HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-24-2004Adopted Minutes
Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 2004
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 24, 2004.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councihnembers Bildsoe, Black, Stein, Slavik, Hewitt,
and Neset.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Fire Chief Kline, Community Development Director
Hurlburt, Public Works Director Faulkner, Police Chief Gerdes, Financial Analyst Kohn, City
Forester Buck, Public Services Manager Qvale, City Attorney Knutson, and City Clerk Paulson.
Plymouth Forum
No one was present to address the Council).
Presentations and Public Information Announcements
4.01) Presentation to Police Chief Craig Gerdes
Mayor Johnson presented a Proclamation to retiring Police Chief Gerdes designating February
26 as "Craig Gerdes Day," and she thanked him for his 11.5 years of service to the City.
4.02) Oaths of Office to Police Officers Michael Passig and Jonathan Goldenman
City Clerk Paulson administered Oaths of Office to Police Officers Michael Passig and Jonathan
Goldenman.
4.03) Recognition of 20th Anniversary of Plymouth Metrolink
Public Services Manager Qvale announced the 20th Anniversary of the Plymouth Metrolink. She
stated there would be a customer appreciation day on April 29 as well as celebrating the five
millionth customer this summer.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to adopt
a Resolution Recognizing Plymouth Metrolink 20 Years of Service (Res2004-081). With all
members voting in favor, the motion carried.
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Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 2 of 9
Mike Cagley, Chair of the Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit, thanked the Council for
their support.
Approval of Agenda
City Manager Ahrens requested to add, as item No. 9.2, the Metrolink's contingency plan in the
event there would be a strike by Metro Transit.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Black to
approve the amended agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Hewitt removed item No. 6.05.3 and placed it under General Business as item
No. 8.4.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Stein to approve
the amended Consent Agenda, which included the following items:
6.01) Minutes from the Regular Council Meetings of January 27 and February 10.
6.02) Resolution Approving Disbursements for the Period ending February 13, 2004 (Res2004-
082).
6.03) Resolution Approving Comprehensive Plan Amendment to chapter 9 (Water Supply and
Distribution Plan) to provide Consistency with the 2004-2008 Capital Improvements Program
2003138 — Res2004-083), and a Resolution Approving Comprehensive Plan Amendments to
Chapter 8 (Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan) and Chapter 11 (Public Facilities
Plan) to provide Consistency with the 2004-2008 Capital Improvements Program (2003139 —
Res2004-084).
6.04) Resolution Finding No Objection to Lawful Gambling Exemption for Wayzata Youth
Hockey Association (Res2004-085).
6.05.1) Approval Annual Report and 2004 Work Plan for the Environmental Quality
Committee.
6.05.2) Approval Annual Report and 2004 Work Plan for the Plymouth Advisory Committee
on Transit.
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Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 3 of 9
6.05.3) (This item was removed and placed under General Business as item No. 8.4).
6.05.4) Approval Annual Report and 2004 Work Plan for the Park and Recreation Advisory
Committee.
6.06) Resolution Approving Purchase of Two New Completed Tandem Axle Dump Trucks
Res2004-086).
6.07) Resolution Approving Plans and Specification and Ordering Advertisement for Bids for
Well No's. 14 and 15, and Well House Construction (3132 — Res2004-087).
6.08) Approve postponement of appointment to Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Councilmember Bildsoe commented that the City would be paying in excess of $10,000 in sales
tax for item No. 6.06 to the State of Minnesota. He and Mayor Johnson voiced their frustration
in the City having to pay sales tax for equipment purchases and projects.
The motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda.
Public Hearings
7.1) 2003 Removal and Destruction of Diseased Trees, Roll l
Finance Director Hahn reported on the proposed assessments for 2003 removal of destruction of
diseased trees (Roll 1).
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 by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to adopt a
Resolution Adopting Assessments for 2003 Removal and Destruction of Diseased Trees Roll 1
Res2004-088). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
7.2) 2003 Weed Eradication and Destruction, Roll 2
Finance Director Hahn reported on the proposed assessments for 2003 weed eradication and
destruction (Roll 2).
