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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 07-23-2004DUMMY rg)CITY OF PLYMOUTH COUNCIL INFO MEMO JULY 23, 2004 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) July 28 meeting agenda ....................... Page 3 July, August, and September Official City Meeting Calendars ............................................ Page 5 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings ........................................ Page 11 FOR INFORMATION ... News Articles, Releases, Publications, etc. Registration form for the City of Plymouth/North Memorial Medical Center ,Bright Beginnings" Garden Tour...................................................................................... Page 12 Center Point Energy/Minnegasco notice of a rate case filing ............................................. Page 13 Invitation to Opportunity Partners expansion grand opening ............................................. Page 18 Hennepin County Attorney's 2004 Progress Report ........................................................... Page 19 Star Tribune articles from the Wednesday "West Edition": Update on the Ice Center expansion....................................................................... Page 26 Story about Minnetonka High School's Wetland Health Evaluation Program, studying a Plymouth wetland.................................................................. Page 27 Opinion piece by Minnetonka Mayor Karen Anderson about the Local GovernmentAid cuts.............................................................................................. Page 29 Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission 2004 Operating Budget .................. Page 30 Further details on the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission 2004 Operating Budget....................................................................................................... Page 36 Plymouth City Council to Consider Changes to Snowmobile Ordinance ............................ Page 40 Staff Reports Luce Line Crossing of Vicksburg Lane update................................................................... Page 41 Minutes Aquatic Vegetation Management Committee May 20 draft meeting minutes .................... Page 42 Highway 55 Corridor Coalition April 16 meeting minutes ................................................ Page 44 CITY COUNCIL INFORMA TION MEMO July 23, 2004 Page 2 Highway 55 Corridor Coalition June 18 meeting minutes ................................................. Page 46 Correspondence Thank—you letter from No Place Like Home Communities Executive Director Emily Fuerste for City support in the 2004 Run for Success event ................................... Page 48 Customer Response note from a resident commending the work of the City ForestryDepartment........................................................................................................... Page 49 Letter to residents regarding a request for a Conditional Use Permit for Sanders Ackerberg(2004082)............................................................................................................Page 50 Letter to residents regarding a site plan amendment for LJG Properties LLC (2004087).............................................................................................................................. Page 51 Letter to residents regarding a planned unit development amendment for Archnet(2004090)...............................................................................................................Page 52 Letter to residents regarding a variance for Remax Results (2008083)................................Page 53 AGENDA PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT Medicine Lake Room (Upper Level of City Hall) Wednesday, July 28, 2004 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of agenda 2. Approval of minutes for May 26, 2004 PACT meeting (attached) 3. Presentation and discussion of 2005 Plymouth Metrolink Service Plan. (To be handed out at the meeting.) 4. Discussion of possible new service in northwest Plymouth. (Presentation at the meeting.) 5. Discussion of placing GPS equipment on fixed route buses owned by Plymouth Metrolink. (To be handed out at the meeting.) 6. Ridership information and review of ridership statistics for June, 2004. (To be distributed at the meeting.) 7. Identification of areas of concern and/or recommendations 8. Transit consultant's report • Complaint log • New sign at 55 & 73 Park & Ride • Other 9. Other business 10. Adjournment Note: Please call George Bentley at 952-937-3502, if you are unable to attend. 3 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS July 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday modified Thursday Friday Saturday Aug 2004 1 2 ? J Jun 2004 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 29 30 31 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 INDEPENDENCE DAY INDEPENDENCE DAY (OBSERVED), City 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Offices Closed Council Chambers 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 5,30PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: BUSINESS SUBSIDY POLICY, Public Safety Training Room 12:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL RETREAT, Hilde Performance Center 700 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, C..r Clambers 7:00 PM HOUSING 8 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 6:45 PM YOUTH 5:30 PM -8:00 PM 7:00 PM ADVISORY GREEN TOUR OF PLANNING COUNCIL, Council PLYMOUTH, COMMISSION, Chambers depart from Council Chambers Plymouth Creek Center 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 "AS AM PHVMOUTN 6USIN ESS COU CIL. 5brtlan 7:00 PM Mirvwpolrs Ws '2N, PLYMOUTH REpWM perv. M,nmlwie ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON S:b PM SPECIAL COUNCIL TRANSIT(PACT)- MEETING WATER CONSERVATION OPTIONS, Medicine Lake Public S.My Tnmi,p R. ]WPM REGULAR COUNCIL EETING,CourcyCNS- MEETING,-C.- Room modified on 7/20/2004 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS August 2004 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 5:30 PM NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 4 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 5 6 7 8 9 5:30 PM SPECIAL MEETING: Reception for Surface Water Task Force, Lunch Room 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: Receive Surface Water Task Force Report, Council Chambers 10 5:30 PM SPECIAL CIN COUNCIL MEETING: JOINT MEETING WITH CHARTER COMMISSION; Public Safely Training Room �.� PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Cov 1cl, ee 11 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL OUALITYCOMMRTEE (EOC), Council Chambers 12 7:00 PM PARK 8' REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 13 14 15 16 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 17 18 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 19 7:00 PM HOUSING 6 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORIN (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 20 21 22 23 24 700 PM REGULAR OcocNCI n.m�TI, 25 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 26 27 28 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: Budget Study Session, Public Safety Training Room 29 30 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 31 Sep 2004 S M 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 30 Jul 2004 S M T W T F S 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: Budget Studay Session, Public Safety Training Room 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 31 modified on 7/20/2004 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS Sunday I Monday Aug 2004 S M 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 30 31 September 2004 Wednesday Thursday Oct 2004 S M 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 30 31 1 2 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - Medicine Lake Room 13 Friday Saturday 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 11 LABOR DAY - City Offices Closed 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EOC), Council Chambers 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: Budget Study Session, Public Safety Chambers Training Room 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers PRIMARY ELECTION DAY - POIIS are Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY(HRA), Medicine Lake Room 700 PM REGULAR open 7 AM - 8 COUNCIL MEETING, Councd Cham6srs PM CITY HALL OPEN UNTIL 7:00 PM FOR ABSENTEE VOTING 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSIChambers ON, Council Yom Kippur begins at sunset 9:00 AM PLYMOUTH CLEAN-UP DAY, 7:00 ADVISPM PLYMOROUTH Y COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room Public Works Maintenance Facility 26 27 28 29 30 6:45 PM YOUTH 11 45 AM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council BUSINESS COUNCIL, Shenbn Mk_�P W"' 12201 Ridpedab Dmv, Mnrobnk� Chambers 7-.00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING. C.0 Chaml»rc modified on 7/20/2004 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items August 9, Special, 5:30 p.m., City Hall • Presentation by Surface Water Task Force August 10, Special, 5:30 p.m. Public Safety Training Room • Joint Meeting with the Charter Commission August 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Consider land use guide plan amendment to reguide the townhome portion of the Mission Ponds development from LA -1 (Living Area 1) to LA -2 (Living Area 2) to allow the construction of one single family home on 37th Avenue North. Carson, Clelland and Schreder. (2004026) • Approve Application of TGI Friday's d/b/a Italianni's, 220 Carlson Parkway, to extend the Licensed Premises • Consider Variance for lot width to allow a minor subdivision to create two lots for property located at 5780 Oakview Lane North. Boyer Palmer. (2004054) • Approve all -way stop at Plymouth Blvd. and intersection west of 34th Ave. • Presentation of contribution by Wayzata Hockey Association • Award sale of General Obligation bonds for public safety building expansion • Approve Change Order on Ice Center project August 23, Budget Study Session, 7:00 p.m., Plymouth Creek Center August 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Award bid for water treatment plant improvements • Consider Snowmobile Ordinance • Award bid for public safety building expansion August 31, Budget Study Session, 7:00 p.m., Plymouth Creek Center September 7, Budget Study Session, 7:00 p.m., Plymouth Creek Center September 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Adopt preliminary 2005 budgets and tax levies • Assessment hearing on delinquent utility fees and street lighting charges Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. Enjoy a morning of sunshine and blooms at the 151 annual Bright Beginnings Garden Tour featuring four of the Twin Cities' most beautiful private gardens in the west metro. Shuttle service between gardens will be provided. Lunch and a garden -themed silent auction will follow. Event proceeds will benefit Bright Beginnings, a mentorship program supporting teenage mothers and their infants with a healthy start in life. Bright Beginnings was developed by the Junior League of Minneapolis and transitioned to North Memorial Medical Center in 1998. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit Plymouth's Millennium Garden located on the edge of Plymouth Creek Park. The Millennium Garden, open May 1 through October 31, features flower gardens, brick walkways, artwork, a fountain and open green space for fun and relaxation. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 7, 2004 In the event of rain, the tour will take place on Saturday, August 14, 2004. Plymouth Creek Center 14800 34th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 (763) 509-5280 $50 per person ($35 tax deductible) Ticket price includes tour, lunch and silent auction. Name: Address: City: Number Attending: Additional Names: (\.. i li v To register for the Bright Beginnings Garden Tour, please complete this form. State: —Zip: Make check or money order payable to: North Memorial Community Foundation Please mail this form and remittance to: North Memorial Community Foundation 3300 Oakdale Avenue North Robbinsdale, MN 55422 Please charge my account: ❑ VISA ❑ MASTERCARD ❑ AMERICAN EXPRESS ❑ DISCOVER Account Number: Expiration Date: Authorized Signature: (please sign below) To register by phone, or for more info, call (763) 257-8299. You may also fax your registration to (763) 520-5657. Special thanks to the City of Plymouth. kcayoF \� NYMOU 4 NorthMemorial Medical Center 02--M.md --1 v CenterPoint. * Y Energy Minnegasco Ms. Sandy Paulson City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447-1448 Dear Ms. Paulson: 8 � 800 LaSalle Avenue `- PO Box 59038 i - _n.= (vlinneapolis, MN 55459-0038 \ d July 14, 2004 I am writing to inform you that CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco filed a rate case today with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC). A rate case is the regulatory process that public utilities must follow to formally change rates and services for their customers. The rate case we filed - our first since 1995 -- will affect the rates paid by all of our more than 745,000 customers. The process for changing our rates will take about one year, with interim (temporary) rates implemented on October 1, 2004 and final rates implemented in the summer of 2005. For your information, I enclosed our Rate Case Fact Sheet that further explains the rate case process, the factors behind it, and its impact on our customers. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like additional information about the rate case. You may also visit our Web site at minneagasco.CenterPointEnergy.com. Sincerely, Al Swintek Local Government Relations 612-321-4799 Enclosure 1� Rate case fact sheet Quick facts • Revenue increase request: $21.77 million annually, or 1.8 percent • Average residential customer increase request: 538/year, or 4.1 percent annually • Interim rates for all customer types effective October 2004 C CenterPvint_, Energy Minnegasco _ n Ak i CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco's rate case will help recover increased costs, including pipeline relocation and reconstruction for street and highway projects. On .July 14, 2001, CenterPoint Energy Jlinnegasco filed a request with the Minnesota Public utilities Commission (MPUC) for new natural gas distribution rates. This is the company's first rate case since 1995. The filing hill increase the company's annual revenues by S21.77 million or 1.8 percent. The average residential customer will receive a 4.1 percent increase, or S38 per rear. Interim (temporary) rates begin October 1. 2004. Public hearings on the filing begin in the fall. A final decision from the J1P[.0 is expected in May 2005, with final rates taking effect during the summer of 2005. Rate case basics A rate case is the regulatory process that public utilities (natural gas, electric and telephone) must follow to formally change base rates for their customers. Rates are regulated by the JIPCC, and proposed changes to base rates must first go through a 10 -month review process before receiving a final decision by regulators. Rate case schedule July 14, 2004 Rate case filed with MPUC October 1, 2004 Interim rates begin Late fall 2004 Public hearings January 2005 Rate case hearings before MPUC May 2005 MPUC final decision expected Summer 2005 Final rates implemented �a llllerilll 1'7lles are all allprovvd pel'celliagt, increase till all cnslonuer hills that are efl'ec•tive ahold Iwo nunuhs after a rake filing. These Willp mrary rates arc• collected withonl changes to rate design. 0-WerPoir►t Energy Minnegasco is allowed in charge inlerinl rates to recover tilt, c•ollipan).'s higher cost of providing utility distribution service, while regulators use subse(I(►enlmontl►s to determine final rates. Interim rates will take effect on October 1, 2004, an([ stay in effect until the MPUC issues a final decision and final rates are implemented. If the final rates are less than interim rates, customers will be refunded the difference with interest. If final rates are higher than interim rates, customers will not be required to make up the difference. Public hearings providing opportunities for customers and others to provide input about the rate case will be scheduled for late fall. We will notify customers about the timing and location of the hearings through a news release, bill insert and on our Web site. An administrative law judge will oversee the hearings, and other parties (interveners) such as the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Commerce, will comment on our request. Why the rate case is needed The rate case filing is necessary for CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco to recover the increased costs of providing utility distribution service, and to improve the stability of our customers' bills. Our current rates do not allow us to recover the increased costs for two reasons: our costs have increased and average customer demand, or sales, has decreased. These increased costs include pipeline relocation and reconstruction for street and highway projects, carrying costs and customer debts related to higher natural gas costs, and other operating costs. Decreased average customer demand results from conservation improvements, energy efficiency, and improved building construction. Redesign of a utility's rate structure is traditionally considered in a rate case. Our last rate case was filed in 1995. Since then, wholesale gas costs have become increasingly variable, causing customer bills to fluctuate more than in previous years. This filing proposes a new rate structure to improve the stability of customers' bills, and better match rates with the costs of serving each type of customer. Your energy dollar Understanding rate design The largest portion of a customer's bill, about 80 percent, is for the wholesale cost of natural gas. CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco passes this cost directly to customers with no mark-up. The remaining 20 percent of the bill is the company's cost of distributing natural gas to customers. Natural gas distribution costs are recovered two ways: Basic Charge: Partially covers the cost of those services we provide every month, regardless of how much gas a customer uses. These fixed costs include maintenance of gas service lines and regulators; gas meters; meter reading; billing; maintaining facilities; vehicles: and equipment. Delivery Charge: Recovers the cost of delivering natural gas not recovered through the Basic Charge. These costs include taxes, salaries, depreciation, interest, and other operating expenses. The Delivery Charge is a per therm charge and the total amount changes with customers' use. Under the current rate structure, residential customers are charged a 85 monthly Basic Charge and a Delivery Charge of $.12857 per therm. Under the proposed rate structure, residential customers will be charged a monthly Basic Charge of $16 and a Delivery Charge of $.03833 per therm. This structure %ill provide some measure of stability for most customers because their winter bills %trill decrease and summer bills will increase, «ith less seasonal fluctuation. Our rate request is to recover the higher costs of providing reliable and safe natural gas distribution service. The company has not requested an increase in its distribution rates for nine years; meanwhile, our costs have increased. Changes in wholesale natural gas costs (increases and decreases) are recovered through nlonl hlY changes in rates on cllstoltlers' hills, and are passed (without n►ark- np. Oislon►ers pay only the wholesale cost of natural gas inc•Ilrred by the con►panv to ac•gllire (ht, gas. phis iho (list rih►ll ion cost to servf • cllst oillers. 1 J flow the rate case affects customer bills The rate lilinl.; will scck to inureuse the conyrutv's rovenues by ti21. 7 million annually, ol• 1.8 percent of revenue — adding ahoul -:N to on average residential custonu'r:s annual bill, all increase or 4.1 percent. - Annual Bill Average residential customer (1039 therms) S964.00 $926.00 $60.00 $192.00 2003-2004 Proposed Heating Season Basic charges Delivery charges Cost of gas How- these new rates affect individual monthly bills will vary based upon the amount of natural gas used by each customer and changes in the monthly cost of gas. CustomerType (usage in therms) We prolloscil to lllcrl' :ISe Illi' It .loltwi nlonthl� knsic ('hal;le:lllll dcl rl':u ill' for I%%() roilsoll": First, a higher Basic ('harge %ill iulprovr the slohilil. ot,:l cllstollwr's hill hecanse less of Illy hill will he afl'ccled by weather-related natural gas Ilse. tier ond• I IIS Irljority of our delivery costs are used costs and do not vary according to the atuount of natural gas delivered. "Che increase in the monthly Basic Charge enables its to recover olu• fixed delivery costs on it more consistent and predictahle basis. Historically, only a small amount of the fixed delivery costs were collected through the monthly Basic Charge. The net effect of a higher Basic Charge and a lower Delivery Charge is a 4.1 percent annual increase for an average residential customer. If you are a No Surprise Bill` (NSB) customer, your bill amount will not change during the 2003-2004 program year, which ends with the November 2004 bill. Quotes for the 2004-2005 program year will include interim rates. If final rates are lower than interim rates, customers who enroll and remain on the program for 12 months will receive a refund with interest at the end of the program year. If you are enrolled in the Budget Plan, your quotes were calculated prior to the rate case filing and include estimated interim rates. The annual mid -year review in February 2005 will allow customer Budget Plan amounts to be adjusted up or down based on approved interim rates, actual weather conditions and changes in wholesale gas costs. Note: Northern rate area. Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. Average monthly Average monthly bill bill Average monthly usage Average monthly bill Residential 87 $77 Commercial/Industrial up to 1,500/yr (Firm A) 66 $63 1,500 to 5,000/yr (Firm B) 239 $210 5,000 or more/yr (Firm C) 1,150 $971 Small Volume Dual Fuel up to 120,000/yr (A) 4083 $2,682 120,000 or more/yr (B) 15,458 $9,950 Large Volume Dual Fuel 109,275 $65,844 Note: Northern rate area. Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. Average monthly Average monthly bill bill $80 +$3 $65 +$2 $214 +S4 $956 -$15 $2,623 $9,742 $65,120 _S59 -S208 -S724 For more information 612-372-4727 1-800-245-2377 minnegasco.CenterPointEnergy.com Natural gas remains y011r best energy value Nat iral gas IS:Iii t'X1.1•Ilew t•llt•1•;.,ry `allit' -- :1 r-Ieall, t•tht'It'lll :Illd alittl'tl7lltlt' 1111.1 for lltllllt' hvali g. ll alill;"'. alld I rM(ling tllol lu 111111isli-Y. A4 (.nl•ding lu Ilio I \. lh'partillelll of I'.111`1';<<'. 11:11111:11;$illi %till t•ltst It'ss to Ilst' 111 211O.1 1117111 :ttlt oilior 1wili ' 1'ilel;.jv solll•t•1` -- altttlll 1\C1t-Illirds less (hall lisill;ti t'lectricily and alstt_ loss 111:111 prop111e, 11e711in till and kel•os4•11•. Coillorlttlilll Ellt•I•;.y rates Ilist 4n-it•:IIIC art`:uuong tilt` lmvest in the [lilt ilill. CenterPoint Energy helps provide best energy value At CenterPoint Enel;t<v Minnegasco. tce halve the expertise and the experience to - buy natural gas at the lowest reasonable pricos in order to provide you with the best energy value: • Because of the volume of gas we buy. we` can negotiate lower-priced supph- contracts with multiple suppliers. • We work %lith about 20 of the largest suppliers In the L.S. and Canada. • We are exploring additional pipeline opportunities to open up new supply options. • Our supply portfolio includes contracts «ith varying terms and conditions whenever possible. We also buy as much summer gas at fixed prices as we can be certain to sell during the heating season. How to learn more Public hearings «ill be scheduled and overseen by an administrative law judge. Customers and others are given the opportunity to comment on our rate request at the public hearings. Other regulatory agencies that generally comment include the Office of the :attorney General and the Department of Commerce. CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco representatives will attend each hearing to present the details of the request. Public notice of the hearing dates and locations will be published in local newspapers in the company's service area and listed on our Web site at minnegasco.CenterPointEnerg--,•.com. Interested persons may %isit the Department of Commerce to examine the filing. They are located at 85 Seventh Place East, Suite 500, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, or contact by telephone at 651-296-4026 or TDD/TTY. 651-296-2860. C CenterPoint . Energy Minnegasco 2004 CenterPoint Energy RG -41579 \ I L s 11 3 44 R C ..0 u � Z u I t N .Z �C C a Z 3 Y n c a U= Q c J C c x V m J y a 1jo N v Z 0 E Cc o z 0 m E � o v p a ^ P z ^� o �= c Q 3_ 3 c Ln Z a T o 3 ui uj P X o N c O W LL L LL n o • • OFFICE OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY AMY KLOSUCHAR COUNTY AFFORNEY Mayor Judy Johnson 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN „55447 Dear MayOhnson: July 16, 2004 (C14h I'm pleased to send you our mid -year 2004 Progress Report for the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. This publication offers detailed information about our accomplishments so far this year. We continue to be very focused on achieving positive results and promoting public accountability with our key priorities. These include: Aggressive Prosecution. We continue to focus on the aggressive prosecution of violent and career criminals—including dangerous repeat sex offenders and murderers. In addition, we're using the civil commitment law against predatory sex offenders who have completed their prison sentences but still remain a serious danger to society. Focus on White -Collar Crimes. We remain committed to prosecuting complex financial crimes such as fraud, embezzlement and large-scale thefts. These cases are very important for the integrity of both our justice system and our economic system. We're also training small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit groups on how to prevent and detect embezzlements. Community Accountability. As part of our community prosecution initiative, we've enhanced our website to provide local residents with greater opportunities for access and participation in the criminal justice process, with the ability to get information on cases we're prosecuting and to submit community impact statements via the Internet. We're also working hand-in-hand with local schools on safety and truancy issues. Innovation. We've implemented a pilot project with four local police departments to improve procedures for eyewitness identifications made through photo lineups. It's an important justice issue because, in the dozens of DNA exoneration cases across the country, these wrongful convictions were most often based on mistaken eyewitness identifications. Efficiency. We're working with local police and other agencies to have police reports, court hearing documents and other paperwork routinely submitted to us in electronic format. This transition to paperless delivery has already streamlined schedules, saved staff time and reduced other costs. As always, I'm very proud of the work our lawyers and staff do every day to protect the rights and safety of people in Hennepin County. I hope you'll find this enclosed publication to be informative. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, �I C-2000 300 Sou�rH Six-rH S rlirl r AIINN :AWAAS, N11N.X ;so,r,, 55987 PHONFI:612-398-5550 %\����.hcnncpinattornc�.org HcNNePIN CMN r) is AN 1" Qt Al. OrruIt IN] I v EMI,I.(IN LK 1� HENNEPIN COUNTY NFTORNE-' A-NtNr KLOBUCHAR PROGRESS REPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . am honored to present this 2004 midyear j ; progress report for the Hennepin County .Attorneys Office. PP continue to focus on our key priorities, which include targeting career criminals and violent offenders for aggressive prosecution; focusing on white-collar financial crimes and crimes committed against seniors and vulnerable adults; building closer working relationships with local residents and police through our community prosecution efforts; and working with schools to make sure kids are safe and to help them stay in the classroom and out of the courtroom. In our highest profile criminal case of the past year, we tried and convicted the St. Paul woman who came with a loaded handgun to the Hennepin County Government Center last fall, killing her cousin and seriously wounding her cousins attorney. Along with the .Attorney General's Office, one of our top prosecutors tried and convicted Christopher Earl in the Long Prairie triple homicide. Earl will also stand trial later this_year for his role in last year's double murder of 88 year-old William Schwartz and his 50 year-old daughter Claudia in Hennepin Count}. Keeping predatory sex offenders off the streets, whether by criminal prosecution or civil commitment, has been one of our FIGHTING CRIME, INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has enhanced its website to provide local residents with greater opportunities for access and participation in the criminal justice process. As part of its community prosecution initiative, the County Attorney's Office has added two features to the website: CASE INFORMATION. Information about selected felony - level criminal cases is now available directly to the public, searchable by specific community (or by specific neighborhood in Minneapolis). This case information includes a defendant's name, the criminal charges. the next court appearance and (for closed cases) the final outcome. COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENTS. Local residents can now electronically submit comments about any particular case or other crime concerns to the County Attorney's Office. These comments are forwarded to 'he appropriate prosecutor, who may use them in court as part of a community impact statement. Both of these ^ew features can be accessed by going to the County Attorney homepage i w%vw.hennepinattorney.org) and selecting the "See Cases in Your Neighborhood" button. WWAI M- July 2004 top priorities from the very first day 1 took �. office. The job got a lot bigger this year after the .Minnesota Department of Corrections chanted its referral policy following the arrest of .Alfonso Rodrigues, in the Dru Sjodin case. In late December our Office received dolens of neu referrals on Level 3 sex offenders who had already been released from prison or were soon to be released. The legal standards are very high, but we're aggressive in seeking commitments. During the past five nears, we filed petitions on 75 percent of our referrals from the Corrections Department—and we succeeded 85 percent of the time in getting commitments. Iie've already filed more than 20 petitions with the court so far thisyear. and were working with the Corrections Department on a more timely and effective referral process. I *-re also pursuing initiatives to strengthen the justice system. These include a pilot project with four local police departments to improve Proceduresfor eyewitness identifications made through photo lineups. I i Fre participating in the new .Mental Health Court, designed to craft appropriate sanctions and treatment services for mentally -impaired, low-level offenders. IWve also provided guidance to authorities in other states (including Illinois and ,New York) that are considering videotaping all police interrogations, a requirement in .Minnesota for the past decade—and u-hich we support as an important tool for justice. Public accountability is a core value of the County :Attorney'.i Office. That's why we've added new features to our website (www.hennepinattorney.org) that allow community members to track selected felony -level criminal cases and electronically submit comments about these cases and other crime concerns. Our prosecutors use community impact statements at sentencing hearings to show how crime affects whole neighborhoods as well as individual victims. Everyday ;e strive to be responsive to the needs of the local communities u e serve. Its all part of our mission to protect the rights and sajety of people in Hennepin County. kvZ41J11-� FOR THE YEAR 200 FIN. -t- 'CIAL CRIMES/ NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY -THEFT/ CRIMES SENIOR FRAUD Continue to locus on the f prosecution of vdhtte_-collar • ' crimes. including traud. :::uezzlentent, tax evasion. computer r:e.s atuf lark -scale thefts. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office continues to have a strong focus on the prosecution of major financial crimes. The dollar value of these cases charged during the first five months of 2004 already exceeds the total value for all cases charged in 2003. Several notable cases during the first half of 2004 include: Charges against the former longtime owner of a homebuilding business who defrauded more than two million dollars from homeowners and subcontractors; charges against the former finance manager of a nonprofit social service agency who embezzled more than $600,000 from her employer; the conviction of a daycare provider and her husband for defrauding the public of more than a half million dollars in daycare funds and food and nutrition subsidies; and the conviction of the seventh and final defendant in an identity theft case involving stolen hospital patient IDs. Work with District Court to JEM develop the Mental Health MOWN Court throe fli the retia r rai of appropriate 1ow-1ev el properry cases. The County Attorney's Office is participating in the new Hennepin County Mental Health Court. Separate from the civil commitment process, this court hears criminal cases involving selected low-level offenders who have been screened and determined to have a significant mental impairment. Cases go to this court only with the agreement of both the prosecutor and defense attorney as well as the consent of the defendant. Although most of these cases are misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, the County Attorney's Office has referred more than 40 felony - level property cases to the court. The goal is to secure appropriate sanctions along with treatment and services that will prevent these defendants from re -offending. To assist in this effort, the County Attornev's Office obtained a change in state law this year which should reduce delays in eligibility screening. GUNS/GANGS/DRUGS �, j>,nilm to ctt.tll r ,, >rrl;r, !ttt„it ra-,•< :1� ,,ul:it..�::t!; lirr••ttt •.t`I• !t)�I'r:ttat!1In '•n !il/• 1 fl ttttl 1)tt! .1 It tt� .1ii1't'tl \ '.\1 t)lttl t, .tlll,�\ rl,ntntunit� rr>t/ll•ttt; tl, l�nni\h• Minnesota law allows community representatives, as well as individual victims, to submit impact statements to the court about the effects of a crime on their neighborhood or community: The County Attorneys Office has already been working with neighborhood court watch groups to encourage participation in court proceedings. The County- Attorney's Office has now added new features to its website (\vw-whennepin attorney:org) to provide local residents with greater opportunities for access and participation in the criminal justice process. Using the website, community members can track selected felony -level criminal cases, including drug cases, and electronically submit comments about these cases or other crime concerns. The comments are forwarded to the appropriate prosecutor, who may use them in court as part of a community impact statement. These statements can make a difference in court. For example, in early 2004 a drug dealer received a longer prison sentence after the judge heard from community members about hove his street -level dealing took place near a library and harmed efforts to revitalize the neighborhood business corridor. DOMESTIC ABUSE/ SEXUAL ASSAULT/ CHILD ABUSE Coordinate with other agencies to identitY and prosecute or cornmlt repeat clangerous ;ex olfendr•t-. Following the arrest of Alfonso Rodriguez late last year in the Dru Sjodin case, the Minnesota Department of Corrections adopted a new policy referring all Level 3 sex offenders to 7 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ V ♦ 7 ♦ - V ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ 7 ♦ ♦ 7 7 ♦ 7 counties tier possible Civil C01111nttnlent to III(- %lituu•sola Sex 011endrr Pro"rant. AS a result of this policy change, at the end of 2003 the Hennepin County Attornev's Office received dozens of cast's on individuals %vho have. been d . gn)ated as Level 3 sex ollenders since 1997. (Previously; the Corrections ' I conlnfend the C:ounh, Attornzev's Offire for out- standing work drtring our recent Onplovee fraud prosecutioil. I (715preciate-your �f,'r,rts to hely prevent other nonprofit or,,,anlZations front dallin; i1 1171 to similar criminal activity.' —Mary Ann Pulk :Managing Director, VocalEssence I)eparunt'nt reli•rrrd a ;v1c•cU•d number of rases lily re"W%v.; The Cotltlo Atiornev's 011icr has trade this rrx-iew process a priority; dr<liratin; additional stall' and resources to handlin"T these cases. By func the County Atta)rne•v's Office had tiled more than 20 petitions T he Hennepin County Attorney's Office 1 ' 1 is committed to prosecuting complex financial crimes such as fraud, embezzlement and large-scale thefts. Although more challenging to investigate and prosecute, these cases are important because they speak to the integrity and accountability of basic economic functions in society. White-collar criminals typically occupy some kind of position of trust and financial responsibility, which gives them the opportunity and the means to commit the crime as well as to conceal it for a long period of time. The County Attorney's Office is also concerned with preventing these crimes. For example, prosecutors are now doing training sessions for small and medium-sized businesses as well as nonprofit groups to provide practical information on how to prevent and detect embezzlements. During the first half of 2004 the County Attorney's Office was involved in a number of important financial crime prosecutions: Public Fraud A daycare provider, Zhia Vang, was convicted and sentenced to more than five years in prison for a scheme to defraud more than a half million dollars in public funds for nonexistent child care services intended for low-income working families. A related scheme was also uncovered involving the fraudulent receipt of more than $100,000 from a federal food and nutrition program designed to benefit children from low-income families. Embezzlement The former finance manager of a Twin Cities area social service agency was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for embezzling more than $600,000 from her employer since the late 1990s. Margaret Louise Thompson pleaded guilty to nine felony counts of theft by swindle. She was the longtime financial manager of Reuben Lindh Family Services. Exploiting her position of responsibility, she stole funds from the nonprofit agency by preparing fraudulent payroll accounts and expense reimbursements. She also used her position to for 4.1vil ctontlliunetlt and had ahvad% . 1(1111 1 ,ix coul't-ol-dered r01111lllt111e111>. The Cotlnty .\nornev%, Oflie r is %%orkinty with the Urpartlnent of Corrections on a more timely; rlTi•ctive referral process and has advocated at the lx; slattur for chanes in ,tate law: cover up her thefts for several years until they were finally discovered. Identity Theft The seventh and final defendant was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison in a case that involved an identity theft ring that stole the IDs of medical patients and opened credit accounts in their names. Rossco Ross was a ringleader of the group that stole patients' Social Security numbers from Abbott Northwestern Hospital and Park Nicollet Clinic in St. Louis Park. The personal information was then used to open fraudulent credit card and phone accounts, with purchases totaling more than $78,000. At least 32 patients had their identities stolen and used. Bribery A former County social worker and two service providers for vulnerable adults were charged in April with bribery in connection with a kickback scheme. Lisa Lange worked for the Department of Community Health, where she was responsible for managing a caseload of individuals eligible for Medicaid. Lori Leeds and Zufan Asgedom, both of Edina, held separate contracts with the County to provide care services to vulnerable adults. According to the charges, Lange made client referrals to Leeds' company in exchange for employing Lange's son, husband, sister and niece. Lange also personally received $1,300 from Asgedom for referring two clients to her residential adult daycare service. Their trials are expected later in 2004. Tax Evasion An eighth commercial airline pilot was convicted of felony tax evasion for failing to pay more than $110,000 in state taxes during a six-year period. Northwest Airlines pilot Robert Taylor falsely claimed to reside in his parents' Florida condominium when he actually lived in his home in Orono. Taylor was the eighth pilot to be prosecuted and convicted for felony tax crimes by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office during the past year and a half. These cases were part of a continuing criminal investigation by the 1lunnesota Department of Revenue. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦' -6, r,�I— i STICE SYSTEM ' ,. 1i111)It'Illi'lli .11l •'\r\\IIiH'�� 1( 14 it I ! ill, 'I ;in""VAIIt will llrI!II4.pill (::,1111;\ i.l\\ �.'liti�l'�':'ItU•I1l .r_'t'11t'Ir� tU t'rtllHr ;hr .. ;)t,vll lll(\ ul .14 't Idrnnficaut'-its ii•t,r; i)IIt,U, 1111'111)". Police departments in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Minnetonka and New• Hope are participating in a pilot program with the County Attorneys Office to improve the value of evewitness identifications made from photo lineups. A new protocol for these lineups has been developed by police and prosecutors. The protocol has four key elements: An officer unfamiliar with the specific case should conduct the lineup; the officer should not tell the eyewitness whether the suspect is in the lineup; the officer should document the eyewitness's level of certainty about the identification; and the officer should display the photos one at a time rather than all at once. Prosecutors have conducted several training sessions with the four police departments, and they are working with investigators on an ongoing basis to implement these new procedures. Results of this pilot project will be evaluated at the end of the year. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Create a mechanism for child support payments to follov. the e child automatically when caretaker chanes occur. The County Attorney's Office has developed procedures with the County's child support agency to expedite child support payments to family members OFFICE OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY A%Nry KLOBUCHAR COUNTY .\'t-t'URNEY C:-2000 GOVERNNIFN r C EN•rER 300 Sot "ITI SIX I'll S I'RET. I' .\IINNEAI'()I.IS, MINNFS01'A : 5487 PitOXF.: 6l'_)-:) 12-:)48-3 550 lit tp://vv%vw.ltell nepillatton ley.org wdho are can -takers either by adillit istl•:l- tivrl• rrdirerting child support whell le-gally possible or by promptly l"stablishing new child support obligation Orders. The g-oal is to make titre the child support mond• goes to the actual caretaker of the child or, in the case of tbster care placement, to the appropriate public authority that is paying for the placement. COUNSEL TO COUNTY Work with County drpartmctus W streamline proce��es. promote greater etfic•iencies .utd obtain other cost sacing.i. The Hennepin County :attorney's Office continues to work with local police departments and County agencies to have more police reports, court hearing reports and other documents submitted in electronic format. This transition to paperless delivery already saves staff time as well as copying and postage costs. In addition, the County :attorney's Office is working with Minneapolis Police on a pilot project in which 911 calls and suspect interrogations vvill be digitally recorded to allow prosecutors quick access through a secure Internet connection. In the civil area, the County :attorney's Office has created standardized forms for basic contracts to allow County- departments to handle their own routine contracting and purchasing functions. rUso, attorneys have added neve contract provisions that require all nonprofit vendors to receive training on embezzlement and fraud prevention to protect public funds. Finally; the County- attorney's Office continues to provide legal advice in reorganizing and streamlining the Human Services Department to avoid duplication of services and enhance information -sharing. VICTItiI SERVICES r. �;' ..N �'��� '� .il�'.. !11� 'lig' i?•IU I!!�!�'ll i ai•.;!l.li ,.!ter. The County Attornev's Victim Senices Division wants to ensure that victims receive appropriate services riot only while a criminal case is pending but also following a defendant's conviction. 'Io address these issues, a checklist was developed to help identify- and address the needs of victims when a rue is concluded. The checklist includes issues such as return of the victim's property; obtaining restitution: housing; personal safety: counseling for the victim and family members; access to community resources such as support groups; and information about the appeals process. Using this assessment, advocates are now able to provide additional services and referrals to meet Nictuns' changing needs. SCHOOLS part of the &11'e Schools j Inirati.e, train school resotirer' �! otficers on 1-TU11 possession issues choc,l zone:. The County Attorney's Office conducted a daylong training workshop in March for police officers who work with schools in Hennepin County. A special focus was on issues related to gttn possession in and around schools, including a presentation on "guns, gangs and juveniles in schools." Police received fact sheets on Nlinnesota gun law's, including information related specifically to possession of guns within school zones. During the 2003-2004 school year, the County Attorney's Office charged four cases involing guns on school property. -None of these cases involved a shooting. In one case, a 21 -year-old man was charged with terroristic threats and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property for an April incident at Eden Prairie High School that led to the lockdown and evacuation of the state's largest high school. 100 Dar Results continuer! un back Keeping predatory sex offenders off die streets, whether :'f)ur set ,71nn's by criminal prosecution or civil commitment, is one of rIwesti�atius die top priorities for the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. Civil commitment is an important legal tool for institution- (III(/ a(fuer� :cork alining a sex offender for treatment based on future risk of , as a !e ant dangerous sexual behavior. These cases involve sex offenders who have already completed their prison sentences. A court- with Henn, -1)1,11 ordered commitment results in confinement for an indefinite County proseculrrs period of time at a secure treatment facility: " to keel) our Following Alfonso Rodriguez's arrest in the Dnr Sjodin case, the\linnesota Department of Corrections adopted a new coin nnulzIle i crYC policy referring all Level 3 sex offenders to counties for possible and p of , -t the civil commitment in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. ( Previously, only a limited group of sex offenders was referred ,public front for possible commitment at the end of their prison terms.) predator,' sex At the end of 2003, the Corrections Department sent the offenders." Hennepin County Attorney's Office dozens of cases on individuals who have been designated as Level 3 sex —Lt. Bernard offenders since 1997. Some of these individuals are still in Martinson prison; some were already released to the community; some Head, Sex Crimes live in other counties or states and are no longer under Minneapolis Police Hennepin County jurisdiction. The County Attorney's Office has dedicated additional staff and resources to handling these new cases. They are time-consuming to review and litigate because the legal standards for commitment are very high and the offender's entire criminal history is at issue, meaning that past victims must be located for possible testimony. By June the County Attorney's Office had filed more than 20 petitions for sex offender civil commitment and had already secured six court-ordered commitments. Hennepin County, along with other county attorneys, is working with the Corrections Department to establish a more timely, effective referral process before sex offenders are released from prison. County Attorney Amy Klobuchar also testified at the Legislature for stronger laws against repeat sex offenders. Two sex offenders who have already been committed this year include: Robert Edward McEiver XIcEiver, age 51, was scheduled for release from prison in February. Instead, he was committed as a sexually dangerous person. His sexual offenses began at age 15 with windowpeeping and then escalated to grabbing women on the street, forcibly dragging them to a remote location and raping them at knifepoint. He has convictions for six different sexual assault incidents since 1986. Matthew Austin Edwards Edwards, age 33, formerly known as )Matthew Lynn Francisco, was scheduled for release from prison in January: Instead, he was committed as a sexually dangerous person. Edwards has a criminal sexual history beginning with a 1993 assault in Carver County against a 14 -year-old girl. In 1995, while on probation, he sexually assaulted two 13 -year-old girls in Eden Prairie. He was convicted and sentenced to prison. Throughout his imprisonment, Edwards had an extensive record of discipline problems and continued to engage in numerous obscene telephone calls and letters to juvenile girls in the community to solicit sexual favors. 7 ♦ 7 ♦ T ♦ ♦ 7 7 7 7 7 7 O, 1 7 7 ♦ 7 7 Y 7 T 7 'd \ "I trnl r knob- how luck;' I am. I zc•ers I& benficI'll rr if some r f the hest medical and legal support amilahle anya-here in llinnesota, perhaps the nation. fiords fail to convey the ;ratitude I hai-e to the paramedics, the HCAIC staff and everyone who saved mr life. I witnessed first hand the dedication and p!of�ssionalisnt of the Hennepin County :attorney's Office in successfully Prosecuting and convicting the woman who shot me and murdered my fiend and client, Shelley Jo.seph- A-0rdell. " — Richard Hendrickson Attorney and surviving victim of Government Center shooting The Hennepin County Attorney's Office has targeted violent and repeat offenders for aggressive prosecution and tougher sentences. ® Unfortunately, criminals often don't respect jurisdictional boundaries. This spring, in a unique cooperative effort with the Todd County Attorney and the Attorney General's Office, a Hennepin County prosecutor jointly tried and convicted Christopher Earl for last year's triple homicide in Long Prairie. Earl will also stand trial in Hennepin County as an accomplice in last year's double homicide of 88 -year-old William Schwartz and his 50 -year-old daughter Claudia in their home. Earl's co-defendant, Jonathan Carpenter, committed suicide last summer. DNA evidence continues to be a valuable tool for solving both present and past criminal cases. For example, just a month before he was scheduled for release from prison this spring, the County Attorney's Office charged a man with the 1994 rape of a 15 -year-old girl. A "cold hit" was found after the offender's DNA sample was entered into the state's DNA database and matched evidence from this unsolved sexual assault. Several notable cases already resolved this year include: Government Center Shooting A 53 -year-old St. Paul woman was convicted of first degree murder and attempted murder in last fall's shooting at the Hennepin County Government Center. Susan Rae Berkovitz shot and killed her cousin, Shelley Joseph-Kordell. Berkovitz also shot and seriously wounded attorney Richard Hendrickson. A jury convicted Berkovitz and she was sentenced to life in prison for the murder and an additional 15 years for the attempted murder. During the trial, jurors learned that Berkovitz had been engaged in extensive litigation against her family about her father's estate. She harbored obsessive resentment against both Joseph-Kordell, her father's court-appointed conservator, and Hendrickson, who wasJoseph-Kordell's attorney. When they showed up for a hearing on the 17th floor of the Government Center's Administrative Tower, Berkovitz was waiting with a loaded handgun. As Hendrickson was getting papers out of his briefcase, Berkovitz approached and shot him once in the neck. She then walked to the women's restroom, entered and shot Joseph-hordell once. in the neck and three times in the face. Berkovitz was arrested within minutes on the 17th floor of the Court Tower. Taxi Driver Murder A 2 l -year-old man was convicted of murder in connection with the shooting death of a cab driver last July: Sylvester Scott pleaded guilty to second degree intentional murder and was sentenced to 25 1/2 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Ahmed Ahmed in his Blue & White cab on the early morning of July 10, 2003. Scott admitted in court that he was a passenger in Ahmed's cab and that he got into an argument over directions. Scott said he ended up firing at least two shots from the back seat of the cab. Scott said he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time. Ahmed's death was the fust of two fatal shootings of Twin Cities area cab drivers in the summer of 2003. In August Red & White cab driver Mohamed Ahmed Salah was shot and killed. The defendant in that case, Salvador Anthony Pacheco, was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison. Date Rape Drug A 30 -year-old man was convicted and sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for using a date rape drug to sexually assault two women he met at a bar. A jury found Matthew Eck guilty of two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fourth degree controlled substance crime. During the trial, jurors learned that the two young women met Eck at a bar/restaurant and he invited them to his apartment for a party. At his apartment, Eck gave them the drug known as "GHB," putting it in a glass with juice. He used the drug to make the women physically helpless so he could assault them. Although the women could not remember much of what happened, they reported the incident to police the next day. Police searched Eck's apartment and confiscated a substance that turned out to be a chemical related to GHB. Use of a date rape drug is complex and often difficult to prove in sexual assault cases. But this case was helped by several factors: The testimony of two victims; the immediate reporting of the crime; and the presence of the drug in Eck's apartment when searched by police. In addition, the prosecution was assisted by two experts who testified at trial about the drug and its effects. V 7 7 7 ♦ 7 7 ♦ ♦ V ♦ ♦ ♦ ,V 7 ♦ ♦ 7 ♦ ► 7 ♦ ♦ T lVednesday, July 21 • 2004 W11K IN REVIEW Editor's note: Following are sum - Inaries ojstories of interest in the western suburbs from last week's Star Tribune. MINNETONKA July 15 UnitedHealth Group report- ed second-quarter net income of $596 million, up from $439 million for the same quarter in 2003. The managed-care gi- ant is based in Minnetonka but does little health care business in Minnesota. July 17 A computer glitch acciden- tally led to free prescriptions for thousands of enrollees in Medica, based in Minnetonka. The glitch occured when an of- fer to pro0de free drugs for 3,501 seniors as an incentive to switch to generic drugs was mistakenly extended to 28,261 enrollees. ST. LOUIS PARK July 18 A year after its first phase opened, the $150 million Ex- celsior and Grand town center has brought an urban feel to the suburb. The project features wide sidelvalks, brick apartment buildings, sidewalk cafes and green spaces. The apartments are 95 percent leased; most of 65,000 feet of commercial space is full. PLYMOUTH: WHAT'S GOING IN HERE? Ice (enter addition WHERE: 3650 Plymouth Blvd. WHEN: Slated to open late this fall WHO: R.J.M. Construction of Plymouth is the site project manager,with Ankeny Kell of St. Paul as architect DETAILS: The $5.4 million construction project will add a third sheet of ice to the existing facilities. The 85 - foot by 200 -foot rink in the 41,000 -square -foot addition will also include room for up to 420 spectators. CONTACT US: To pass PLYMOUTH Zply mouth Ice center a`o , o A/� 4z 326d Av. N. 55 1/.�ile N Source: ESRI, GDT Star Tribune along ideas for "What's Going in Here," e-mail cpreiss@startribune.com or call 612-673-7616. Christina preiss J LET HE[ TI • Al • LI Burnsville E (952) 835-2132 (952) Medical We' XN' WN rte, v startribune.com Last update: July 17, 2004 at 10:20 AM Hip deep in science Ben Steverman Star Tribune Published July 21, 2004 Close window ._............................... It was a warm July evening, but in the swamp, it was cooler and there were fewer mosquitoes than up on the dry land. Half a dozen people were spending their evening slogging around the wetland, looking closely at the vegetation floating in the waist -deep water or growing up above it. A group of boys who rode their bikes by the site, along a path near Minnetonka High School, weren't sure what to make of the scene. One asked: Are you poachers? Far from it. They were volunteers, recruited by the city of Minnetonka for the Wetland Health Evaluation Program. The program teaches volunteers to catalog flora and fauna just like a biologist would. The data they collect give a picture of the wetland's health, as measured by the diversity of the species that live there. And the health of wetlands matters, according Jo Colleran, who coordinates the program in Minnetonka. Wetlands clean our drinking water, provide habitat for wildlife, moderate the climate and, by absorbing rainwater, prevent flooding in basements and roads. The wetland is one of several that the program, working with city governments, monitors in Minnetonka, Plymouth and Eden Prairie, along with other communities in Hennepin and Dakota counties. "We use this as kind of an indication of how we are doing," said Shane Missaghi, water resources engineer in Plymouth. The data are used to rate the health of each wetland as excellent, moderate or poor, and that in turn helps city policymakers determine future efforts to improve or protect the wetlands. Though they don't have enough data yet to make specific recommendations, officials said the studies might lead to stricter regulations that could reduce the erosion caused by development, or better ways of routing storm water from streets to the wetlands. There are different ways to categorize wetlands, but city staff members have counted more than 500 wetlands in Minnetonka, more than 800 wetland basins in Plymouth and more than 700 wetlands and storm water ponds in Eden Prairie. The cities may know where those wetlands are -- on nearly every block in many communities -- but they don't necessarily know the quality of the wetlands just by looking at them, Colleran said. "We don't really have that knowledge about our wetlands yet," Colleran said. Of their hundreds of wetlands, cities must choose four or five to monitor. The teams must sometimes monitor the sites for a few years to get reliable data, Missaghi said. This is the program's third summer in Hennepin County. In Plymouth, a wetland was chosen because it was near recent development, as a way of determining whether the cities' efforts to combat erosion are effective, Missaghi said. In Eden Prairie, the city chose a wetland in which a high number of deformed frogs had recently been reported. The wetland near Minnetonka High School was chosen because of its unusual origins: It was created when the school's athletic fields were expanded to make up for wetlands lost elsewhere. Training Volunteers evaluate a wetland's vegetation and animal life on separate visits. With plants, they measure out a 10 -meter by 10 -meter area to study and then look for as many plant species as possible. They mark each species on a form and then rate how prevalent it is. With invertebrates -- mostly insects and aquatic life -- volunteers use traps and nets to gather up the critters. They evaluate their finds o� later in a laboratory. The quality of the data collected is "top notch," said Joel Chirhart, an aquatic biologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Chirhart teaches the volunteers how to collect samples and how to identify the sometimes -subtle differences between species. "To get people to see detail -- that's the challenge," he said. "Unless you're looking at the detailed differences between different organisms, you are going to misidentify things." Luckily, he added, the volunteers are eager students with long attention spans. The presence of certain organisms that are sensitive to pollution can indicate healthy wetlands. But an overabundance of other species can indicate damage from pollutants like sediments, herbicides and storm water runoff. Because the program is carried out by volunteers, the costs are low: Minnetonka, for example, pays $3,850 each year to offset the costs of training and equipment, Colleran said. "We get a lot of people who just like nature and enjoy being outdoors and like the science aspect of it," said Katie Galloway of the Friends of the Mississippi River, which administers the program in Dakota County. The recent expedition in Minnetonka included a high school student, an attorney, an employee of a technology company and Cece Cope, a middle school science teacher who led the group. Organizers recruit science teachers or other people with science backgrounds to lead the monitoring groups. They are paid a small stipend for their time and transportation costs. Cope said she enjoyed spending the evenings immersed in nature. "It gives you permission to look at it in great detail," she said. The volunteer teams spend about 40 hours each summer at wetlands in their communities. The teams also verify each other's data by taking a trip to a neighboring city's wetland and double-checking their work. One draw of the program for volunteers, Galloway said, is that "they know that they are collecting important, reliable data that is often used by the cities. It reassures that they are doing something useful." Ben Steverman is at bsterernianCstartribirne. coin. C Copyright._2.0..04 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. a- Y". startribune.com Close.w ndow Last update: July 18, 2004 at 10:11 AM One rogue paragraph will leave cities struggling with budgets Published July 21, 2004 It's a tiny paragraph, just an editing oversight really, but it will have big potential consequences -- higher property taxes and, paradoxically, service cuts -- for residents of Minnesota cities. The trouble started during the 2003 special legislative session, when legislators passed a tax bill yet failed to delete one of its references to the Local Government Aid (LGA) grandfather provision. The 2004 Legislature was supposed to fix the issue by striking the paragraph in question. And, in fact, both the House and Senate tax bills did delete the paragraph. What they didn't do was convene a conference committee, and so the fix was never made. So here we go again. In what's becoming a recurring and tiresome theme for the citizens of Minnesota, legislators failed to get the job done and now cities and residents will pay the price. Because of the clear intent of the 2003 Legislature, the actions of Gov. Tim Pawlenty in 2003 and the separate actions of the House and Senate in 2004, cities have been expecting LGA amounts based on no grandfather provision. But now Pawlenty announces his intention to follow the "letter of the law" in interpreting the law, in direct contrast to last year when he followed "legislative intent." Now, cities don't know what to expect. Not a good place to be in the midst of setting budgets for 2005. Many cities stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, or in the case of Minneapolis and St. Paul, millions. St. Paul is facing the prospect of its first property tax increase in 11 years. It's true that some cities would benefit from the Legislature's inaction and the governor's letter -of -the -law interpretation. Minnetonka stands to reap a windfall of $149,000. So why do I care about this governmental snafu? For one thing, I know that the likelihood of Minnetonka actually receiving this increased aid is very slim, yet city staff will have to waste time planning for the possibility. More importantly, as a city official and a fiscal conservative, it angers me that taxpayers will be unnecessarily shocked by potential increases in property taxes and service cuts that might not ever materialize. A number of cities will have to certify their levies at higher amounts than would otherwise be necessary, frightening taxpayers for potentially no reason. These cities have no choice. We have an obligation to balance our books, and cuts in state aid have to be matched with budget cuts or revenue increases. This problem paragraph needs to be fixed now. State law requires cities to certify their preliminary property tax levies, the amount of tax revenue needed to support expected 2005 expenses, by Sept. 15. With no certainty of what those tax revenues may be, it leaves cities guessing about budget numbers and taxpayers to face unnecessary tax increases if those guesses are wrong. Let's be honest. If a technical error of this sort at the federal level affected the state of Minnesota the way our cities are being affected, the governor and legislative leadership would be outraged. It's time for state lawmakers to start viewing cities as partners in serving our common constituents. In the state -local partnership, cities are expected to carefully manage their fiscal resources. In return, we should be able to expect some stability and predictability in our fiscal relationship with the state. It's time for Pawlenty to show leadership, call a special session and get this technical drafting error corrected. Who knows? When legislators find out how good it feels to actually resolve an issue they might be inspired to solve a few of the other items they left dangling at the end of this year's legislative session. Karen Anderson has served as mayor of Minnetonka since 1994. Anderson is active in state and national activities relating to city government, completing a term in 1996 as president of the League of Minnesota Cities. Site was president of the National League of Cities in 2002. 0 Copyright 20.04 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. 0, 1 SHINGLE CREEK WFiTEZSHEO MHHHGEMEHT COMMISSION 3235 Fernbrook Lane • Plymouth, MN 55447 Telephone (763)553-1144 • FAX (763)553-9326 June 30, 2004 Mayors City Managers y 1 t Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission Hennepin County, Minnesota Dear Mayors and Managers: j At its June 10, 2004 meeting, the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission approved an operating budget of $426,190. Assessments to member communities total $268,190, with the balance of revenue from grant sources, application fees, and interest income. The proposed Joint Powers Agreement amendment establishing an "Assessment Cap" that cannot be exceeded without the consent of a majority of cities has not yet been executed by all the member cities. The Commission prepared this budget as if that amendment was in place and thus assumed the assessment increase was capped at 2.3 percent, the change in the CPI from April 2003 to April 2004, the best data available when the Commission's budget committee met in May. The total member assessment for 2005 is 2.1 percent greater than the 2004 assessment. The 2005 budget continues the existing operating programs with some minor modifications. Other expenditures were considered for 2005 that would have required an assessment above the Assessment Cap. Four of these proposals were for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation activities to start reducing nutrient loads in the watershed's lakes. A fifth would begin streambank restoration on Shingle Creek north of Brooklyn Boulevard in Brooklyn Park. The Commission chose not to go forward with any of these activities for 2005, but they remain priority activities for consideration in 2006, along with additional potential activities (see attachment). It should be noted that the TMDL studies completed to date in Shingle Creek have been heavily funded by MPCA which, in part, is why the operating budget [$426,190] is higher than the assessment to all member cities [$268,190]. The challenge for the Commission is, we believe, that TMDL funding will be significantly less and more competitive in the future. We also believe the Commission is going to be asked to participate financially in more stream bank restoration projects similar to the one being considered in Brooklyn Park. Therefore, if the Commission is going to participate in TMDL and stream bank restoration efforts, the Commission and its member cities will have to develop additional revenue sources. Furthermore, as the required TMDLs are completed, additional implementation projects and programs will be identified. The Water Quality Plan that is currently beginning the Plan Amendment review process identified additional studies and plans that should also be considered. The Commission requests that the member cities as soon as possible begin discussing a long-term strategy for funding capital improvement projects and special studies such as TMDLs and resource management plans. The Commission requests that this strategy be developed and in place by Spring 2005 for the development of the 2006 budget and capital improvement program. BROOKLYN CENTER • BROOKLYN PARK • CRYSTAL • MAPLE GROVE • MINNEAPOLIS • NEW HOPE • OSSEO • PLYMOUTH • ROBBINSDALE -�,U 2005 Operating Budget June 30, 2004 page 2 Some of the items for discussion include: SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION ■ What kinds of improvement and other projects should be paid for by the Commission (that is, have a watershed -wide benefit), and what is the appropriate means of funding them? ■ How should "grey area" items that are not general operating expenses nor capital improvements - special studies, large maintenance projects, and programs - be funded? ■ Should the Commission request the County to levy an ad valorem tax to fund certain projects and, if so, what kinds? The Commission looks forward to discussion of these issues by the member cities. Please direct any questions regarding the 2005 budget and assessments to Judie Anderson at 763-553-1144 or iudie@iass.biz. Sincerely, Y )d_k./< 1'1"_"0"t__ / 04— Mark Hanson, City of New Hope CHAIR, Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission MH:jaa Attachments. Cc: Commissioners City Clerks BROOKLYN CENTER • BROOKLYN PARK * CRYSTAL • MAPLE GROVE • MINNEAPOLIS o NEW HOPE • OSSEO • PLYMOUTH 0 ROBBINSDALE 2005 Operating Budget SHINGLE CREEK WEITERSMED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION June 30, 2004 page 3 ATTACHMENT Items considered for funding in 2005 but not approved were: • $10,000 for an aquatic plant management plan for Twin Lake • $20,000 for assistance to property owners in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce nonpoint source pollutant loads in the thirteen lakes that have been listed as Impaired Waters due to excess nutrients • $11,000 for carp removal in Twin Lake to reduce excess phosphorus • $40,000 for predesign and Section 319 grant application development for the restoration of wetland 639W northwest of Upper Twin Lake that is a major source of phosphorus load to Twin Lake • $50,000 for streambank restoration, with an emphasis on that part of Shingle Creek north of Brooklyn Boulevard in Brooklyn Park that is experiencing erosion Items preliminarily to be considered in 2006 include: • Items above • Chloride TMDL implementation: $250,000 for road salt prewetting equipment for use in targeted, monitored subwatersheds • Consideration of additional items identified in the Twin Lake, Crystal Lake, and Ryan Lake TMDLs: o Restoration of wetland 639W (Twin): cost unknown but likely $250,000-350,000 o Installation of grit chambers and in-line treatment devices (Twin): $100,000-200,000 o Acquire property and construct water quality ponds (Twin): cost unknown but likely in the range of $500,000 o Installation of grit chambers and in-line treatment devices (Crystal): $400,000 o Shoreline buffers (Crystal): $100,000 o Construct treatment ponds/reconstruct wetlands (Crystal): $750,000-$1.5 million o Shoreline buffers (Ryan): $50,000 Stream or habitat restoration projects identified in the Shingle Creek Corridor Study $40,0000 for stream assessments for Eagle, Bass, and Pike Creeks. Bass Creek is an Impaired Water for Biotic Integrity of fish community, and a TMDL will have to be prepared As competition for TMDL funds increases, the Commission cannot assume the $80,000 for the dissolved oxygen TMDL, $65,000 for the eight remaining lake TMDLs, and cost of future TMDLs will be fully funded by the MPCA. The DO TMDL was expected to be funded this year, but the MPCA had insufficient funds to meet all its priorities. The Commission may have to fund part or all of these TMDLs. W:%SHINGLECREEK\FINANCIAL\BUDGET05U convey_scbudget.wpd BROOKLYN CENTER 0 BROOKLYN PARK • CRYSTAL 9 MAPLE GROVE • MINNEAPOLIS • NEW HOPE • OSSEO 0 PLYMOUTH • ROBBINSDALE Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commnission Approved 2005 Budget Approved Approved Approved 6/10/2004 INCOME Application fees 10,000 12,000 12,000 Wetland reviews 0 0 0 Interest income 5,000 1,000 1,000 Reserve 5,350 Twin Lake MEP grant 3,965 Chloride TMDL grant 90,950 20,000 Lake TMDL grant 85,339 65,000 DO TMDL grant 80,000 Twin Lake Shoreline grant 10,000 SC corridor grant 20,000 Chloride prewetting 319 grant Assessment 247,800 262,750 268,190 Addl assessment above cap 0 TOTAL INCOME 373,065 401,089 426,190 EXPENSES OPERATIONS Administration: Administrative Services 45,000 45,000 45,900 Engineering Support 7,000 7,000 7,140 Engineering: Administration 45,000 45,000 45,900 Management Plan 5,000 5,000 5,100 Grant Writing 7,500 7,500 7,650 Field Inspection 0 2,500 0 Legal: Legal Services 18,320 12,500 12,750 Project Reviews: Engineering 28,000 28,000 28,560 Administration 4,000 4,000 4,080 Miscellaneous: 2,800 2,800 2,860 Accounting 1,500 1,500 1,500 Audit Contingency 5,000 6,000 5,000 Insurance &Bonding 2,500 2,500 2,500 Meeting Expense 2,700 2,700 2,750 Second Gen Plan 6,830 SUBTOTAL OPERATIONS 181,150 172,000 171,690 MONITORING AND INFO GATHERING Commission stream monitoring 22,500 30,000 35,000 Commission lake monitoring Volunteer lake monitoring 7,000 7,000 6,500 Volunteer stream monitoring 3,000 3,000 3,000 Volunteer wetland monitoring 3,000 Aquatic plant/fish monitoring 0 SUBTOTAL MONITORING 35,500 40,000 44,500 SC. Financial. 2005 draft reconfigured budget_2.SCApproved 'z Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commnission 6/10/2004 ' In 2004 an additional amount was authorized after the budget was tinatizea 2 $20,000 of this amount was received from a DNR Conservation Partners Grant with the balance from the budget SC.Financial.2005 draft reconfigured budget_2.SCApproved l �� Approved A roved Approved EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH Education Program 15,000 15,000 17,000 Web site 5,000 3,750 3,000 NPDES 6,500 2,500 2,500 Education Grants 2,500 2,500 2,500 BMP projects Twin Lake Homeowner Ed 3,965 Twin Lake Shoreline Restoration 10,000 Ryan Lake Shoreline Restoration BMP implementation projects 0 42,965 23,750 25,000 SUBTOTAL EDUCATION MANAGEMENT PLANS Water Quality Plan 7,500 Update Creek model & 1 00y FP Lake TMDLs: Phase I (U, M, L Twin, Ryan, Crystal) 85,339 Phase II (Eagle, Pike, Bass, Schmidt) 40,000 Phase III (Meadow, Magda, Pomerleau, Cedar Island) 25,000 Lake management plans: Phase I (U, M, L Twin, Ryan, Crystal) 20,000 Phase II (Eagle, Pike, Bass, Schmidt) Phase III (Meadow, Magda, Curtis, Pomerleau, Cedar Island, Palmer, Success) Stream TMDLs: Chloride 90,950 20,000 DO' 80,000 Fecal coliform Stream assessmnts & mgmt plans: Shingle/Ryan Creeks2 40,000 Bass/Eagle/Pike Creeks Oxbow Creek/Other Streams Wetland protect and presery plan 98,450 145,339 165,000 SUBTOTAL MGMT PLANS Contribution to constr/grant match 15,000 20,000 20,000 TOTAL EXPENSE 373,065 401,089 426,190 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS Shoreline/streambank restoration 50,000 Chloride pre -wetting Twin Lake carp removal 11,000 Wetland 639W Predesign 40,000 0 01 000 SUBTOTAL CIE ' In 2004 an additional amount was authorized after the budget was tinatizea 2 $20,000 of this amount was received from a DNR Conservation Partners Grant with the balance from the budget SC.Financial.2005 draft reconfigured budget_2.SCApproved l �� Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission Member Assessments 2005 Budget A B C D E F G H I 1 2003 Cost Allocation Cost Based 2 2001 Tax Based on Area on Tax CapacityTotal Cost 3 Community Acreage Capaci %a a Dollars %a a Dollars %a a Dollars 4 5 Brookl n Center 3,720 12,458,788 13.07% 16,195 13.69% 16,966 13.38% 33,161 6 Brooklyn Park 7,080 25,309,873 24.88% 30,823 27.82% 34,466 26.35% 65,289 7 Crystal 21480 7,527,129 8.71% 10,797 8.27% 10,250 8.49% 21,047 8 Maple Grove 5,020 13,222,758 17.64% 21,854 14.53% 18,006 16.09% 39,861 9 Minneapolis 1,950 6,330,383 6.85% 8,489 6.96% 8,621 6.90% 17,110 10 New Hoe 2,070 7,084,073 7.27% 9,012 7.79% 9,647 7.53% 18,659 11 Osseo 300 1,350,964 1.05% 1,306 1.48% 1,840 1.27% 3,146 12 Plymouth 4,380 12,290,353 15.39% 19,068 13.51% 16,737 14.45% 35,805 13 Robbinsdale 1,460 5,409,805 5.13% 6,356 5.959/o 7,367 5.54% 13,723 14 Totals 28,460 90,984,126 100.00% 123,900 100.00% 123,900 100.00% 247,800 15 16 2004 Cost Allocation Cost Based 17 2002 Tax Based on Area on Tax Capacity Total Cost 18 Community Acreage Capacity %age Dollars %age Dollars %age 19 20 Brookl n Center 3,720 13,476,199 13.07% 17,172 13.78% 18,097 13.42%5,27021 jDoars Brooklyn Park 7,080 26,871,786 24.88% 32,682 27.47% 36,087 26.17%8,76922 C sial 2,480 8,183,793 8.71% 11,4488.37% 10,990 8.54%2,43823 Maple Grove 5,020 14,729,361 17.64% 23,173 15.06% 19,780 16.35%2,953 24 Minneapolis 1,950 6,623,965 6.85% 9,001 6.77% 8,895 6.81% 17,897 25 New Hope 2,070 7,560,603 7.27% 9,555 7.73% 10,153 7.50% 19,709 26 Osseo 300 1,589,429 1.05% 1,385 1.62% 2,134 1.34%13,519 27 Plymouth 4,380 13,008,667 15.39% 20,219 13.30% 17,470 14.34%1 37,688 28 Robbinsdale 1,460 5,784,286 5.13% 6,740 5.91% 7,768 5-52%1 14,507 29 Totals 28,460 97,828,089 100.00% 131,375 100.000/1 131,375 100.00% 262,750 30 31 2005 Cost Allocation Cost Based 32 2004 Tax Based on Area on Tax Capacity Total Cost 33 C_O_mmunjty Acreage Capacity %age Dollars %age Dollars %age Dollars 34 35 Brooklyn Center 3,720 14,510,123 13.07% 17,528 12.75% 17,092 12.91% 34,620 36 Brooklyn Park 7,080 28,641,380 24.88% 33,359 25.160/6, 33,739 25.02% 67,098 37 Crystal 2,480 10,109,341 8.71% 11,685 8.88% 11,908 8.80% 23,594 38 Maple Grove 5,020 19,979,017 17.64% 23,653 17.55% 23,535 17.59% 47,188 39 Minneapolis 1,950 7,702,454 6.85% 9,188 6.77% 9,073 6.81% 18,261 40 New Hope 2,070 8,031,302 7.27% 9,753 7.06% 9,461 7.16% 19,214 41 Osseo 300 1,869,314 1.05% 1,414 1.64% 2,202 1.35% 3,616 42 PI mouth 4,380 16,525,771 15.39% 20,637 14.52% 19,467 14.95% 40,104 43 Robbinsdale 1,460 6,467,194 5.13% 6,879 5.68% 7,618 5.41% 14,497 44 3,4601 113,835,896 100.00% 134,095 100.00% 134,095 100.00% 268,190 Budget05ASSESSMENTS �S SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT COMMISSION 3235 Fernbrook Lane • Plymouth, MN 55447 Telephone (763) 553-1144 • Fax (763) 553-9326 t I'LL July 15, 2004 v; Mayors City Managers Shingle Creek Watershed Commission Hennepin County, Minnesota Dear Mayors and Managers: The City Council of one of the member cities requested more detail regarding the annual budget. The attached is an explanation by line item that had been provided in previous years, updated to 2005. We hope you will find this useful in understanding the Commission's annual budget and activities. Please direct any questions regarding the 2005 budget and assessments or any other topic to Judie Anderson at 763-553-1144 or judie e,jass.biz. Sincerely, Mark Hanson, City of New Hope CHAIR, Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission Cc: Commissioners T:\1240\Shingle Creek WMC\Correspondence\2004\L-convey SC budget detail.doc BROOKLYN CENTER - BROOKLYN PARK • CRYSTAL • MAPLE GROVE • MINNEAPOLIS - NEW HOPE - OSSEO - PLYMOUTH • ROBBINSDALE 3L� Shingle Creek/West Mississippi Watershed Commission 2005 Budget Explanation 07/15/04 INCOME ■ Assessments: annual assessments to the member cities to pay the operating expenses of the Commission. Assessments are apportioned 50 percent based on land area within the watershed and 50 percent based on tax capacity of land within the watershed. ■ Other: project review fees, interest on funds held, grant funds, etc. EXPENSES OPERATIONS: All mandated activities except where noted. Administration ■ Administrative Services: clerical and office support duties on behalf of the Commission, such as preparing for and attending meetings, preparing minutes and agendas, correspondence, mailings, official records, official publications, annual reporting, preparing budget. ■ Engineering Support: correspondence, official publications, and other support regarding engineering activities. Engineering ■ Administration: technical and administrative duties on behalf of the Commission, such as: investigation and resolution of drainage, flood control, bank stabilization, erosion and water quality problems; research; preparing for and attending meetings; correspondence; responding to inquiries; annual reporting; preparing budget and Capital Improvement Program. ■ Management Plan: updates and amendments to the management plan or the Rules and Standards. ■ Field Inspection: field inspection of facilities constructed as part of an approved project review for conformance with Commission requirements; previously every 2-3 years, after 2004 will be a responsibility of the cities under their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater permits. ■ Grant Application Writing: researching and writing grant applications to supplement Commission funds. Not mandated Legal ■ Legal Services: general counsel, preparing for and attending meetings, drafting policies and variances, reviewing contracts and agreements. Project Reviews ■ Engineering: reviewing projects and wetland replacement plans for conformance with Commission requirements. ■ Administration: correspondence, official publications, and other support regarding project reviews and Wetland Conservation Act requirements. Miscellaneous ■ Miscellaneous: annual audit, accounting services (currently to JASS), insurance and bonding, meeting expenses, contingency. Contingency not mandated MONITORING AND INFORMATION GATHERING: Rules mandate water quantity and quality monitoring programs that are "...capable of producing accurate data to the extent necessary to determine whether water quantity and quality goals are being achieved." Commission Stream Monitoring ■ Field data collection, equipment maintenance, sample tab analysis, and data analysis for flow monitoring and water quality sampling at two sites (45th Avenue and Zane Avenue) and Commission's share of cost of USGS site at Queen. Increased by $5,000 for 2005 to add three additional water quality parameters: CBOD (carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand), ammonia, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen, to diagnose and monitor the likely causes of low dissolved oxygen in the Creek. (Shingle Creek: $35,000.) Volunteer Lake Monitoring ■ Citizen Assisted Lake Monitoring Program (CAMP): in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, volunteers are trained to take lake water samples and make observations. Met Council provides sample analyses and data compilation. Commission provides equipment, training, and sample collection. (Shingle Creek: $6,500) Volunteer Stream Monitoring ■ Macroinvertebrate monitoring: in partnership with Hennepin County Environmental Services, high school and college students are trained to sample streambeds for macroinvertebrates and to classify the sampled organisms as an indicator of stream health. (Shingle Creek: 3 sites@$1,000 = $3,000; West Mississippi: 2 sites = $2,000) EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH: A public information program is mandated. The Commission also provides mandated NPDES Phase II education and public outreach programs for member cities. Education ■ General public information and NPDES education program: target one or two messages per year; coordinate messages with cities; prepare materials for distribution by member cities; work with lake associations; survey residents; work with Watershed Partners; coordinate Education and Public Outreach Committee (EPOC); work with area schools. Increased by $4,000 for 2005 for public education component required to be implemented as part of the Shingle Creek chloride TMDL. (Shingle Creek and West Mississippi: $17,000 each = $34,000) Web Site ■ Web Site: maintaining the Commission's web site with information useful to property owners, students, cities, and developers, as well as agendas, minutes, management policies and standards, and special projects and reports (Shingle Creek and West Mississippi: $3,750 each = $7,500) 2 NPDES Activities: ■ Coordinate annual Great Shingle Creek Watershed Cleanup, host annual Open House, prepare annual report (Shingle Creek and West Mississippi: $2,500 each = $5,000) Education Grants: ■ Financial assistance for educators for activities such as classes or programs to improve their skills teaching water quality education, curriculum and educational materials for use in the classroom, expenses for field trips or fieldwork related to water quality education, etc. (Shingle Creek and West Mississippi: $2,500 each = $5,000) MANAGEMENT PLANS: The Commissions are mandated to pursue an Implementation Program that consists of nonstructural, structural, and programmatic solutions to problems, issues, and management goals. The approved Second Generation Management Plan and the Water Quality Plan set forth a program of Resource Management Plans, including Lake Management Plans, Stream Assessments, and a Wetland Protection and Preservation Plan to identify those solutions. The Commissions are also obligated by the federal Clean Water Act to prepare TMDLs* for each waterbody and impainment that is listed as an Impaired Water by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Lake TMDLs*: ■ Thirteen of the sixteen lakes in the Shingle Creek watershed are impaired by excess nutrients. Phase I of the lake TMDLs is being completed in 2004, and Phases II and III will be completed in 2005. (Shingle Creek: $65,000 funded by the MPCA) Lake Management Plans: ■ Management Plans will follow completion of the lake TMDLs. In 2005 management plans will be completed for Twin, Crystal, and Ryan Lakes. (Shingle Creek: $20,000) Stream TMDLs*: ■ Shingle Creek is impaired by low dissolved oxygen. A TMDL will be prepared in 2005. (Shingle Creek: $80,000 funded by the MPCA) CONSTRUCTION/MATCHING GRANT FUND: Not mandated An annual capital contribution towards a fund to be used to match grants or for high-priority projects as designated by the Commission. *Total Maximum Daily Load - A TMDL or Total Maximum Daily Load is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards, and an allocation of that amount to the pollutant's sources. T:\1240\Shingle Creek WMC\Budgets\2005 Line Item Budget Explanation.doc -Z, O� City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release July 22, 2004 Contact: Barb Cox, 763-509-5165 Plymouth City Council to Consider Changes to Snowmobile Ordinance The Plymouth City Council will consider amending the snowmobile ordinance on Aug. 24, 7 p.m., at Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Police Department officials are recommending the changes for safety reasons that are largely related to Plymouth's increasing urbanization. If the changes are adopted, snowmobiling will be limited to: ■ The state trail which runs along side of Hwy. 55 west from Fernbrook Lane to the western city limits; ■ Private property with the owner's permission; and ■ Public frozen waters. Snowmobile use will still be permitted for rescue and law enforcement purposes. The amended snowmobile ordinance is posted on the city web site at www.ci.plymouth.mn.us. If you have questions, please call Barb Cox at 763-509-5165. DATE: July 19, 2004 TO:'Laurie Ahrens, City Manager FROM: Daniel L. Faulkner, P.E., Director of Public Works SUBJECT: LUCE LINE CROSSING OF VICKSBURG LANE At the May 11, 2004 City Council meeting, the Wayzata Dome proposal was discussed. A part of that agenda item included a traffic report from our Traffic Engineer, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. (SRF), which included an analysis of the Luce Line crossing of Vicksburg Lane. Users of the Luce Line trail had expressed concern with the noncompliance of the crosswalk law and staff determined that the Wave, Wait, and Walk element of this crossing was not producing good results. One of the recommendations of SRF's report was to install a curb bump -out at the crossing in order to narrow the roadway width and enable Luce Line trail users to cross a much narrower portion of the roadway. While the report estimated a cost for this option within a range of $5,000 to $10,000, Scott Newberger came up with an alternate suggestion which will accomplish the same goal at a much lower cost. Rather than use concrete curbing, we will be creating the bump -outs with a series of plastic reflective posts similar to those installed around some of our centerline stop signs, an example of which you can see at the intersection of 34`" Avenue and Fernbrook Lane. We will be installing a total of 48 of these plastic posts, 12 at each of the four quadrants of the Luce Line crossing at Vicksburg Lane at a cost of approximately $1,500. We will also install the appropriate street signage, and move the existing pedestrian crosswalk sign to the new location of the crossing on Vicksburg Lane which would be approximately eight feet from the curb into the street. I have informed our Street Maintenance Division to proceed with this improvement, and I feel it should be effective in providing for a safer crossing of Vicksburg Lane at the Luce Line trail location. 0.\Engineering\GENERAL\MEMOS\DANF\2004\LuceLine_6umpouts_7_19_mem.doc "AW. .va AVM Meeting 5/20/2004 Present: Scott Gordon, John Barten,. Bill Leonard, Shane Missaghi, Mark Peterson, Karen Chesebrough, and guest presenter Kevin Krutch of Lake Restorations The meeting was called to order at 8:35 am. Minutes of the March 18, 2004 and April 15, 2004 meetings were approved. Review of Curlyleaf Pondweed treatment Contractor report Kevin Krutch reported that his company completed the treatment in a 4 day period from Saturday, 5/8 through Tuesday, 5111. Most of the treatment was completed by 5/10. Because fishermen were present in the North Arm, this last treatment area was deferred until the final day, 5/11. The window of opportunity was narrowed by windy weather, fast -rising water temperatures and fishing opener constraints, but his firm was able to complete all of the scheduled treatment area except for two 1/2 acre spots in the middle of the lake where there was too much water movement. A total of 316.5 acres was treated. The total herbicide applied was 1,667.5 gallons. Signs were posted as specified along the lakeshore. There were no known citizen issues. The contractor spent a half hour in discussion with one property owner who had asked that his lakefront property not be treated. Monitoring Pre-treatment stem density sampling done by Steve McComas revealed a very high amount of curlyleaf, in a range of 700 - 900 stems per acre. This is one of the highest amounts he has ever seen. At the optimum time in June, Steve will resample to determine the number of turions present. The plants were about 4 to 5 feet high when treated. The goal is to bring the average densities down to about 100. The Army Corp completed their monitoring about 5/2 or 5/3. John Barten has not received their data yet. Three Rivers Park will perform bio -mass analysis when samples are received from Steve McComas. This summer, Three Rivers Park will sample the center of the lake. The AVM group is interested to see how Eurasian milfoil and coontail respond to the CLP treatment. Thoughts for next year's application John Skogerboe has suggested widening the window of application slightly. One possibility would be to allow treatment when the water temperature hits 50 degrees. This could open up a window of 3 weeks. If the treatment was started a little earlier, there may be fewer fishermen on the lake. �1� DRAFT Alternatively, the treatment could be broken up into two parts. There is a big difference in plant growth between the shallow and deeper areas. The group noted, however, that the high degree of weather variability fr_ om year to year makes it difficult both to predict and generalize. Post-treatment Endothol survey John Barten related his findings on the feasibility of doing post-treatment testing for endothol next year. The herbicide manufacturer is developing a faster analytical procedure, but the cost of the procedure is unknown at the present time. However, the cost of shipping samples, doing the analysis and analyzing the data would be many thousands of dollars. In addition, sample collection, holding times, and logistics are problematic if the testing is to include the intensity suggested by Don Maxwell. After discussing the logistics, cost and budget request process, the committee determined that the decision to include this testing for next year's treatment will need to be concluded no later than September of 2004. Citizen Feedback Several preliminary suggestions were made for obtaining citizen feedback. Bill plans to write a report for the Medicine Lake newsletter. Karen suggested including the CLP treatment project in the next Medicine Lake Connection with some type of open-ended feedback request. She suggested that possibly the EQC could help with suggestions. Rough Fish Control We need to determine how much of a problem exists. We are not sure if they come in from downstream or if they migrate from the lake. Possibly the DNR could do a survey. As a starting point, Shane will request info with interpretations from Daryl Ellison who handles west metro fisheries. Bill has a video copy he received from Joe Hardy. Buoys and Signs A straight tube design was recommended. Questions about installation and storage need to be answered before a presentation is given to the City Councils. Installation may be a one or two day job. Shane will find out if Hennepin County can do the work. Algae recommendations More time is needed to see what occurs after the CLP treatment before deciding what needs to be done to address algae problems. Next meeting: Thursday, June 24, 2004 Respectfully submitted, Karen Chesebrough 2 HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Meeting Minutes Full Membership Meeting Friday, April 16, 2004 9:30 a.m. — Noon Hennepin County Public Works Facility, Medina MN 1. Call to Order — Chair Jack Russek called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. 2. Introductions — Brent Morningstar, Wright/Hennepin Electric and Security; James Lane, Medina; Jeff Swenson, Buffalo; Penny Steele, Hennepin County; Wayne Fingalson, Wright County; Jack Russek, Wright County; Marvin Johnson, Independence; Gary Erickson, Hennepin County; Dale Grove, Bonestroo and Associates; Karla Heeter, Wright County; Barbara Senness, City of Plymouth; Sandy Hewitt, Plymouth City Council; Willard Vetsch, Loretto City Council; Arne Hendrickson, Center Point Energy Minnegasco; Chad Hausman, MnDOT; Margaret Donahoe, The MN Transportation Alliance. 3. Minutes — Motion by Johnson, seconded by Hendrickson to approve the March 19, 2004 minutes. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 4. Membership Committee Report — Karla Heeter presented the membership meeting report. Chatham Township has joined the Highway 55 Coalition. The revised joint powers board agreement has been approved by all affected parties except Hennepin County and that approval should be coming soon. In response to questions asked about consulting firms becoming members of the Coalition, Jack Russek reported that the Wright County attorney indicated that he didn't see any problem with consulting engineers becoming members. A request was made to obtain a written opinion to that effect. 5. Financial Report - Wayne Fingalson provided the financial report. The Coalition has a fund balance of $9,132.98 as of April 15, 2004. A complete financial report was provided. It was noted that a few new members have joined the Coalition. Motion by Swenson seconded by Erickson to approve the financial report as presented. Motion passed with all voting in favor. 6. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Report — Chad Hausman from MnDOT noted that a consultant has been selected for the traffic study and an announcement is expected shortly on which consultant was hired. The report due to the Legislature on the Highway 55 is being reviewed by MnDOT's legislative staff. A project memo needs to be submitted to MnDOT indicating what the federal money will be used for. Wayne Fingalson noted that if reimbursement requests are submitted right away, the Coalition may get federal funds in the near future, otherwise reimbursement will need to wait until the federal reauthorization bill is passed. MnDOT is working on the RFP for the historical documentation work. 7. Meeting with Lieutenant Governor/Commissioner Carol Molnau — Commissioner Steele noted that the meeting with Lt. Governor Molnau went very well. It was suggested that a press release with a photo be sent to local newspapers publicizing the event. A "thank you" note should also be sent to the Lt. Governor thanking her for taking Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 7631682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX: 7631682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: way nefin��alsorr(cuco.wri�ltt.mn.us Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 !!COHIGHWAY 55 RRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota the time to visit the Coalition. A request was also made that the final Legislative Report on the Highway 55 demonstration project be sent to everyone in the Coalition. S. Administrative and Project Coordination Services RFP — Wayne Fingalson discussed the RFP process for administrative and project coordination services. He explained that the Coalition needs to go through the EEO Office at MnDOT and that has delayed the issuance of the RFP. He anticipated that the final RFP would be ready to issue sometime in May. 9. Federal and State Update- Margaret Donahoe from the Transportation Alliance updated members on the status of federal transportation funding issues. The House of Representatives has passed its TEA -21 Reauthorization bill with $275 billion provided for six years. This compares to the Senate bill which was funded at $318 billion. As noted by Mark Matuska from Congressman Kennedy's office at the meeting with Lt. Governor Molnau, $5 million is included in the House bill for corridor preservation from I-494 to Annandale. The Coalition has also requested $3.5 million for the FY2005 Appropriations bill. No funding for Highway 55 was provided in the Senate reauthorization bill, however, the Senate members will have an opportunity to add earmarks in conference committee. Donahoe suggested that Coalition members meet with Senate staff to promote inclusion of an earmark for Highway 55 in the final bill. At the state level, the Legislature is working on bonding requests in the area of transportation including funding for local roads and bridges. The House Transportation Finance Committee has passed its recommendations in the area. The Senate has yet to put forward its bonding recommendations. 10. Transportation Alliance Washington, D.C. Fly -In — The Alliance will be hosting its annual Washington, D .C. Fly -In on June 8-10. Wayne Fingalson and Karla Heeter from Wright County anticipate that they will be going and will talk to members of Congress about the Highway 55 project. 11. Next membership meeting — The next Highway 55 Coalition membership meeting will be held on Friday, May 21, 2004 at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility at 9:30 a.m. 12. Adjourn — Motion by Steele, seconded by Heeter to adjourn. Motion passed with all voting in favor. Meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m. Minutes submitted by Margaret Donahoe, The Minnesota Transportation Alliance. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX: 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wcnmefin��aLson i�co.tirrig/rt.nnr.us Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 loe� HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the SS Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Meeting Minutes Full Membership Meeting Friday, June 18, 2004 9:30 a.m. — Noon Hennepin County Public Works Facility, Medina MN 1. Call to Order — Secretary Karla Heeter called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. 2. Introductions — Wayne Fingalson, Wright County; Gary Erickson, Hennepin County; Dale Grove, Bonestroo and Associates; Karla Heeter, Wright County; Barbara Senness, City of Plymouth; Margaret Donahoe, The MN Transportation Alliance; Chad Adams, City of Medina; Dennis Peterson, City of Rockford; Willard Vetsch, City of Loretto; Harlan Strong, City of Independence. 3. Minutes — A quorum was not present, so the minutes were not adopted. 4. Membership Committee Report — Karla Heeter noted that the Membership Committee had not met since the previous Coalition meeting in April. The committee plans to approach more businesses in the future, working with the new management consultant to generate membership. Heeter reported that Buffalo Township has joined the Coalition. She and Wayne Fingalson will visit with Albion Township to encourage the township to join the Highway 55 Coalition. Heeter also suggested that township members be called before the next coalition meeting to remind them about the meeting and encourage attendance. 5. Financial Report - Wayne Fingalson provided the financial report. The Coalition has a fund balance of $8,863.69 as of June 18, 2004. A complete financial report was provided. The report was not formally adopted due to the lack of a quorum. 6. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Report — The technical committee had not met since the last Coalition meeting. Gary Erickson noted that SRF Consulting has been awarded the contract to conduct the traffic study on Highway 55. The study will determine whether or not a complete Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be necessary or if an Environmental Assessment (EA) will be sufficient. 7. New Highway 55 Brochures — Fingalson distributed copies of the new Highway 55 brochure. The Coalition has 1500 of the new brochures for distribution. Some were given to Congressional members and staff at the Washington, D.C. Fly -In. Comm. Heeter suggested that the Chair of the Coalition send brochures, along with a cover letter, to local congressional offices as well as to all Minnesota legislators. She also suggested that a copy of the new brochure be sent to each Coalition member. 8. Administrative and Project Coordination Services RFP — Fingalson explained that the Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued and was published in the State Register. The deadline is June 25`h for submitting proposals for providing management consultant services. The Selection Committee will meet prior to the next Coalition meeting in July to interview candidates and provide a recommendation to the Coalition at its next meeting. Karla Heeter requested that her name be added to the Selection Committee. 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: yvayvicfingalson(aco.itiriLIit.nut.zrs tle!COHIGHWAY 55 RRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota 9. Federal and State Update- Margaret Donahoe from the Transportation Alliance reviewed the Legislative Session and the status of federal transportation funding. She noted that the Legislative Session ended without passage of a bonding bill to help fund local roads and bridges. The MnDOT Housekeeping bill was passed on the last day of the session which contains some changes to MnDOT's right-of-way acquisition practices. Legislation changing the blood alcohol content for impairment offenses from .10 to .08 was also passed. The passage of this legislation means that Minnesota will not have federal transportation funds withheld. Donahoe explained that she and Gary Erickson have been in contact with MnDOT regarding the potential for setting up a revolving loan fund for right-of-way acquisition outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. One way to set up such a fund without legislation or an appropriation would be to have each MnDOT district contribute some funding from their existing budget for this purpose. This would allow for the purchase of right-of-way at lower prices. She will continue to follow-up with the Department on this issue. At the federal level, conferees have been named to the conference committee on TEA -21 reauthorization. The committee held its first meeting on June 9`h. No agreement has been reached as to an overall dollar amount for the bill. It remains questionable as to whether or not a final bill will pass before the November elections. The FFY05 appropriations process has begun. Subcommittees were provided their allocations. The Treasury and Transportation budget proposal is almost $3 billion less than the current funding level. 10. Transportation Alliance Washington, D.C. Fly -In — Fingalson reported on the meetings that Highway 55 Coalition members participated in during the Washington, D.C. Fly -In. Participants met with many members of the Congressional Delegation and their transportation staff as well as briefing sessions and group meetings. Karla Heeter stated that the trip was very valuable in terms of raising the visibility of Highway 55, developing relationships with others in the transportation community and making transportation a higher priority. 11. Next membership meeting — The next Highway 55 Coalition membership meeting will be held on Friday, July 23, 2004 at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility at 9:30 a.m. 12. Other Business — Fingalson reported that Secretary of State Mary Kiffineyer has agreed to send a letter to Peter Bell, Chair of the Metropolitan Council and other Council members regarding the importance of re-classifying Highway 55 as a principal arterial. This letter will be sent in the near future as the Metropolitan Council is in the process of updating its transportation plan. Fingalson also mentioned that the Community Resources Partnership has asked the Coalition to be part of their efforts to hold candidate forums this fall that would highlight transportation issues. Fingalson asked about the status of work initiated by Senator Steve Murphy to quantify unmet transportation needs. Donahoe reported that subcommittees have been established and the goal is to have a plan by Labor Day. She suggested that the TAC hold a meeting before the next Coalition meeting to develop a 10 -year and a 20 -year plan for Highway 55 with a dollar amount attached that could be provided to this group as well as the MnDOT district engineers who are in the process of updating their 20 -year plans. 12. Adjourn — The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 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 Phone: 763/682-7383 FAX: 763/682-7313 E-mail: itiayvra.%rn�ralsnn(a.ix�.wri�Tht.nut.us N0 P!- CE LI KE H 0 M E r Building Equity/Grorling Hop: A. W::iI B.. 0 i;..:),,, A, c":5GALF. V..':E50 A -,.-- F'. .. •, i.ii; i.. July 7, 2004 Plymouth Parks and Recreation Department Attn: Eric Blank 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Eric, On behalf of all the residents at No Place Eike Home Communities, thank you! Your support by the use of Medicine Lake Park for the 2004 Run for Success was much appreciated. As you may know, all proceeds from the Run for Success benefit the Resource Center. This letter serves as a receipt acknowledging your contribution. Your gift builds the Resource Center's supportive services that help adults with disabilities to live successful, independent lives. You have placed your support behind the vision of No Place Like Home Communities — we envision a world where people with disabilities are encouraged through supportive services to participate in the American dream of self- determination and self-sufficiency. Thanks again, for all you have made possible at No Place Like Home Communities. Sincerely, &-Y� Emily Fuerste Executive Director Ill l a> E c c6 N cu 0 -W Y Ij C.. O O O L N _0 Z Q cz IJ -o O 1 O 0 0 ofQ L L CD W U_ � O O O cm - 1 V O ^Q` W D O C �`n�\ o �.o > o C 0O �i U O C� O N O 'D C: L OO on cu > 0 O .O p >, 0+ co Z E a ` O O X W 2 X Q. Q C:= O O O cn 0 E O _0 Z Q h J :tel u 1i, O j O N O m "� COj Q O cA O -O N >� O -c-O E O cu 0 0 0> O 3 O cn N O �' O a cnN U00) > N O N L �o n U .'Oc C 1U0= 10 o ' o - cfO 0 OO � EL OO Q O ( O E 0cn=3 >�u)L .O O 0 i 0 N>.O ' QO O N O o ° n U)E o m co :3OU'— -E 00 C UOca ��: 1 0 D o ai E � �N co Q L co m O C o CD co CDc UCO U) L E L L co O 'a c� U � � m My Q� O L 00 °� U_ c O a) � E CD vim, LO 0 C) :D LO c co -0 A cu (D L (D E c O _ U > E cn a� c co E cU)a > a� � July 23, 2004 SUBJECT: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR SANDERS ACKERBERG (2004082) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this is to inform you of a request by Sanders Ackerberg, under File 2004082, for a conditional use permit to allow a fence with a maximum height of 8 feet on the west side yard of the property located at 18900 -12th Avenue North. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 500 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 4, 2004, in the City Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at (763) 509- 5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter (lower level), on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. I I ............ I I ...... X. _.I Sincerely, Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2004082propnotice ............ ....... LA- i W. PLYMOUTH A Beautifu[Ptace to Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 <,r� www.d.plymouth.mn.us SUBJECT: SITE PLAN AMENDMENT FOR LJG PROPERTIES LLC (2004087) Dear Owner/Occupant: This letter is written to inform you that LJG Properties LLC, under file 2004087, submitted a planning application requesting approval of a site plan amendment to allow site improvements on the east side of the building located at 10200-51" Avenue. The applicant proposes to add 13 parking spaces, construct two loading doors, and install wall mounted lights in this area. Curbing would also be added along the parking and drive - aisle. While a formal Public Hearing is not required, it is the City's policy to inform adjacent property owners/occupants of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2004, in the City Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400. Sincerely, WL�� a—o �� Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2004087propnotice PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place to Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • �YMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 —., '•; \ www.ci.plymouth.mn.us SUBJECT: PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT FOR ARCHNET (2004090) Dear Property Owner: Pursuant to the provisions of the Plymouth Zoning Ordinance, this letter is to inform you of a request by Archnet, under File 2004090, for a planned unit development amendment to increase the size of the Hom Furniture building located at 4150 Berkshire Lane North. Under the plan, the building would increase from 212,850 square feet to 261,139 square feet by adding a 2°d level mezzanine above the existing lease spaces and warehouse in the north portion of the building. The increased square footage would accommodate additional furniture showroom area. The height and footprint of the existing building would not change, because the increased square footage would be constructed within the area of the existing building. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 750 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of, and cordially invited to attend a Public Hearing to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, August 4, 2004, in the Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. The public will be invited to offer questions and comments concerning this application at that time, or feel free to call the City Planning Department at (763) 509-5450 for more information. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter (lower level), on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. Sincerely, Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2004090propnotice L EI1.111: L-SwMW ROOKFORO RO 2 SF A Y PLYMOUTH sl 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 www.d.plymouth.mn.us r SUBJECT: VARIANCE FOR REMAX RESULTS (2004083) Dear Owner/Occupant: This letter is written to inform you that Remax Results, under file 2004083, submitted a planning application requesting approval of a variance to allow construction of a single- family home on a vacant legally non -conforming lot for property located at 2725 Kirkwood Lane North. Variances are required for lot area and lot width. While a formal Public Hearing is not required, it is the City's policy to inform adjacent property owners/occupants of such applications. Hennepin County records indicate your property is within 200 feet of the site of this proposal. You are hereby notified of and cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Plymouth Planning Commission at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 4, 2004, in the City Council Chambers at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. INFORMATION relating to this request may be examined at the Community Development Information Counter, at Plymouth City Hall on Mondays and Wednesday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except holidays. If you have any questions about the specifics of this proposal, please contact the Community Development Department at (763) 509-5400. Sincerely, f)WI-yr, 9iV1►e k5 Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Manager 2004083propnotice MIEN MEM PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place to Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 © �, < '1 www.d.plymouth.mn.us