HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07-27-2004 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
July 27, 2004
Mayor Johnson called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:40 p.m. in
the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on July 27, 2004.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councilmembers Black, Slavik, Hewitt, Neset, Stein,
and Bildsoe (arrived at 5:50 p.m.).
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Finance Director Hahn, Financial Analyst Kohn,
Water and Sewer Supervisor Young, Community Development Hurlburt, Public Works Director
Faulkner, Park and Recreation Director Blank, and City Clerk Paulson.
Discuss Water Conservation Options
Public Works Director Faulkner stated staff has been reviewing water conservation options. He
stated in 2003, the City exceeded its Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Appropriation
Permit's permitted amount of 3.6 billion gallons of pumped ground water by 210 million gallons
5.8%). He stated that while this is less than the 10% benchmark whereby DNR requires a
permit amendment, they are reviewing the City's conservation plan and what actions the City
could take for water conservation. He stressed that this is really important when the City needs
to request an additional Appropriations Permit for any new wells such as No. 14 and No. 15.
He stated staff has identified a number of options for water conservation. The first option would
be to increase rates through the current tiered rate structure. He noted that currently, the City's
water rates are among the lowest rates in the metropolitan area.
He stated the second option would be a time of day ban. He stated this is a technique that the
DNR indicates has been used successfully in other cities as a way to conserve water. The DNR
suggested that the City consider a time of day ban from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a
week. He stated as with other cities, these bans generally extend from May through September.
He noted that the City of Eden Prairie has a ban from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and they include
opportunities for exceptions for: (1) Commercial or business enterprises whose economic well
being is dependent upon irrigation of a lawn, grass, or turf owned, leased, or operated by the
business, (2) Employees and agents of the city where watering or irrigation of grass or turf is
necessary for playfields to not suffer reasonable damage, (3) Owners and lessees of lands newly
sodded or grass seeded which requires irrigation to prevent loss of new sod, seed or immature
turf or grass for a period of 30 days.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of July 27, 2004
Page 2 of 4
He stated the other options contained in the City's current Water Conservation Plan (educational
efforts through the City's website, cable TV channel, billing stuffers, etc.) should continue to be
used. He noted that another option that could be considered in the future would be a peak use
water rate. However, in order to utilize this type of rate system, the City's water meters would
all need to be replaced with meters that could be read remotely at any time of the day.
Mayor Johnson noted that there was recently a vendor who reviewed the City's buildings to see
if those areas could be retrofitted where there are leaks. She stated that in many cases that
wouldn't be feasible, but perhaps that should be reviewed again in the future. She commented
that it's important for the City to review its facilities if the residents are asked to do the same.
Councilmember Black stated that the City has to determine what needs to be done in order to
wisely use the infrastructure that is in place. She stated she would like to review a variety of
options that would include the time of day ban and the increase of rates in the tiered rate
structure. She suggested that perhaps the categories of businesses could be broken down since
they fall into the top two tiers.
Councilmember Slavik stated she could support the time of day bans. She stated she observes
many commercial properties that are watering their lawns during the day. She suggested that on
the utility bills, the City provide the rate structure for the tiered system so residents know where
their usage falls and the rates for each of the tiers.
Councihnember Black stated the City also needs to provide ideas on how residents could reduce
their water usage.
Councilmember Neset stated that 11% (380 million) of the water usage is unaccounted for.
Water and Sewer Supervisor Young stated fire hydrant flushing and watermain breaks contribute
to the unaccounted water usage. He stated the aging of the pipes and the shifting of the soils
cause watermain breaks. He also commented that there are 27,000 connections in the system,
and staff is replacing 300 water meters per year.
Councilmember Neset stated that he would support a mid day ban and tier pricing. He stated he
is concerned when water sprinklers are dumping water into the streets rather than onto the lawns.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if lawn watering is the number one water usage for residents.
Water and Sewer Supervisor Young replied 10.45 million gallons of water per day is typically
used, but in the summer it peaks to 27.68 million gallons of water per day. He explained how
staff currently enforces the odd/even watering schedule.
Mayor Johnson suggested using the storm water retention ponds for irrigation purposes. She
stated there could be incentives for developers and residents. She would like this idea reviewed
further.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of July 27, 2004
Page 3 of 4
City Manager Ahrens stated perhaps there could be a separate meter for the outdoor watering
which would be at a higher tier rate.
Councihnember Hewitt stated that she could support a time of day ban. However, when it
involves lawn watering, there needs to be a balance as it affects property values. She stated she
wouldn't want to hire additional staff to monitor it. She stated she prefers to delay raising the
rates until staff can review whether the ban was effective.
Financial Analyst Kohn suggested rather than having a separate meter for the outdoor watering,
staff could determine the increase of water usage in the summer by taking the base water usage
in the winter. He stated many of the water meters are getting very old, and staff is trying to
replace so many per year. City Manager Ahrens added that staff is considering a trial program in
2005 for detecting leaks in fire hydrants and watermains.
Councihnember Stein stated that he could support the time of day ban, but he is cautious at
increasing the water rates initially.
Staff requested that the Council give direction on what they would like to suggest/support for
water conservation. The Council discussed various scenarios and requested the following be
reviewed:
1. Time of day ban from 12:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. (exception for youth and sprinklers).
2. Keep current odd/even restrictions.
3. Exempt the City where watering or irrigation of grass or turf is necessary for playfields.
Set Future Study Sessions
The Council requested staff to contact legislators and candidates for a Joint Meeting either on
September 20 or 21. The items on the agenda would include zero entry pool rule, transportation,
surface water fees (not tax deductible), smoking ban, local government aid, and levy limits.
The Council requested that staff place on the August 10 Regular Meeting agenda a resolution
encouraging Hennepin County to consider whether to enact a County -wide smoking ban.
The Council requested that staff provide an update in the next Council Information
Memorandum on the City Center signage. They also requested a report on the draining of sump
pumps on other residents' properties.
The Council scheduled a Study Session on September 28 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss long-term road
reconstruction and the financing thereof and the quarterly update with the City Manager.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of July 27, 2004
Page 4 of 4
Adjournment
Mayor Johnson declared the meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.
Sindra R. Paulson, City Clerk