HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-07-2006Adopted Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
February 7, 2006
Mayor Johnson called a Regular Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on February 7, 2006.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Stein, Slavik, Hewitt, Bildsoe, and
Willis.
ABSENT: Councilmember Black.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Fire Chief Kline, Police Chief Goldstein, City
Attorney Knutson, Finance Director Hahn, Public Services Manager Qvale, Park and Recreation
Director Blank, Public Works Director Cote, and City Clerk Paulson.
Plymouth Forum
There was no one present to address the Council.
Presentations and Public Information Announcements
There were no presentations or public information announcements.
Approval of Agenda
Motion was made by Councilmember Willis and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to
approve the agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Consent Agenda
A typographical correction was made to page one of the January 31 Special Meeting minutes
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe and seconded by Councilmember Willis to adopt
the Consent Agenda that included the following items:
6.01) Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 24 and the Special Meeting of
January 31 (as amended).
6.02) Resolution Approving Disbursements for the Period Ending January 27, 2006 (Res2006-
061).
6.03) Ordinance Amending the Text of Chapter 21 of the Zoning Ordinance (Ord2006-04),
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Ordinance Amending Chapter 5 of the City Code (Ord2006-05), and a Resolution Approving
Summary Publication of Ordinances (Res2006-62).
6.04) Resolution Approving Variances for Bruce Larson for Redevelopment of a Non -
Conforming Lot and Impervious Surface Coverage for Property located at 10300 South Shore
Drive (2005147 — Res2006-063).
6.05) Accept 2005 Annual Reports and 2006 Annual Work Plans for the Planning Commission,
Human Rights Commission, Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit, and Environmental
Quality Committee.
6.06) Resolution Approving Final Plat and Development Contract for "Highway 55 Office
Condominiums" for Property located at 18240 Highway 55 (2005086-F — Res2006-064), and a
Resolution Adopting Assessments for Sanitary Sewer and Watermain Lateral Highway 55 Office
Condominiums (2005086 — Res2006-065).
6.07) Resolution Approving a PUD Amendment to allow the Encroachment into the Required
Rear Yard for the Construction of Patio Room and Deck for Property located at 15660 17"
Avenue North, in the Parkers Lake PUD (2005145 — Res2006-066), Ordinance Amending
Chapter 21 of the City Code Amending the Parkers Lake PUD for Property located at 15660 17th
Avenue North (2005145 — Ord2006-06), and a Resolution Approving Findings of Fact for
Amending the Zoning Ordinance Text for the Parkers Lake PUD (2005145 — Res2006-067).
6.08) Schedule Board and Commission Recognition Event on March 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the
Plymouth Creek Center.
6.09) Resolution Approving Change Order No. 6 for Central and Zachary Water Treatment
Plans Expansion and Upgrade (2032 — Res2006-068).
6.10) Resolution Approving Agreement for Use of a Designated Area of the Parking Lot at St.
Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church for an Alternative Park and Ride Site (Res2006-069).
6.11) Resolution Approving Request for Payment No. 11 for Vicksburg Lane Reservoir
Improvements Project (3108 — Res2006-070).
6.12) Resolution Approving Request for Payment No. 10 for Lancaster Lane Lift Station
Renovation Project (3114 — Res2006-071).
6.13) Resolution Approving Increase in the City Manager's Salary (Res2006-072).
6.14) Resolution Receiving Preliminary Engineering Report and Ordering Public Hearing for
2006 Mill and Overlay Project (6106 — Res2006-073).
6.15) Resolution Accepting Streets and Utilities for Continual Maintenance for the Fields of
Nanterre (2001148 — Res2006-074), Resolution Accepting Utilities for Continual Maintenance
for the Fields of Nanterre Third Addition (2001148 — Res2006-075), and a Resolution Accepting
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Regular Meeting of February 7, 2006
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Streets for Continual Maintenance for Glacier vista (2001026 — Res2006-076).
6.16) Resolution Approving Tobacco License for Ibrahim Al-Khalel d/b/a Jack's Tobacco,
16605 County Road 24 (Res2006-077).
With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Public Hearings
7.1) Assessments for City Center Street Lighting Project (4143)
Public Works Director Cote illustrated the street lighting project (Phase II), which would be
decorative streetlights along 36`h Avenue and Vicksburg Lane. He stated the assessments to
benefiting property owners would be calculated based on front footage abutting the
improvement.
Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing for testimony.
There being no one wishing to appear before the Council to give testimony, Mayor Johnson
declared the public hearing closed.
