HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-20-2001 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
November 20, 2001
A Regular Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:05 p.m
in the Council Chambers of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on November 20, 2001.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Slavik, Johnson, Black, Harstad, and
Hewitt.
ABSENT: Councilmember Stein.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant City Manager Ahrens, Police Chief Gerdes, Fire
Chief Kline, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Finance Director Hahn, Community Development
Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Faulkner, City Engineer Quanbeck, and Deputy City Clerk
Hoffman.
Discuss 2001-2006 Capital Improvements Program (CIP)
City Manager Johnson reported that some updates and changes have been made since the August 28
Study Session on the CIP which include the following:
1. The cost of Plymouth Boulevard improvements has been updated for 2001.
2. The proposed Peony Lane improvements have been moved to 2002.
3. Funding for "Art in the Park" has been reduced and only included in two years of the program.
4. Costs for a ground water storage tank are included in the year 2002.
5. The 2001 expenditures for the Hilde Performance Center have been updated.
6. The proposed traffic signal at the intersection of County Road 9 and Old Rockford Road has been
moved from 2002 to 2003, as the City could qualify for partial funding from the County.
7. Figures for Open Space Acquisition in 2001 have been adjusted to reflect amounts expended in
2001.
City Manager Johnson reported that safety improvements for the railroad crossings at Pineview,
Larch, Zachary and Vicksburg Lanes could be funded by the Community Improvement Fund.
Therefore, no State aid funds would be required.
He reported that staff continues to discuss maintenance of private ponds, and the possibility of
funding those projects from the maintenance budget rather than the Capital Improvements Program.
City Manager Johnson stated there has been some informal discussion on improvements to Vicksburg
Lane north of Schmidt Lake Road. He explained this improvement would require a substantial
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Special Meeting of November 20, 2001
Page 2 of 6
amount of State Aid funding. He recommended not including this project in the CIP to determine if
there could be funds available in 2004 after some larger City projects have been completed.
Councilmember Harstad commented that he wouldn't support any bonding projects due to the State's
current financial conditions.
City Manager Johnson noted that the only proposed bonding project is in the year 2002. However
this would involve the water improvement fund, not the CII'. The water improvement fund wouldn't
be affected by the State's financial condition.
Councilmember Hewitt asked how soon staff would be proposing a water system agreement with the
City of Maple Grove. City Manager Johnson replied within six months.
Street Projects
Councilmember Slavik asked if the 2002 improvements scheduled for County Road 24 would
include a trail. Public Works Director Faulkner replied that the existing trial would be extended on
one side of the street.
Mayor Tierney asked if some of the mill and overlay projects with wider roadways could be delayed
until those streets are narrowed. Public Works Director Faulkner replied that mill and overlay
projects are funded from different sources than those dedicated to road narrowing or widening.
Mayor Tierney questioned the need to extend the life of a roadway that is proposed to be narrowed.
Councilmember Harstad stated he would like to know the criteria the staff utilizes to rate the
roadways for improvements.
City Manager Johnson stated staff would prefer, when possible, to extend the usage life of streets
with mill and overlay rather than full reconstruction. He noted that a large number of the mill overlay
projects were given low priority due to the length of time for the projects.
Councilmember Johnson asked if there would be opportunities to construct any ponds in order to
reduce impervious surfaces and runoff for the West Medicine Lake Drive project. Public Works
Director Faulkner replied there are limited opportunities in older areas such as Medicine Lake Drive.
City Engineer Quanbeck added that the West Medicine Lake Drive area has no storm sewer run off
locations, which could make it very difficult to develop ponds.
Councilmembcr Black asked if the runoff from West Medicine Lake Road could be specifically
directed to areas rather than into Medicine Lake. City Engineer Quanbeck replied it would depend on
the width of the land adjacent to the street, and some areas are too steep.
Councilmember Slavik asked what are the funding sources for the Plymouth Boulevard entrance sign
project. Community Development Director Hurlburt responded that staff is reviewing the possibility
of outside funding, such as the local businesses along the street.
