HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 08-02-1985CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
August 2, 1985
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS.....
1. HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY -- Monday, August 5. The Plymouth
Housing and Redevelopment Authority will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the
City Council Chambers. Agenda attached. (M-1)
2. NEXT COUNCIL MEETING -- The Council will meet on Monday, August 12
for its next special Council meeting.
3 PLYMOUTH DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL -- Wednesday, August 7. The Plymouth
Development Council will meet at 7:30 a.m. in the City Council
Conference Room. A copy of the meeting notice is attached. (M-3)
4. FIRE DEPARTMENT - 25TH ANNIVERSARY -- Saturday, August 10. Open
Houses at Fire Stations 1 and 2 will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00
p.m. with formal ceremonies scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Fire Station
2.
5. PUBLIC MEETING: PARKERS LAKE - COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN - -•The
first public meeting to gather input from area residents wir–th regard
to the Parkers Lake master plan is scheduled for Thursday, August
15, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The Park and
Te—creation Advisory Commission members, the consultant, and City
staff will all be involved in hosting this meeting.
Letters to residents living south of Highway 55, general news
releases through the newspaper and cable tv will be used to
publicize the meeting. Individuals who have attended town meetings
or otherwise expressed interest in the development of the Parkers
Lake plan will receive a special letter informing them of the meet-
ing and inviting them to participate.
6. REVISED AUGUST CALENDAR -- A revised August calendar is attached
reflecting the addition of the August 26 Council/staff dinner
meeting at 6:00 p.m. (M-6)
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800
C11Y COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
August 2, 1985
Page 2
FOR YOUR INFORMATION....
1. TENNANT COMPANY DEVELOPMENT PLANS -- We have neither received
written confirmation of ennant ompany's plans nor have I been able
to contact Mr. Robert Langford, Vice President and General Counsel,
to obtain a status report on this question. I hope to be able to
contact Mr. Langford during the week of August 5 in order that a
status report can be provided to the Council in the August 12
memorandum.
2. STATUS OF PROPOSED PLYMOUTH PARKVIEW ADDITION BY JOHN KAROS -- Sohn
Karos has verbally advised us that the Church -has decided not to
proceed further in a proposed site located adjacent to his proposed
plat. This will have the effect of terminating further discussions
on the plat. Mr. Karos has advised us that he will confirm
withdrawal of the petition in writing.
3. DOWNTOWN PLYMOUTH STUDY BY DAMES B. McCOMB & ASSOCIATES -- Mr.
McComb advises that approximately one-half of the field work for the
Downtown Plymouth study has been completed. To date they have
concentrated on determining marketing issues including updating
their data base on office, shopping center and retail developments
within the general vicinity which would compete with any Downtown
Plymouth development. The final results of the field work are to
develop a profile or inventory of current developments which would
influence the proposed development of Downtown Plymouth. With this
data, trends can be identified to more accurately predict long term
demands for various types of development in the areas competing with
Downtown Plymouth. Based upon the original proposal, the completion
of Phase I would occur in the last week of August. Mr. McComb has
advised that they are approximately two weeks behind schedule and
would expect that the Phase I report would be completed by September
16.
4. LETTER TO EDITOR IN PLYMOUTH POST FROM GEORGE WILSON -- Attached is
a letter to the editor which was published in the August 1, 1985
Plymouth Post. My discussions with Eric Blank and Dick Carlquist
have revealed that individuals controlling entry into the City
Center parking lot were instructed by Eric and dim Olson on two
occasions to allow any one to drop off individuals in the City
Center turnaround area and to allow bona fide handicapped
individuals to use the City's designated handicapped parking spaces
in accordance with State law. In addition, a handicapped accessible
Plymouth Metrolink minicoach shuttled passengers from their vehicles
to the parking lot and vice versa, both before and after the Music
in Plymouth event. Attached is a copy of a letter to Wes Clemens,
President of the Plymouth Civic League conveying Mr. Wilson's letter
to the editor.
I -11T LUUMAL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
August 2, 1985
Page 3
5. MUNICIPAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION -- Councilmember Schneider inquired
as to the date by which the Council has to make a decision to
continue its membership in the MLC. The bylaws of the organization
provide in Article 11.3 as follows: "A proposed budget shall be
formulated by the Board and submitted to the parties on or before
August 1 of each calendar year. Such budget shall be deemed
approved by a party unless prior to September 15 of the year
involved the party gives notice in writing to the Board that it is
withdrawing from the Commission. Final action adopting the budget
for the ensuing calendar year shall be taken by the Board on or
before November 1 of each year." A copy of the 1986 proposed
revenue budget is attached. This budget was adopted by the Board at
the recent MLC meeting subject to a reduction in the per capita
amount from 35¢ to 30¢. (I-5)
6. COUNCIL FOLLOW UPS:
a. dames Olsen Storm Sewer, 1506 Weston Lane -- As reported
previously to the Council, the City completed its work on duly 2
with regard to the installation of the storm sewer adjacent to
the dames Olsen property at 1506 Weston Lane. Attached is a
copy of a letter we received from ferry Benito, a student
attorney working for Mr. Olsen, indicating that this matter is
now closed. (I -6a)
b. Highway 101 Wall -- Letters were sent this week to the five
property owners adjacent to the Highway 101 wall requesting
their authorization to plant and maintain ivy on their property
at the top of the wall. A copy of one of the letters sent is
attached. (I -6b)
c. Mayor's Memo on Recognizing Public Safety Department --
Attached is a memo from Eric Blank responding to the Mayor's
suggestion for a park memorializing the contributions of the
Police and Fire Departments. (I -6c)
d. Radar Surveillance - 18th Avenue -- At the duly 1 meeting, the
Council directed the Public afety Department to perform radar
surveillance of 18th Avenue between West Medicine Lake Drive and
State Highway 55 and be apprised of its outcome. The Police
Department subsequently conducted radar surveillance on 18th
Avenue on three different occasions during the week of duly 15.
During these three days, a total of 154 vehicles were clocked.
Of these, 123 vehicles (80%) were travelling at 30 mph or less,
28 (18%) were travelling between 31 and 35 mph, and 2 (1%) were
travelling between 36 and 40 mph. One vehicle was exceeding 40
mph and was subsequently tagged. In the absence of further
Council direction, we will apprise Mssrs. Nelson, Marshall and
Lee of the results and that the survey does not establish a
basis for the installation of stop signs on 18th Avenue. There
are already stop signs installed on Forestview. (I -6d)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
August 2, 1985
Page 4
7. MINUTES -- The following minutes are attached:
a. Planning Commission, July 24, 1985 (I-7)
8. "WASTELINE" -- The Metropolitan Council's monthly publication
aste ine" is attached for your review. (I-8)
9. SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY - 1986 ASSESSMENT -- At its July 17 meeting
the SRA Board approved its 1986 budget which included an assessment
to the membership. Plymouth's total assessment for 1986 is $1,400.
This amount is down from the 1985 assessment of $2,576.70. A letter
from SRA Chairman Graydon Boeck and a copy of the 1986 budget is
attached. (I-9)
10. MUNICIPAL INSURANCE COSTS -- Attached is an article taken from a
recent issue of "City & State" magazine on the tremendously high
premium costs cities are experiencing for liability coverage,
especially for police and public officials. (I-10)
11. MAYOR'S CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Letter to E. C. L'Herault, Publisher of Plymouth Post, with
regard to the July 25 front page article featuring Jeff Howard
and his cougar kittens. (I -11a)
b. Letter to Charles Nye, 18225 - 24th Avenue No., responding to
Mr. Nye's complaint concerning the City's on street parking
ordinance. (I -11b)
c. Letter responding to Gloria Strandberg, 16610 - 26th Avenue No.,
with regard to the July 15 Dunkirk Lane assessment hearing.
