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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 06-27-200317p) Dummy NNE 279 2003 Official Meeting Calendars for June, July, and August 2003........................................................... Page 3 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings...................................................... Page 9 NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. State Transportation Department Authorization to erect speed designation signs onHwy. 101.................................................................................................................................... Page 10 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) request for volunteers to serve on 2003 AMM Policy Committees....................................................................................... Page 12 Notice that Willow Creek South Apartments intends to terminate the Section 8 contract with the Department of Housing and Urban Development ............................................... Page 15 City news release announcing "slow—no wake" order for boaters on Medicine Lake ................... Page 17 "Top Ten Tips" for advisory board members from outgoing Youth Advisory Council Co—Chair Jean Yin .......................................................................................................................... Page 18 MINUTES Youth Advisory Council May 12 meeting...................................................................................... Page 19 Youth Advisory Council June 9 meeting notes................................................................................ Page 21 CORRESPONDENCE Thank—you letter from Springsted Board Chair David MacGillivray for the City's continued cooperation with the company........................................................................................ Page 22 Letter from Plymouth residents Ronald and Joyce Beauchane praising the efforts of Plymouthfirefighters....................................................................................................................... Page 23 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS June 2003 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 8:00 AM TOUR 7:00 PM 7:00 PM HUMAN OF ZACHARY PLANNING RIGHTS WATER TREATMENT COMMISSION, Council Chambers COMMISSION - Council Chambers PLANT, 4425 Zachary Lane 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 7:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING:DISCUSS IVES/JONQUIL LANE DRAINAGE ISSUES, Public Safety Training Room 7:00 PM EVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers Flag Day 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 6:00 PM -8:30 PM FIRE DEPARTMENT FAMILY NIGHT, Fire Station III, 3300 Dunkirk Lane 7:00 PM HOUSING d REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: DISCUSS BASSETT CREEK WATER MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION; CO. RD. 73 d POSSIBLE TRANSIT GRANT, Council Chambers C Cloud Civic Center LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE, St. 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 7:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 5:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: MEET WTH MET COUNCIL REP; DISCUSS 2002 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, Public Safety Training Room 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 9:15 AM MUSIC IN PLYMOUTH 5k RUN 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers (� 2i 2:00 PM -4:00 PM MILLENNIUM GARDEN RIBBON -CUTTING CEREMONY, Plymouth Creek Center 30 May 2003 Jul 2003 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 $ 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 L 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 27 28 29 30 31 I I modified on 6/27/2003 3 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS July 2003 Sunday I Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jun 2003 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 5:15 PM MUSIC IN PLYMOUTH, Hilde 3 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY - City Offices Closed S 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Performance 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Center 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PARK & RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Plymouth Creek Center 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 7:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 11:45 AM PLYMOUTH -MT- BUSINESS COUNCIL, BORN Conference Room, 301 Carlson Parkway, 4th floor 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 27 28 29 30 31 Aug 2003 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 modified on 6/27/2003 5 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS Auzust 2003 Sunday_Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Ju12003 Sep 2003 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 5:30 PM NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 6 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7 8 9 10 11 7:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 12 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 13 7:00 PM EVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Plymouth Creek Center 14 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM PARK b REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 15 16 17 18 19 20 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 21 7:00 PM HOUSING 6 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 22 23 24 25 26 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 27 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 28 29 30 31 modified onT2003 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items July 8 Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Hearing on application for off—sale 3.2 malt liquor license for RBF Corp. of Wisconsin for Rainbow Food Store at 16705 Co. Rd. 24 • Approve reclassification of Vicksburg Lane • Authorize proceeding with Lift Station Telemetry Updates (3119) • Deny comprehensive plan amendment to add roughly 81 acres at the northeast corner of Peony Lane and Schmidt lake Road to the Metropolitan Urban Service Area, rezoning of this property from FRD (Future Restricted Development) to RMF -2 (Multiple Family), and a sketch plan for 75 lots for single family homes. Brandt Engineering & Surveying. (2003043) • Approve refunding of housing revenue bonds for Regency Pointe (Harbor Lane) Apartments • Consider conditional use permit to place an area identification sign in the public right-of-way located at 41" Avenue North and Old Rockford Road. Quail Ridge Homeowners Association. (2003055) • Consider Appeal by Michelle Brouseau of Staff Interpretation of Conditions on Setback Variance for Cantilever Addition (2002145) • Approve special law amendment relating to the Firefighters Relief Association's By -Laws to permit adoption of ancillary disability benefits for "volunteer" firefighters • Amend Section 910 of the City Code regarding swimming pools • Approve lease agreement with Plymouth Historical Society • Amend ordinance relating to youth membership on city boards and commissions • Authorize project and approve engineering services for water treatment plan improvements • Amend the budget and salary plan to establish police captain position • Authorize Request for Proposals for architectural services for public safety building renovation/expansion July 22 Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Consider whether to proceed with finishing the lower level of the Plymouth Creek Center • Presentation by representatives of the I-494 Corridor Commission • Adopt ordinance to adopt State Building Code Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. 9 Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Traffic Engineering and �TM Intel ligentTransportation Systems Mail Stop 725, 2nd Floor North 395 John Ireland Boulevard St. Paul, MN 55155-1899 June 11, 2003 Gary Erickson Hennepin County Engineer A2207 Administration Tower Hennepin County Government Center Minneapolis, MN 55487 Dear Mr. Erickson: Office Tel: 651/284-3500 Fax: 651/205-4526 As requested by a letter dated December 10, 2002, attached is authorization to erect the appropriate signs designating the reasonable and safe speeds on County State Aid Highway 101. Please keep this authorization in your permanent files; we have our necessary copies. Erection of signs shall be in conformance with the current Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Note the contingency on the authorizations. This must be met before the regulatory speed limit signs are erected or changed. Based on the speed data contained in the district report, a short 50 MPH zone between Medina Rd and CSAR 24 would be warranted which is what the district recommended but speed continuity has its advantage also. Our office received correspondence from both the county and the city preferring a continuous 45 PH zone. I personally did a field review to assess the feasibility of a continuous 45 MPH zone. The design speed of this road is 45 MPH. The midblock cross sections certainly supported safe travel at 50 MPH but some of the intersection treatments were restrictive which does send mixed messages that command the driver's attention. Hopefully, as the landscaping matures it may produce some traffic calming to encourage a 45 MPH travel speed. Based on this final review, a continuous 45 MPH zone as specified in the authorization was considered a safe and reasonable speed for this section of CSAR 101. Sincerely, _ 2 Thomas E. Campbell, P. to r�Fn Assistant State Traffic Engineer �QQj cc: Tom Johnson, Hennepin County Traffic Engineer O Daniel L. Falkner, Plymouth Public Works Director TE4A.doc 0n nrn.el nnnnrh .n.1.. mm�lnvnr �UOri Mrr/DOT 29213 (12-78) STATE OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Page lof 1 Page(s) LOCAL STREET OR HIGHWAY SPEED LIMIT AUTHORIZATION Road Authority Hennepin County Date June 11. 2003 Road Name or No. County State Aid Highway 101 (Peony Lane) Termini of Zone: From County State Aid Highway 24 (Rockford Road) To Trunk Highway 55 Date of Request December 10, 2002 As authorized in Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.14, it is hereby ordered that the following speed limits are approved and shall be put into effect on the described roadway or sections thereof. 45 miles per hour between the intersection with County State Aid Highway 24 (Rockford Road) and the intersection with Trunk Highway 55 NOTE: The speed limits, described in this authorization, are authorized contingent upon curves and hazards being signed with the appropriate advance curve or warning signs, including appropriate speed advisory plates. The roadway described shall be reviewed for traffic control devices impacted by the authorized speed limits before posting the signs. Warning signs and speed limit signs shall be in accordance with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. (1) White - Road Authority mivuu 1 Aumornzea olgrimuic (1) Pink - Central Office Traffic (1) Blue - District Traffic Engineer for Road Authority use only Date traffic control devices i Month -Day -Year TE4.doc this authorization Signature Title o 1 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities DATE: June 16, 2003 TO: AMM Members FROM: Veid Muiznieks, AMM President SUBJECT: 2003 AMM Policy Committees AMM is currently seeking volunteers to serve on our four summer policy committees—Housing & Economic Development, Metropolitan Agencies, Transportation & General Government and Municipal Revenues & Taxation. Enclosed you will find a description of each committee, along with a schedule of committee meetings and a sign-up form. This is one time of year when AMM really depends on the active participation of all of our members. The 2003 legislative session brought sweeping change to Minnesota, with significant consequences for metro -area cities, especially in the area of state aids. With a stagnant or possibly worsening economy, 2004 could bring even more reductions in state spending. Other major issues likely to be on the Legislature's agenda in 2004 include local sales taxes, transit funding, the metropolitan fiscal disparities program, land use/zoning issues, publication costs and a push for public service consolidation. We need your involvement in order to develop strong, clear policy positions that will direct our work and represent your interests on these and other issues. To join your colleagues from other metro -area cities in serving on an AMM policy committee, simply return the enclosed form by July 1, 2003. If you have any questions, please call Laurie Jennings at (651) 215-4000. NOTE: This bulletin was mailed to mayors, managers/administrators, councilmembers and individuals that served on our 2003 summer policy committees. However, all city employees, including finance directors, community development and planning directors, and city engineers are welcome to participate. Therefore, we would appreciate it if you would route this information to these individuals. 145 University Avenue West Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103-2044 Telephone: (651) 215-4000 Fax: (651) 281-1299 E-mail: amm@amm145.org 17,.- CLL 1JJUGJ Leila LVLL &V LUL CLLLLL JLLLLGIN\/ LLGLLAJF%JLKLUVLL, ZALVLLLI "A5 lY AL rm owaA VJ- L "T—YL appointees to the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) are encouraged to join, along with other city officials. The committee also considers general government issues that are outside the scope of the other policy committees, such as state mandates and local authority, the 911 telephone tax and the 800 MHz Radio System. This committee will meet on Mon- days from noon to 2:00 p.m. Meeting dates for this year are July 28, August 18, September 8, September 22 and October 6. The Municipal Revenue & Taxation Committee is responsible for all matters related to city revenues, property taxes and city expenditures; including state aid formulas, levy limits, property tax assessments and fiscal disparities. This committee will meet on Tuesdays from 11:30 a. m. to 1:30 p.m. Meeting dates for this year are July 29, August 19, September 2, September 23 and October 7. The Housing & Economic Development Committee considers all issues related to housing, economic development and redevelopment. This includes affordable and inclusionary housing, and development/redevelopment tools such as tax increment financing (TIF). This committee will meet on Thursdaysfrom 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Meeting dates for this year are July 31, August 21, September 4, September 25 and October 9. The Metropolitan Agencies Committee considers legislative issues related to the Metropolitan Council, as well as Met Council policies that impact cities. One of the issues to be addressed by this year's committee is how AMM should respond to legislative attempts to restrict or reduce the Met Council's statutory authorities. This committee will meet on Tuesdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Meeting dates for this year are July 29, August 19, Sept. 2, Sept. 23 and Oct. 7. �0 1 Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Name: Title: City: (Street Address or P.O. Box) (Daytime Phone) (E-mail) Committee Choices: (Fax) (ZIP code) Municipal Revenue and Taxation (Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) Metropolitan Agencies (Tuesdays: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.) Housing & Econ. Dev. (Thursdays: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m) Transportation & General Govt. (Mondays: noon to 2:00 p.m.) Issues which should be studied: Please mail or fax completed form to: Association of ATTN: Laurie Jennings Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AM* Metropolitan 145 University Avenue West St. Paul, MN 55103-2044 Municipalities Fax: 651-281-1299 I Phone: 651-215-4000 I `A' Bigos N1 A N A J E M E N T June 18, 2003 Mayor Judy Johnson City Hall City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Members of the City Counci City Hall City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 RE: ONE-YEAR NOTIFICATION LETTER—Owner Does Not Intend to Renew Willow Creek South Apartments, Plymouth, Minnesota Dear Mayor Johnson and Council Members: Bigos-Willow Creek, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (`Bigos"), owner of Willow Creek South Apartments, 135 Nathan Lane North, Plymouth, Minnesota 55441, is writing to inform you that Bigos intends to terminate the Section 8 contract regarding the property described above on June 27, 2004. Under the Section 8 contract, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides project -based