HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 02-06-2001 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
February 6, 2001
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on February 6,
2001.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Johnson, Slavik, Stein, Black, Harstad,
and Hewitt (arrived at 7:10 p.m.).
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Public Safety
Director Gerdes, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Community Development Director
Hurlburt, Finance Director Hahn, Public Works Director Moore, and City Clerk Paulson.
Organization Structure of the Fire Department
City Manager Johnson stated at the Council Study Session of December 19, 2000 when the Fire
Department Task Force report was discussed, the question was raised as to whether or not the
Fire Department should become a fully independent department of City government reporting
directly to the City Manager. He stated currently, the Public Safety Department structure
consists of the Police and Fire divisions that report to a Public Safety Director. Public Safety
Director Gerdes, Fire Chief Kline, and he have studied and reviewed issues relating to the Fire
Department being a separate department. In addition, a survey was also undertaken of similar
size cities and how the departments are structured. Staff is recommending that the Council
establish the Fire Department as a new, independent department reporting to the City Manager.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to
request the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for adoption at the February 13 meeting which
would amend the City Code to make the Fire Department a separate department reporting
directly to the City Manager.
Councilmember Johnson thanked everyone who participated in this process. She stated she is
still concerned about the need to increase the number of firefighters, reducing false alarms, and
reducing the response time to fires.
Councilmember Harstad asked how this change in structure would affect the Public Safety
Advisory Board. Public Safety Director Gerdes replied there is currently a member of the Police
Department as well as a member of the Fire Department that serve on this board.
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Special Meeting of February 6, 2001
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Mayor Tierney stated she would support this motion, as it seems a natural progression. She is
also concerned of the need to recruit additional firefighters. Fire Chief Kline stated they recruit
firefighters year around. He stated in the last three to four years, they have conducted two
training classes per year. Currently, the City has made offers to 15 potential firefighters. He
stated the recruitment and training is an ongoing process.
Councilmembers Black and Slavik thanked staff for their input.
Councilmember Hewitt asked what are the three full-time positions in the Fire Department. City
Manager Johnson replied those positions are the Fire Chief and two captains. He noted that a
Fire Prevention Officer is scheduled to be hired later this year.
Councilmember Hewitt asked for those firefighters that have been just recruited and trained, are
the early morning hours an issue. Fire Chief Kline stated it is; however, they would do creative
scheduling.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if staff foresees a need in the future to hire an additional two to
three full-time firefighters to cover those daytime hours. Fire Chief Kline replied that could be a
possibility.
Councitmember Hewitt suggested and supported a pay increase for Fire Chief Kline due to the
additional duties and responsibilities of being a department director. City Manager Johnson
stated Fire Chief Klein's salary currently is within the range for the department director
positions, and at a future Council meeting, staff would be presenting a request to make his
position the same pay grade as the remainder of the department directors.
There being no further discussion on the motion and with all members voting in favor, the
motion carried.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments relating to Fencing
Councilmember Hewitt stated she requested that the Council and/or the Planning Commission
study the zoning ordinance requirements for fencing on residential properties. She explained the
issue is for property owners who have corner lots. She stated she has a corner lot and a fence
which she believes is not in compliance with the zoning ordinance. She disagrees with the
current zoning ordinance.
Mayor Tierney stated she had concerns with the recent fence Variance request of Darin and
Kami Aho that was acted upon at the January 23 meeting. She stated there are many different
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Special Meeting of February 6, 2001
Page 3 of 5
types of fences on corner lots, and she doesn't agree that many of them near the roadways are too
close. It concerns her to limit people who want to utilize their backyards. She stated with the
Aho's request, everything was legal with the fence except for the extra one -foot height. She
suggested there be plantings with the fence if there is a visual concern near the roadway.
Councilmember Harstad stated he doesn't anticipate that the City will have a zero tolerance for
fences. He's not sure if staff is prepared to look for violations.
Councilmember Johnson suggested this zoning ordinance regulating fences be reviewed when
there is the annual review of the Zoning Ordinance. She views this as a low priority issue as
there are other items which staff is currently reviewing which are higher priority.
Councilmember Black agreed with Councilmember Johnson's comments. She added the only
reason why she approved the Aho's request is because she didn't want to be punitive, as there
was nothing that negative about the appearance of the fence.
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated staff is aware there are many non -conforming
fences. She stated in 1996, an exception was made for all existing fences which were non-
conforming at that time.
on was made by Councilmember Johnson, and seconded to
request that zoning requirements for fences be reviewed as part of the annual review of the
Zoning Ordinance. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Plymouth History Book for 50`h Anniversary on May 18, 2005
Mayor Tierney reported on a book commemorating the City of Edina's anniversary. She stated a
similar type book could be prepared for the City of Plymouth's 50a' Anniversary on May 10,
2005, and she requested comments from the Councilmembers on this idea.
Assistant City Manager Ahrens reported there would be a variety of writers the City could
contract with for the book. She also stated that the City's Historical Society would be the best
resource of information for this book. The cost of the project would be approximately $30,000
to $50,000. She explained the City of Edina was able to recoup their cost through the sale of the
books.
Motion was made by Mayor Tierney, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to approve the
concept of pursuing the endeavor.
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Special Meeting of February 6, 2001
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Councilmember Slavik stated if a committee is formed to work on this project, she offered her
assistance.
There being no further comments and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Review Future Study Sessions Topic List
The Council reviewed a list of pending study session items and whether there was a need to
retain those items on the list for future study sessions.
City Manager Johnson explained the urgency of the Council scheduling a Study Session to
discuss the surface water utility fee rate structure.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, and seconded by Councilmember Hewitt to
schedule a Study Session prior to the Regular Council Meeting on February 13 at 6:00 p.m. for
the purpose of discussing the surface water utility fee rate structure. With all members voting in
favor, the motion carried.
The Council discussed the remainder of the items that were on the Study Session list. The
suggestion was made to only include items on this list where a minimum of three
Councilmembers support discussing the issue.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, and seconded by Councilmember Stein, that
there needs to be at least the support of three Councilmembers in order to include an issue on the
Council's Study Session list. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Councilmember Slavik asked if the Council would like to meet with City departments on an on-
going basis to discuss their departments, their needs and requests, and expectations from the
Council. There was no support by the Council at this time for this suggestion. However,
departments are encouraged to appear before the Council if there is a pressing need or issue that
needs to be discussed.
Councilmember Black stated in the near future there would be significant decisions being made
for Medicine Lake, and she asked if there was any interest to have a joint meeting with the
Environmental Quality Committee (EQC). Public Works Director Moore stated the EQC's sub
committee would be completing their work in May or June and a recommendation would be
made to the EQC which would eventually be given to the Council. Therefore, there could be the
possibility of a presentation later this summer.
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Special Meeting of February 6, 2001
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The Council discussed each item contained on the Study Session list to determine if there were
three Councilmembers who supported each item, and the list was updated accordingly.
The Council requested the Speed Hump Policy and possible speed hump moratorium be
discussed at the February 13 meeting.
Councilmember Johnson stated as a board member on the League of Minnesota Cities, she is
involved with discussions on legislative action that could assist in reducing the use of alcohol
and tobacco by youth. She encouraged Councilmembers to voice their opinions to her.
The City Council moved their meeting to the Medicine Lake Room where they conducted the
quarterly check in with City Manager Johnson. The meeting was adjourned.
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Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk