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Council Information Memorandum 02-27-2004
Dummy a : � '�' � Y=�'a" ��` � � A�� • ':a��:� � cat '"+ X �a � `ate '�'"Y.Y�m��r. r'i ` + �� Z' �.3 FEBRUARY 27, 2004 Youth Town Forum March 1 agenda................................................................................................ Page 3 Planning Commission March 3 meeting agenda.............................................................................. Page 4 Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit March 3 meeting agenda .............................................. Page Human Rights Commission March 4 meeting agenda..................................................................... Page 6 Surface Water Task Force March 6 meeting agenda........................................................................ Page 7 Official Meeting Calendars for February, March, and April 2004 ................................................... Page 9 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings .................................................... Page 15 FOR INFORMATION...' NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. U—S Department of Housing & Urban Development notice that Plymouth will receive its Fiscal Year 2004 allocation........................................................................................................ Page 16 Notice of the Hennepin County March 10 "State of the County" address ..................................... Page 18 Notice & revised agenda for the League of Minnesota Cities March 3 "State of the State" address............................................................................................................................................ Page 19 Invitation to the Community Action for Suburban Hennepin County (CASH) March 25 annual board meeting and dinner................................................................................................... Page 20 Notice and news release for a March 19 regional workshop on "Balancing Regional Growth with Local Control sponsored by the American Society of Public Administration ....................... Page 21 Star Tribune opinion piece by Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell on Metro Transit .............. Page 23 Plymouth Metrolink strike contingency plans route information .................................................. Page 25 Wayzata School Board March 1 special work session agenda ....................................................... Page 26 CITY COUNCIL INFORAL477ON MEMO Febmary 27, 2004 Page 2 STAFF REPORTS Update on City trail plowing, as requested by the Council at the February 10 meeting; a copy of the Council's policy is also attached.............................................................................. Page 27 Engineering Department information on 2004 spring weight restrictions .....................::.............. Page 29 MINUTES Draft minutes of the Highway 55 Corridor Coalition January 16 meeting .................................... Page 30 CORRESPONDENCE Letter to residents regarding a public hearing to consider the sale of a City—owned piece of land at the southwest corner of Schmidt Lake Road and Northwest Boulevard ........................ Page 33 Letter to Surface `Fater Task Force members regarding the group's first meeting on March 6 .... Page 36 LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Communications Manager Helen LaFave reports that she and Councilmember Hewitt participated in the Northwest Cable Commission's Executive Committee interviews of two firms interested in serving as NWCT lobbyist — _llesserli & Kramer and Kennedy & Graven. The committee agreed that both firms were well qualified to serve the commission, but voted to recommend Messerli & Kramer to the full commission. 5:15 5:30 5:50 PM 6:10 P 6:40 PM 6:50 PM 7: Youth Town Forum Agenda - March 1, 2004 Members District 43 State Senator David Gaither ^°.Ak ential Minneapolis Housing Policy & Development -Director Lee Pao �� Mayor Jud y Johnson Y, PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2004 WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the February 4, 2004 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. B. James & Debra McGill. Approve impervious surface variance for a room addition located at 17220 19th Avenue North. (2004009) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. SVK Development. Rezoning from FRD (Future Restricted Development District) to RSF-3 (Single Family Detached 3) and a preliminary plat for "Hidden Meadows at Curtis Lake" to create five single-family lots for property located on the south side of West Medicine Lake Drive and approximately 300 feet west of Northwest Boulevard. (2004003) B. Harty's Boats and Bait LLC. Conditional use permit to extend and reconfigure the existing docks located at 1920 and 2900 East Medicine Lake Blvd. (2004007) 7. NEW BUSINESS A. City of Plymouth. Review and accept the 2004 Planning Commission Annual Work Program. 8. ADJOURNMENT AGENDA Plymouth Human Rights Commission March 4, 2004 Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Medicine Lake Room 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Minutes 3. Approve Agenda 4. Presentation A. North Hennepin Mediation Program S. Committee Reports A. Student Workshop Committee B. Community Awareness Committee, Venoreen Browne -Boatswain C. Community Education Committee, Vincent Ijioma D. Human Rights Incident Response Team, Ruth Ruffin 6. Old Business A. Election of Vice -Chairperson B. Report on Human Rights Day, December 5, 2003, Gloria Alexander C. Report on February 19, Black History Committee, Ruth Ruffin D. Prioritize 2004 Work Plan E. Hate and Bigotry Conference scheduled for May 20 7. New Business A. Recommend Proclamation for "Days of Remembrance" B. Joint Proclamation with the HRA &: City Council, proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month 8. Announcements and Articles (for your information) A. Golden Valley HRC Agenda and -Minutes 9. Adjourn Next Meeting: April 1, 2004 Call Sue Gulbrand at 763-509-053 if you are unable to attend the meeting. NOTE: The commission orientation begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room with the regular PACT meeting following at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT NOTE LOCATION CHANGE Public Safety Training Room (2" Floor, Public Safety Building) Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of agenda. 2. Introduction of new PACT members. 3. Approval of minutes: • December 3, 2003 PACT meeting (attached). 4. Review Plymouth Metrolink contingency service plan for a potential strike. 5. Approval of transfer of NTD funding from Four Seasons Mall Park & Ride relocation project to improvements at T.H. 55 and C.R. 73 Park & Ride. (Materials to be distributed at the meeting.) 6. Capital projects update: • Short-term improvements at T.H. 55 & C.R. 73 P&R. • Long-term improvements at T.H. 55 & C.R. 73 P&R • Four Seasons Mall P&R relocation 7. Ridership information and review of ridership statistics for January, 2004. (To be distributed at the meeting.) 8. Identification of areas of concern and/or recommendations. 9. Transit consultant's report. • Complaint log • 20th Anniversary celebration • Other 9. Other business. 10. Adj ournment. Note: Please call George Bentley at 763-509-5521, if you are unable to attend. City of Plymouth Surface Water Task Force Meeting Agenda Saturday, March 6, 2004 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon Plymouth City Hall Council Chambers 1. Sign In 2. Welcome and Task Force Charge Mayor Judy Johnson 3. Introductions Facilitator Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director 4. Overview of Task Force Process 5. Ground Rules and Roles of Participants 6. Background Presentations • "Drainage & Water Quality 101" • Who's Who in Water Quality • Financing Questions and Answers 7. Overview of Current Issues • Water quality mandates • Pond cleaning • Flooding and drainage problems Questions and Answers 8. Set Preliminary Agenda for Meeting 92 9. Set Dates for Future Meetings 10. Adjourn OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS March 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 5:15 PM YOUTH TOWN FORUM, Plymouth Creek Center 2 Caucus Night 3 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Cound Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT), Public Safety Training Roan (this mee5ng only) 4 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Medicine Lake Room S - 6 8:30 AN. SURFACE WATER ER TASK FORCE, Council Clambers 7 8 9 5:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: UPDATE ON FLOOD ANALYSIS, Public Safety Training Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 10 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (ECC), Council Chambers 11 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 12 13 14 15 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 16 6:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: TRANSPORTATION STUDIES FOR VICKSBURG LN 8 MEDINA RD, Public Safety Training Room 17 700 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 18 7:00 PM HOUSING 8 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 19 20 21 22 23 11:45 AM PLYMOUTH-MTKA BUSINESS COUNCIL, BORN Conference Room, 301 Carlson Parkway, 4th floor 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 24 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 25 26 27 28 29 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 30 31 Feb 2004 S M T W T F S Apr 2004 S N1 T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 modified on 2/27/2044 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS April 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday May 2004 S Ai T W T F S 1 1 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - 2 3 Mar 2004 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Medicine Lake 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Room 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 DAYLIGHT Passover 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PARK & Good Friday SAVINGS COMMENCES- begins at Sunset PLANNING COMMISSION, REC ADVISORY COMMISSION set docks ahead 1 Counal Chambers (PRAC), Council hour Chambers Palm Sunday 11 12 13 14 j15 16 17 Easter 6:45 PM Y:--F-.H ADVISC=;Y COUNCIL. =,jNc Safety Trainirc Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council 7:00 PM EN'11RONMENTAL QUAL'TY COMMITTEE (EQC). Plymouth Creek Center 7.00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room Chambers 7:00 PM SCA=T OF EOUALIZ.%7 ON, t Council Ct-ar-c>_:s i I 18 19 20 21 I 122 23 24 7:00 PM 8:00 AM -1.00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION COMMISSION, STUDENT Coundl Chambers WORKSHOP, Plymouth Ice Center 25 26 27 28 29 30 6:45 PM YC, -7—,H ADVISCRY COUNCIL Safely Trairirr_ Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Counal 7.00 PM CITY TALK W/COUNCIL MEMBER BILDSOE, Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON Chambers TRANSIT (PACT) - 7:00 PM BCA?J OF EQUALIZ=-rON Medicine Lake Room (RECONVE._D). Council Cta->Yrs modified on 2/27/2004 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS May 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jun 2004 1 Apr 2004 S M T NV T F S S NI T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 26 27 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7:00 PM 7:00 PM HUMAN 10:30 AM PLANNING RIGHTS PLYMOUTH COMMISSION, Council Chambers COMMISSION - Medicine Lake Room HISTORY FEST, Parkers Lake Park 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 6 00 PM SPECIAL YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING: YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS, Council Chambers 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council 11:45 AM essscou�l BORN Confer— Room, 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY Chambers Carlson, Park—Y, 4M noon COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake 7.A PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. council Chambers Room 30 31 MEMORIAL DAY (Observed) - City Offices Closed modified on 2/27/2004 t-3 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items February 27, Special, 11:00 a.m., St. Paul • Meet with Plymouth area legislators March 9, Special, 5:00 p.m., Public Safety Training Room • Consider remaining flood improvement study areas and project funding March 9, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Award Ice Center Bid Package 1 and 2 • Public hearing on sale of City -owned land at the northwest corner of Schmidt Lake Road and Northwest Blvd. • Accept Planning Commission's annual report and 2004 Work Plan • Apfrove impervious surface variance for a family room addition located at 17220 19 Avenue North. James & Debra McGill. (2004009) • Approve 2004 CDBG funding allocation and application March 16, Special, 6:30 p.m., Public Safety Training Room • Review Transportation Studies on Medina Road and Vicksburg Lane • Update with City Manager • Schedule Future Study Sessions March 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Approve 2004 Garbage Hauler Licenses • Proclamation declaring the week of April 18 as Days of Remembrance • Presentation by the Senior Council on their activities Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. N, P01ENTOM1 II�II1II Q qB,N VEVF- O OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20410-7000 FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPST-NT Ms. Judy Johnson Mayor of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mayor Johnson: February 17, 2004 I am pleased to inform you that the Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 budget for the Department of Housing and Urban Development has been enacted. Therefore, I am able to provide you with your FY 2004 full -year allocations for the Office of Community Planning and Development's (CPD) formula programs: Community Development Block Grants (CDBG); HOME Investment Partnerships; Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS; and Emergency Shelter Grants. In addition, FY 2003 and 2004 funds are included for the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) under HOME, which was signed into law on December 16, 2003. FY 2003 ADDI funds were not allocated last year in the absence of authorizing legislation. ADDI will provide lo« -- income families with the opportunity to build assets and share in the American dream. HUD's budget is included in the "Consolidated Appropriations Act" for FY 2004, which dictates an across-the-board reduction of 0.59 percent. According to the law, the Department is required to reduce each program contained in the Act by that amount. CPD's formula programs are not exempt from this cut. The 2004 allocations below have already been reduced to reflect this requirement. Also, the amounts reflect reallocated funds in the CDBG and HOME programs. The allocations reflect the level of funding approved for these programs in your community and replace the planning numbers for FY 2004 which were previously made available by HUD. The following amounts represent your FY 2004 allocation(s) and FY 2003 ADDI allocation: Community Development Block Grant HOME Investment Partnerships American Dream Downpayment Initiative — FY 2003 American Dream Downpayment Initiative — FY 2004 Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Emergency Shelter Grants /G $317,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 K As you know, performance measurement is becoming increasingly important in demonstrating the overall achievements and success of federal programs. In addition to reporting on how funds are used, we must also be able to show how they contribute to revitalizing our neighborhoods and improving the quality of life of our citizens. Therefore, I hope I can count on your support for using a local performance measurement system in your community to help further demonstrate the local accountability of these CPD investments. - I look forx-vard to continuing our partnership to assist lower income residents in your community(state). As always, HUD is available to provide any assistance you require in implementing your programs. If you or any member of your staff has questions concerning this matter, please contact your local CPD Division Director. S incerely, Roy A. Bernardi Assistant Secretary lq 2004 State of the County Address Wednesday, March 10 Location and parking for the 2004 Hennepin State of the County address HCMC's Pillsbury Auditorium is located in the Red Building. From the Smith lot and Allied ramp, enter street level from South 8th Street. From HCMC romp and skyway level, follow State of the County signage. The Hennepin County- Board of Commissioners cordially invites you to the 2004 State of the County Address IS Presented by Randy Johnson, Chair Wednesday, March 10 2 p.m. Hennepin County Medical Center Pillsbun• Auditorium 701 Park Avenue _. Minneapolis Directions and parking: xk-,vx+.HC1\1C.01.9 Reception follows address Feb 23 2004 11:11:44 Via Fax -> 763 509 5660 Administrator Page 001 Of 001 ALSO ALERT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THIS CONFERENCE L E A G U E O F M I N N E S O T A C I T I E S State of the Citi"es- Legislative Conference March 3, 2004 Four Points Sheraton Hotel, I-94 at Hamline, St. Paul Get involvedand make your city' S voice heard at the Capitol! ■ Learn the findings of the State of the Cities Report 2004. ■ Find out about proposed limitations on city revenue. ■ Hear from leaders shaping the future of the state -local relationship. ■ Meet «-ith your legislators as part of City Day at the Capitol. Many issues and initiatives in this legislative session will shape your city's quality of life and your ability to innovate and address local issues. Understand the state of our cities through a discussion oft — Current city fiscal conditions and strategies used to balance city budgets. — Economic trends including the recession and the apparenth jobless recovery. — Impacts of increasing health care costs and Minnesota's aging population. — The state of federalism—how the erosion of local control hampers city officials' ability to tailor unique policy solutions to their communities. Regisrmrion fee is S70. Register online anytime: www.1M"C.01rg I9 Here's how you'll spend your day: 8.00 Registration, coffee, and doughnuts 8:30 Welcotne and Overview Mark Vozland, President, LMC 8:50 City initiatives froth the White House Toby Burke, Special Assistant to the Pnrsident 9:00 Getting the most out of City Day at the Capitol Gary Carlson, Irstergoverrrnental Rrs:roru Director, LMC 9:30 State of the Cities Report 2044 Eric Wii%tte, Policy Research Manage, L'VC 10:15 Break 10:30 Funding public services Sen. Michele Bachmann; Brll Blazes, Vice- resident, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce; Jokn Gunyou, City Manage, Minnetonka and former State Frna•-.ce Director; Dr. Daniel Mullins, Professor of PublrcAdm rn' tration, A>,nerrcar. Uni';,ersriy Learn about revenue constraints potentially impacting how cities provide services. 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Let's talk about local control Sen. Dean Johnson, SenateMajorig Leader Rep. Steve Svrggaem, Speaker ofthe ease Explore mandates and regulator: issues shaping your ability to determine your city's quality of life. 1:45 Overview of Legislative Issues Gary Carlson, Intergovernmental Re[srions Director, LMC 2:00 City Day at the Capitol Make appointments to build and strengthen your relationships with your legislators. Commun itY Actio n for Suburban Hennepin Yom -t are corAa LLU wLv�ted to j ow� Community Services Comvv- -vu. to fact'bov- for su.bu.rbov, I t-evw-ep'vk, Emergency Assistance at okrAwvtw2L-Foard Meet'bwg avid D'wwker. Homeless Family Support 5:00 — 6:00 P.M. Avu"L 2 , Board Meetibv o Transitional Housing we w6conte as ou.r (i;Rest spec Ozer, Energy Assistance 6:45 P.M. Spea Ozer — The H-ovkora bye Reverse Mortgage Counseling Ch a �rwt a w of ou r -Fon rd of Directors Home Buyer Education Fax 952-933-8016 The H-ov-orabLe Mayor of R-I,ch fi eLcd Homeowner Counseling Home Rehab Counseling Mart K'&rsah N'el f a re -to -Work Planning &Development YI (/l V1 Marches ThRrs h2 25 2004 for Community Collaboration / / 1:*RbLeTree Para Pace tfoteL 1,500 Pari, Pace st. Lo k'�s Pari, A•C E NDA Our mission: To improve the quality of life in suburban Hennepin County by creating and supporting links between individuals and communities through: service, education, and collaboration. IZA) 5:00 — 6:00 P.M. Avu"L 2 , Board Meetibv o 0:15 P.M. Divwitr 33 10th Avenue South 6:45 P.M. Spea Ozer — The H-ovkora bye Suite 150 Hopkins, MN 55343 Ma rtu K Wsch Tel 952-933-9639 Fax 952-933-8016 Website www.cashenn.org Pease R.SN.P. bU March 10, 2004 Investing in People, Building Community To Char200 ri EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Our mission: To improve the quality of life in suburban Hennepin County by creating and supporting links between individuals and communities through: service, education, and collaboration. IZA) American Society of Public Administration, Minnesota Chapter Regional Meeting & Workshop Balancing Regional Growth with Local Control Friday March 19, 2004 9:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. Zumbrota City Hall, Zumbrota, MN Workshop Agenda: 9:30 a.m. Registration & Coffee 10:00 a.m. Panel Discussion - Goodhue County Planner - Dakota County Planner - Jim Solem, former administrator of Met Council - David Schultz, professor, Hamline University - Tom Walkington, professor, Hamline University 11:30 a.m. Networking 12 noon Lunch & Speaker: Steve Sviggum Cost $10 - Send checks payable to ASPA MN Chapter to: Will Volk, Employee Relations Director, Dakota County, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033 Email: will.volk@co.dakota.mn.us For more information: call David Hamilton, Goodhue County Administrator, at (651) 385-3250 The workshop is sponsored by the American Society of Public Administration, Minnesota Chapter and is open to everyone. �I NEWS RELEASE Regional Growth topic of ASPA Workshop Goodhue County, Red Wing, MN: March 1, 2004. For immediate release: The American Society of Public Administration, Minnesota Chapter, invites all elected and non -elected local government decision makers to "Balancing Regional Growth with Local Control' a half day workshop being held Friday March 19, 2004, at the Zumbrota City Hall, Zumbrota, MN Registration commences at 9:30 a.m., followed by a panel discussion at 10:00 a.m. facilitated by Hamline University public administration faculty David Schultz and Tom Walkington. Planners from Goodhue and Dakota Counties and a representative of the Met Council plan to join Schultz and Walkington in discussing issues and strategies for regional growth. Steve Sviggum, Speaker of the House, is scheduled to speak at the luncheon bringing a statewide perspective to the discussions. The workshop, open to everyone, is sponsored by the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) an international association committed to the advancement of excellence in the public service. Cost is $10 and includes a box lunch. For more information contact Goodhue County Administration at (651) 385-3001. To pre -register make checks payable to ASPA MN Chapter and send to Will Volk, Employee Relations Director, Dakota County, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. ### For more information contact: David Hamilton, County Administrator Goodhue County Phone: (651) 385-3250 startribune.com Close window Peter Bell: Why transit workers won't get a better deal Peter Bell Published 02/23/2004 It's no secret that health care costs are soaring out of control. Employers and employees throughout the country are struggling to slow the growth in premiums and maintain insurance coverage that provides adequate care for employees and their dependents. - For Metro Transit, the region's major provider of bus service, the problem is particularly acute. The cost of the current plan covering 2,200 bus drivers, mechanics and clerical workers increased by 18.9 percent for 2004. For 2005, it will rise by a whopping 23.9 percent. Not surprisingly, the Metropolitan Council has proposed changes in the current health plan -- to preserve coverage for our employees while, at the same time, avoiding the need for fare increases and service cuts that would harm transit -dependent riders. In our negotiations with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005, we have asked the union to work with us in designing a new plan that would make coverage more affordable for both the transit system and our employees. It is unfortunate that union leaders have resisted any meaningful change, and instead have threatened a strike. Health care costs already consume 16 percent of Metro Transit's budget. Left unchecked, this figure will rise to 27 percent by 2010. The present ATU health care plan simply is no longer affordable. The single health plan now covering ATU employees provides them with 100 percent coverage for most medical services, with no deductible and few copays. It provides employees with few financial incentives to choose care wisely and help slow the growth in premiums. Under the contract proposed by the council, employees could choose single or family coverage from among three health care plans with varying copays and deductibles -- including a plan similar to the one available today. The three health plan options would permit employees to select the plan that best meets their needs and their budgets. In two of three plans, single employees would continue to pay nothing toward their health care premiums, while the council would pay $5,056 this year and 56,269 in 2005. In two of three plans, employees electing family coverage would see their premiums decrease -- in one case by $2,807 in 2004 and $4,056 next year. In our final offer, the council also is seeking to rein in the skyrocketing cost of retiree health benefits. Under the current ATU contact, the council is obligated to pay two-thirds of the cost of health insurance for future retirees with as little as 10 years of service (the requirement is 15 years for employees hired between 1995 and 2000, and 17 years for those hired after 2000). Metro Transit already has an unfunded liability of $255 million for retiree health benefits, a benefit that most state government and private sector employees simply do not enjoy. Under our proposal, current employees would need a minimum of 17 years of service to qualify for this lucrative benefit when they retire at age 55 or older. Our proposal would eliminate this benefit for future hires, as many public and private employers already have done. Z� Finally, we have proposed to increase salaries by 1 percent, effective Aug. 1. While this obviously is a modest adjustment, it is important to recognize that Metro Transit's resources are constrained as a result of the state's budget shortfall and that ATU employees already are well paid -- by local and national standards. The drivers' current top salary of $21.80 per hour ranks second only to Seattle's $22.82 among transit systems in comparable metropolitan areas. And it is $6 to $9 more than the top hourly wages paid by private transit providers in the Twin Cities. The council's offer is both fair and fiscally responsible. It would allow Metro Transit to operate within its current resources, without further fare increases or service reductions. Through the fare increases and service cuts implemented last year, the thousands of Twin Cities area residents who rely upon the bus system for transportation already have done their part to ease Metro Transit's budgetary pressures. Metro Transit has a well-trained and dedicated work force, and its employees enjoy salaries and benefits that are among the most generous of any comparable transit system. But union leaders are asking taxpayers to dig deeper to subsidize a level of benefits that few taxpayers enjoy. That is neither fair nor realistic. The Metropolitan Council is committed to achieving a responsible new contract that (1) allows Metro Transit to operate within its budget and (2) reins in the runaway cost of current health benefits. We owe nothing less to the customers of our system and the taxpayers of our region. Peter Belt is chair of the I7 -member Metropolitan Council, )vhich operates Metro Transit. © Copyright 2004 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. 7L -V P/ymaolh�l9et�o/ioy RIDER ALERT STRIKE CONTINGENCY SERVICE PLAN Plymouth Metrolink has put together a contingency service plan in the event Metro Transit bus drivers go on strike. While we are hopeful that a strike can be averted, the welfare of our customers is our first priority. The following plan would only be put into effect if a Metro Transit strike were to take place. ROUTES THAT WOULD BE RUN: • Route 772 - (Add a double-header bus for 4:40 p.m. run start in downtown Mpls.) • Route 774 - (Midday and late afternoon, no changes — be aware of shuttle connections at Co. Rd. 73 & Hwy. 55 Park & Ride — Bus will not serve Plymouth Road Transit Center) • Route 776 - (No changes) • Route 777 - (Add stop at Co. Rd. 73 & Hwy 55 Park & Ride both a.m. and p.m.) • Route 790 - (No changes) • Route 793 - (lst a.m. run will start 10 minutes earlier at 6:20 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m.) • Route 793 Late Afternoon - (No changes, be aware of shuttle connections at Four Seasons) • Route 795 Midday - (No changes — be aware of shuttle connections at Four Seasons) • Route 792 - (Will run 5 morning and 5 afternoon runs instead of current 8 runs each) • All downtown drop-offs will be along 12`h Street between Hennepin and 2nd Ave S, and along 2"d Ave S between 12th Street and Washington Avenue. • All downtown pick-ups will be along Marquette Avenue between Washington and 111h Street, and along 11`h Street between Marquette and Harmon. Pick-ups will only be made at marked bus stops in downtown Minneapolis. ROUTES THAT WOULD NOT BE RUN • Routes 740, 741, 742, 743 and 744 (Reverse Commute Routes) — These routes will not be run due to the absence of connections in downtown Minneapolis and at the Plymouth Road Transit enter. • Routes 770 and 771 — These routes will not be run due to the absence of connections at the Plymouth Road Transit Center. • Route 773 — This route will not be run due to lack of available vehicles. • Route 791— This route will not be run due to lack of available vehicles. Most express runs wiILTPratP R ith �phicles that have somewhat less capaan currently available. Standing loads may occur on some runs, both a.m. and p.m. Plymouth Metrolink will make every effort to provide the best and most comprehensive transit service possible if a strike should occur. Your patience and understanding will be greatly appreciated. Contact our web site at www.ei.plymouth.mn.us then go to "Services" and then "Transit." Or call Plymouth Metrolink at 763-509-5521. Z� WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Independent School District 284 Wayzata, Minnesota BOARD OF EDUCATION Special Work Session — March 1, 2004 - 7:30 a.m. District Administration Building — Board Room 210 County Road 101 North, Plymouth AGENDA 1. Call to Order — Board Chair 2. School Board a. Board Development Plan — Board Members, Dr. Beilfuss 3. Adiourn OBE/I POSTED: 2/26/04 2G DATE: 2/17/04 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manger FROM: Dan Heitke, Mark Peterson SUBJECT: Trail and Winter Plowing The park trails that get plowed during the winter season are reviewed each year by parks staff based on input from resident requests, our staff, and council input. Following that our recommendations and any major additions are sent to the city council for their review and approval. We currently plow approximately 70 of the 100 miles of city trails. Our priority after a snow event is to provide 2 people for plowing streets and cul-de-sacs, four people in plows for parking lots at Lifetime, Plymouth Creek Center, the Ice Center and begin trail plowing. For trails we use 6 people in trail machines and pickup trucks. For large snow storms, or in certain problem spots, we use an additional person in a large 8'wide snow blower. Trails get plowed more often than city streets to avoid snow build up and drifting filling in the narrow space. No chemical ice control or sand is used on trails. The time required to get through the routes varies from one 8 hour shift to three 8-12 hour shifts depending on several factors. Early in the season with 4" to 6" snows we can get through things fairly well in an 8 hour shift. Any time we get a large 12" plus snow fall it takes 2 shifts just to make 1 pass through, due to the need to use blowers traveling much slower than plows. After that we must go back, widen and redo many portions of trail especially along roads where the plows put snow back in the trail and drifting occurs. '2"'� POLICY ON REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE FROM SIDEWALKS AND TRAILS Resolution No. 90-70 0anuary 22, 1990 The City annually budgets a sum of money for winter maintenance of certain public trails and sidewalks. Taking into consideration the financial and personnel resources available to the City, it is the policy of the City to remove snow and ice from the most frequently used trails and sidewalks in accordance with the standards set forth in this policy. The designated trails and sidewalks to receive winter maintenance are depicted on the map that is on file in the office of the Risk Management Coordinator. The following standards are adopted for providing winter maintenance to designated trails an sidewalks: I. The designated trails and sidewalks are normally plowed when the measured snowfall depth exceeds two inches. 2. Snow removal should commence approximately 12 hours from the end of any snowfall with an accumulated depth exceeding two inches. The designated trails and sidewalks should be cleared approximately 24 hours after the commence of snow removal. 3. The designated trails and sidewalks should be cleared as thoroughly as possible but need not be cleared of all ice and snow nor need they be maintained to bare pavement. 4. Chemical agents and sand should not be used in the snow removal process. 5. Snow removal should normally be done by park maintenance employees. 6. Snow removal may be conducted on a 24-hour a day basis, which may result in snow removal equipment being operated in residential areas during the evening and early morning hours. 7. In the event of equipment failure, extreme snowfall, or other unanticipated events, such as park maintenance employees assisting street employees in snow removal from streets, deviation from these standards may be appropriate. -10- v$ DATE: February 24, 2004 TO: Engineering Division FROM: Daniel L. Faulkner, P.E., Director of Public Works SUBJECT: WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS MnDOT has served notice that spring load restrictions for the south, southeast, and metro frost zones will begin on Friday, February 27, 2004 at 12:01 am. On Monday, March 1, 2004, we will post: Gravel roads at 4 ton Dunkirk Lane, south of County Road 47, and Lawndale Lane south of County Road 47 All other city streets are 5 ton per axle as of Monday, March 1, 2004 until MnDOT removes the spring load restrictions. cc: Craig Gerdes Mile Goldstein Tom Vetsch Gary Smith Kris Hofstedt I O:\Temp\WeightRm(ricfiom 2_24.doc ...rHIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the SS Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Meeting Minutes Full Membership Meeting Friday, January 16, 2003 9:30 a.m. - Noon Hennepin County Public Works Facility, Medina MN 1. Call to Order - Chair Penny Steele called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m. A quorum was present. 2. Introductions - Gary Erickson, Hennepin County; Anne Hurlburt, Plymouth; Dick Mattson, Wright County; Brent Morningstar, Wright/Hennepin Electric and Security; Sue Vergin, Corcoran; Karla Heeter, Wright County; Dale Grove, -star, and Associates; Margaret Donahoe, The MN Transportation Alliance; James Lane, Medina; Jeff Swenson, Buffalo; Penny Steele, Hennepin County; Wayne Fingalson, Wright County; Curt Kreklun, S E H; Jack Russek, Wright County; Karen McDougall, Rockford Twnp.; John Dearing, Corinna Twp.; Chad Hausemann, MnDOT District 3. 3. Elect New Secretary - Chair Steele noted that the Coalition elected its officers in the spring of 2003 and should plan to elect ne-NN, officers again in the spring of 2004. Along with the new officers, a new secretary is needed as Karen McDougall is no longer available to take minutes and serve as Secretary. In the meantime, staff from The Minnesota Transportation Alliance will take minutes at Coalition meetings. 4. Minutes - Wayne Fingalson provided a list of suggested changes to the minutes of the November 21 st Membership Meeting as follows: 4-42, fix typos in "Morningstar" and "Wright", #5, take out reference to "District 3 47, third sentence, take out extra "the", add name of Margaret Donahoe as person submitting the minutes. Motion by Hurlburt, seconded by Erickson to approve the November 21't minutes as amended. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 5. Membership Committee Report -Heeter presented the Membership Committee report from the meeting held on December 3rd. The Committee discussed the need to present information to the public in simpler terms, set out membership goals of 20 new corporate members in 2004, all government entities in the corridor, and 50 new individual members. The Committee also discussed ways to increase public awareness of highway 55 through newspaper articles, radio, mailings, placing information in city newsletters and delivering presentations to civic and community groups, companies and individuals. The Membership Committee also discussed setting up a website for the Highway 55 project with links on city websites and also asked for more coalition members to serve on the Committee. Adjustments to the Joint Powers Agreement will be needed as discussed at previous meetings. Changes will need to be approved by all participating agencies. A new level of contribution would need to be added for service and community organizations of $100 or the current language in the Joint Powers Agreement specifying the membership rates could be taken out and replaced with more general language such as "fees as determined by the governing board." Motion by Russek, seconded by Swenson to replace current rate schedule in Joint Powers Agreement with more general language dealing with membership rates. Motion passed with all voting in favor. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX: 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wavne.fnzalsontdco.wright.mn.us Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 0� HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from 1-494 to Annandale, Alinnesota Gary Erickson and Wayne Fingalson will bring language to the next Coalition meeting to replace the specific dollar amounts for membership with new language as well as providing any other language changes needed for the Joint Powers Agreement. Karen McDougall will make sure that all public sector Coalition members received an invoice for membership dues renewal. Wayne Fingalson provided the financial report. The Coalition has a fund balance of $3,788.69 as of January 16, 2004. A complete financial report was provided. Motion by Erickson, seconded by Russek to approve the financial report as presented. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 6. Technical Advisory Committee Report — Wayne Fingalson presented the TAC report. He noted that the MnDOT Metro District is handling the contract for the traffic study and is currently working out the details in terms of what will be included in this study. The issue of the reclassification of Highway 55 to a major arterial still needs to be addressed. Staff from the Metropolitan Council have been contacted and the Coalition is awaiting a response on this issue. In response to questions regarding the status of the project, it was explained that no money has yet been spent of the $1.5 million in federal funds earmarked for the right -of --way preservation project. The intent is to use as much of funding as possible for outside consultants needed to perform studies including environmental assessments, historical/cultural studies, etc. with MnDOT handling the contracts. MnDOT will provide the 20% local match required for the following activities: $150,000 Cultural Resources • $150,000 Contaminated properties • $500,000 three environmental assessments in the metro district • $100,000 a District 3 environmental assessment (in-house) • $90,000 mapping for Wright County portion A question was raised about whether or not the Coalition needs to prepare a project memo to the Federal Highway Administration regarding the plans for the project. Gary Erickson will follow -upon that question. Another issue raised in conjunction with the budget for the federal dollars was having the Coalition hire a consultant to manage the project. With the pace of activities increasing, the Hennepin and Wright County engineers are having a difficult time managing the highway 55 project in their spare time. A consultant could be hired to provide overall coordination of the project to ensure that all activities are done in concert with the goals and timelines of the Coalition. It was suggested that MnDOT and the counties meet to discuss which organization is responsible for which activities and determine what activities are not being covered. Then a scope of work could be developed for a consultant who would manage the project. MnDOT would not provide the 20% match for the consultant services. It was suggested that the consultant be responsible for raising the 20% local match required for using federal funds for this purpose. The consultant could work on increasing membership dues to the Coalition and then the funds could be used to provide the required local match. Motion by Hurlburt, seconded by Lane that a draft scope of work for a management consultant be developed and brought to the next Coalition meeting. Motion passed with all voting in favor. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Wright County Highway Department 1901 Highway 25 North Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Phone: 763/682-7383 FAX.- 763/682-7313 E-mail: wavne.fin ealson(a-;co.wrieht.mn.us el-IHIGHWAY 55 RIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota 7. MnDOT Update — Chad Housemann provided an update from MnDOT. A public meeting will be held this spring in Wright County on the official map. In the metro district, meetings with all of the cities involved have been held on the official map and they will be taking action in the near future. 8. Legislative Update — Margaret Donahoe from The Minnesota Transportation Alliance provided an update on legislative activity at the federal and state levels. She discussed the status of the 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill in Congress. The bill needs to be passed by the Senate and sent to the President for his signature. The reauthorization of TEA -21 continues to move slowly. The Highway 55 Coalition has a request in for High Priority Project dollars to be included in the next transportation authorization bill. The current 5 -month extension of TEA -21 will expire at the end of February. It does not look like Congress will agree on a new 6 -year authorization bill by that time. It will more likely be June by the time a new authorization bill is agreed upon. Information was also provided on the Governor's 2004 Capital Budget. In the area of transportation funding, the Governor is recommending S28 million for the Local Bridge Program, S 10 million for the Local Road Improvement Program, $37.5 million for the Northstar Commuter Rail line and S10 million for the Cedar Avenue Busway. The Transportation Alliance will again be hosting its annual Drive -In at the State Capitol. This transportation "day at the Capitol" will be held on February 26`h. In past years, the Highway 55 Coalition has invited local legislators to meet on that day to discuss Highway 55. Members expressed interest in having a room to meet with legislators again_ this year. 9. Next membership meeting — The next Highway 55 Coalition membership meeting will be held on Friday, February 20, 2004 at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility at 9:30 a.m. 10. Other business — Chair Steele recognized and thanked Arne Hendrickson of Center Point Energy for his support of the Coalition. 11. Adjourn — Motion by Dearing, seconded by Erickson to adjourn. Motion passed will all voting in favor. Meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m. Minutes submitted by Margaret Donahoe, The Minnesota Transportation Alliance. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Wright County Highway Department 1901 Highway 25 North Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 7 -1/ Phone: 763/682-73e3 FAX- 7631682-7313 E-mail: wavne.fin oalson(@co.wrizht.mn.u_v February 24, 2004 Dear Plymouth Resident: The Plymouth City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 to consider the sale of a 6.57 -acre piece of City owned property located at the southwest corner of Schmidt Lake Road and Northwest Boulevard as required by the City's Charter. The public hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers located at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard at 7:00 pm. Anyone wishing to express their opinion on the sale of the City owned property will be heard at this meeting. As part of the public hearing process, staff has mailed this notice to property owners within 750 feet of the proposed development plus additional property owners (beyond 750 feet of the proposed development) to the east and south of the site. For your review, a copy of the public hearing notice that was published in the Plymouth Sun Sailor on Thursday, February 19, 2004 and a location map of the City owned property are attached. The City has not made a decision on whether or not to sell the property. However, after holding the public hearing, if the City decides to sell the property, the City Council will establish a process and criteria for receiving proposals or offers from potential buyers. In addition, if the City decides to sell the property, the development will need to go through the same public approval process as any other development. This process will include review by the Planning Commission and City Council. This process will also include additional notices to neighboring property owners of future public hearing dates. If you have any additional questions or concerns in regard to the public hearing, please feel free to contact Housing Program Man,,�er Jim Barnes at (763) 509-5412 or myself at (763) 509-5401. Sincerely, Anne W. Hurlburt, AICP Community Development Director Enclosures 93 PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place to Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 www.d.plymouth.mn.us CITY OF PLYMOUTH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF SCHMIDT LAKE ROAD AND NORTHWEST BOULEVARD, PID # 10-118-22-42-0001 'NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Plymouth, Minnesota will meet in the City Council Chambers, Plymouth City Hall, 3=00 Plymouth Boulevard, at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, 2004 to consider the sale of City owned property located at the southwest corner of North« -est Boulevard and Schmidt Lake Road, PID # 10-118-22-42-0001. SUCH PERSONS as desire to express their opinion with reference to this proposal will be heard at this meeting. NFORMATION relating to this hearing may be examined at the Plymouth City Hall Information Counter, Monday and Wednesday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. Anne W. Hurlburt, AICP Community Development Director 3-k- Sit Location Map - Southwest Corner of Schmidt Lake Rd. & /Northwest Blvd. s l� CUY of Plymouth, Minnesota 200 0 200 400 Feet CITY OF PLYMOUT- February 27, 2004 Dear Task Force Members: The first meeting of the Surface Water Task Force will be held on Saturday, March 6, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting will conclude by noon. An agenda for that meeting is enclosed, as well as a packet of information that «ZIl be useful during your task force work. There is a lot of material here, but I thought the best way for the task force to understand the breadth and complexity of the issues relating to surface water and funding, is for you to see some of the same reports and articles that the City Council has considered over the past year or so. There are many more documents and reports, but we tried to identify those that contained important history about each of the issues that are currently unresolved. Mayor Judy Johnson will be present to kick off the first meeting, and Communit- Development Director Anne Hurlburt will serve as facilitator for your work. If you have questions about the meeting dates or will miss a meeting, please contact Sheila Langer at 763-509-5056. Thanks again for your willingness to tackle this problem and to try to identify some possible options and/or recommendation for the City Council to consider. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 6. Sincerely, Laurie Ahrens City \ tanager 36 PLYMOUTH A Beautifu[Pface to Linc 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 _. www.d.plymouth.mn.us MEMO PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447-1482 DATE: February 27, 2004 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager FROM: Mike Goldstein, Captain, SUBJECT: Legislative Concerns Sergeant Gebhardt, our department's representative and supervisor for the Northwest Metro Drug Task Force has expressed a concern over current legislative activity regarding proposed changes for our state's controlled substance laws and sentencing guidelines for convicted drug offenders. Within the Legislature there is support for three significant changes in the law. One of the proposed changes will enhance our ability to enforce manufacturer crimes, while the other two could negatively affect enforcement measures, which might negatively impact our community. Sergeant Gebhardt has offered the following: S.F. 1580 is legislation that increases penalties for manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine. This law will significantly increase the likelihood of ending a manufacturer's business and decrease the amount of labs throughout the State. Methamphetamine labs produce significant health and fire hazards to the community in addition to creating hazardous waste. This bill also sets guidelines for dealing with contamination. I believe this bill is a step in the right direction and should be supported by the City. H.F. 1037 is legislation that changes controlled substance crimes by significantly decreasing penalties for possession. In essence, the law requires a dramatic raise in the actual amount of drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin) that one needs to possess in order to reach a reasonable criminal degree i.e. agrass misd4uneanor or felony status level. It also reduces the felony level penalty for possession of marijuana, which is a common offense. The third proposal involves a recommendation by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Committee. Barbara Tombs, the committee's Executive Director, recently presented a 94 -page report to the Senate Crime Prevention/Public Safety Committee chaired by Senator Leo Foley. As part of the recommendations, sentencing guidelines for all controlled substance crimes would change. The guidelines create an avenue for non-violent drug offenders to receive no prison sentences unless they already have a prior violent felony conviction. Drug related crimes are currently considered violent crimes. This proposed change in state law would no longer recognize drug crimes as violent crimes and would also conflict with existing Federal laws. In my opinion, these proposed changes will result in a negative impact on our community. The proposed laws could ultimately allow for an increase in drug availability and more dealers. Additionally, the cost of enforcement and prosecution will increase exponentially due to the following: the amount of product that is needed to be purchased to make arrests; the inevitable increase in the number of dealers and cases to investigate; and the need for multiple convictions in order to incarcerate. Some facts that are not considered are as follows: - Many mid and upper level drug dealers are not users. Therefore, treatment instead of prison is going to seem successful until convicted again. - Drug dealers are business minded and risk averse, considering costibenefit ratios when deciding what to sell, how much to deal and most importantly, where to sell. Narcotics investigators and prosecutors often see dealers establish themselves in Minnesota in order to avoid a "three strikes or you are out" prison sentence from another state -- they feel "safe" here. - Drug offenses are not truly victimless crimes. Families are destroyed, employees become unemployable and the quality of life in the community diminishes. - The vast majority of property and person crimes are directly related to drug sales and use. For examples, many assaults, shootings, and burglaries are committed to obtain drugs or drug money. Identity Theft and Check Fraud are often committed to obtain a daily source of money to buy drugs. - Marijuana is a harmful drug and is at the center of addiction. The potency of some marijuana has increased to extremely high levels as reflected in its price. The profit from sale of marijuana tends to be the highest of all controlled substance. Violent drug dealers are many times selling marijuana. The department recognizes and supports Sergeant Gebhardt's concerns. We do not favor any legislation that mitigates current controlled substance offenses or their associated criminal penalties. I recommend that the City offer its support the Hennepin County Attorney's Office who has taken the lead in reviewing this matter and has stated its opposition this legislation. DATE: February 26, 2004 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager THOURGH: Craig Gerdes, Chief of Police FROM: Lt. Joel Franz �T"— SUBJECT: Train Whistle Quiet Zone Council Member Ginny Black, Ross Beckwith and I attended a meeting with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Tuesday, February 24`x' where the new rules regarding whistle regulations and their impact on communities with pre-existing quiet zones were discussed. We were advised that our current whistle ban will cease on December 18, 2004, as it will with all cities who have partial bans. Partial bans do not fit within the conditions set in the new rule. If they did, we would have been allowed to continue with our ban while upgrading the crossings. Only cities with full whistle bans will be allowed to proceed with their bans through the upgrade period (about five years to make the improvements). There is a movement to allow cities with partial bans to continue with their quiet zones through the upgrade process. This can be pursued through the comment period. The new rule however, will not allow partial bans. We will be required to have a 24 hour whistle ban. If partial bans are permitted to remain in affect during the upgrade period we will be required to file a detailed report by June 18, 2004 (because we are now applying for a full time ban). This leaves us very little time. The City Council has incorporated funds in the CIP for this project. $165,000 has been included to cover the upgrade of three crossings. The Engineering and Police Departments have been tracking this issue. We understand that immediate action is required. Engineering reports including updated traffic counts at each crossing must be completed very soon. It would appear that the following things need to be done at this time: • Convince the FRA that existing partial bans should be allowed to continue through the upgrade period (attached is a sheet explaining how comments may be submitted). • Determine our safety threshold with the FRA's calculator. • Complete thorough traffic and train counts and analysis at each crossing and submit the required report to the FRA by June 18, 2004. Unless otherwise directed, we will continue to monitor this process and work closely with the Engineering Department to keep our partial ban through the upgrade period. We will begin the process of applying for a full time quiet zone and complete the necessary steps required by the FRA. How to Submit Comments on the FRA's Interim Final Rule on the Use of Locomotive Horns at Highway -Rail Grade Crossings Comment Period Ends: April 19, 2004 See the FRA website at www.fra.gov.com for official procedures and any possible changes. You may submit comments identified by DOT DMS Docket Number FRA -1999-6439 by any of the following methods: Docket Web site: h"://dms.dot.gov Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and docket name and docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. For detailed instructions on submitting comments and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of the Rule (see FRA website) Fax: 1-202-493-2251 Mail: Docket Management Facility U.S. Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street, SW Nassif Building, Room PL -401 Washington, DC 20590 Hand Delivery: At above address, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday (except Federal Holidays) Federal e -Rulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. (You may also view background materials and others' comments in the docket at http://dms.dot.(2ov.) Rememher: • DO NOT send letters to FRA Administrator, Allan Rutter, Deputy Administrator for Safety, Grady Cothen, or other FRA staff unless you also send a copy to the docket. • DO NOT assume comments that you have made at a Public Forum on this topic are going into the record for FRA's future consideration (even if the forum or meeting is sponsored by a congressman, a state legislator, or is hosted by FRA staff.) Only comments made at an official FRA Public Hearing and comments sent to US DOT's DMS Docket are recorded. • DO NOT send comments without the DMS Docket Number FRA -1999-6439 clearly identified. Optional, but recommended: • Send a copy to your Congressman • Send a copy to CATS at 300 West Adams St., Chicago, IL 60606 (Compiled by the Chicago Area Transportation Study, 312-793-3472) outreach/basics/how to comment 2-12-04.doc AMENDMENT TO THE SWIFT RAIL DEVELOPMENT ACT PASSED BY CONGRESS - OCTOBER, 1996 Sec. 1213. Train Whistle Requirements "(a) IN GENERAL. Section 20153 (of Title 49, United States Code) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(i) REGULATIONS --In issuing regulations under this section, the Secretary-- "(1)shall take into account the interest of communities that -- "(A) have in effect restrictions on the sounding of a locomotive horn at highway -rail grade crossings; or "(B) have not been subject to the routine (as defined by the Secretary) sounding of a locomotive horn at highway -rail grade crossings; "(1) shall work in partnership with affected communities to provide technical assistance and shall provide a reasonable amount of time for local communities to install supplementary safety measures, taking into account local safety initiatives (such as public awareness initiatives and highway -rail grade crossing traffic law enforcement programs) and subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems necessary, to protect safety; and "(2) may waive (in whole or in part) any requirement of this section (other than a requirement of this subsection or subsection 0) that the Secretary determines is not likely to contribute significantly to public safety. (j) EFFECTIVE DATE - Any regulations issued under this section not take effect before the 365th day following the date of publication of the final rule. Report lanattage accompanying revised "Whistle Ban "AIP provisions: The conferees, in adopting these changes to Section 20153 of Title 49, United State Code, do not intend to require the Secretary to begin anew the current rulemaking already underway to implement this provision. Instead, the Secretary should incorporate the new additional criteria into his completion of the existing proceeding. Similarly, because the conference language retains the original focus of rules tinder Section 20153 on categories of crossings, not individual crossings, the implementation of this provision should not be affected by references to individual crossings in the conference report accompanying the recently approved Department of Transportation appropriations legislation. Finallv, the conferees urge the Secretary to consider, in implementing the regulations, the impact of'those regulations on the quality of life in affected communities. &/shared/programicommlia /docs/ swftrail/-2004/ basic FRA info/ Amendment text 10-96.. Doc a. w w r., February27 2004 CITY 0� PLYMOUTR SUBJECT: MEDICINE LAKE WATER QUALITY PONDS CITY PROJECT NO. 2037 Dear Madam/Sir: For the past year, the City of Plymouth has been working on a project to improve the quality of runoff discharging into Medicine Lake from two large storm systems. One discharges through the City's East Medicine Lake Park. The other flows under East Medicine Lake Boulevard at Nathan Lane. Both storm sewers drain large areas on the east side of Medicine Lake that do not have treatment prior to discharge. Three public information meetings have been held to inform the area residents of these two projects. Based on the comments received and engineering considerations, plans and specifications for the two ponds have been prepared. Approval of the plans will be considered by the City Council on March 9, 2004. If you wish to view the plans, they will be available in the Engineering Department beginning on March 8. If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact Shane Missaghi at 763-509-5527 or me at 763-509-5525. Sincerely, Ronald S. Quanbeck, P.E. City Engineer cc: Daniel L. Faulkner, P.E., Director of Public Works Shane Missaghi, Water Resources Engineer PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place to Live O:\En me nn \PROJECTS 2000 - 2009C0JTIvs\NLaceNoticc' -7 03 FORM doc 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINMOVA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 www.b.plymouth.mn.us