Mayor Johnson opened the public hearing for testimony.
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Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 4 of 9
There being no one wishing to appear before the Council to give testimony, Mayor Johnson
declared the public hearing closed.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Stein, to adopt a
Resolution Adopting Assessments for 2003 Weed Eradication and Destruction, Roll 2 (Res2004-
089). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
General Business
8.1) Consideration of Adoption of 2004-2008 Capital Improvements Program (2004001)
Financial Analyst Kohn reported on the proposed 2004-2008 Capital Improvements Program
CIP). He spoke of the proposed building projects, park projects, street projects, transit projects,
water quality and drainage projects, water and sewer projects, and other potential projects.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if the County has included the County Road 101 project in their
CIP. Public Works Director Faulkner replied that this project is in the County's CIP for 2006.
Park and Recreation Director Blank noted that the bid for finishing the lower level of the
Plymouth Center was lower than the one million that is in the CIP. He stated any remaining
funds would be in the park dedication fund and reallocated by the Council at a later date.
Councilmember Black asked how much it costs to construct trails. Park and Recreation Director
Blank replied trails cost approximately $100,000 per mile to construct. He noted that in the CIP,
340,000 was designated for 4.5 miles.
A discussion was held on the funds from the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the
transit facility at the intersection of County Road 73 and Highway 55. If this location isn't
feasible, Councilmember Black suggested these funds be used to upgrade the transit facility at
the Four Seasons Mall.
It was mentioned that work has begun to clean out the detention pond at Parkers Lake Park.
Public Works Director Faulkner stressed that the conveyance system is being repaired as it was
plugged.
Councilmember Black stated the City needs to continue discussing with the County improving
County Road 47 from Cheshire Lane to Northwest Boulevard. She stated she is concerned about
the traffic and quality of that road.
Councilmember Hewitt voiced her concerns about improving Vicksburg Lane, as that is a major
thoroughfare. She stated eventually that road would be inadequate with the development of the
Northwest Plymouth area.
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Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 5 of 9
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated an alignment study has been completed on
County Road 47 as well as determining the amount of right-of-way that the City would need to
acquire. Regarding Vicksburg Lane, staff is reviewing the developments on the east side of the
roadway and the amount of right-of-way the City would need to acquire. Public Works Director
Faulkner added it would cost approximately $10 million to improve Vicksburg Lane from Old
Rockford Road to Maple Grove.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Black to adopt a
Resolution Approving 2004-2008 Capital Improvement Program (Res2004-090). With all
members voting in favor, the motion carried.
8.2) Selection of Plan for Medicine Lake Ponds
Public Works Director Faulkner discussed the proposed pond located in the City's East Medicine
Lake Park. He stated on August 12, 2003, the Council considered expanding the configuration
of this pond north into the existing parking lot to significantly improve the effectiveness of the
pond. The pond, as approved by the Council, would extend south from approximately the
existing island in the parking lot through the sand volleyball courts and grass area to where the
hill begins to rise. He discussed three alternatives that staff identified with staff recommending
Alternative 3. He stated a major issue is the strip of property southeast of the existing chain link
fence, which is part of the City's park property, but it is encumbered by two easements in favor
of Ryerson Steel. The first easement allows Ryerson Steel to store snow removed from their
parking lot and encompasses the entire area between the fence and actual property line
approximately 30 feet southeast of the existing fence in the area of the pond. The second
easement is for driveway urposes and is much narrower than the snow storage easement. It
begins 14 feet wide at 17t Avenue and tapers to meet the property line approximately 980 feet
southwest of 17t" Avenue. It ranges from approximately 11 feet wide at the north end of the
pond to approximately four feet wide at the south end of the pond.
He spoke of the three different alternatives identified. Alternative 1 confines the ponds in the
area northwest of the chain link fence avoiding all the Ryerson Steel's easements. The land
provides three to one slopes all the way around the pond and a 10 -foot wide bench to encourage
emergent aquatic vegetation growth. This alternative results in a total suspended solid (TSS)
removal of 38.4% and has an estimated cost of $298,000. Alternative 2 avoids the Ryerson
Steel's easement; however, it increases the pond volume by introducing a very steep slope along
the park side of the chain link fence. The slope would have to be carefully engineered, require
minimal maintenance and discourage access by the public. This configuration results in a TSS
removal of 41% and has an estimated cost of $399,000. Alternative 3 uses a portion of the snow
storage easement for the pond while avoiding the driveway easement. Since snow could still be
stored in the area where the pond is constructed, it wouldn't interfere with the right to store snow
in the easement. This alternative would result in a TSS removal of 41.2% and has an estimated
cost of $331,000. He stated the plant manager for Ryerson Steel has voiced concerns about this
Adopted Council Minutes
Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 6 of 9
option, as they would lose a few parking spaces. The specifications could be written in such a
manner that if Alternative 3 is bid, the City could scale it back to match Alternative 1 without
adjusting the unit prices. Changing to Alternative 2 would require a change order to add items
not in the original bid.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if this location has ever been dredged. Public Works Director
Faulkner replied he's unsure, but it's a Department of Natural Resources designation.
Councilmember Black added that she recalls that the State did some maintenance at the outlet.
She stated the delta does get larger in size every year due to the salt and sand from the roads.
She stated AMLAC has previously discussed dredging the storm water outlets that surround
Medicine Lake.
Public Works Director Faulkner stated the City does contract with Hennepin Parks for some
monitoring.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Stein to adopt
Resolution Approving Alternative 3 for the Medicine Lake Water Quality Pond (2037 —
Res2004-090.
Terri Christian, 9910 South Shore Drive, stated she resides adjacent to the proposed pond site.
She stated she is concerned about the close proximity of Ryerson Steel's impervious surface to
Medicine Lake, as the drainage from the parking lot is harming the quality of the lake. She
stated Ryerson Steel's parking lot is never full, and residents rarely use the volleyball court. She
suggested the Council approve Alternative 3.
Councilmember Slavik stated she recognizes that there is a need to improve and protect
Medicine Lake, but she is concerned about removing some of the park area. She stated once that
park area is removed, it would be very difficult to replace it. Therefore, she doesn't feel the
Council should jeopardize the future needs for the park area.
Councilmember Bildsoe echoed Councilmember Slavik and stated that there aren't a lot of
opportunities for the City to have parkland adjacent to the lake.
Park and Recreation Director Blank stated the parking lot is infrequently full. He stated there are
three special events in this area during the year, and in almost all of the cases, Ryerson Steel
allows parking in their lot for overflow parking. He stated the City could also construct an
auxiliary parking lot south of the parking lot to handle overflow.
Councilmember Slavik asked if staff has figured the cost of removing park property, as that
should be added to the cost of this project. She believes that amount should be reviewed, and she
asked if the City were to add additional parking in this area, where would those funds come
from. She stated that she isn't comfortable in proceeding at this point.
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Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 7 of 9
Park and Recreation Director Blank stated that he is unsure of the value of the park property that
they would be giving up. He noted that this park is a Federal park, and the City has an obligation
to maintain it. He suggested that there be a "win-win" situation where both areas would be
improved rather than trading one to the other. He stated this park exists because Ryerson Steel
assisted with in the 1970s.
Mayor Johnson asked if staff has reviewed the inlet treatment at Parkers Lake as an option at this
location. Public Works Director Faulkner replied no.
Councilmember Black noted that the park beach isn't very appealing if the water in the lake isn't
improved. She agreed that she doesn't want to lose a park, but she would prefer one that would
be more viable and usable.
