HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07-11-1995 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 119 1995
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
6:10 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on July 11,
1995.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Lymangood, Granath, and
Edson. Councilmember Wold arrived at 6:20 p.m.
ABSENT: Councilmembers Anderson and Helliwell.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Community
Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Transit Administrator
Sweeney, Transit Consultant George Bentley, and City Clerk Ahrens.
CITY TRANSIT ISSUES
John Sweeney, Transit Administrator, explained the current Metrolink and Dial -a -
Ride services in the City of Plymouth. Dial -a -Ride is currently operating at
capacity, and there are about 250,000 passengers per year on both systems. He
stated that as an opt -out community, Plymouth must annually prepare a Transit
Management Plan and Budget for approval by the City Council and the
Metropolitan Council. He presented information on ridership for the last several
years. He stated that for 1995, Plymouth has $1.6 million that the Metropolitan
Council can provide as needed to comply with the approved Management Plan
budget. It is projected that Plymouth will use about $1.275 million of that amount.
The $1.6 million is 90 percent of the amount Plymouth residents pay in property
taxes that is allocated to the Metropolitan Council for transit service. In theory,
the City could receive up to 90 percent of the local property tax dollars allocated
to the Metropolitan Council for transit service, with the Metropolitan Council
retaining 10 percent.
Councilmember Edson asked what happens to the balance of available "Plymouth
funds" if the City does not spend the entire $1.6 million in 1995.
City Manager Johnson explained that when the Regional Transit Board was
administering the transit system, the funds would retain designation to a particular
city and were carried over from year to year. It appears that the Metropolitan
Council now intends to retain a substantial portion of Plymouth's previous fund
balance for transportation uses in other cities.
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July 11, 1995
Page 2
George Bentley stated he previously served as a consultant for ten opt -out cities,
including Plymouth. He now serves as Plymouth's transit consultant. He stated
that at the end of 1995, one-half of the carry-over funds will go to the
Metropolitan Council and one-half will remain for use by the City. However, the
Metropolitan Council will likely claim Plymouth's previous unspent balance prior
to 1995.
Transit Administrator Sweeney estimated that about $325,000 will be unspent of
Plymouth's $1.6 million by year-end. He described the Metro Mobility program
and stated that the Metropolitan Council is in financial trouble with this program.
He stated that 1,400 trips were made on Metro Mobility in Plymouth during April,
1995.
Mr. Bentley stated that Metro Mobility is funded directly by the state legislature,
with $30 million budgeted for the system for the current two year biennium.
Public Works Director Moore explained that Metro Mobility is totally funded with
state dollars and no local property taxes. He stated that in an effort to cut losses in
providing the Metro Mobility program, the Metropolitan Council is giving
consideration to eliminating the Metro Mobility service to seven communities,
including Plymouth. He stated that the Metropolitan Council does not have to
legally provide the service in Plymouth. The Metropolitan Council staff is now
recommending that a monthly billing system be implemented for the seven cities
who continue to receive Metro Mobility service after October 1, 1995. The billing
would be based on an average system subsidy per passenger trip. The
Metropolitan Council staff is further recommending that the seven cities explore
alternative service delivery methods to become operational no later than April 1,
1996, that minimizes impacting passengers.
Manager Johnson explained that the Metropolitan Council originally indicated they
wanted to eliminate Metro Mobility service in Plymouth and the six other
communities by October, 1995. They are now considering billing the seven cities
to continue the service for six months. The funds would be obtained from the
cities' remaining levy for transit services (for Plymouth, the estimated $325,000).
He stated that this would be a significant precedent as local property tax dollars,
rather than solely state tax dollars, would be used to continue the Metro Mobility
system in some cities.
Councilmember Edson stated that the City needs to consider the real possible loss
to the City. He stated that it is projected that Plymouth will have $325,000 by
year-end. The Metropolitan Council will retain one-half of that amount, or
162,500. Based on the current operations, the cost for the Metro Mobility
system in Plymouth would be about $201,000 for the year. Therefore, Plymouth
would be losing approximately $40,000.
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July 11, 1995
Page 3
Manager Johnson stated that the Council also needs to consider the possibility that
one-half of the balance that theoretically goes into the City's account at year-end
may never be available to the City. The money cannot be used without the
approval of the Metropolitan Council, and the allocation and rules for use of the
money could be changed at any time.
Public Works Director Moore stated that the Council should also consider that if
the Metro Mobility service is funded from the City's unspent property tax transit
dollars, the City will not have the option of increasing local transit service for
Metrolink and Dial -a -Ride in the future because the funds will be expended.
Councilmember Lymangood asked about the Metro Mobility service levels and
service area.
Manager Johnson explained that the Metro Mobility service is available 20 hours
per day and service is provided anywhere within the seven county area. It was
noted that, for example, a resident could board Metro Mobility in Plymouth and
ride door-to-door to a location in Hastings for one local fare.
Mr. Bentley stated that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates the
type of service that must be provided. The only items under the current Metro
Mobility service that are optional are the number of operational hours and the
number of cities to which service is provided.
Manager Johnson stated that if the City took over the paratransit service currently
provided by Metro Mobility in Plymouth, the type of service could be amended.
The hours of service could be reduced from 20 hours per day and the service area
to which riders are delivered could be amended.
Manager Johnson stated that these issues are currently before the Metropolitan
Council, and he requested direction on the position the City should take.
Mayor Tierney stated it may be useful to call a meeting of the City Council
Subcommittee on Transit to discuss and follow these issues. She also asked if the
Metropolitan Council's proposals have been investigated for legal compliance.
Mr. Bentley responded that the statute clearly states that the Metropolitan Council
may" provide funding.
Manager Johnson added that this language has been reviewed by the City Attorney
who advises that the word "may" means that the funding to the City is optional.
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July 11, 1995
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Councilmembers Lymangood and Edson requested that staff provide information
on the history of the City's total levy for transit service, the 90 percent allocation
back to the City of Plymouth, and the amount and percentage of the 90 percent
that was actually used, with the transit fund carry-over each year since 1990.
Mr. Bentley questioned another aspect of the Metropolitan Council proposal
regarding Metro Mobility. He noted that the legislature capped the total amount
that can be spent on Metro Mobility when approving the Metro Mobility funding.
He questioned whether the Metropolitan Council can legally use property tax
dollars in addition to the state funding.
The Council requested that the legislative intent and legality of this aspect of the
proposal also be checked.
Councilmember Edson questioned the legislative intent of designating the Metro
Mobility service area. He noted that the legislature appropriated $30 million over
two years for Metro Mobility that is to be shared in the seven county area. He
believes there is a fairness issue because Plymouth should get its portion of that
service for the state dollars allocated. This should also be investigated. Why
should Plymouth pay local property tax dollars for a service that is provided to
other communities with state dollars?
Mr. Bentley stated that the statute designates the appropriation for "Metro
Mobility", but does not designate where the service will be provided. He stated
that the Metropolitan Council is required to provide this service under ADA. They
are providing the required service under Metro Mobility.
Councilmember Edson asked about the AMM involvement and position on this
issue.
After further discussion, Councilmember Lymangood summarized that the.City
Council would like the following information, and staff is authorized to present the
City's position on the transit issue based on these questions and issues:
1) Provide the total Plymouth property tax levy paid for transit service since
1990, to include the 90 percent eligible to be used by the City for transit service,
the actual amount expended each year, and the unspent balance.
2) Question and determine whether property taxes could be legally used to
fund Metro Mobility in light of the statute capping the Metro Mobility program to
the allocated state funding.
3) Question and determine the legislative intent of what cities were to be
included in the Metro Mobility program in the "metro area" under the statute.
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July 11, 1995
Page 5
There is a fairness issue of Plymouth not receiving the same service as other cities
from state dollars.
4) Report on status of AMM involvement and position with respect to these
transit issues.
5) Provide additional information on the 1,400 trips per month in Plymouth on
the Metro Mobility system. Repeat ridership? Where are they going? Purpose of
Use?
6) Develop a scenario including costs to expand the existing Dial -a -Ride
service, to provide accessible Dial -a -Ride vehicles, and to implement a limited
paratransit service with connections to Metro Mobility at Ridgedale or other
connecting points. This option could be considered if Metro Mobility is
discontinued in Plymouth.
Manager Johnson stated that staff will use these questions and concerns to discuss
this issue with the Metropolitan Council and area legislators.
Councilmember Wold stated he would like the City to take a firm position and
push the Metropolitan Council on this issue.
Mayor Tierney stated that a meeting of the Council Subcommittee will be called.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Laune F. Ahrens
City Clerk