: # of Dual Arrests: 27 2 # of Juvenile Arrests: # of Non -Crime: I # of Not Notified by Police: # of Complaints: 4 10 Prosecutor: # Charged: Police: # Charged: # Declined: 22 # of Tab Charges: - 25________ - Rodger N. Foltz 4525 Ranchview La N Plymouth, MN 55446-2128 Dear Mr. Foltz: Thank you for alerting the City of a hazardous situation at 26°i Ave & Annapolis La. We removed the offending branches while still trying to maintain the shape of the crab trees. Part of the problem arises from the long row of Austrian pines well before the intersection, but the sight line to the stop sign is much better since we trimmed the crabs. Please feel free to call again with any forestry questions or concerns. Sincerely; -- Paul Buck Forester Cc Eric Blank, Director of Parks & Rec Kurt Hoffman, Sr. Clerk Typist PLYMOUTH '?.;00 PI.YMOUTII ROIJLFVARn PL.YMnI lli?, I,41P':':! SOTA, 5544' 14fl2 TELEPHHONF: (G12) 509-5000 February 16, 2001 Rodger Foltz 4525 Ranchview Lane Plymouth, MN 55446 Dear Mr. Foltz: CSN CoF PLYMOUTI+ Thank you for letting us know about the obstructed view of the stop sign on 26th and Annapolis Lane. We appreciate your concern and will review the situation as soon as possible. Sincerely, 9�— 4�'� Eric Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np ..._, ,... cc: alKurt Hoffman Paul Buck PLYMOUTH A Beau tijufPface To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD - PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 - TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 0.— www.d.plymouth.mn.us apostoLic Latherzon . fi2 February 11, 2001 --r 1",e- ole I Director: Forestry Department City of Plymouth 14900 23rd Avenue Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Sir: chaacb 11015 OLD COUNTY ROAD 15 PLYMOUTH, MN 55441.6135 (612) 544-7248 ROOGER N. FOLTZ, 0. Min., Pastor 4525 Ranchview Lane North Plymouth, MN 55446-2128 (612) 550-9459 CHARLES A. BERGSTEDT, Youth Pastor 5429 Quebec Avenue North New Hope, MN 55428-3863 (612) 535-7612 About once a week I travel west on 26th to Annapolis. There is a stop sign at the corner, but the situation is deceiving, even in the winter, particularly in the dark. And I assume that many of those who travel there probably aren't aware of the situation. Coming to Annapolis on 20h, a person does not see the stop sign until the last minute due to its being obstructed from view by the trees along the north side of 26h . To make matters worse, one could easily think that 26th continues across Annapolis because of the drives on the other side of Annapolis. Every time I traverse that route, I think I have to inform someone about the danger — if for no other reason that to clear my own conscience. I'm afraid there will be a serious accident at that corner. I hope than something can be done soon to remove the branches obstructing the view. Thanks for considering these comments. Sincerely, Rodger N. Foltz 4525 Ranchview Lane North Plymouth, MN 55446-2128 February 20, 2001 Mark S. Peterson Park Maintenance Superintendent Plymouth Public Works Department 14900 23�d Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 RE: Proposed Neighborhood Playground Fernbrook Manor - 40 Place North Dear Mr. Peterson: We are writing on behalf of the homeowners in the Estates of Fernbrook Manor to express our strong objection to the play area planned to be built at the east end of our property. I have served on our Board of Directors for five and a half years—longer than anyone here—so people tend to contact me with their questions and concerns. Therefore, I have spoken to a large number of our homeowners, including those with children and grandchildren, and they are not in favor of this playground. I apologize for the length of this letter. I'm sure you are all busy and your time is valuable, however, I feel obligated to share all of the concerns and opinions that were expressed to me by our homeowners, the people who elected me to represent them. My husband and I have lived here for eight and a half years and are the original owners of our home. We too share these concerns. Our homeowners are totally opposed to this project for a number of reasons, which are listed here: ❖ Decreased Property Values: Fernbrook Manor is quiet, peaceful, private, safe, and clean. We have beautiful, natural, open spaces and very few children. We want to keep it that way. Those very things are the big selling points for our units. Changing any of that would definitely have a negative effect on our property values. Adding a children's playground to a neighborhood with children probably does increase their property value, however, encouraging strange children into our basically all -adult community would not. Will our real estate taxes be decreased if this play area is built to reflect our decreased property values? ❖ Loss of Wildlife: Our homeowners have always been able to enjoy watching the wildlife in its natural setting from their patios, decks, and windows. We have observed deer, pheasants, fox, wild turkeys, badger, and many types of birds. The deer are scared away by the slightest noise such as opening a door or window. We find it hard to believe they will still come to graze on a concrete area full of noisy children. The_ wildlife is the reason most homeowners on that edge of the property purchased where they did. The original homeowners all paid $1,000 more for their units because of this, and their units continue to have a higher resale value. We were all told that area would never be developed --that the City intended to keep it in its natural state. We realize this was the developer telling us this who wanted to sell the units, but you need to realize that this has been our belief all along until now. ❖ Loss of Privacy: The homeowners on that end of the property are used to being able to sit on their patios and decks without seeing another person or having anyone see them. There is never a thought that someone could be looking into your home through your windows/patio door. This playground would change that. People would be walking right past our buildings—directly by our windows/patios/decks. We enjoy sitting on the patio and watching the wildlife—and the animals don't look back. The same would not be true for all the children. ❖ Potential for Personal Property Damage: Children do not understand and thus do not respect property lines and the meaning of other people's property. Our homeowners have patio furniture, bird baths, bird feeders, lawn ornaments, flowerpots, etc. on their patios -- all of which would be a temptation for children. Not to mention balls, Frisbees, etc. that may be thrown hitting these items or windows. What is going to keep the children off our property? ❖ Safety: If this is to be a walk -to park, the intent must be for people to be walking in on the street. Is it safe for children to be walking or riding their bicycles in on the street— particularly since our residents are not used to having to watch for children at all? If they are not in the street, they would have to be walking on our grass since there is no other access. ❖ Dogs: Our homeowners are only allowed to have a dog up to a maximum weight of 30 pounds. They cannot allow their dog to urinate/defecate anywhere on our property except the outer perimeter, and even there they have to pick up after their dog. They must sign a pet agreement stating they agree to those rules. Failure to do any of this results in a fine. We have an escalating fine system with the third offense resulting in having to permanently remove the pet from Fernbrook Manor. Further, if there is any pet damage to the grass, the association has it repaired and that homeowner must pay for it. So it seems very unfair that now we are expected to allow other people to bring their dogs through our property with no restrictions. If people are going to be walking to this playground on 44`h Place North, they will very likely be bringing their dogs. What is going to prevent the dogs from defecating/urinating in the grass along the way? ❖ Trespassing: When the Fernbrook Townhomes development (rental units) was going to be built to the south of our property, representatives of our association attended the City public meeting and were promised that a section of trees would be left as a buffer between the two properties. However, every single tree was cut down. (Unfortunately, this experience also makes some of our homeowners a little less "trusting" of the City.) We have had numerous problems with children from that area coming onto our property. It is a pretty safe bet that they would not go all the way around to access the playground—they would most likely cut through our property. ❖ Grass: We are very protective of our grass, and we strive to keep it well manicured and maintained. Even our own homeowners are not allowed to play any type of lawn games on the grass. Is it fair that we would now have to allow non-residents to walk/ride bicycles on our grass? -�-2�> ❖ Liability: We also feel it is unfair that we would now have to take on additional liability in case any of these children would fall off their bicycle or be hurt in some other way on our property. ❖ Parking: We understand your intent is for people to walk to this playground. However, since there are not very many children within easy walking distance other than those from Fernbrook Townhomes who will likely cut across our property, if anyone is going to use the playground they would very likely want to drive. We have very limited parking space, which is strictly for our homeowners and their guests. People would have to park on the street. We have many driveways coming off the street to the various sections of buildings. There is a good possibility people could block those driveways—or our mailboxes --if they park along the street. ❖ Noise: Our neighborhood is currently very peaceful and quiet. Certainly having a lot of children on the property would change that. ❖ Litter: We try very hard to encourage all of our homeowners to be responsible and pick up any litter they happen to see. Our property is very clean and neat. We would not appreciate having water bottles, pop cans, candy wrappers, etc. blowing around our property. Our homeowners also were very disappointed in the manner in which this matter was handled. We understand that the City Council has already voted on and approved this play area. However, none of our homeowners were informed of this plan at any time prior to their voting. There was no correspondence from the City, and no public hearing was held. After the council voted, some of our homeowners received a letter telling them this play area was going to be built. None of the twelve homeowners in the two buildings most affected by this play area received that letter. We are giving you the benefit of the doubt that all of these homeowners were really not in the City's database. However, you must also understand that it does appear rather suspicious to those residents. They have lived there nine years, receive all other types of City mailings, they would be the people who would object the most to the playground being built, and they were singled out not to be notified. Quoting from a City of Plymouth publication, "The following criteria are used in conjunction with more detailed planning efforts: Encourage citizen involvement in all phases of park system planning. Protect natural resources " It appears that your own guidelines were not followed. Not only were the homeowners of Fernbrook Manor not involved whatsoever, but how much "detailed planning effort" went into this decision if you intend to build a children's playground in an area where there are no children living in the 102 closest homes. Our association was organized in April 1989, and since that time there has never been more than a handful of children living here at any given time, and some of those are teenagers or infants who would not be using a play area. This statistic will not change—our units are not designed for families. We only have two bedroom units—and the second bedroom is used most often as a den, office, sewing room, or exercise room—and we only have single car garages. Our homeowners tend to be young single professionals, divorced/widowed people, or older couples. Therefore, it seems a waste of taxpayer money to build a walk -to play area where the closest neighborhood has no children—especially since there are a number of other playgrounds in the area. Page 1 of 2 From: Riley Real Estate<RileyRealEstate@email.msn.com>��' To: Ms. Joy Tierney < tierne ci. I mouth.mn.us> Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 9:23 AM . Subject: Fox Run Traffic Problems Dear Ms. Tierney, This E-mail is a follow up to my phone call this morning, February 21, 2001. 1 live in Fox Run, a 96 -unit residential development in Plymouth. Last night we had a neighborhood meeting with Dan Faukner, Carla Jones, and one of the Police Officers (Public Safety). We had a very good turn out of neighbors, maybe 40 people or so. Our Council person, Sandy Hewitt was also in attendance. I wanted to bring to your attention three major points from last nights meeting. First, even though the neighbors did not agree to a specific impediment to reduce cut -through traffic, such as speed humps, basically everyone in attendance agreed we have a problem with speeding and stop sign violations and everyone agreed that we need more enforcement. I believe every person in that room agreed that the speed limit should be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph or even 20 mph. Everyone was willing to sign a petition last night to bring this to the City Council to get approved. We asked Dan Faulkner how to get this done and he did not have an answer. Then we asked Sandy Hewitt how to get this done and she said we would have to call our State Representatives to get all the residential speed limits in the City reduced to 25 mph! That is not our intent. Our intent is change the speed limit in our neighborhood to 25 mph or even 20 mph due to the dangerous curves and winding roads. I think we as a group were very disappointed in the response we received from Sandy Hewitt. Had this been Tim Bildsoe, he would have had all of us sign a petition and he would have presented it to the City Council and we probably would have new speed limits within one month. Instead, the City Engineers office has to review and digest all of the comments and send out another mass mailing and have another neighborhood meeting before this can even be brought to the City Council. The neighbors spent 2 hours at the meeting last night and I can tell you that the majority are not going to show up to another meeting when nothing gets accomplished. Second, we talked about Vicksburg Lane between County Road 6 and Highway 55 (death trap) where the speed limit is 50 mph. This poses two problems to our neighborhood. First, people come off Vicksburg and enter our neighborhood on 25th Avenue North at high rates of speed. Second, going north and trying to take a left into our neighborhood is very dangerous with on -coming traffic going 50+ mph and traffic behind you going 50+ mph. You just pray that the people behind you are going to stop. Again, in talking to Sandy Hewitt the canned answer was to talk to your Representative or - Contact the State of Minnesota. This is a neighborhood and city issue, we need the City Council to step up to the plate! Dan Faulkner, said they have 2/21/01 some ideas to slow the traffic, like making Vicksburg Lane, one lane in each direction, with a center turn lane which may help. Third, we need the traffic laws enforced in our neighborhood and throughout the City of Plymouth. This is the source of Road Rage when the traffic laws are not enforced and it is every man for himself. We were told by Tim Bildsoe, when we got our new stop sign installed in 1999, that the police would enforce it heavily after it was installed. This never happened. Furthermore, I and some of my neighbors have called the Police countless times with traffic complaints, and nothing has happened. However, they did show one time and arrested a chronic violator. Last night, the police officer said they would be out first thing in the morning to enforce the speed limits and stop sign violations, but again nothing happened. I think the real problem is that 3 traffic officers are trying to patrol a city with an excess of 50,000 people which is not possible. I suggest doubling the size of the Public Saftey/Traffic Department to enforce the traffic laws, not only in Fox Run, but througout the City of Plymouth. I think the majortity of taxpayers would pay a couple of more dollars a year to make this happen. Thank you for time and consideration. I look forward to discussing these issues with you in further detail. Sincerely, Patrick Riley 2380 Yuma Lane Plymouth, MN 2/21/01 Page 2 of 2 010 OF I February 16, 2001 Pl MOUTR Ray Ball Hennepin County Delinquent Tax & Forfeited Land 300 South 6t' Street A-600 Government Center Minneapolis, MN 55487-0060 Subject: Tax Forfeit Parcel 03-118-22-24-0073 Dear Mr. Ball, About a year ago, the City of Plymouth requested a one-year extension with respect to tax forfeit parcel 03-118-22-24-0073 (Outlot A, Camelot Overlook Addition). We have since verified through the development contract and the homeowners association documents that ownership of the outlot was to be conveyed from the developer to the homeowners association. However, this was not done. It appears that the homeowners association was never formed, and no efforts have been made by the developer or by the home owners to rectify this problem. I understand that Hennepin County is prepared to put this parcel up for public auction in the spring. The City wishes to make the County and any potential buyers aware that this parcel contains the storm water treatment ponds, wetland mitigation areas, and screening for Camelot Overlook. There are drainage and utility easements over the entire outlot, as shown on the plat for Camelot Overlook. The outlot is not buildable, and advertising signs are not allowed on the parcel. If anyone has questions about this parcel, please direct them to Marie Darling, Senior Planner, at 763/509-5457. Thank you for notifying us of the County's intent to place this parcel on the spring auction. Sincerely, Laurie Ahrens Assistant City Manager. 3400 PL'YMOU' PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 508-5000 RJ1 r•nuar ei nivmniah mn riff Feb ZB Z001 14:Z4:11 Via Fax AMM FAX NEW411 February 19-23, 2001 -> 61Z+S09+5868 Dwight Johnson P 1 a � Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Public Employee Retirement Association Bills Introduced ublic Employees Retirement Association (PERA) bills SF 810 and HF 855 were introduced last week. While both bills include similar sections regarding such pension issues as reporting, benefits. vesting time and employee contribu- tions the bills vary regarding state assistance. The bills increase the employee pension contribution from 4.75"/o of salary to 5.125% effective after December 31, 2001. The contribution can be increased again after Decem- ber 31, 2003 to 5.375% if an actuarial report concludes there is a need to raise the rate. Both bills also increase the employer contribution by 0.375 percent. In addition SF 810 but not HF 855 increases the additional employer contribution from 0.43% to 1.18% and increases the annual state assistance by $27.0 million. House Tax Committee Continues Work on Governor's Tax Proposal The House Tax Committee is con- tinuing to take public testimony on the Governor's Tax proposal (I -IF 511). Because of its comprehensive nature the range of testifyers is quite broad. The most outspoken are the charitable organizations that are strongly opposed to the proposed local governments authority to charge a public safety fee in lieu of property tax. Also, there is great opposition to extending the sales tax to services by various service companies. Local r AMH News IF, is faxed to all AMN city managers and administrators, legislative contacts and Board members. Please share this fax with your mayors, councilmember.s and staff to keep themabreast of impor- tant metro city issues. 145 University,9venue West St, Paul, AfN 55103-2044 Phone. (651) 215-4000 Fax: (651) 281-1299 E nmil: antn{janv►r145.org government organizations are for the most part taking a wait and see position until the data showing the overall impact of LGA/HACA/K-12 takover becomes available. The new budget forecast is due February 28. At that time the legislature will start moving on various reform plans. Metropolitan Council Releases Guidelines for Priority Funding for Housing Performance T he Metropolitan Council has sent to all cities a copy of the Hous-ing Performance Guidelines. The cover letter from the Metropolitan Council chair also announces that there will be a public hearing on the guidelines. The hearing is scheduled for March 21, 2001 at 5:00 p.m. The hearing will be in the Metropolitan Council chambers. if you have any concerns regarding the guidelines please contact Gene at the AMM at 651-215-4001. The AMM Web Site and Email system The Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) is unable to currently receive or send e-mails or get into it's web site. The building had a power surge which blew out our firewall, We've ordered a new one and will inform you when it is fixed. Thank you for your cooperation and patience. Mayor Karen Anderson to Speak to the Sensible Land Use Coalition Minnetonka Mayor and First Vice President of the National League of Cities, Karen Anderson will speak to the Sensible Land Use Coalition on Wednesday Feb. 28. Mayor Anderson's presentation is entitled -What Creates Community?" The presentation will discuss what cities, the state, federal or regional govern - merits can do to foster the building of quality communities. If you are interested in participating in the session please contact the coali- tion at 952-474-3302 to place a reserva- tion. The deadline for reservations is noon February 23, 2001. The luncheon and program is scheduled from 11:30 a.m, to 2:00 P.M. at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest in Minnetonka. TOTAL P.02 Feb ZZ Z001 15:9Z:53 Via Fax -> AMM FAX NEWS February 19-23. 2001 (no. 2) 61Z+509+5069 Dwight Johnson Page 981 Of 801 .�- 1*0 „4 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Metropolitan Council Bills Introduced and Hearings are Scheduled enator Myron Orfield and Representative Dan McElroy have introduced several bills regarding the Metro- politan Council. In addition to his elected Metropolitan Council bills Senator Orfield has introduced a bill (SF 786) requiring cities to identify in the comprehensive plan an urban growth boundary. Repre- sentative McElroy has introduced a bill (HF 981) that would establish a legislative commission on the Metropolitan Council. The commission would consist of fourteen members. The mem- bership would be evenly split between the House and Senate. The commission would be charged to review and approve the Metro- politan Council's operating and capital budgets as well as its work plan. The commission's recom- mendations would need to be approved by the legislature. Therefore the Metropolitan Council's budget (operating and capital) and work plan would be TAB Adopts a Policy on Housing Performance Standards The Metropolitan Council and it's Livable Communities Commit- tee have established a 100 point affordable housing performance guideline for funding and set a public hearing for March 21, 2001 at 5.00 p.m. in the Council Cham - AMM News Fox is faxed to all AMM cit), man- agers and administrators, legislotive contacts and Board members. Pleost share Nus fax with your mayors, councilmembtrs and staff to Aeep them abreast of important metro city issues. 145 UnisTrsityAvtnue (fest St. Poul, MN 55103-2044 Phone. (651) 275-4000 Fax: (651) 281-1299 z -matt: amm(§pmm145.org bers. The guidelines differ slightly as applied to cities or counties. They impact TEA 21 projects by becoming part of the 1300 point solicitation criteria. The TAB at its February 22, 2001 meeting decided to support the guidelines and their application with one caveat. TAB moved that points be determined based solely on the applicant. A county project extending through several cities would not lose points if one of those cities did not meet housing criteria. Also a state project would be based on the county or counties through which it runs. approved by the legislature. On Wednesday the House's Metropolitan Council Subcommit- tee met to discuss HF 46. Repre- sentative Lipman's bill would