Councilmember Stein stated he is a frequent user of the park, and the park isn't very heavily
used. Other than occasional events, the parking lot is only one-third full. He stated he's
surprised that this issue has been discussed this late in the process. He stated the Bassett Creek
Watershed Commission has approved the ad valorem tax for improvements, and they could force
the City to do this. He stated it might not be the best solution, but in the future when the Ryerson
Steel property would be redeveloped, there would be the opportunity to gain more parkland or
relocate the park. He stated Medicine Lake would never be replaced, but the parkland could be
reconfigured and moved.
Councilmember Slavik agreed that the City needs to improve the quality of the lake, but this isn't
the best solution. She suggested that it be reviewed further to determine a better solution. She
reiterated her concern of the value of the parkland, which the City would be giving up.
Councilmember Black stressed that this project has been in the surface water management plan
for five years, the Council has been discussing it specifically for the past year, and there have
been at least two public meetings to receive comments.
Councilmember Bildsoe stated it's correct that the Council has discussed this project at previous
meetings; however, Councilmembers should be able to voice their concerns prior to approval of
the project.
Councilmember Hewitt stated she would support the motion. She agreed that it's unfortunate
that the City would be giving up parkland, but the lake needs to be cleaned.
Councilmember Slavik reiterated that she's looking for a better solution, as she doesn't feel this
is the best plan.
Councilmember Stein asked if the Council has approved the pond to be located north of this one.
Public Works Director Faulkner replied no.
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Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 8 of 9
Councilmember Stein stated the Council has reviewed different alternatives for this pond. He
stated the best solution would probably have been to relocate it further upstream by the parking
lot in order to capture more solids. Alternative 3 is the best compromise in order to preserve the
majority of the park and to remove some of the parking lot that isn't used on a regular basis. He
stated he supports the motion.
Councilmember Neset asked how many other storm water inlets, such as this one, empty into
Medicine Lake. Public Works Director Faulkner replied 44, but none as significant as this one.
Councilmember Neset stated he would support the motion.
Councilmember Stein stated this site represents a small percentage of the solids emptying into
the lake, and there are other sites along the lake that the Council would probably have to address
in the future.
Ms. Christian stated this particular site is 8% of the total solids emptying into the lake. However,
this is an extremely important site due to the drainage from the parking lot and Highway 169
emptying into the lake.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor but Slavik, the motion
carried.
8.3) Receive 2003 Unaudited Financial Statements and Approve Transfers
Finance Director Hahn reported on the unaudited financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2003 and the recommendation to transfer the amount in excess of the 40% reserve
balance in the general fund to the street reconstruction fund.
Councilmember Bildsoe asked if City departments are monitoring their expenditures as they did
in 2003. Finance Director Hahn replied yes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, and seconded by Councilmember Slavik to adopt
a Resolution Approving Transfer of Funds from General Fund to Street Reconstruction Fund
Res2004-092). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
The Council took a five-minute break.
8.4) Human Rights Commission Annual Report and 2004 Work Plan
Councilmember Hewitt discussed the Human Rights Commission annual report and 2004 work
plan, and she requested removing educating businesses on human rights issues and reviewing
participation in the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council.
Adopted Council Minutes
Regular Meeting of February 24, 2004
Page 9 of 9
Motion was made by Councilmember Hewitt, and seconded by Councilmember Slavik, to
approve the annual report and 2004 work plan with the above deletions.
Mayor Johnson commented the local chambers of commerce should be notified about the City's
human rights commission. She agreed that reviewing participation with the Northwest Hennepin
Human Services Council should be removed.
There being no further discussion, and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Reports and Staff Recommendations
9.1) Legislative Update
Mayor Johnson reminded the Council of their meeting with the area legislators on February 27.
She commented that the City Attorney's office has been testifying against proposed legislation
that would undermine local control and hinder quality of life for all cities.
9.2) Metrolink Strike Contingency Plan
City Manager Ahrens discussed a pamphlet that staff has been distributing to bus riders in case
there would be a strike in the future with Metro Transit. This information is also on the City's
website. She commented that in the event of a strike, the City would be able to maintain the
majority of its bus routes.
Adjournment
Mayor Johnson declared the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk