HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 12-02-2002 Special 2Adopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
December 2, 2002
Mayor Tierney called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:45
p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on December 2,
2002.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Hewitt, Slavik, Black,
Johnson, and Stein.
ABSENT: Councilmember Harstad.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Fire Chief Kline, Police Chief Kline, Public
Safety Education Specialist Cwayna, Fire Captain Hurr, Fire Captain Evenson,
Community Development Director Hurlburt, and City Clerk Paulson.
Consideration of Lawful Gambling Request
Police Chief Gerdes reported on May 21 the Council discussed the request of the
Plymouth Lions and Plymouth Crime and Fire Prevention Fund to allow pull -tab
operations within the City. The Council directed the Public Safety Advisory Board
PSAB) to assist with drafting a gambling ordinance. The PSAB discussed the item at
their July 18 meeting and of the six members present, four were in favor, one was
opposed, and one was undecided. Therefore, the PSAB made the following
recommendations:
1. The Ordinance be written to allow all forms of gambling except bingo.
2. Licenses should be limited to on -sale liquor license establishments.
3. The Ordinance should include a 3% local gambling tax as allowed by State Law.
4. The City receive 10% of the gross profits as allowed by State Law.
Councilmember Slavik asked if the proceeds could remain in the trade area. Police Chief
Gerdes replied every city that is contiguous to the City would be considered the local
trade area.
Ed Stanke, President of the Plymouth Lions, stated they would be the licensee, and they
intend to split the proceeds with the Crime and Fire Prevention Fund. He stated the State
is very strict with their enforcement. In addition, they are limited to the amount of funds
that can be allocated to the administration, and the State approves all expenditures.
The Owners of Jake's Sports Bar and Grill stated they have lawful gambling at their other
establishments, and they require the charitable organizations to keep the proceeds in the
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Special Meeting of December 2, 2002
Page 2 of 5
communities. They agreed with Mr. Stanke that the gambling is very heavily regulated
by the State.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if the proposed 3% tax would cover the City's costs.
Police Chief Gerdes replied yes, and the use of overtime to perform the compliance
checks would be supported by that tax.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if bingo could be conducted in the City. Police Chief
Gerdes replied yes, and that is through a lawful exemption permit.
The owners of Jake's Sports Bar and Grill stated that all game rules and where the
proceeds go towards are clearly posted in the establishment. They haven't had any
problems with their four other establishments where lawful gambling is currently.
conducted. They do not rely on the pull -tab business but view it as a compliment to their
business.
Councilmember Slavik asked where the City's 10% of the proceeds would be spent.
Police Chief Gerdes replied there are statutory regulated areas where the proceeds can be
spent that are at the discretion of the City.
Councilmember Stein stated that he views lawful gambling as a form of entertainment.
Motion was made by Councilmember Stein, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson
to accent the recommendations of the Public Safetv Advisory Board and to Mace this
item on the December 17 Council agenda.
Councilmember Hewitt asked how the gambling would be monitored. Police Chief
Gerdes replied through the annual compliance checks conducted by the City, the State's
compliance checks, and complaints.
Councilmember Black stated she wouldn't support the motion. She complimented Jake's
Bar and Grill for operating a good establishment, but there could be other liquor:
establishments in the City that could be requesting gambling. She also stated the
Plymouth Lions and the Crime and Fire Prevention Fund are wonderful organizations,
but she is concerned about the method on how the funds are being raised.
Councilmember Slavik asked if the Ordinance would require a public hearing, as she
would like proper notice given to residents. City Manager Johnson replied Ordinances do
not require a public hearing.
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1 Special Meeting of December 2, 2002
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Councilmembers Johnson and Slavik stated they would support a public hearing on this
item.
Councilmember Stein suggested that there be a press release/article in the Sun Sailor as
well as a notice on the City's website that this would be considered at the December 17
meeting.
Mayor Tierney suggested that an announcement also be played on Channel 12 and
Channel 16.
Councilmember Slavik asked if there would be any problem in delaying this item until
January 2003.
Councilmember Johnson stated she believes that it's wise to postpone this to a later date
as allowing pull -tab gambling in the City would be a philosophical change. .
Councilmember Hewitt agreed that there be a public hearing so the Council could receive
input from residents. She stated based on her previous work experience in the social
services field, she doesn't support lawful gambling.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Hewitt, to
amend the main motion to conduct a public hearing on January 28 on the nronosed
Ordinance. With all members voting in favor but Tierney, the motion carried.
The Council voted on the amended main motion and with all members voting in favor but
Black and Hewitt, the motion carried.
Discussion of Fire Department Report
Fire Chief Kline and Fire Captain Hurr presented a five-year strategic plan for the Fire
Department. By 2007, staff plans to measure their success by evaluating their ability to
achieve the goal of having six operational firefighters on the scene of an emergency
anywhere in the City within six minutes, regardless of the time of day or day of the week
at least 80% of the time). In order to achieve that goal, staff recommended immediate,
mid-term (in 2004), and long-term (in 2007) measures. The immediate recommendations
are to:
1. Continue the duty crew program, adding a second full-time field supervisor and a fifth
operational firefighter to each shift.
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Special Meeting of December 2, 2002
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2. Adopt appropriate Staffing Committee's "daily operations" recommendations. These
changes include considering a general alarm percentage requirement for all members to
ensure adequate staffing at major incidents, expanding the duty crew program to include
the "traditional" holidays on which crews currently are not scheduled to work, and
changing the vacation days program to require all members to submit their vacation
requests ahead of time.
3. Continue efforts to recruit and retain paid -on-call staff members.
The mid-term (in 2004) recommendations are:
1. Expand the duty crew program into the daytime weekend hours. In addition, during
duty crew hours, two fire stations would be staffed rather than just one. Each station
would be staffed with a crew of three operational firefighters, including one who is a field
supervisor. To support the expanded hours of operation, staff recommends that a
minimum of two full-time positions be added (one supervisor and a firefighter/mechanic).
2. Postpone planning for a fourth fire station due to issues of adequate staffing and
response time.
3. Continue efforts to recruit and retain paid -on-call staff members.
The long-term (in 2007) recommendations are:
1. Expand the department's duty crew program in order to provide coverage 24 hours per
day, seven days per week. Staffing such a program would involve mandatory
participation by the paid -on-call members of the department. However, the ability to
fully staff these duty crew shifts may require the addition of full-time personnel to
supplement the paid -on-call staff.
2. Renovate two or more fire stations to include sleeping and living quarters. The
stations would be renovated to include apartment -like living quarters to be provided at a
free or reduced cost to paid -on-call members in exchange for a commitment to complete
station duties and response to fire calls during designated times.
3. Continue efforts to recruit and retain paid -on-call staff members.
Fire Chief Kline stressed that the department needs to be competitive to other large on-
call fire departments. If individuals take advantage of the program, it could be very
beneficial to them.
A considerable amount of discussion was held on alternatives to provide housing. Staff
indicated that it wasn't in the best interest of the City to utilize the homes that were
purchased on County Road 101. This option would've been very costly, as it would've
only benefited a small minority of the department. Staff felt it was more prudent to focus
j on expanding the duty crew program as that would allow more people to participate, it
would reduce the time commitment, and it would assist in retaining firefighters.
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Special Meeting of December 2, 2002
Page 5 of 5
Councilmember Johnson requested that staff provide a report to the Council on what the
funding trend has been the past few years to the Fire Department (what percentage is it of
the budget).
The Council thanked staff for the report.
Schedule Future Studv Sessions
Councilmember Johnson suggested that the Council attend the League of Minnesota
Cities Legislative Day on January 15. She stated after this event, the Council could meet
with its legislators at the State Capital. She indicated her willingness to coordinate this.
Councilmember Hewitt reported the League of Women Voters has scheduled a meeting
with four of the area legislators on December 7 at 9:30 a.m. at Lund's, if anyone is
interested in attending.
The Council stated a Study Session would be scheduled the first part of 2003 to discuss
the maintenance of ponds in the City.
All of the Councilmembers requested that goals and priorities be added to the pending
Study Session list.
Adjournment
adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. With all met,, voting in fayef, the motion carried.
R. Paulson, City Clerk