Councilmember Black requested an update on improvement plans for the intersection of County
Road 10 and Nathan Lane. Public Works Director Faulkner replied the preliminary plans would be to
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Special Meeting of November 20, 2001
Page 3 of 6
place turn lanes on County Road 10 for a southbound left turn lane near the SuperAmerica, as well as
mast arms to be placed on signals.
Water and Sewer
Councilmember Harstad requested that the upgrade and the expansion of the Zachary Treatment
Plant be considered as two separate line items, unless it would be less expensive to complete the
projects at the same time. He would prefer the expansion be completed in 2002 and the upgrade
completed in 2003.
Councilmember Black asked about plans for the two proposed water towers. City Engineer
Quanbeck responded that the second water tower proposed for Cheshire Lane is not included in the
2001-2006 CIP. However, the first water tower would be included with the ground water storage
tank.
Councilmember Johnson asked how much land would be needed for the ground water storage tank.
Public Works Director Faulkner replied that five acres have been reserved; however, a portion of that
could be utilized as parkland or a playfield as well.
Water Quality
Councilmember Slavik asked if the water quality projects proposed for 2003-2006 included unnamed
lakes. City Engineer Quanbeck replied that these projects would be a continuation of the Medicine
Lake Water Improvement Plan.
City Manager Johnson suggested that a follow-up meeting be conducted with the Association of
Medicine Lake Area Citizens (AMLAC) to inform them of the funding plans for Medicine lake and
Plymouth Creek.
Councilmember Black stated that the AMLAC group feels the City is not addressing phosphorus
issues in Plymouth Creek. She explained members want to know how water quality ponds for
Plymouth Creek will be funded once the ponds are sited.
Councilmember Harstad commented that there are ample water resources fund surpluses to request
additional funding for improvements to Medicine Lake if necessary.
Councilmember Johnson asked if developments would continue to be responsible for maintaining
their water quality ponds. City Manager Johnson stated staff estimates that cleaning costs for all the
ponds could be approximately $3 million. Therefore, staff is suggesting to not taking any action at
this time in order to see the amount of revenue that would be received through the storm water utility
charge.
Councilmember Harstad suggested that the City be responsible for this task before the funding
problem would become an issue. City Manager Johnson responded that such a project would need a
steady source of funding over an indefinite period of time.
Councilmember Harstad proposed an allocation of $1.8 million dollars for the maintenance of water
quality ponds. He said this cost was not considered when the surface water utility fee was developed.
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Special Meeting of November 20, 2001
Page 4 of 6
Councilmember Johnson stated she wouldn't support the motion until all issues involving the
cleaning of these ponds have been resolved.
City Manager Johnson indicated that it would be difficult to create a special assessment for pond
cleaning. He said there have been discussions to approach the cleaning as a work force issue. He
suggested the City might hire employees to clean the ponds in the summer, and those employees
could then be utilized for snow plowing. He added that Councilmember Stein is interested in the
City performing leaf pickup services, and these employees could also do this work.
City Manager Johnson suggested that pond maintenance be discussed again during next year's
budget process.
Motion was made by Councilmember Harstad, seconded by Councilmember Black, to study how
fund the maintenance of water quality ponds. There being no further
voting in favor, the motion carried.
Councilmember Harstad, seconded by Mayor Tierney, to add $500,000 to the
entation of the water ouality improvement elan.
City Manager Johnson stated that the surface water utility fee would balance out any additional
expenses. Therefore, the water quality improvement plan shouldn't affect the CIP funds.
Councilmember Harstad commented that the additional $500,000 could assist in prioritizing
watershed improvement plans.
Councilmember Black stated AMLAC would prefer additional funding sooner than the year 2006.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting against the motion but Harstad, the
motion failed.
Park Projects
Councilmember Johnson noted that youth in the community are looking for a bike park. She asked
what would be required to start discussions for enlarging or adding sites for such a venue. Park
Director Blank stated staff would be consulting with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust
to determine whether a bike park could be located at a hockey rink site during off—peak seasons. He
added another option could be a bike park at the northwest comer of Plymouth at Eagan Park on
County Road 47. He stated the State Park Task Force would conduct further discussions in March or
April regarding this concept.
Park Director Blank reported that staff plans to contact the manufacturer of the soccer dome at the
Plymouth Creek Center for specifications on domed indoor tennis courts at Parkers Lake. He
explained that during winter months, the covered courts would become pay courts. He stated a study
would be performed to determine if the project would be feasible, and he expects a proposal would
be prepared within one year.
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Special Meeting of November 20, 2001
Page 5 of 6
Councilmember Johnson stated she would rather support funding for projects such as a bike park
rather than purchasing art for public spaces. She said she would support the use of funds for the
purchase of land for more active recreational use.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, seconded by Councilmember Johnson to remove
tears 2002 and 2004.
Councilmember Johnson suggested allocating those funds for the Hilde Performance Center,
Millennium Garden, or open space acquisition.
Councilmember Slavik suggested that there be greater emphasis for the development of the
Northwest Greenway. She stated regarding Art in the Park, it is very vague, and she would be more
inclined to support a budget for a specific project and/or sculpture.
Park Director Blank stated staff has been considering a sculpture at the Ice Center which would part
of the site's architecture. However, staff would allocate the funds wherever the Council desires. He
said staff has another location in mind for a skate park.
Councilmember Black asked if the Ice Center generates revenues that could support the acquisition
of a sculpture. Park Director Blank replied the City recently had to upgrade the air exchange and
dehumidifier system at the Ice Center that affected the reserve funds.
There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor but Hewitt, the motion
carried.
Mayor Tierney asked if horse -riding areas could be constructed in Northwest Plymouth and whether
this could be included in the CIP. Park Director Blank replied that the Northwest Greenway would be
designed to accommodate horse riding, but there are no other resources at the current. He also noted
that the City prohibits horse riding except on dedicated bridal paths.
Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember
from the vear 2005.
Councilmember Johnson asked if the spray park concept should be studied further. She expressed
concern about the requirements for trail and open space projects. She asked if there would be
sufficient funds available for the purchase of land. Park Director Blank replied that dedicating funds
for land purchase versus park development is a balancing act. He stated funds are included in every
year's budget for trails or land acquisition, and in some years, funds for land acquisition could be
short. City Manager Johnson added that when compiling the CIT, staff studies not only geographic
interests but also a variety of needs for the City.
Councilmember Black expressed concern about the spray park because of open space purchase needs
but also for environmental issues. She stated the Audobon Society is interested in creation of parks in
established urban areas. She suggested that this money could possibly be matched up with grants, and
she would like to see staff begin to look at those sorts of funding opportunities.
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Special Meeting of November 20, 2001
Page 6 of 6
Councilmember Slavik asked whether Lifetime Fitness would consider developing a spray park. Park
Director Blank replied that if Lifetime constructed a spray park, it would need to be a paid facility,
which could reduce the accessibility by all Plymouth residents
There being no further discussion and with Black, Johnson, and Slavik voting yes, and Harstad,
Hewitt, and Tierney voting no, the motion failed.
was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Hewitt. to
of the 2002-2006 Capital Improvements Program on the January 8, 2002 Regular Council Meeting
agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Future Study Sessions
Councilmembers discussed whether there is a need to distribute to the residents information
regarding the City's Emergency Management Program. Police Chief Gerdes stated he believes
appearances before groups would be more effective than distributing materials.
City Manager Johnson suggested the Council discuss the request to sell pull -tabs (lawful gambling)
at a restaurant be included on a future Study Session.
Community Development Director Hurlburt requested to discuss at a future Study Session what the
Council wishes to discuss at a future meeting with representatives of Metropolitan Interfaith Council
on Affordable Housing.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavil
Study Session on January 15 at 7:00 p.m. to
nickun for annual waste collection day. Wit]
Adjournment
to conduct a
iit, and curbside
present voting in favor, the motion carried.
Mayor Tierney declared the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
J
V
urt Hoffman, Deputy City Clerk