(I -11c)
d. Letter to Cathy Groetsch, 620 Sycamore Lane, in response to her
July 18 letter concerning the results of the police radar
surveillance completed for Sycamore Lane. (I -11d)
12. CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Letter of appreciation to Sara McConn from Thomas Sopoci,
Project Manager, Ritter Suppes Plautz Architects, for her
efforts with the site plan and variance approval for the Vantage
Companies Plymouth Technical Center. (I -12a)
b. Milt Dale found the attached noted written on a closet wall in a
house located in Minnetonka. The house is scheduled to be moved
to a HRA site in the Glacier Meadows area. The writer is a 15
year-old girl who had lived in the house for the past 7 years.
(I -12b)
Frank Boyles
Assistant City Manager
A G E N D A
PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Regular Meeting
August 5, 1985
6:30 P.M.
I. Roll Call
II. Approval of Minutes for dune 3, 1985 Meeting
III. Housing Conditions Survey
IV. Proposals from Prospective Developers of Senior Citizen Site
V. Scattered Site Home Ownership Program Update
VI. Section 8 Program Update
VII. Other Business
VIII. Adjournment
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800
MEMO
DATE: duly 26, 1985
TO: Plymouth Development Council Members
FROM: Bob Burger, President
SUBJECT MEETING NOTICE
The next meeting of the Plymouth Development Council will be held on
Wednesday morning, August 7 at 7:30 a.m, in the Plymouth City Center
Council Conference Room. This is a change from the August 14 date we
had tentatively agreed to. The following items are scheduled for
discussion, however, you may wish to bring up other items as well:
1. Discussion of Plymouth's 1986-1990 Capital Improvement Program
2. Recommendations to Expedite Permit Process
3. Other Business
I look forward to seeing you at the August 7 meeting.
cc: dames G. Willis, City Manager
Blair Tremere, Director of Planning & Community Development
Fred Moore, Public Works Director
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Handicapped ignored
To the Editor:
Your paper last week sure did print a lot of pictures
on the Music in Plymouth event. Many people did en-
joy the good time.
You should have had your reporter and photo-
grapher down on Plymouth Boulevard in front of the
city hall. That's where the story was!
YOU SEE THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE who
arrived for the event that night who were turned away
by the Plvmouth Police. They went home without see-
ing the fireworks or hearing the music. Why you ask?
They were Handicapped. They were denied access to
even the four handicapped parking spaces in the city
parking lot.
In past years the few cars with handicapped citi-
zens that came to the event were allowed to park in
the city hall lot. But this year the entire lot was set
aside for political cronies, city political persons, and
the guests of the city.
The handicapped were not included,and the city
failed to provide any alternative either. We were told
to park up the street, a half mile walk away. It seems
to me the political cronies could have parked at the
public works building and have been bused over.
I have given money each year to the Plymouth
Civic League, an have been glad to do so. But now
that I know that they DISCRIMINATE they have got
their last dollar from me.
I DON'T KNOW WHO IN THE Civic League or the
Plymouth city staff made the decision to
discriminate. I think that decision was a very poor
one. But whoever it was they should now make a very
good decision and submit then' letter or resignation to
the proper people. George F. Wilson
PLYMOUTH
August 2, 1985
OTYOr
PLYMOUTR
Mr. Wes Clemens
Northwestern Bell Telephone
9700 - 49th Avenue No.
Plymouth, MN 55442
Dear Mr. Clemens:
Pat Neils has asked that I forward the attached editorial to you as
President of the Plymouth Civic League. I have done some preliminary
research on the letter and suggest that you call me at 559-2800 to further
discuss this matter.
Yours very truly,,
Frank Boyles
Assistant City Manager
FB:Jm
attach
1400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447 TELEPHONE 6121 559-280C
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1986 PROPOSAL
1986 Revenue
35¢/capita x 4/1/85
census
Maximum $14,000
Maplewood
$ 9,908.50
s, a q 3
Burnsville
14,000.00
1z
, -
Shoreview
7,399.00
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Woodbury
4,732.00
4
Roseville
12, 344.50
s s
White Bear Lake
7,938.00
c 4
Plymouth
13,629.00
Minnetonka
14,000.00
Eagan
10, 538.50
9•
' a 3
Maple Grove
9,726.50
3
Eden Prairie
8,417.50
-7
2-
Edina
14,000.00
Brooklyn Park
14,000.00
Z•
Bloomington
14,000.00
2.�>
Mounds View
4,487.00
Blaine
11,844.00
$170,964.50
465
41
Budget Authority
1-1, 3•'�
Article 11.3 - Budget formulated by August 1st. Reviewed by members until
September 15th. Adopted by MLC Board by November 1st.
Action Request:
1. Adopt 1986 Fee schedule based on existing fee structure of
35Q/capita x 4/1/85 Metro Council population.
2. New President appoint committee of 3 members, one to include
the new secretary/treasurer to meet with consultants and negotiate
contracts for 1986 session (January - June) and interim (July -
December).
3. Committees formulate expenditure budget based on consultant
contracts and proposed fee.
4. MLC adopts expenditure budget prior to November 1st.
o • 3 o CA ;'2 11 2, o
[i
1985 Revenue
1986 MUNICIPAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION BUDGET
35e/capita x 4/1/84 census
Maximum $14,000
1985 Adopted Budget
PROPOSAL
Larkin, Hoffman, Daly & Lindgren $ 95,000
Christopher Miller & Company 22,500
Media Services, Inc. 6,000
Legislative Contacts 18,600
Contingency 19,540
$161,640
Expenditures (as of 7/23/85) $ 58,890.60
Payables 27,305.12
$ 86,195.72
Interim Expenses (thru 12/31/85)
Larkin, Hoffman, Daly R Lindgren $ 24,000
Christopher Miller & Company 6,800
Media Services, Inc. 3,500
$ 34,300
Z—'E�
$161,640
$161,640
TOTAL 1985 Projected Expenses 5120,495.72
Balance 41,144.28
Note: Balance will be reduced based on Legislative contacts and meeting
expenses during interim session and audit expenses.
C
UNIVERSITY CIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
TY%A ITIt`
July 29, 1985
Dan Campbell
City Engineer
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
RE: Jim Olsen Property -
Dear Mr. Campbell:
ecal A :: C:inic
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„a 19'r Al enue 5-_),,'h
..ieac; s Minresota 55-155
3 -09800
___1-^ k-0 0., .
With the substantial rain of Jule 24, 1985, the work
performed by the City of Plymouth proved to be suc-
cessfully completed. Mr. Olsen has indicated to me
that the water drained as desired. Consequently,
we consider the matter closed except for the cleaning
of the storm sewer pipe under t,.eston Lane which you
indicated would be done in your letter of July 2, 1985.
Thank you very much for your time and cooperation in
getting this matter closed.
Sincerely,
Jerry Benito
Student Attorney
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July 26, 1985
Dickson Lewis
Hawthorne Ponds Homeowners
17620 - 6th Avenue No.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Lewis:
ITY O'
DIUAssociartw OUTR
Lo b.
At their July 1 meeting the City Council discussed alternatives associated
with minimizing graffiti on the Highway 101 wall. I am attaching for your
information a copy of a memorandum which summarizes the alternatives and
costs involved.
After some discussion, the Council concluded that the most appropriate
action would be to request homeowner authorization to plant ivy on private
property Just above the wall and train it down the wall to provide the
necessary coverage to minimize graffiti. The Council has concluded that
this effort could be initiated for those homeowners who desire it, whereas
no action will be taken for those who oppose such action. We will make
every effort to maintain and train the ivy to minimize it from becoming a
nuisance to you. Our objective is to have the ivy grow onto the wall and
not onto your lawn.
If you approve of the proposal to plant ivy on your private property at the
top of the wall, please sign your name below and return one copy of this
letter to me not later than August 15, 1985. Your agreement simply
documents that the City may plant and maintain ivy on your private property
adjacent to the wall. For those homeowners who do not desire this alterna-
tive, the Council has agreed that no further steps should be taken with
respect to this matter.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Yours vertrul
Ij
Frank Boyles
Assistant City Manager
I hereby authorize the City to plant and maintain ivy on my property
within two feet of the Highway 101 retaining wall.
Homeowner Signature Date
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447. TELEPHONE (612) 559.2800
L0 C
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800
MEMO
DATE: July 17, 1985
TO: Jim Willis
FROM: David Davenport
SUBJECT Plymouth Public Safety Department
Jim, I have been considering for some time what steps
the City might take to permanently recognize the contri-
bution of our Police and Fire Departments to the City.
The Fire Department is celebrating its 25th anniversary
this summer and that has further provoked my thinking.
I would like you, Eric and PRAC to give some thought
to dedicating an organized play area in one of the
City's current or future community playfields (perhaps
Parkers Lake) for a memorial to our Police and Fire
Departments. Recently on a trip to Pittsburgh, I viewed
a park where there were play facilities consisting of
an old fire truck and other obsolete items of equipment
that had been painted and permanently installed as a
playground attraction. Such a display would have a
utility and needn't be very elaborate but it would serve
to remind people utilizing that playfield from time to
time of the contributions our Police and Fire Department
employees make to the safety and security of the City.
Discuss it with Eric, and it would be nice if Eric and
Betty, as well as the City Council, showed an interest
in doing such a thing to make an announcement of it in
conjunction with the 25th anniversary. If such an
announcement were made, all I would foresee it containing
would be a reference to the City's desire in a future or
existing playfield to incorporate some memorial through
playfield equipment or otherwise to our Public Safety
Department.
Let me know the reactions to my request.
DJD: cap
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447
TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800
MEMO
DATE: July 26, 1985
="- U c— .
TO: James G. Willis, City Manager
FROM: Eric Blank, Director of Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT Mayor Davenport's Suggestion for a Park Memorializing the Contributions
of our Police and Fire Departments
In response to Mayor Davenport's suggestion, I believe there may very
well be a location within our park system for an appropriately designed
facility recognizing the importance of both the police and fire
departments. Possible locations for this type of facility could be
Parkers Lake, West Medicine Lake or Plymouth Creek city parks. There
are items already manufactured that can be purchased from a catalog,
e.g., fire trucks as playground equipment, etc., that could be
considered for this type of recognition. I would be happy to meet
with you and the Mayor to discuss this subject further at your
convenience.
/np
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BLVD., PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441
TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800
MEMO
DATE: July 22, 1985
TO: Richard J. Carlqui st, Director of Public Safety
FROM: Mel Solberg, Lieutenant
SUBJECT: Radar Survey
Per your request, three radar assignments were made on 18th Avenue
North between West Medicine Lake Drive and State Highway 55.
The numbers of vehicles, date and times were:
# of vehicles
31 mph
36 mph
41 mph
30 mph or below
35 mph
40 mph
or more Total
July 15, 0700 - 0900 19
9
2
1* 31
July 17, 1600 - 1800 46
16
0
0 62
July 19, 1200 - 1400 58
3
0
0 61
Total 123
28
2
1 154
*One vehicle was cited for speed.
cc: J.G. Willis
Traffic Grid
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
JULY 24, 1985
The regular Meeting of the Plymouth Planning Commission was
called to order at 7:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chairman Pauba, Commissioners
Stulberg, Magnus, Plufka, Mellen and
Wire
Chairman Steigerwald arrived at 8:15
p.m.
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Coordinator
Sara McConn
City Engineer Sherm Goldberg
Community Development Director
Blair Tremere
Associate Planner Al Cottingham
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Plufka, seconded by Commissioner CONSENT AGENDA
Mellen to adopt the consent agenda. Six ayes. MOTION
carried.
MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Plufka, seconded by Commissioner *MINUTES - JULY 9,
Mellen to recommended approval of the July 9, 1985 minutes. 1985
Five.ayes, Commissioner Wire abstained. MOTION carried.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Vice Chairman Pauba introduced the first public hearing item BURGER KING CORP.
and Mr. Kent Coulson representing the petitioner, who stated CUP AMEND
the staff report accurately represented their peitition. (85064)
Vice Chairman Pauba opened the public hearing. No one was
present to speak on this item and thus the public hearing
was closed.
Motion by Commissioner Wire, seconded by Commissioner Plufka
to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit
Amendment for Jerry Sisk, Burger King, subject to the
conditions stated in the July 9 staff report.
Roll Call VOTE. 6 ayes. MOTION carried.
Vice Chairman Pauba introduced the public hearing and asked
the Commissioners if they had any questions of staff.
Commissioner Wire requested staff inform the Planning
Commission when changes were authorized to approved
Conditional Use Permits. Staff responded in the
affirmative.
mr.-flE
MOTION TO APPROVE
MOTION CARRIED
REVISED DRAFT
ORDINANC.'E AMENDMENT
Page 167
Planning Commission Minutes
July 24, 1985
Vice Chairman Pauba opened the public hearing. No one was
present to speak on this item and thus the public hearing
was closed.
MOTION was made by Commissioner Stulberg, seconded by NOTION TO APPROVE
Commissioner Magnus to approve the draft ordinance amendment
regarding administrative approval for minor changes to
approved conditional uses.
Roll Call VOTE. 6 ayes. MOTION carried. VOTE - NOTION CARRIED
Vice Chairman Pauba introduced the public hearing and waived REVISIONS TO CITY'S
review of the staff report. Mr. Bob Burger, President of COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
the Plymouth Development, was recognized and stated he
concurred with the Goals, Objectives and Criteria.
Vice Chairman Pauba opened and closed the public hearing.
Vice Chairman Pauba brought to the Commission's attention a
letter by Mr. Paul S. Volstad which stated his concerns
regarding limitations to the amount of tax exempt land that
the City can support and regarding human development in
that the City should encourage development of facilities for
spiritual growth.
Commissioner Plufka stated that he had a concern with the
second portion of Mr. Volstad's letter in that it would be
crossing church and state boundaries. He did agree with
Mr. Volstad's statement regarding limiting the amount of tax
exempt land.
Staff clarified that tax exempt land would not just be for
churches but also for parks, schools and any City owned
land. Staff does not feel that the City would deny a site
plan solely on the tax exempt issues. Staff discussed the
situation of a church being located on commercially zoned
land as compared to locating on residentially zoned land.
Commissioner Wire thought that the wording could be changed
to "City owned tax exempt land" or "review or monitor the
amount of tax exempt land" rather than "limit the amount of
tax exempt land."
Commissioner Magnus felt that the word "limit" was a good
choice and that if a limit is reached, the City should
consider the financial impact.
Page 168
Planning Commission Minutes
July 24, 1985
Bob Burger representing the Plymouth Development Council
felt the City could separate "public" versus "private" tax
exempt land. Staff pointed out that the wording could be
changed to "strive to limit the amount of public tax exempt
land and to monitor the amount of private tax exempt land"
rather than "limit the amount of tax exempt land."
Commissioner Wire feels that the word "limit" is a very
strong word and should be removed.
Commissioner Mellen felt that the wording of "monitoring the
amount of tax exempt land" does not allow for the City to
restrict the development of tax exempt land, if a maximum
level is reached.
MOTION was made by Commissioner Plufka, seconded by MOTION TO AMEND
Commissioner Wire, to amend the wording from "limiting the
amount of tax exempt land" to "maintain the amount of
publicly held tax exempt land at a reasonable level
commensurate with City needs, and, monitor the amount of tax
exempt land held by other for periodic evaluation."
Roll Call VOTE. 6 ayes. MOTION carried. VOTE - MOTION CARRIED
Motion by Commissioner Magnus, seconded by Commissioner MOTION TO APPROVE
Wire, to approve the Goals, Objectives and Criteria element
of the Comprehensive Plan as amended.
Roll Call VOTE. 6 ayes. MOTION carried. VOTE - MOTION CARRIED
NEW BUSINESS
Vice Chairman Pauba introduced the request by Opus
Corporation for a Lot Consolidation, Site Plan and
Variance. Reading of the duly 11, 1985 staff report was
waived.
Vice Chairman Pauba introduced Mr. Bob Worthington of Opus
Corporation.
Mr. Worthington reviewed the location of the site, history
of the land and their current proposal. He referenced that
this would be a high-tech building and distributed marketing
information on the Westfield, Opus II development, which
would be similar to the proposed buildings. He reviewed why
they requested two building on one site, stating that it was
mainly for marking purposes for the smaller companies who
did not want to share offices in a larger building with
OPUS CORPORATION
LOT CONSOLIDATION,
SITE PLAN AND
VARIANCE
(85051)
Page 169
Planning Commission Minutes
July 24, 1995
larger companies. He stated that the Zoning Ordinance
requires this be a variance, but variances don't consider
marketing aspects. He concurred with staff's approach of
the Phase I approval, then with Phase II a lot division
could be requested. He requested approval for the concept
as shown with two buildings. He stated that they were
excited about the project and the building would have a good
view from Highway 55, this would finish the Circle Star
Business Center industrial development.
MOTION by Commissioner Wire, seconded by Commisioner Magnus
to approve the Lot Consolidation, Site Plan for Opus
Corporation subject to the conditions in the staff report
dated July 11, 1985 with the addition to item 415 stating
that "any subsequent phases or expansions are subject to
required reviews and approvals per Ordinance provisions, and
consistent with the master planning for the second
building."
Commissioner Stulberg inquired if item 414, whether the
signage program needed to be reviewed by the Planning
Commission and City Council if it met Ordinance standards.
Bob Worthington stated that they are looking at a new
concept in signage and are requesting to come back and show
it to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Roll Call VOTE. 6 ayes. MOTION carried.
Vice Chairman Pauba introduced the request by Nathan Lane
Associates for a Lot Consolidation, Site Plan and Variance.
Reading of the July 10, 1985 staff report was waived. Vice
Chairman Pauba introduced Mr. Ron Ryan and Mr. Marshall
Siegel who stated that Mitner-Wiseman Company occupies
approximately 90 percent of the building and would occupy
the same percentage of the new building. They have been
located in Plymouth for ten years. He feels that their
company has been a clean operation and noted they employ
approximately 100 people. Mr. Ron Ryan spoke to the two
parts of the review, the parking setback Variance to Nathan
Lane and the Variance to have the bituminous located around
the structure. He stated that they would rather have
bituminous at the building than have a rock mulch, curb or
sidewalk for pedestrians. He stated that this would allow
them a larger maneuvering area for the truck loading dock
area and would also be easier to maintain. He stated that
they do propose to mark this area with striping to show a
walkway area.
s-�
MOTION TO APPROVE
VOTE - MOTION CARRIED
NATHAN LANE ASSOC.
LOT CONSOLIDATION,
SITE PLAN AND
VARIANCES
(85058)
=—
Page 170
Planning Commission Minutes
July 24, 1985
Commissioner Wire inquired why they would not want a
sidewalk along the portion of the building. Mr. Ryan
explained that they hope to limit the amount of pedestrian
circulation around the building with a rear access and
parking along Nathan Lane side of the building.
Staff explained the Ordinance intent of having a separation
between the building and bituminous areas is to delineate
circulation patterns, allow for more snow storage and reduce
potential damage to the building and vehicles.
Commissioner Mellen stated that he understood the petitioner
but feels that sidewalks are good for pedestrian circulation
and for their safety.
Mr. David Fink of Nathan Lane Associates stated that
currently they have a separation between the existing
parking area and the front of the building. The snowplows
in the wintertime have a tendency to spill this rock all
over the parking area and to rip out the curbs.
Staff reviewed the locations of existing fire lanes and
loading dock areas.
Staff continued to state that a uniqueness or hardship
has not been demonstrated by the petitioner.
Commissioner Wire felt that there is a.need to have some
sort of a buffer between the building and parking areas for
safety for the employees.
Mr. Fink responded, noting the concern of safety of the
building and the employees and stated that they could put up
posts in the ground to keep the vehicles away from the
buildings. Commissioner Wire inquired where the accesses to
the building would be located. Mr. Fink stated that this
company was a cigarette and candy distribution area and that
accesses were limited due to the security needed for the
product. The office employees would access on the east side
of the building where there is presently a shortage of
parking; the warehouse employees would access on the rear
side of the building. He stated that if no variances were
granted to the parking area on the east side of the
building, that the office employees would need to walk
approximately 1,000 feet from the parking area to the
entrance. He stated the Minneapolis Auto Auction has
parking at the property line and felt that similar
consideration could be given.
Page 171
Planning Commission Minutes
July 24, 1985
Commissioner Wire stated the neighboring property is not
grounds for granting the variances.
Max Rutman located the entrances and explained they have
snowplow services. Many times people get to work at 4:00 or
5:00 a.m., it is a tremendous walk from the west side of the
building to the east side of the building, if a variance is
not granted.
Commissioner Plufka stated that with the new construction
for the building and where the entrances are located that
that makes staff's point of need for separation from the
bituminous to the building, a great need for safety
purposes. Mr. Rutman stated they could relocate the
employee entrances to resolve that problem.
Mr. Ryan referred to the screening and landscaping diagram
which showed a crossview of the site from Nathan Lane.
People Nathan Lane would barely notice the cars in this
parking area and the reduced setbacks.
Commissioner Wire inquried as to the employee breakdown
with office and warehouse employees.
Mr. Fink stated that currently they have approximately 60
warehouse employees and 40 office and sales employees. With
the growing of the building, they will add more office and
warehouse employees.
Mr. Siegel stated that they also have a number of brokers
and visitors who come to the building that are not allowed
in the warehouse area, and thus park on the office side of
the building. Additional parking is needed on that side of
the building to accommodate them.
MOTION by Commissioner Wire, seconded by Commissioner MOTION TO APPROVE
Stulberg, to approve the Lot Consolidation/Site Plan subject
to the conditions as stated in the duly 10, 1985 staff
report with the elimination of Condition 412, thus granting
a variance from the required 10 ft. setback between the
parking and driving area and the building.
Commissioner Mellen stated his objection because of a need
of a pedestrian walkway from the west parking lot.
Commissioner Plufka noted there is limited entrance for this
building; possibly the entrance on the northwest corner of
the building could be relocated to aid in the pedestrian
traffic.
z--7
Page 172
Planning Commission Minutes
July 24, 1985
Commissioner Wire stated that the reason for recommending
approval of this variance was because it is similar to the
existing building and bituminous areas. If it were a
totally new building, he would want Ordinance compliance.
He went on to state the areas for the loading docks were
very confusing. Mr. Fink stated that the loading docks were
placed where they are due to the types of operation that is
conducted within the building.
Mr. Rutman sta%ed that the traffic of the people is such
that they come after the materials are received, then fill
the orders. There is not much traffic for these employees
to worry about in getting to the entrances.
Mr. Siegel stated that the company is attempting to fill
orders in the evening and have the receiving during the day,
as it would be a more efficient use of the building and save
in traffic flow of people.
Commissioner Magnus stated that he had a concern of not
granting a variance along Nathan Lane since then there would
not be room for the employees to park on this side of the
building.
Coordinator McConn stated that the company could control
where the employees park and reserve the parking along
Nathan Lane for visitors. She stated that a uniqueness or
hardship has not been demonstrated.
MOTION was made by Commissioner Magnus, seconded by NOTION TO AMEND
Commissioner Plufka, to amend the Main Motion by changing MAIN NOTION
Condition #11 :;o grant the variance of parking setback to
Nathan Lane, as requested.
Roll Call VOTE. 5 ayes. Commissioner Stulberg voted VOTE - NOTION CARRIED
nay and Chairman Steigerwald abstained. MOTION carried.
Vote on the Main Motion, once amended, 6 ayes. Chairman VOTE - NOTION CARRIED
Steigerwald abstained. MOTION carried.
MOTION by Commissioner Plufka, seconded by Commissioner RUTLEDGE CONSTRUCTION
Mellen to recommend approval for a Lot Division, Site Plan COMPANY
and Variance for Rutledge Construction Company subject to LOT DIVISION, SITE
the conditions as stated in the July 10, 1985 staff report. PLAN AND VARIANCE
(85061)
Roll Call VOTE. 6 ayes. MOTION carried. NOTION TO APPROVE*
VOTE - NOTION CARRIED
Page 173
Planning Commission Minutes
July 24, 1985
NEW BUSINESS
The Commission discussed the upcoming meeting dates in
August and the volume of applications that will be before
them. They discussed holding the Capital Improvements
Program public hearing starting at 8:30 p.m. on August 28
and conduct other business beginning at 7:00 p.m. for that
meeting. A reminder was given on the Joint Planning
Commission/Council meeting for July 29.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Steigerwald adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
WL,STELlNE
... tile shale of thinc7s irl solid waste
July 1985
Issue No. 8
Editor: Joan Steinmann
WHERE DO TRASH HAULERS STAND ON ISSUES?
The trash haulers of the Twin Cities Area will be as important
a part of the new regional system of solid waste management
as they are of the present one. Because of their experience
dealing with trash, the Wasteline asked a handful of area
haulers about their views on some controversial solid waste
issues. Although the following article represents only a
smattering of opinion and not the views of the area's entire
trash hauling industry, it may serve as a good introduction
to a different perspective on these issues.
Organized collection of trash, where overlap of hauler service
areas is prevented or controlled:
The haulers contacted by the Wasteline had mixed feelings
about organized collection. They thought it has some
advantages, but could reduce healthy competition among
haulers. Concern focused on how community went about
organizing pickup of trash.
"From the viewpoint of efficiency, cost to customers and
safety, it's good," said Don Hinz of Eagle Sanitation, Newport
(he's also the president of Waste -to -Energy, Inc.). "It can also
help recycling programs. But it reduces competition; big
multinational or international firms can underbid for contracts
and then raise prices after the small local haulers have been
driven away."
"Organized collection has a lot of merit," said Richard
Wybierala of Poor Richard's, Inc. "But it could put some
haulers who have been in the business for years out of work."
The several dozen haulers who joined together to form
Minneapolis Refuse, Inc. (MRI) found a way to organize
collection without damaging their businesses in 1971, when
backyard burning was prohibited in Minneapolis, tripling the
volume of trash. "We got together and negotiated a contract
with the city to keep the haulers in business," explained
Chuck Kutter, MRI president. "We have a 50-50 split with
the city for hauling in Minneapolis, and we found organized
collection is cheaper."
Wybierala said that Minneapolis's was the "most fair, civil
system" he knows of.
Flow control, or designation by counties of facilities where
trash must go:
Haulers understood the counties' need to assure that resource
recovery plants get a steady supply of waste, but felt that
subsidies could keep fees at such facilities low enough to be
competitive with landfills, so that flow control would not
be necessary.
"I look at it two ways," said Mary Ayde, executive secretary
of the Minnesota chapter of the National Waste Management
Association. "The counties need to provide guarantees for
those operating the plants. On the other hand, if the counties
are responsible for disposal of trash, they could eliminate
fees at the doors." Ultimately, the people will pay for the
additional cost of resource recovery facilities, she said.
"I'm opposed to flow control," said Mike Hinz of Gopher
Disposal, Newport. 'The free market should dictate where
trash goes, and if a subsidy is required to get it to resource
recovery plants, the counties should tax the public. The
government should be responsible for collecting the money"
necessary to run these plants, said Hinz.
In addition to the high fees to drop trash at a designated
facility, Shirley Johnson of Bellaire Sanitation, Stillwater,
was concerned about the possibility of illegal dumping. In
order to avoid higher fees to dispose of trash, "people are
already dumping" at unauthorized sites, she said.
61 Z.1-646�
Chuck Wegner of Brown ing-F errishndustriefBF 1), a nationa'
company, identified a problem of particular concern to larger
firms. "We serve all the metropolitan counties, and many of
our routes go from county to county. Flow control will be a
routing nightmare" since it requires that waste from a given
county—but not from others—be dropped ata particular place.
Contracts between counties and haulersfor delivery of wastes
to certain facilities:
Under the state law that permits metropolitan counties,
through an ordinance, to designate plants where trash must go,
counties are required to seek contracts with haulers that
would provide for delivery to resource recovery facilities
without regulation by ordinances. Ramsey and Washington
Counties are negotiating with haulers over the terms of such
contracts, which would oblige haulers to drop trash from the
two counties at a refuse -derived fuel (RDF) facility in
Newport, to be owned and operated by Northern States
Power Co. Some haulers who serve those areas have signed
the contracts; many have not.
Those asked by the Wasteline saw little difference between
signing such contracts and being regulated by a flow control
ordinance. 'We're just now scratching the surface" in
negotiations with Hennepin County, said Kutter, "but I don't
see any advantage for haulers in the Ramsey -Washington
contract over their ordinance."
In general, counties can guarantee a flow of waste through
contracts with haulers, said Don Hinz. "If the fee was even
close to that at landfills, they'd have a lot of takers." But
Ramsey and Washington Counties "agreed (with NSP) for
delivery without consulting with the people who have to
do the delivery (the haulers). There really wasn't much
negotiation," said Hinz.
Ayde's opinion was similar. "If counties are really sincere
about having contracts with haulers, they'll enter into
negotiations before committing themselves to a vendor"
for a resource recovery plant (such as NSP), "so that haulers
could sit down and discuss things with the county." The
haulers shouldn't be left out of the beginning of the desig-
nation process, said Ayde.
Mandatory source separation of recyclable materials from
other trash by households:
Some cities—St. Cloud, for example—have ordinances
requiring that people recycle at home. Haulers' views on this
policy varied quite a bit. "I'd like to see mandatory recycling,"
said Johnson. "We're one of the largest recyclers in the area —
we've done it for 30 years."
Very few people would comply with a mandatory recycling
ordinance, said Wybierala. "Separation of recyclables should
take place at a transfer station, before trash goes to an
incinerator," he said.
Wegner also thought mandatory recycling would be hard to
enforce. "You need economic incentives to make it work,"
such as a reduced fee for trash collection for those who
recycle, he said.
Others focused on the economic problems involved in
marketing recyclables once they're collected; recycling,
they emphasized, does not pay for itself.
Kutter opposed mandatory recycling, because "we can't take
care of recyclables now. No system works on a continuous
basis," because of the instability of markets for recyclables,
he said. Government units will "have to spend money to get
recycling done, if they want landfill abatement," but not
simply a lump sum at the outset of a program. Taxpayers
should lose money or benefit according to the market for
recyclables.
::You can't develop markets that don't exist," said Don Hinz
"Separate pickup of recyclables would be as expensive as
pickup of trash. Why pay for both if resource recovery
facilities can process it all?"
Hinz, like most of the haulers we talked to, had done some
pickup of recyclables. "I did it on my own, spent about
$10,000, and got about 42.43 percent participation by picking
up trash and recyclables on the same day." But the effort was
"a victim of the market." Since there isn't any profit in
recycling, it's got to be subsidized, he said.
Mary Ayde agreed that recycling "isn't self-supporting"
now, but said haulers can start up recycling programs to get
people to develop new habits. The changing system of waste
management gives haulers "an opportunity to provide more
services," she said.
LEGISLATURE MOVES TO MAKE TRASH A RESOURCE
When the Minnesota Legislature closed its doors after its 1985
session, it gave people interested in solid waste some signifi.
cant changes to digest. Among them is a law saying that after
Jan. 1, 1990, no Metropolitan Area landfills will be allowed
to accept mixed municipal solid waste unless it's been through
a resource recovery facility first.
That law will help the Metropolitan Council implement its
solid waste policy plan, which mandates a shift away from
heavy reliance on landfilling and places emphasis on recycling
and resource recovery instead.
The legislature also made it clear that metropolitan counties
have the authority to adopt ordinances that make separating
recyclable materials from other trash, a process known as
source separation, mandatory. The legislature said that when a
county passes such an ordinance, it will apply to all the areas
in the county that haven't met the local standard for land-
filling abatement the county spelled out for them.
Along those lines, the legislature passed another law that will
help the Council implement its solid waste policy plan. The
legislature said that the solid waste master plans that counties
submit to the Coundl must now include specific and quanti-
fiable landfill abatement objectives. The counties also must
provide a list of cities that have not satisfied the abatement
performance standards they set.
Another new law will be good news for communities joining
the recycling effort. The legislature voted to give communities
a S4 rebate for each ton of residential trash they collect and
recycle. This is in addition to the rebate of up to 50 cents per
household authorized by 1984 legislation that cities and
townships have available for money spent on resource recovery
and landfill abatement projects. The money for both payments
will come out of the Metropolitan Council's landfill abatement
fund.
For communities to receive household rebate funds, they will
have to provide adequate documentation of recycling
expenses, such as timesheets showing hours employees devoted
to recycling efforts during the year for which a city or town-
ship is seeking reimbursement.
To help local governments meet the costs of implementing
waste reduction and source separation programs this year's
legislature also gave municipalities permission to levy taxes
beyond the normal limits to cover the extra costs of such
projects.
The legislature also allocated $11.4 million for landfill abate-
ment programs to be administered as grants by the Minnesota
Waste Management Board to cities, counties and solid waste
management districts (note these grants may pay no more
than 25 percent of the capital costs of a given project)•
Private groups as well as counties and local governments
may apply to the Council for funds from a grant and loan
program designed to help them meet the costs of starting
recycling and resource recovery programs. The Council Is
developing guidelines for awarding these funds, and for
administering rebates for cities. These guidelines are expected
to be ready by September.
The legislature also expanded the Council's S15 million
bonding authority so it may now fund the purchase and
improvement of resource recovery facilities as well as landfill
site acquisition and other related costs. For more information
about money available for recycling and resource recovery
projects, call abatement program administrator Katy Boone
at the Council, 291-6421.
Caroline Nason
COUNCIL TASK FORCE REPORTS
ON ORGANIZED COLLECTION
Organizing the collection of trash to control or eliminate
overlap between areas served by different haulers could have
many advantages, but there isn't a need for a system to
establish organized collection throughout the Twin Cities
Area. That was the finding of a special Metropolitan Council
task force charged with studying the need for such a system.
Where collection is "organized," only one hauler picks up
trash in an area. A city may contract with or franchise one
company to collect from the city or an area within it, or
provide pickup service itself. Also, a neighborhood group may
contract with haulers for service, or several haulers may form
a consortium to organize their collection routes. About 30
percent of metropolitan households are served under such
arrangements, while the rest arrange directly with haulers for
pickup of trash.
In its report, the task force concluded that organized
collection can reduce the cost of pickup by increasing its
efficiency: when routes don't overlap, travel time between
stops goes down, so a hauler can make more stops in the same
amount of time. The cost of collection services for cities with
organized collection is, on the average, about two-thirds to
three-fourths that of cities where each household arranges for
track pickup.
Organizing collection of trash reduces wear and tear on roads
and the potential for accidents involving garbage trucks,
because the trucks travel fewer miles, said the report. It also
improves air quality because of decreased fuel consumption.
Another benefit of organized collection identified in the
report is that it may be done in ways that could help cities
increase participation in recycling or other landfill abate-
ment programs.
Municipalities and towns have adequate authority to
organize trash collection, the task force found, and
should consider potential benefits of doing so.
The report, which was called for under state law, will be sent
to the Legislative Commission on Waste Management.
WHAT PART FOR CITIES IN NEW SYSTEM?
Recent initiatives for change in the way the Twin Cities Area
manages its trash may have left some city and county planners
confused about responsibilities and opportunities for local
governments. A brown -bag luncheon meeting sponsored by the
Minnesota chapter of the American Planning Association
and the Metropolitan Council, "New Roles for Cities in the
Metropolitan Solid Waste System," may help those planners
cut through the fog.
Topics of discussion will include changes in solid waste
legislation, the Council's new solid waste policy plan, funding
for landfill abatement efforts such as recycling programs,
organized collection of trash and the county planning process.
The meeting is to be held at noon, Aug. 27, in the Council
Chambers at 300 Metro Square Bldg., 7th and Robert Sts.,
St. Paul.
Printed on recycled paper.
z -G
SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY
MEMBERS August 1, 1985
BLOOMINGTON
BROOKLYN CENTER
BROOKLYN PARK
BURNSVILLE
CHAMPLIN
Mr. James Willis
CIRCLE PINES
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
City Manager
DEEPHAVEN
City of Plymouth
EDEN PRAIRIE
EDINA
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
EXCELSIOR
Plymouth, MN 55447
FRIDLEY
GREENWOOD
HASTINGS
Re; SRA 1986 Assessments
HOPKINS
LAKE ST. CROIX BEACH
LAUDERDALE
LORETTO
MAPLE PLAIN
The SRA Board of Directors approved a 1986 budget at
its
MAPLEWOOD
July 17 meeting. A copy of the budget is enclosed..
it
MINNETONKA
MINNETRISTA
calls for an assessment of $200 per vote in 1986,
down
NEW BRIGHTON
from the 1985 assessment of $368.10 in 1985 and $245.40
in
NORTH ST. PAUL
1984.
ORONO
OSSEO
PLYMOUTH
RICHFIELD
The City of Plymouth's 1986 assessment is $1,400.00.
You
ROBBINSDALE
will be billed for payment in halves in February
and
ROSEVILLE
ST. ANTHONY
August.
ST. LOUIS PARK
SHAKOPEE
SHOREVIEW
The Board has asked me to express its appreciation for
the
SHOREWOOD
support you have given the SRA. Some of the more notable
SPRING PARK
VADNAIS HEIGHTS
accomplishments of the SRA during the preceding year
have
VICTORIA
been:
WAYZATA
WOODLAND
Work with the Metropolitan Council and the legis-
lature to head off a proposed grant program for
funding construction for the replacement of
combined sewers in Minneapolis, St. Paul and South
St. Paul.
- Further work with the MWCC concerning the manage-
ment study and communications with users.
- The opening of negotiations with Northern States
Power concerning a uniform electric franchise.
At the October meeting we hope to sponsor a presentation
concerning the possible municipal responses to solid waste
legislation and regulation. During the balance of 1985
and in 1986, we expect to work with the MWCC to support
its efforts to maintain reasonable river water quality
standards on the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. The
reason for this effort is that those standards determine
2000 FIRST BANK PLACE WEST • MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402 • (612) 333-0543
=c�
the quality of wastewater treatment. An enormous amount
of capital investment which might have to be undertaken by
MWCC users hangs in the balance. During the remainder of
1985 and in 1986, we will participate in a Northwestern
Bell rate case with the hope of further reducing the rate
disparity between metropolitan area communities.
We encourage you to participate actively in SRA and to
encourage your neighboring cities who may not be SRA
members to join in this common effort. If I may be of
assistance, please contact me at:
Graydon R. Boeck
5415 East Twin Lake Blvd.
Minneapolis, Mr 55429
(612) 560-1950
Again, let me thank you for your support.
Very truly yours,
Graydon R. Boeck
Chairman
GRB:GEP/sbp
Biu_. J-' 1 9
DRAFT
Calendar 1986 Suburban Rate Authority Budget
1985
Assets:
Cash and investments (6;30/85) $ 63,479
Receivables (1985 assessments) 18,589
Less adjustment* (4,407)
TOTAL $ 77,661
Anticipated Additional 1985 Expenses:
General, MWCC and miscellaneous -
Through 6/30/85 $ 3,046
Est. fees balance of year 7,000
Est. disbursements 11800 (11,846)
1985 Northwestern Bell Case ;access Charge) ( 3,5500)
Anticipated year-end position $ 62,315
1986
Assets:
Carryover $ 62,3i5
Membership Assessment 31,400
TOTAL $ 93,715
Expenses:
General Matters -
Fees
$10,000
General Matters -
Disbursements
3,600
NSP Electric Rate
Case/
Municipal Pumping**
10,000
Northwestern Bell
(Access Charge)
1,500
MWCC Matter (;-tater
Quality
Standards)
20,000
Other Projects
10,000
Gontingency Fund
38,615
$(93,715)
-0-
Proposed 1986 Assessment***
Total Votes are 157
31,400 : 157 = $200 per vote
* Assumes some assessments will not be collected
** Includes committment of $7,500 to American
Waterworks Association
***1984 Assessment was $245.40 per vote
1985 Assessment was $368.10 per vote
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Insurance costs up
Continued from page 1
Insurance rates are "escalating
dramatically" not only because of
increasing liability exposure by
municipalities. but also because of a
decline in the number of insurance
companies, Mr. Murphy said.
Some cities. unwilling to pay the
spiraling costs. are opting to go
without insurance.
• Dallas officials are operating
their city of 1 million residents
without liability insurance.
Thev have chosen to do so since
May 1, rather than pay premium
increases of at least 6006,. and as
much as 1.000 for less liability
coverage than the city previously
had for police. public officials and
city vehicles. said Mark Ferraro,
risk manager. The city has not
added any money to an existing
fund for self insurance. and Mr.
Ferraro said he hopes to replace the
coverage by early fall.
• Baton Rouge. La., with 450.000
residents in the area. has gone
without primary and excess gen-
eral liability and excess auto liabil-
ity insurance since April. Officials
contend quoted rates were too high.
Last year. the city paid $116.490
for $500.000 in primary general lia-
bility coverage above the $100.000
claims it agreed to pay itself. and
$50.000 for excess general liability
and excess auto liability coverage
up to $10 million.
This year, Baton Rouge received
a $1.2 million quote from one in-
surer for about the same amount of
coverage. but must pay its own
claims up to $500.000.
The city. which was self-insuring
its public official and police profes-
sional liabilities. does not expect to
be able to renew its primary auto
liability coverage in November.
said Irvin F. Jones. risk manager.
• Five governments in the Rocky
Mountain states recently received
non -renewal notices from Colonial
Penn Insurance Co. for their com-
prehensive general liability poli-
cies. which include coverage for
police and public officals.
However. Colonial Penn is hope-
ful that an agreement on another
contract can be reached with the
states — Colorado. Idaho. New
Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — be-
fore policies expire in September,
said Cecil Munson, president of
Public Entity Underwriters Ltd. in
Denver, the underwriting manager
for Colonial Penn.
These examples hint at the diffi-
culties public entities have in find-
ing liability coverage. especially for
police and public officials.
The market for liability coverage
for public entities is "diminishing
to nothing." said Bruce Henriksen.
assistant vice president at L.W.
Biegler, a Chicago firm.
"Available capacity has dropped
significantly" in a year, agreed
Randall Goss, president of Uni-
mark Special Risks Inc.. Dallas, an
underwriting manager.
At least three insurers stopped
underwriting liability coverage for
public entities in 1985, and nine
others did so during the past two
years.
The insurers that remain in the
market are raising prices and tight-
ening underwriting terms.
The reasons for the crunch: In-
surers fear losses resulting from
erosion of governmental immunity
by the courts, and they don't like
the way public entities seek com-
petitive bids for insurance, which
often are court -mandated. Insurers
say they cannot win renewals if
another insurer underprices them.
"Underwriters are picking and
choosing the cream of the crop and
charging exorbitant rates," said
David McGurn, division vp with
broker A.J. Gallagher & Co. in
Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Rate increases range up to 400%
for public officials and 50% to 200°x,
for police professionals.
But some public entities have
found the situation even bleaker.
Dallas. for example, had a choice of
a 600%ro, 958% or 1,128% increase
during renewals in April.
Depending on the size of a public
entity and its taxing powers• going
without insurance may or may not
present a major risk. Many large
cities with large enough tax bases
do self -insure their liability risks.
"A really big city is not as threat-
ened by going bare as a small one
would be," said Allen Hyman, risk
manager for Corpus Christi, Texas.
Smaller governments might not
have the tax base necessary to raise
funds to pay an uninsured judg-
ment, said Frank Gardner, risk
manager for Natrona County. Wyo.
Other smaller cities also have
faced huge premium increases.
Fremont. Calif., with a popula-
tion of 150.000, paid $44.000 last
year for a package that included
comprehensive general liability
coverage (including coverage for
public officials, police, pollution
risks) and workers compensation
coverage. It retained $250,000 on
the primary layer, and purchased
$19.75 million in excess coverage.
The renewal premium jumped
1,157% in April to $509,000 for
about the same general liability
limits, said Joseph Tonda, Fre-
mont's risk manager. "It was rather
upsetting." •
1 \ 0, -
July 30, 1985
CITY O�
PLYMOUTH+
E. C. L'Herault
Publisher
Plymouth Post
8801 Bass Lake Road
New Hope, MN 55428
Dear Mr. L'Herault:
Typically, the Plymouth Post's coverage of community issues has been
superior. However, I was disappointed with the front page of the duly 25,
1985 issue which depicted on a half -page the pictures of six cougar kittens,
a female cougar named "Poopsie", and Mr. teff Howard, the owner of a game
farm in Plymouth. In stark contrast was a 2 inch by 4 inch summary of the
municipal court action to fine and temporarily incarcerate the owner of the
malamute dog which killed 7 year-old Jeremiah Rogholt last year.
One of the primary functions of municipal government is the protection of
the public safety. To be effective in this effort, the City requires the
assistance of the courts to deal stearnly with those who ignore municipal
law with respect to animals, and in doing so, needlessly subject our
citizenry to unnecessary danger. It has been frustrating to us that the
courts have not been more supportive in this effort.
It is even more frustrating when the Post newspaper displays cougars on the
front page as if they were harmless domesticated kittens. The Post's cover-
age clearly reenforces the image of these wild animals that they pose no
threat to the public. The Rogholt incident clearly proves that even
domesticated animals are not predictable -- let alone animals which are wild
by nature. I hope that in the future you will not romanticize a situation
that is a matter of great concern to the City Council and to the hundreds of
people who live in close proximity to the so-called game farm.
Sincerely;
David J. Do"nport
Mayor
DOD:jm
3400 C:�_"AOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447. TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800
b
_ h
CITY C)�
PUMOUTR
July 31, 1985
Mr. Charles N. Nye
18225 North 24th Avenue
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mr. Nye:
Your letter to me of July 19th was previously responded to by
Jim Willis, Plymouth's City Manager.
Your complaint is the second I have received about the ordinance.
Given these circumstances, I am not inclined to recommend a
change. If the ordinance only serves to work an occasional
inconvenience on a small minority of our residents, its benefits
as outlined to you in Mr. Willis' letter continue to outweight
its shortcomings.
If you desire the ordinance to be bhanged, you could petition
the City Council to reconsider or modify it. Also, if, after
consultation with a lawyer, you feel that there is a legal
basis for doing so, then you of course would have the right to
pursue legal relief.
Thank you again for your letter.
Sincerely,
LINDQUIST/
David J. D,,Oenport
Mayor
DJD: cap
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447. TELEPHONE (612) 5592800
CHARLES N. NYE
18225 NORTH 24TH AVENUE
PLYMOL'TH, MINNESOTA 5544
(612) 475.3469
July 19, 1985
Mr. David Davenport
Mayor of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth MN 55447
Dear Mr. Davenport:
7.-11 b.
Recently, I received a ticket for parking one of our automobiles overnight
in front of our home. Apparently this regulation has been in place for a year. I
found this out by appearing in front of a hearing officer.
I have also learned that a number of my neighbors have received similar
citations. Now, you may justify this by pointing out how much effort has gone
into this creating public awareness.
This is a stupid and very inconvenient statute. It's summer, many of us
have sons and daughters home, friends visiting, driveway and home improvement
projects in place. And, in our neighborhood, we have one car stripped and
undergoing an overhaul in a driveway and another parked on the rear of a lot with
weeds all around it. If the objective is to deal with eyesores, why isn't someone
addressing these examples?
Winter obviously is another case. Anyway, please formally advise me of the
process whereby a citizen may undertake (legally or otherwise) to formally alter
a statute.
Sincerely,
Charles N. Nye
CNN:alf
t
July 31, 1985
Mrs. Gloria Strandberg
16610 26th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mrs. Strandberg:
CITY C)�
PLYMOUTR
-7--: � 1C_
Thank you for your letter of July 16th. I am sorry that you
elected not to speak at the July 15th meeting. I did not
intend to make you feel "patronized, belittled and intimidated"
from my conduct of the meeting. By advising you of your
legal rights, I was merely attempting to ensure that those
of you in attendance were fully informed of your appeal
rights. It would be wrong for me to presume that residents
protesting special assessments are always represented by
lawyers. Most are not. It is for this reason that I go to
the efforts that I do to explain those rights. Ironically,
I have also been criticized for encouraging appeals because
of my thorough explanation of the appeal procedure. Regard-
less, if I am going to err, I would prefer it to be on the
side of full disclosure.
Mrs. Strandberg, the appeals process provided for by law is
imperfect because it does require people like yourself, Mrs.
Chen and others aggrieved by the Council's actions to go to
the expense of hiring an attorney to prosecute an appeal when
in the case of storm sewer and curb or gutter improvements,
the legal costs may not be recoverable and may also exceed
the amount of the assessment itself. If, by my vote to
approve the roll, you feel I "disregarded your complaints",
you are correct, but I did not do so "in favor of orchestrated
plans of financing projects with ill -received monies",
but rather because as Mayor I have an obligation to ensure
that our special assessment policies are consistently applied.
Precedent weighs heavily in those consideration. A mayor must
make decisions based upon what he or she believes to be in
the best interests of the entire community, including the
interests of those thousands of residents who were not
present at the hearing, but who would have to pick up the
cost of your special assessments if the City were to assess
them back on an ad valorem basis.
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447. TELEPHONE (612) 559.2800
=-\\c,
Mrs. Gloria Strandberg
July 31, 1985
-Page 2 -
You challenged the Council's finding of benefit and state
that I have benefitted as much from the road as you have.
Not so. I do not utilize Dunkirk Lane very often. I don't
live on Dunkirk and it is not a thoroughfare I use to get
from my home to City Center. The City had four representative
appraisals done to determine if there was, in fact, benefit
to the extent of the amount of the proposed assessment.
These were representative appraisals only and in individual
circumstances the conclusions may be different but the
appraiser's conclusions will stand in the absence of contrary
evidence. If you believe your property has decreased in
value, then please obtain an appraisal from a competent
appraiser confirming the amount of the decrease. That
appraisal can be`then brought to the City's attention through
the appeal process by you or your lawyer. We will consider
your appraisal, together with the findings of our own appraisal
and if an adjustment is warranted under the circumstances,
it will be made.
Thank you
Singfrel,�7,
David J. I6venport
Mayor
DJD: cap
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�!-A.c—uraa.ia
July 31, 1985
Mrs. Cathy Groetsch
620 South Sycamore Lane
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Cathy:
In your letter to me of July 18th you indicated that you did
not find the City's response satisfactory. I am sorry. I
have no explanation as to why our police officer was conducting
radar surveillance in such a visible location. The application
of simple common sense says that you are right - that anyone
seeing police radar will act to avoid it by decreasing speed.
The officer that your husband talked to should have been better
informed about the reasons he was asked to patrol Sycamore Lane.
I have sent a copy of your letter to Dick Carlquist, the Director
of Public Safety, so that when the City conducts radar surveil-
lance in the future the officers engaged in that activity are
aware of the reasons for the particular request.
Your reference to drag races in the early morning hours is the
first complaint I have heard of this nature. Please contact the
police at 911 to report future incidents of this kind.
The future volume of the traffic on Sycamore Lane is everyone's
concern, including my own and if it increases to a level that
Sycamore was not intended to handle, then the Council will
reconsider the problem. In the meantime, the City will also
continue periodic radar surveillance on Sycamore. Also, if
there is a significant amount of truck traffic on Sycamore, the
Council will re-examine the problem, if the truck traffic can be
Thank
letter.
cc: Mr. Richard Carlquist
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD. PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447, TELEPHONE (612) 559-2800
documentec
rasp
RITTE R SUPPES PLAUTZ ARCHITECTS LTD -ONE HUNDREDAND TWENTY • FIRST AVENUE NORTH • MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA, 66401.612-339-03'
29 July 1985
Ms. Sara McConn
Community Development Coordinator
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
RE: Vantage Companies
Plymouth Technical Center
Site Plan and Variance Approval
Dear Sara:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of
Ritter, Suppe_s, Plautz/Architects, Ltd. for your work and
diligence in assisting our effort to complete the approval process
for the referenced project. The construction documents for the
project site work are underway and the building design development
set is complete, ready to go into contract documents. We expect
to have e contractor requesting excavation and utility permits
soon, with construction beginning in August.
Because of your assistance, Vantage Companies and the City of
Plymouth will benefit from increased revenues and jobs, a
difficult piece of property will be developed, and future
development potential in Plymouth is improved by the positive,
constructive approach that you and the staff in general have
provided. Together, we were able to define the issues and devise
the solutions to those issues.
We will continue to be in contact with you for design updates and
the satisfaction of the conditions of the site plan and variance
approval. Please contact this office should you or staff have any
questions regarding our projects in the City of Plymouth.
Sincerely, ,--�
Thomas H. Sopoci
Project Manager
THS:cmb
Doc: VANLt7-29
Copy: Mr. Blair Tremere, Director of Community Development
Mr. James Willis, City Manager
Mr. David Davenport, Mayor
Mr. Matthew Nicoll, Executive Vice President and General
Manager, Minneapolis Division, Vantage Companies
--� - \ a t .
On closet wall in home at 1.3304 Arthur Street, Minnetonka
I lived here from ages 7 to 14. I spent 1/3 of my childhood in this room.
It has seen the best times and worst times of my life. I left you a small
sample of what the walls look like. I am writing this in pencil so if you
choose you can erase this or paint over it. I am a 14 yr. old about to move
to Hawaii. This is the hardest thing for me to do becuz I've lived here in
Mtka. all my natural life. I am 518" and weigh 130 lbs. I have blue eyes
and sandy blonde hair. I love camping, outdoor activities and SPORTS! My
four best friends in the world Terri Harrel, Tammy Weiland, Christina
Sullivan and Shelly Gaspar are a major part of my life. The stains on the
floor are either chocolate milk or Pepsi. Please take good care of this
room and this house because we built it with our bare hands. If you feel
the urge to correspond with me, my new address is:
P.O. Box 37755
Honolula, Hawaii 96837
I have 1 brother age 18 and a rabbit. My parents are happily married. I
hope you will have as much fun here as I have!
Love,
Jeanene Schmid
Age 15
13304 W. Arthur St.
Minnetonka, MN 55343
June 14, 1985
12:07 p.m.