repeal the Metropolitan Council's role in comprehensive planning. The subcommittee heard testimony from the author and several local government officials. There was testimony for and against the bill. The subcommittee did not take any action and will continue the hearing on HF 46 next Wednesday. Electronic Communications Restored at the AMM Office As of Wednesday, February 21, the AMM's E-mail and Internet service has been restored. The problems with the bill tracking system have also been remedied. Thank you for your patience during the past week. Feb Z3 Z001 15:Z4:17 LMC L lwn"Oft /C/Wim 0JW pi0/4"" Via Fax -> 61Z+569+5060 Administrator Page 081 Of 80Z Special e�ltly Z -Page FRIDAYFAx Number 8 A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities February 23, 2001 Senate committee hears alternative tax reform proposal This week, the Senate Property Tax Division of the Tax Committee heard a presentation by former state revenue commissioner John James and former state representative Pam Neary on the results of a prop- erty tax study they conducted for the group 1,000 Friends of Minnesota The study includes a complex proposal that would scrap the state's current market value based property tax and replace it with a tax system called a land and structure tax (LAST), which is based on square footage of a parcel of land and the square footage of buildings on the property The property tax on farm- land would be eliminated and replaced with a production tax The proposal would also create a capital gains tax to treat real estate wealth similar to other wealth According to James and Neary, the proposal would purportedly elimi- nate many problems with the current property tax, including rapidly -rising tax burdens due to market value increases and incentive for sprawling, low-density development However, legislators raised many questions that challenged the proposal and highlighted other potential unintended consequences of such a tax system No legislation reflecting the recom- mendations of the report has yet been introduced 1,000 Friends of Minnesota de- scribes their mission as working on behalf of Minnesota's citizens to protect the state's environment. The organization supports the belief that it is possible to balance growth and conservation, but caution and intelligence in doing so is required of private citizens and of local and state government City sales tax exemption bills to be heard Next Thursday, March 1, the House Sales and Income Tax Division will hear a number of bills that would grant a sales tax exemption for specific capital projects The follow- ing bills are on the agenda HF 359 (Rep Mary Murphy, DFL -Herman - town), which would provide an exemption for sales tax on materials used in constructing a Proctor community activity center; HF 367 (Rep Mary Murphy), which exempts materials used in constructing a Hermantown indoor sports and physical education complex, HF 443 (Rep Andy Westerberg, R -Blaine), which exempts the purchase of property for use as a city hall and police department facility in Blaine; and, HF 498 (Rep Mary Liz Holberg, R -Lakeville), which exempts materi- als used in the construction of a police station and central mainte- nance facility in Farmington Also on the agenda is a county bill, HF 409 (Rep. Marty Seifert, R - Marshall), which exempts the purchase of property for use as a law enforcement and family service center in Yellow Medicine County Although many general local gov- ernment sales tax exemption bills have been introduced this year, many communities are seeking specific exemptions for projects in an attempt to ensure that local taxpayers are not saddled with an additional 6 5 percent project cost increase. Senate DFL announces transportation funding package At Wednesday's annual meeting of the Highway Construction Industry Council, Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe (D -Erskine) announced a proposal balancing another sales tax rebate with a big boost for pressing transportation needs Using existing surplus funds and projected one-time revenue in the next two years, the $1 billion pro- posal would be split evenly between a $500 million rebate and $500 mil- lion to address immediate transpor- tation needs in the Twin Cities and across the state Moe said $425 mil- lion would be for one-time invest- ments in roads and bridges and $75 million in one-time investments in transit The proposal was greeted with skepticism from House republicans and the governor Bill Introductions Qualified newspaper requirements A bill has been introduced that would modify the qualification requirements for qualified newspa- pers serving cities with populations under 2,000. SF 771 is authored by Sens Bob Kierlin (R -Winona), Charlie Berg (R-Chokio), Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), and Arlene Lesewski (R -Marshall); the companion bill, HF 949, is authored by Rep. Michelle Rifenberg (R- LaCrescent) The Senate bill has been referred to the State and Local Government Operations Committee, and the House bill has been referred to the Commerce, Jobs and Eco- nomic Development Committee. 