Motion was made my Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to
adopt a Resolution Adopting Assessments for City Center Street Lighting Project — Phase II
4143 — Res2006-078). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
7.1.1) Award of Contract for City Center Street Lighting Project (4143)
Public Works Director Cote reported on the bids received and recommended that the Council
award the bid to the lowest responsive bidder, Killmer Electric Company, Inc., in the amount of
153,172.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe and seconded by Councilmember Hewitt to adopt
a Resolution Awarding the Contract for City Center Street Lighting Project (4143 — RCs2006-
079). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
General Business
8.1) Bus Purchase Options
Public Services Manager Qvale reported on possible front-end options for 11 new buses for the
transit system. She explained that the Metropolitan Council would be purchasing 36 regional
buses of which I 1 would be dedicated to Plymouth Metrolink. The buses would meet all the
requirements set forth by the Metropolitan Council and are being purchased through their
procurement process. She explained there is a bubble front-end option not included in the base
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cost of the buses that the City could pursue. The front-end option would be an additional $5,300
per bus or $58,300 for the 11 buses for Plymouth Metrolink, and the City would be responsible
for the additional cost of this option. The City's transit fund could be used to fund this option.
She stated the current transit fund balance is $1.8 million of which $580,000 is dedicated to the
Station 73 facility that is currently under construction.
She noted that the new front-end design would add a promotional value to encouraging new
transit ridership while providing a quality ride with an upgraded look. She explained that these
buses would be used for the downtown commute in conjunction with the Station 73 facility.
These buses are 10 years old, and would be used for another 10 years; therefore, this is a one-
time purchase that the City wouldn't see for another 10 years.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if this item could be postponed until the City knows where Station
73 is financially. Public Services Manager Qvale replied the item could only be postponed to the
Council's next meeting. She stated regarding Station 73, the City is on track for current funding
of that facility, and she is confident that the funding would carry through the project. She stated
she is also confident that project wouldn't affect the current fund balance.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if the buses are still the same in terms of mechanics, gas mileage,
and seating, no matter what type of front end the buses have. Public Services Manager Qvale
replied yes.
Councilmember Willis asked if the bus purchase is a complete turnover of the City's fleet.
Public Services Manager Qvale replied yes. The eight current buses would be retired, and the
other three are for expansion. She added that she has spoken with other opt out transit
authorities, and the practice is to use local transit fund balances for these enhancements to the
buses.
Councilmember Willis asked if these buses are used by anyone other than the City. Public
Services Manager Qvale replied they could be technically used anywhere in the region, and the
Metropolitan Council has the authority to delegate them elsewhere, even if they are marked
Plymouth Metrolink.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if staff reviewed options for internal improvements to the buses to
make them more user friendly. Public Services Manager Qvale replied no, as staff was very
comfortable with the type of seating, and seating capacity.
Councilmember Hewitt asked what the local transit funds could be used for. Public Services
Manager Qvale replied within the region, these funds have typically been used for facilities and
vehicles. She stated reducing fares could be an option, but staff tries to keep the fares consistent
with the regional fares.
Councilmember Slavik asked that due to the rising and unpredictable price of gas, could those
funds be used for that purpose. Public Services Manager Qvale replied yes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to take
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no action on this item.
Councilmember Slavik stated this type of expenditure is more of a cosmetic change, and if it
were to improve the buses in a different way, she could support that. She stated with Station 73
still under construction, she couldn't support this. In addition, with the increase in gas prices,
she wants to make sure that there are ample funds to cover these types of unpredictable
circumstances without altering any bus routes.
Councilmember Stein stated he wouldn't support the motion, as a new front end would provide a
nicer looking bus, and it gives passengers a more pleasurable ride.
Councilmember Hewitt stated she would support the motion as she has concerns on the transit
station, and the need to extend bus service in the future to the Northwest Plymouth area.
Therefore, she couldn't justify the cost.
Mayor Johnson asked if there would be alternative fuels for buses in the next 10 years. Public
Services Manager Qvale replied there are hybrid buses that use alternative fuels. However, one
thing that the industry is struggling with is the cost of the buses and the mechanical means to
support them. The need for buses would increase by 2020, and the hybrids could be integrated.
Mayor Johnson stated she would like to encourage the Metropolitan Council to use alternative
fuel buses.
Councilmember Willis stated if the City desires to continue to encourage people to ride the bus,
this is a low investment.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated he would support the motion as he supports the current look of
the buses. He could support the other option if there would be an attribute inside the bus for
customers.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor but Willis and Stein, the
motion carried.
Reports and Staff Recommendations
There were no Reports and Staff Recommendations).
Adjournment
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at appro 'mate'
ands R. Paulson, City Clerk