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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 09-11-2001Adopted Minutes Regular Council Meeting September 11, 2001 A Regular 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 September 11, 2001. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Hewitt, Black, Harstad, Johnson, Slavik, and Stein. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Lieutenant Franz, Acting Transit Administrator Bentley, Fire Chief Kline, Finance Director Hahn, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Public Works Director Faulkner, City Attorney Proehl, and City Clerk Paulson. Plymouth Forum No one was present to address the Council. Presentations and Public Information Announcements 4.1) Presentation of $9,000 Donation from a Plymouth Family Fire Chief Kline and members of the Crime and Fire Prevention Fund (Billie Kaye Goodman, Chuck Scharlau, and Mary and Gordy Ortler) were present to recognize and thank David and Jackie Hogshire and family for a $9,000 donation that was used to purchase a thermal imaging camera for the Fire Department. Captain Evenson showed a video on how the camera is used and its effectiveness. He stated with this donation, the department currently has two cameras. Ideally, the department would like to have three cameras, in order that there could be one for each fire station. 4.2) Presentation of International Association of Fire Chiefs' Fire Service Award for Excellence Fire Chief Kline reported on the Fire Service Award of Excellence which the Fire Department recently received from the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He explained the department is being recognized for its duty crew program. He stated that the Fire Department is one of seven departments throughout the country that have received this type of award this year. Adopted City Council Minutes Regular Meeting of September 11, 2001 Page 2 of 7 Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson and seconded by Councilmember Slavik to approve the agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Consent Agenda Mayor Tierney asked if there were any additions, corrections, or deletions to be made to the Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, and seconded by Councilmember Slavik, to approve the Consent Agenda which included the following items: 6.01) Special Council Meeting minutes of August 21, August 28, August 29, and September 4, and Regular Council Meeting minutes of August 28. 6.02) Resolution Approving Disbursements for the Period ending August 31, 2001 (Res2001- 368). 6.03) Resolution Authorizing Execution of Agreement for Alcohol Compliance Check Reimbursement Funds (Res2001-369). 6.04) Resolution Approving Lot Division and Consolidation for the City of Plymouth for Outlot B, Providence Academy (2001092 — Res2001-370). 6.05) Resolution Approving 2001-2002 Membership Dues in the League of Minnesota Cities Res2001-371). 6.06) Resolution Declaring Adequacy of Petition and Ordering Preparation of Report for Street Lighting in Plum Tree East 7th Addition (Res2001-372), and a Resolution Receiving Report and Ordering Project for Street Lighting in Plum Tree East 7th Addition (Res2001-373). 6.07.1) Resolution Requesting Payment No. 1 and Final 2001 Seal Coat Program (Res2001- 374). 6.07.2) Resolution Requesting Payment No. 1 and Final 2001 Crack Repair Program (Res2001- 375). 6.08) Resolution Authorizing the Utilization of Park Replacement Funds to replace the hockey rink lighting at LaCompte Park (Res2001-376). Adopted City Council Minutes Regular Meeting of September 11, 2001 Page 3 of 7 6.09) Resolution Authorizing Settlement of Employment Claim (Res2001-377). Motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda. Public Hearings 7.1) 2001 Delinquent Water, Sewer, Recycling and Street Lighting Service Charges Finance Director Hahn reported this is a hearing to assess those properties that have failed to pay their 2001 water, sewer, recycling and street lighting service charges. Mayor Tierney opened the public hearing for testimony. Mayor Tierney stated that due to the tragedy that occurred earlier today, if any of these property owners have concerns regarding their assessments, the Council would address them at a future meeting. There being no one wishing to appear before the Council to give testimony, Mayor Tierney declared the public hearing closed. Motion was made by Councilmember Black and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to adopt a Resolution Adopting Assessments for 2001 Delinquent Water, Sewer Recycling and Street Lighting Service Charges (Res2001-378). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. General Business 8.1) Approve New Transit Service and Service Changes Effective September 29, 2001 Acting Transit Administrator Bentley illustrated the proposed changes to the new transit service effective September 29. He explained new transit services and service changes are being proposed to assist in meeting the increased service demand, to serve areas of the City not previously served by transit, and to serve the two new park and ride lots currently under construction at Messiah United Methodist Church (Olive Lane and County Road 6) and Plymouth Covenant Church (Old Rockford Road and Vicksburg Lane). He stated there would be a significant service enhancement for Routes 790, 791, and 792 to add three additional runs in the morning and three additional runs in the afternoon, effectively creating a service frequency of one bus every 15 minutes during peak hours. Adopted City Council Minutes Regular Meeting of September 11, 2001 Page 4 of 7 He stated the proposed new services would provide transit connections to the two new park and ride lots and into neighborhoods, primarily in the western portion of the City, that did not previously have service. Transit service through the new park and ride lot at Messiah United Methodist Church would add another direct service to and from downtown Minneapolis via new Route 776. He stated a new route, Route 775, was originally proposed for Urbandale Lane between County Road 24 and County Road 6 west of County Road 101, but due to negative reaction from residents in the area, this would not occur. In addition, another new route, Route 777, was proposed for 34th Avenue northeast of I-494 between Xenium and Northwest Boulevard. Due to logistical concerns about the hill on 34th Avenue just west of Northwest Boulevard and neighborhood concerns, that route has been changed to continue along Xenium to Northwest Boulevard rather than cutting through on 34th Avenue North. He stated these two changes were in direct response to the concerns of the neighborhoods in those areas. Councilmember Slavik noted that staff has indicated that there is a "reasonable degree of certainty that adequate funding would be available in 2002 to provide ongoing service, including the proposed service enhancements." Acting Transit Administrator Bentley stated the Metropolitan Council staff and the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee have approved the $1 million grant to the City's Metrolink Service to balance 2002 