assistance for 24 one -bedroom and two- bedroom apartments in the Willow Creek South Apartments. Minnesota Statutes, Section 471.9997 requires Bigos, as owner of Willow Creek South Apartments, to submit the enclosed Resident Impact Statement one-year before the expiration or termination of a Section 8 contract. For your information, enclosed are copies of the notices Bigos served on HUD and the tenants in the 24 Section 8 units of the Willow Creek Apartments who will be affected by the termination of the Section 8 contract. In addition, we included Russian translations of all notices for the benefit of the Russian-speaking tenants residing at the premises. Copies of those translations are enclosed as well. The notice affects a total of 35 individual residents. There are 6 children residing in the 24 Section 8 units. Bigos will cooperate with the local HUD office and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency ("MHFA") with respect t0 the conversion to tenant -based assistance for the qualified tenants. As long as the tenant -based assistance is sufficient to pay our standard rents, and the unit, the rent, and Bigos, the owner, meets the requirements of the Section 8 tenant -based assistance program, Bigos will allow all current Section 8 tenants to remain in their premises, provided that there is no cause for eviction under Federal, State or local law. Bigos will also discuss alternatives to terminating the Section 8 Contract. 15- 2343315vl 6400 BARRIE ROAD - SUITE 1400 1 EDINA, MN 55435 - 952-926-2494 1 FAx 952-924-1 178 Under the Section 8 program, the MHFA and HUD will determine what tenant -based assistance is available and appropriate for each tenant. Sincerely, Bi os -Willow Creek, LLC a inne� #imited Liability company cc: HUD Minnesota State Office Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Metropolitan Council Local Housing Authority lb 2343315v1 City of Plymouth News Release For Immediate Release June 26, 2003 Contact: Mark Peterson, 763-509-5941 Slow — No Wake Rule in Effect for Medicine Lake Beginning Sat., June 28 Due to high water levels caused by recent heavy rain, a "slow - no wake" order will go into effect for boaters on Medicine Lake in Plymouth. The Hennepin County Sheriff will begin enforcing the no wake rule on Sat., June 28. Signs will be posted at public access areas on the lake. The order will remain in effect until the lake's water levels decrease, and remain below an established high water mark of 889.4 feet for three consecutive days, according to City of Plymouth Parks Superintendent Mark Peterson. The cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake adopted the slow no wake ordinance in 2001 to help protect the shoreline when water levels are unusually high. RAI How to get the most out of your Youth Advisory Council experience: Top Ten Tips for a Spec-YAC-ular Year W bat it l awmi 1 frau the 2002-2003 sessiuo By Jean Yin 10. The League of Minnesota Cities Conference was way fun! Go next year, if you can't, try to attend another similar civic event. 8. Read your packets This keeps you up-to-date and keeps meetings chugging along. 9. Every now and then, remind yourself why you're in YAC. What are your goals,- do they need a rea �ustment- how can you achieve them? 7. Get started on YAC work early; make a timeline and game plan Face pmjects :n the same wayyou would go for an A wyour toughest class S. Lot Kurt know right away if you can't attend a meeting It's all part of S. In the same vein, check your email at effective communication. least once every other day If the email asks for a response, RESPOND!! 4. Support your fellow YAC-ers Attend YAC, Intergenerational, Teens Driving Safe, and Corner Center events, as well as others that come up. My recommended minimum is Youth Town Forum, Youth Service Awards, and at least one Bridging the Cap discussion. 3. Attend meetings! We want to see you. 2. Speak up! We want to hear you. 1. GET INVOLVED. Work on at least one subcommittee, and actually wor*, not just be. Single-handedly the most important action. i YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING MAY 129 2003 Council Members Present Absent Peter Beste Marina Boykis Ifna E'ebe Adam Hahn Vacant Paul Jun els Akash Kumar •/ Mark Lenhardt ./ Michael Letich ./ Janet Li Jean Yin City Manager Dwight Johnson, Deputy City Clerk Kurt Hoffman, Recreation Program Coordinator Regina Michaud and Citizen Liaison Gary Landis were also present. A quorum was not reached until 8:20 PM. In the interests of time, the members present heard a presentation from Northwest YMCA Program Director Larry Nelson. He spoke about the Point Northwest 24—hour crisis service. Jean called the meeting to order at 8:20 PM. Jean made a motion seconded by Ifna, to approve the agenda. The agenda was amended to reflect removal of the presentation by Mr. Nelson. The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote. Jean made a motion seconded by Janet, to approve the minutes of the April 28 meeting. The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote. Youth interviews Kurt reported that interviews for all youth seats on boards and commissions are scheduled for 5 PM -6 PM on Tuesday, May 13. Youth Service Awards Reception Paul reported that due to scheduling conflicts there is a need to change the time for the awards event from 7 PM to 5 PM, with the ice cream reception set to follow the awards. Paul made a motion, seconded by Janet, to change the time of the Youth Service Awards event to 5 PM on Monday, May 19. The motion passed without opposition. Iq Youth Advisory Council May 12, 2003 meeting Page 2 Intergenerational Committee Ifna reported that the next event will be a "Bridging the Gap" forum set for October 16. She said the committee will meet on May 21 at 3:30 PM to discuss two or three topics to choose from for the forum. Regina reported that she will talk to the Wayzata YES group about upcoming events of interest. Youth Center Committee Mike reported on that a May 7 community meeting discussed targeting middle school students as users of a community youth center with a gradual shift in focus as they grow older. Dwight reported that City inspectors will review the County facility for possible kitchen use. Marketing committee Jean reported the next meeting is scheduled for May 24 at 3 PM at the Vicksburg Caribou Coffee Shop. Adjournment Jean made a motion, seconded by Paul to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 PM. The motion passed without opposition. YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING JUNE 99 2003 Council Members Present Absent Peter Beste Marina Boykis Ifna E'ebe Adam Hahn Vacant Paul Jun els Akash Kumar Mark Lenhardt Michael Letich Janet Li Jean Yin Youth Advisory Council—Appointees Heather Gaudette and Ally Taylor were present; City Manager Dwight Johnson, Deputy City Clerk Kurt Hoffman, Recreation Program Coordinator Regina Michaud and Citizen Liaison Gary Landis were also present. No quorum was reached, so no official business was conducted. Council members who were present explained to the newly designated members the work of the Youth Advisory Council sub—committees. The group disbursed at 8:20 PM. I'1 85 SEVENTH PLACE EAST, SUITE 100 SAINT PAUL, MN 55101-2887 651.223.3000 FAX: 651.223.3002 +� Q / E-MAIL: advisorsa springsted.com d SP INGSIft'153 2003 Advis s to'tbe Public Sector June 20, 2003 The Honorable Judy A. Johnson, Mayor Mr. Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager Mr. Dale E. Hahn, Finance and Information Technology Director City of Plymouth . 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Dear Mayor Johnson, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Hahn: We appreciated working with you as your advisor on your recently completed bond issue. We trust the results of our involvement in the process and the ultimate project met your objectives. We deeply value our relationship with the City of Plymouth, and we take great pride in serving our clients. While we are confident the service you received met your expectations, we are always looking for ways to improve. If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact me to discuss your ideas. If you would like information on the bond markets, interesting projects or additional Springsted services, we invite you to view our website at www.springsted.com or please contact me. Once again, thank you for allowing us to assist you on this bond issue. We look forward to working with you in the near future. Respectfully, \ David N. MacGillivray Chairman of the Board (651) 223-3068 dmacgillivray@springsted.com mp 2I,- CORPORATE OFFICE: SAINT PAUL, MN • Visit our website at www.springsted.com IOWA - KANSAS - MINNESOTA - VIRGINIA • WASHINGTON, DC • WISCONSIN Ronald E. & Joyce L. Beauchane 1210 Vagabond Lane Plymouth, MN, 55447-2562 Telephone: 763-473-3049 E-mail. rbeauchane@aol.com June 24, 2003 Judy Johnson Mayor of the City of Plymouth Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN, 55447-1482 Dear Mayor Johnson, During the evening of August 16, 2002, our home was struck by lightning. It was a first time experience for us. We called the Plymouth Fire Department. That, too, was a first time experience. Your firefighters arrived here in just a very few minutes. In the middle of the night, they were immediately on our roof, in our attics, in our basement, out and around our yard and garden. They examined with superb and indeed outstanding expertise. They used brand new heat seeking equipment, various testing equipment, and a whole lot of common sense. Their behavior was absolutely professional, thorough, cordial and helpful. Happily, the damage they found was slight, and easily repaired within the next week or so. We were amazed with the performance of that great group of people. They made us feel a whole lot safer being residents of Plymouth. Since that first experience, more than ten months ago, we have been meaning to write a letter of thanks and commendation, but somehow never got around to it. Last Saturday, June 21, 2003, we suddenly had smoke in our basement and an ozone -like smell. We called 911 and the fire fighters again arrived within minutes, preceded by a police officer and a para -medic. They took charge and performed in the same rapid, thorough, efficient, thoughtful manner. What an unbelievably great group of people. In neither case did I think of taking down names. That would not have been productive anyway, as every member of the group performed in the same efficient manner. We believe that the people in the second call were, with one r exception, different from the people in the first call. The one firefighter that was in the group during both visits was a very tall, powerfully built volunteer who was certainly a take -charge, knowledgeable professional. We mentioned to him our great satisfaction with the group performance, but felt that you would probably want to know how wonderfully your firefighters represent your city. Please pass on, for us, our thoughts to those firefighters concerned. We would also appreciate your informing our City Council Member, Kelli Slavik, of our experiences. Sincerely, Ron & Joyce Beauchane