1 or more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Afinnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. (651) 281-1200 or (800) 925-1122 Feb Z3 Z001 1525:2 Via Fax -> 62+509+5060 Administrator Page 00Z Of 00Z FRIDAYFAx FEBR(ynRY 23, 2001— PAGE 2 Specifically, the bill would reduce the printed space minimum from 1,000 square inches to 800 square inches, and reduce the minimum circulation from 500 to 250 persons Please forward any comments you might have regarding this bill to Andrea Stearns, (651) 281-1258 or stearns@lmnc org. Lawful gambling laws A bill that would make several changes to the lawful gambling laws was introduced in both bodies of the Legislature yesterday SF 985 was introduced by Sens Jim Vickerman (DFL -Tracy), LeRoy Stumpf (DFL - Thief River Falls), Jim Metzen (DFL - South St Paul), Dick Day (R - Owatonna), and Dan Stevens (R - Mora), and referred to the State and Local Government Operations Com- mittee HF 1059 was introduced by Reps Mike Oskopp (R -Lake City), Jim Rhodes (R -St Louis Park), Mike Jaros (DFL -Duluth), Mark Gleason (DFL -Richfield), and Steve Dehler (R -St Joseph), and referred to the Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Committee The most notable provision of this bill removes the authority of local units of government to approve, by ordinance, premises permit renew- als The Gambling Control Board believes the local review component of the current law has value and is concerned with its removal If you have concerns with this bill, please contact Andrea Stearns, (651)281- 1258 or stearns@lmnc.org More TIF bills A bill that would expand the permis- sible uses of tax increment financing for workforce development purposes was introduced in the House yester- day by Reps Dan McElroy (R -Burns- ville) and Tim Pawlenty (R -Eagan) HF 1041 would authorize "qualified authorities" to establish economic development TIF districts to finance workforce development efforts To be a qualified authority, a community would have to meet certain unem- ployment or median household income rates outlined in the bill Increments could be used for certain specified purposes also outlined in the bill. The duration of a workforce development TIF district would be limited to four years after receipt by the authority of the first increment or upon completion of the workforce development activities authorized in the TIF plan, whichever is earlier Pooling of increments and certain specified TIF plan amendments would be prohibited The authority to estab- lish a workforce development TIF district would expire Dec 31, 2004 Another bill was introduced yester- day that would modify the current TIF local contribution and state aid offset statutory provisions HF 1143 is authored by Reps Jim Knoblach (R -St Cloud), Ted Winter (DFL -Fulda), IrvAnderson (DFL -International Falls), Kevin Goodno (R -Moorhead), Elaine Harder (R -Jackson), Roxann Daggett (R -Frazee), and Dan Dorman (R -Albert Lea) The bill would eliminate the provi- sion that reduces the local contribu- tion by one-half of the amount of any state contribution to the project though a grant or other direct incentive and would make the current local contribution provisions effective for TIF districts created after June 30, 2001. The bill would also allow the commissioner of the Department of Trade and Economic Development to waive the state aid offset under certain conditions. The exemption from the offset would apply for the life of the district The bill would also authorize develop- ment authorities the option of electing, in their TIF plans, to make a contribution to an affordable housing fund in lieu of the state aid offset or local contribution. The waiver and housing fund provisions would be effective for any districts created after June 30, 2001 or for any districts created after June 30, 1994 if the municipality elected to make a local contribution If you have comments regarding this proposed legislation, please contact Andrea Stearns, (651) 281-1258 or stearns@plmnc org Greater Minnesota transit funded HF 998 (Lieder) (Transportation Finance)/SF 968 (Langseth) (Finance) would appropriate $21,850,000 in fiscal year 2002 and $21,850,000 in fiscal year 2003 from the general fund for greater Minnesota transit assistance Upcoming Meetings Feb. 27 • House Transportation 5 State Office Building Chr Rep. Tom Workman • Senate Transportation 112 Capitol Chr. Sen. Randy Kelly • House Crime Prevention B State Office Building Chr Rep John Tuma March 1 House Transportation 5 State Office Building Chr Rep Tom Workman To view the Senate and House calendars for next week's commit- tee hearings, see* www.house. leg.state.mn.us/hlnfo/schedule/ Index.htm or www. senate. Ieg. state.mn.us/schedule/Index.htm.