HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-07-1994 SpecialMINUTES
STUDY SESSION
MARCH 7, 1994
A special study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor
Tierney at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth
Blvd., on March 7, 1994.
PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Edson, Lymangood, and Morrison.
Councilmember Granath arrived at 5:35 p.m. Councilmember Anderson arrived at 5:45
p.m. Councilmember Helliwell arrived at 6:00 p.m.
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Finance
Director Hahn, Property Management Coordinator Tabery, Community Development
Director Hurlbert, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Personnel Coordinator Sobania, Public
Works Director Moore, Parks Director Blank, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
NORTHWEST PLYMOUTH PLANNING STUDY
Councilmember Granath arrived at 5:35 p.m.
Community Development Director Hurlburt described the proposed planning process and
schedules for the Northwest Plymouth planning study. She asked for Council input on
structuring the planning process, public participation, and use of consultants. She stated
there are external factors, such as the Metropolitan Council's policies for expansion of the
Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) that will have significant effects on the
planning process. The Metropolitan Council may also be considering a cluster planning
approach, which may require Plymouth to work with surrounding communities when
requesting urban expansions. The decision on the Elm Creek interceptor will also
determine what options Plymouth has for providing sewer to the northwest area of the
City.
Councilmember Edson asked who would participate in each phase of the project.
Director Hurlburt stated the inventory and forecasting would be done by staff and
consultants. Staff will draft the public participation plan with review by the Planning
Commission and City Council. The steps of goal setting and beyond will need significant
public participation.
Minutes - Study Session
March 7, 1994
Page 2
Mayor Tierney stated that the schedule is likely dependent on the available time of the
Planning Commissioners. A separate committee will be needed if significant time is
expected.
Director Hurlburt estimated that the time commitment of Planning Commissioners would
double for the next year if they were designated as the committee on this project.
Councilmember Lymangood and Mayor Tierney noted that there were many qualified
applicants for the Planning Commission and the Ward 2 Council vacancy who may be
interested in this task force. Councilmember Edson stated he would also support
individuals with past Planning Commission experience being involved in the process.
David Anderson arrived at 5:45 p.m.
Councilmember Morrison stated it would be beneficial for this task force to maintain a
liaison with the newly formed Open Space Committee.
Councilmembers suggested that this planning effort be included as an agenda topic for the
four ward town meetings in 1994. An extra paragraph should be included in the Town
Meeting Ward 1 invitation letter describing the project.
Councilmember Anderson suggested that this project have a title or theme for identity,
such as "Plymouth 2000".
Director Hurlburt agreed and asked that Councilmembers submit ideas.
Councilmember Anderson stated he would like to be involved in this Ward 1 issue and is
willing to serve as the Council representative to the task force.
City Center Expansion and Renovation Proiect
Manager Johnson stated that in 1990 a needs assessment of the City administrative offices
was developed, reviewed, and accepted by the City Council. Design development
drawings were completed and in January, 1993, the Council authorized the architects to
proceed with design drawings and specifications. Nine options were incorporated as
alternatives in the bid specifications, and 11 bids were received. The Council deferred
action on the bids until the first quarter of 1994. He stated that two options were favored:
1) finishing all new space constructed, and 2) finishing only the upper level of the new
space constructed. When the project was bid, the difference in bids for these two options
was not as significant as anticipated. A separate project of renovating the Council
Chambers and Council Conference Room is also proposed. This would include enhancing
the audio/video capabilities in these rooms.
Minutes - Study Session
March 7, 1994
Page 3
Property Management Coordinator Tabery showed a model of the proposed project. He
stated the needs assessment is based on needs to the year 2011. It considers the growth of
the City, and such things as needed public meeting space.
Councilmember Helliwell arrived at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmember Lymangood stated the general public may not realize the need for this
expansion because the building entrance and lobby is spacious. However, after touring the
work area, he is convinced an expansion is needed.
Councilmember Morrison stated she was shocked by the crowded conditions of the office
areas and agrees there is need for expansion. She asked if there is extra space at the new
Public Safety Building not currently being used.
Coordinator Tabery stated there is a some available space in the northwest corner of the
Public Safety building. He stated that the needs assessment done for the public safety
functions indicated that a 33,000 sq. ft. building was needed. Subsequently, the decision
was made to build the public safety building at 25,000 sq. ft.
Mayor Tierney stated that some employees will have to be relocated during construction,
and perhaps the public safety building could be temporarily used for this purpose.
Public Safety Director Gerdes stated the Public Safety Building was built in sections for
various police functions with expansion in mind. Security is an issue for most areas of the
building.
Councilmember Edson stated there is no question that the expansion needs to be done.
The Council needs to decide whether the lower level addition should be finished. He
noted that the deduct when the project was bid for not finishing the lower level was
117,000.
Councilmember Anderson questioned the project cost.
Manager Johnson stated the entire project budget was $3.1 million, not including the
Council chambers and conference room. It is proposed that the expansion would be paid
with existing funds.
Councilmember Lymangood noted that there are also cable franchise fees which could
fund the cable improvements.
Manager Johnson discussed the proposed funding and shared with the Council information
on the estimated balance in the Community Improvement Fund for the years 1993 through
2002.
Minutes - Study Session
March 7, 1994
Page 4
Councilmember Anderson stated there was a perception by the community that the past
City Council was on a "spending spree", without concern for the citizens. He doesn't
question the need for the project, but wants to ensure the City has a good marketing plan
so citizens will understand the need for the project.
Councilmember Granath stated he is concerned because the City has so many large
projects proposed, but he feels this expansion is needed to continue to provide basic
services.
Councilmember Lymangood summarized that all Councilmembers agree there is a need for
the project, so the funding, marketing, and other issues should be proposed by staff.
In response to a question by Councilmember Helliwell, Coordinator Tabery stated it is
estimated to take an additional $19,000 per year to operate the expansion area.
Councilmember Anderson stated the Council has been advised of the balances in the
Capital Improvement Fund, but needs to know what other projects are proposed from that
Fund.
Councilmember Edson stated the funding charts in the Capital Improvement Program will
show the cash flow and funding sources for all proposed projects.
Public Works Director stated the proposed Capital Improvements Program will be
presented to the Council in about two weeks.
Councilmember Lymangood noted that there has been about a 2 to 4 percent cost increase
if the project was rebid now compared to the bids received in 1993.
Mayor Tierney stated the Council also needs to consider the improvements needed in the
Council Chambers.
Councilmember Edson stated the audio/visual in the Chambers is in serious need of
improvement.
Councilmember Anderson asked what the City proposes to do to discuss this issue with
the public, in addition to the City Center tours that were previously given.
Councilmember Edson stated the Financial Advisory Committee recommended that any
time the Council is expending funds in this magnitude, that two public forums be held
prior to authorizing the funds.
Councilmember Anderson stated he would support public hearings and suggested a
Mayor's Message in the Plymouth News on the issue.
Minutes - Study Session
March 7, 1994
Page 5
Manager Johnson stated the City could also do a cable show in the proposed plan. He
asked if the staff should proceed in presenting the issue to the public.
Councilmember Edson stated the Council's goal should be to make a decision so that
construction can start in 1994.
Councilmember Anderson requested that the staff provide a proposed schedule for the
project, including two public forums.
Councilmember Lymangood stated he would hope that storage problems can be alleviated
through this expansion.
Coordinator Tabery stated there is no space in the current plan to relieve the storage needs
of public safety.
Manager Johnson stated the staff will proceed with recommending a schedule, to include
two public forums, to lead to the Council decision of which alternative to build.
Police Officer and Sergeant Contracts
Personnel Coordinator Sobania described the proposed police officer and sergeant
contracts, and stated that the settlements are within budget.
The Council discussed life insurance for police officers.
Public Safety Director Gerdes stated the life insurance proposed in the contract is
comparable with other cities. He stated that police officers can also purchase additional
life insurance in the open market for only a slightly higher cost than other employees.
Assistant Manager Lueckert stated the issue of retiree health insurance has been raised by
three of the City's bargaining units.
The Council also discussed life insurance contained in the sergeant contracts.
Finance Director Hahn stated that several sergeants still have split dollar life insurance
policies where money is paid to the employee at the beginning of the year and the
employee has the option of continuing the coverage, similar to other supervisors.
The study session was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
CRY Clerk