cash flow, but staff is waiting for an official approval by the Metropolitan Council. City staff is hopeful that the Metropolitan Council would be approving the $1 million grant within the next month. Councilmember Harstad noted that there are also reserve funds available. City Manager Johnson acknowledged that there are reserve funds that could cover the system for the first part of 2002; however, if the grant wouldn't be received, the bus routes would need to be altered. Councilmember Harstad stated the new transit approach allows the City to expand transit opportunities into the western part of the City. He spoke of the process to expand walk and ride opportunities into neighborhoods as well as the smaller size of the newer busses that would operate very efficiently within the neighborhoods. He indicated that developing bus routes is a gradual process where public input is necessary. Councilmember Stein stressed that when bus routes are proposed for neighborhoods, the residents need to be included in the discussion. He referred to the previously proposed route to travel through the 34th Avenue area. Councilmember Johnson stated she received many phone calls from residents who were opposed to the route on 34th Avenue. Staff needs to be very careful in maintaining the character of the residential neighborhoods. Adopted City Council Minutes Regular Meeting of September 11, 2001 Page 5 of 7 Councilmember Harstad stated approximately two percent of the City's residents utilize the transit system. He acknowledged that there would be negativity at times from neighborhoods where transit is planned for their neighborhood. However, as the population ages, there is a need for transit service. He is unsure how the transit service would alter the character of the neighborhood when there are larger vehicles that have daily routes through neighborhoods, such as school buses and garbage trucks. Councilmember Slavik requested a brief recap of the informational meeting that was held on September 10 regarding the new transit service and service changes. Acting Transit Administrator Bentley stated there were approximately seven people in attendance. Two of the individuals were in support of Route 775 that would travel through the Urbandale Lane area. One individual was opposed to Route 777 traveling through 34h Avenue North. Two individuals were interested in transit service in the area of County Road 6 and Ferndale, and lastly, two individuals were concerned about service on 38a' and County Road 101, south of Highway 55. He stated staff addressed all of these concerns. Mayor Tierney asked if residents realize that the new buses are smaller. Acting Transit Administrator Bentley replied residents' concerns are usually based on past experiences, and they do not realize that the new buses are approximately 20 feet, which is half the size of a normal bus. He stated the buses are very quiet and clean. He noted that currently, Dial -a -Ride buses frequently travel Urbandale Lane, and the newer buses are of similar size. Councilmember Harstad stated that in the future, it might be necessary to develop a policy that would establish the minimum road width and grades that would be required for the bus routes. Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Hewittto adopt a Resolution Approving New Transit Services and Service Changes Effective September 29 2001 (,Res2001-379). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Councilmember Black requested to suspend the rules to add a discussion on the redistricting committee as item No. 9.1. The majority of the Council requested that this item be placed on the September 25 agenda. 8.2) Adopt 2002 Preliminary Levies and Budget City Manager Johnson reported that the Council is required to set the maximum tax levy by September 15. The Council would be able to reduce the levy but not increase it when the budget is approved on December 18. He discussed the impact of the tax reform legislation on the 2002 budget. Some major items that affected the budget included the elimination of Homestead and Adopted City Council Minutes Regular Meeting of September 11, 2001 Page 6 of 7 Agricultural Credit Aid (HACA), class rate compression, and levy limits. He noted the decrease in the amount of building permit revenue that was budgeted for this year. He stated staff recommends a spending increase of 6.6% in the general fund which is slightly less than the increase in last year's budget and well under the growth plus inflation levy limit formula under State law. Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to adopt a Resolution Adopting the Proposed Property Tax Levies for Taxes Payable in 2002 Res2001-380), and a Resolution Adopting Proposed 2002 Budgets (Res2001-381). Councilmember Hewitt stated the $7,000 which was originally budgeted for the reforestation account would be cut according to the proposed budget. She doesn't believe this measure is necessary. She also stated that in the future, the Council consider an "across the board" increase for the social service agencies. Motion was made by Councilmember Hewitt, and seconded by Mvor Tierney, to amend the main motion to add the $7,000 back into the budget for the reforestation account. Councilmember Slavik requested staff to clarify why this cut would have little or no impact to that account. City Manager Johnson explained there are two major developments that wouldn't be able to meet the City's tree ordinance requirements. Therefore, restitution would be received from those developments and used as an alternative revenue source. Councilmembers Johnson and Black stated that they wouldn't support the motion, as adequate funds would be available. Mayor Tierney stated cutting this item wouldn't "make or break" the budget. It also indicates to residents that the Council is committed to maintain funds in this area. There being no further discussion, the Council voted on the amendment. With all members voting no but Tierney and Hewitt, the motion failed. The Council voted on the main motion and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried. 8.3) Set Special Council Meetings Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, and seconded by Councilmember Black to schedule a Joint Meeting with the City of Maple Grove on October 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Adopted City Council Minutes Regular Meeting of September 11, 2001 Page 7 of 7 Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, and seconded by Councilmember Black to schedule a Study Session for the purpose of interviewing youth applicants for the Youth Advisory Council and the Human Rights Commission on September 25 at 5.30 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Motion made by Councilmember Stein, and seconded by Councilmember Slavik to schedule the City Manager's annual evaluation on October 9 at 530 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Mayor Tierney requested that the Council submit their evaluations to the City Manager by October 1. Reports and Recommendations There were no Reports and Recommendations. Adiournment Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk