HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 01-15-19994
JANUARY 15.) 1999
1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE.-
NOTE:
CHEDULE.NOTE: Ward 1 Councilmember Tim Bildsoe meets with residents and receives their
comments in the Administration Library, beginning at 6:00 PM before each
Regular Council meeting.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 7: 00 PM
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY2, 7:00 PM
2. MONDAY, JANUARY 18
3. THURSDAY, JANUARY21, 7.00 PM
4. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 7.00 PM
S.
6.
7.
8.
9.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 7.00 PM
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 7.- 00 PM
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 7.- 00 PM
TUESDAY, FEBR UARY 2, 6:15 PM
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council
Chambers
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council
Chambers
MARTINLUTHER KING JR. DAY, City Offices
closed
HRA, Medicine Lake Room
PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers
PACT, Hadley Lake Room
PUBLIC SAFETYADVISORYBOARD, Public
Safety Training Room
YOUTHADVISORY COUNCIL, Medicine Lake
Room
COUNCIL PHOTOS, Medicine Lake Room
January and February calendars are attached. (M-9)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO Page 2
January 15, 1999
1. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
a) Copy from League of Minnesota Cities of the bill draft on municipal
administrative penalties. (I -1a)
b) Employment Action Center newsletter. This organization is supported through the
City's budget for human service programs. (I -lb)
c) Star Tribune news story about plans for large blocks of undeveloped land in
outlying suburbs. (I -1c)
d) Campbell Knutson statistical report on prosecution cases for the City. (I -1d)
e) Star Tribune news story about the recent hearing on the proposed Eagle Lake
Regional Park. (I -le)
J) City briefs from Communications Supervisor Helen LaFave. (I -1j)
g) Invitation to a celebration for the selection of Michael Kremer, Superintendent of
Hopkins School District 270 as the 1999 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year.
(1-19)
h) Minnetonka public hearing notice concerning the proposal to rezone 204 Xenium
Lane for development by Habitat for Humanity. (I -1h)
i) Notice from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency of a petroleum storage tank
release at 2500 Nathan Lane. (I -1i)
j) The Plymouth Sun Sailor allows the Plymouth Human Rights Commission to
submit a periodic guest column in its publication. The attached article, "Human
Rights Commission Focuses on Healthy Neighborhoods in 1999," is the first in a
series of articles to appear during 1999. (I -1j)
k) Northwest Notes regarding new development applications not being accepted until
the Comprehensive Plan is completed. Other topics covered are: the Fernbrook
Road alignment and proposed Begin Oaks Golf Course. (I -1k)
2. MINUTES
a) Hopkins District 270 School Board December 3, 1998 meeting highlights. (I -2a)
b) Hopkins District 270 School Board December 17, 1998 meeting highlights. (I -2b)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO Page 3
January 15, 1999
3. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY—CORRESPONDENCE
A status report on the most recent correspondence is attached. (I -3a)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Copy of a letter sent to William Clelland from the Metropolitan Council
concerning the impact of the proposed expansion of the Association Free
Lutheran Bible School on the North Hennepin Regional Trail. (1--4a)
b) Letter to William Clelland from the Mayor responding to Mr. Clelland's
comments during the Plymouth Forum at the January 5 as well as his December
23 letter to the Mayor and Council concerning the proposed expansion of the
Association Free Lutheran Bible School. (I -4b)
c) Copy of a letter sent to the Mayor from Warren and Mary Docherty regarding
their opposition to the Animal Ordinance that was passed on December 16, 1998
which prohibits cats from running at large. (1--4c)
5. COUNCIL ITEMS
a) 1999 Council appointments and Council Coordinating Representatives on
advisory boards. (I -5a)
6. STAFF REPORTS
a) Report from Public Works Director Fred Moore on speed zones around
Greenwood Elementary School. (I --6a)
b) December, 1998 Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility Population Report.
(1-6b)
c) Report from Public Works Director Fred Moore on Project 6007, Ferndale Road
Improvements. An open house on the project has been scheduled for February 4,
6:30 – 8:00 PM, in the Council Chambers. (1-6c)
d) Report from Community Development Director, Ann Hurlburt on Storage
Requirements for Recyclables in Commercial and Industrial Districts. (I -6d)
e) Report from Community Development Director, Ann Hurlburt to Planning
Commissioners, Dwight Johnson, and Planning Staff regarding voice mail access
and instructions. (I -6e)
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--"-"-^""-' DEC 21 '98 02:26PM LEAGUE OF MN CITIES""
December 18, 1998
145 University Avenue Wert, St. Paul, MN 55103.2044
Prune: (651) 281-12,00 0 (800) 975-1122
IC -ax: (651) 281.1.299 • TDD (651) 281-1290
TO: Managers/Clerks/Administrators
FROM: Andrea Stearns, Intergovernmental Relations Representative
RE: . City Courts Bill Draft
As you know, the League of Minnesota Cities intends to pursue legislation authorizing cities to
establish systems for municipal administrative penalties. You are receiving a copy of the
enclosed bill draft on municipal administrative penalties because you have notified the League
that you currently operate or are considering implementing such a system in your city.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the enclosed bill draft please contact me at
(651)281-1258.
LLV L1 7v VL'Lvr r r LLr"rVVL yr r ni V1 r 1LJ
SENT BY:NN HOUSE OF REPS ;12-11-88 ;12:07PM ;
Research Department
Thom" Todd► tlir dor
500 State OP6co Building
St. Paul. Minnesota .33155-1201
551-296.6733 (FAX 651-296-98871
HOUSE RESEARCH-►
r.0
I. m. C.
nn•o:
House of
�iRepresentatives
lhaen *w 11.1998
TO: RepreseatAtm Betty Folliard
FROM: Deborah Y. McKnight. Lcgialeti (651.296.5056)
RB: City Courts Bill Draft
Enclosed is a revhba of the bdl we diWM6d 50mcrimn ago. IU changes we discussed include.
(1) 5pedt� ng that city courts may impost fines at Wgbcar than the mitciemeauor JIM is alcohol
and tobeicco regulation asses and (2) giving the bwft officer in a citybb om power.
As you recall, charter cities may have su)ypoena power by charter. but su vena power
by statute insures that ovary city court blaring of6ccr would have this essotdial tooL
Let me know if you have questions or would lilco this draft sent to the revisor.
DKM!,�f
xc: Andrea Stearns. treague of MiMsota Cities
pj-4� 4, A vt
s��r �. �sr -,zqq
DEC 21 '98 02:26PM LEAGUE OF MN CITIES
SENT SY:NN HOUSE OF REPS :12-11-81 : W 07oM i HOUSE RESEARCH" I. rt C. 2
13/10/D8 12354 P.M. (RESDEPT ) is UM
1 A bill for an sat
2 relating to local goverment; authorising city
1 eounoils to establish by ordinance procedures for
4 imposing civil panalties for ordinance violations;
S amwndinq Minnesota Statutes lA9s, section tfor2neo► l�e�w
adding a new subdivision; proposing coding
in 14innesots atatutee, chapter 410.
i 31 IT XNACTEO 8Y TKE LEGISLATUR$ OF THE STATE or 3aNNESOTA.
Section 1. (410.375) (CIVIL PER MTYEB.)
1W subdivision I. (ORDINANCE VXOLATIONS; BROCEDURE.) Ahome
11 rule charter CM VAX establish a procedure for LN905inq civil
1
14 penalties for violations of its ordinances. This procedure must
li meet tAa following lrinimum reQuirements:
lj 7 The alleged violator must be'River notice of the
1$ violation and an opportunity to be heard -by a neutral hears
ng
1 officer wbo is pati an-mmloyew of the cit
1 (2) A full record o! the hearing frust b4 kept and the
10 hearing officer's decision must be in writinal
1 (3) a pmtY Isay. by s writ of certiorari a peal a decision
i
10 of a hsarin officer to the district court that bas jurisdiction
2� over the location of the 1&110 906 violation. in the alternuativej.
2# the grocedure zaY allow an a sal Eras a Qeeision of the bearin
2 officer to the citX council. In that case a Par&X tea ,crit
2� of certiorari appeal a decision of the city council to the
i
2� ap roeriate district oourtl
2 4 The amount of a civil penaiV may not exceea the amount
1
P.3
DEC 21 '98 02:26PM LERGUL OF MN Gilitb
SENT 9Y:NN HOUSE OF REFS 112-11-08 :12!08pM HOUSE RESEARCH• t•IAC.111 $
• 13/10/96 13154 p•m• (REWEPT j JB We
1 of the maximum fine a11oved if the ordinance violation 1114 been
3 prosecute as 1 arise orDottymisdaxalnor• sxc t that 1 hi her
3 fine me be i sed for violations of liquor or tobacco
4 r emat3ans
s s Civil analties n not be imposed for ordinances that
6 rohibit the cams conduct that is classiLied a6 a arias or Patty
7 TiiBdByLaanar in cha tars 3.59 168A 169 170 171 and 609
6 oxce t arkin viol tions• and
6 Yf a determination is made that a violation did not
10 occur, the city v9v not then groused With crivinglyroseOutiOn,
11 for the seas conduct-
13 s�� [SL>$POSNA poWER.j A hearing officer actin under
13 this section has the Quer t subpoenaOld d cos 1 the attemdance
14 of witnesses and the reduction of documents to sdniriistar
i5 as to vitnesses and to taka testimanY under oath. A
16 su oona under this section is enforceable throw the distriot
the udiaial district in which the subpoenawas issued.
17 court in
is Sec. 2, xinnesota stltutes 1998, section 412.331, is
19 amended to read:
20 413.331 EMAMIE5.3
21 subdivision I. EPOM- 1 Ths council shall nave the power
23
to declare that tha violation at any ordinanvs shall be a Penal
23 otfenae and to proscribe Pommalties therefor. No such penalty
24 shall exceed a line of $loo or isprisonment in a city or county
85 jail for a period of 90 days, or both, but in either case the
ab costs of provWution may be added.
27 Bubd. 2. CORDINANCE VIOLAxIONSI PROCEDURS.I TAs� Crl
2g may establish by ordinance a procedure for im osin civil
Z9 enalties for violations of its ordinances. This roasdurs must
30 meat the tollcvLua sinimum r irems tss
1 The Mile ad violator joust be Ivan notice of the
31
b a neutral hearin
32 violation and an o rtunit to be heard
39 officer who is not an 02210y" at the cit •
34 2 A full record of the hearin i►ust be ke t end the
35 heari-a officer's decision must be in IiLin -
36 3 A art ma b a writ of certiorari 1 coal a decision
r3
r.4
DEC 21 '98 02:27PM LEAGUE OF MN CITIES
SENT 9Y:NN HOUSE Of REPS :12-11-66 :12:08PN HOUSE RESEARCH*
ti•a•�•:s 4
13J1O/98 13:54 p.>n[R=ZFT j SS was
1 of a heariM officer to the district court that ban jurisdiction
2 over the location of the alleged violation. In the alternative
the roaMurs MXallow an a sal fros a decision of the hearing
officer to the council-
certiorari,
ouncil. In that case s art sa writ ei
cer iorarl Weal a decision f the council to thea ro riats
d district court
a The amount of a civil 1 nay not exceed the amount
of Chs maximum tins allowed -it' the ordinance liclation had been
prosecuted as ac rise or Petty nisdeasanor• except that a high
Iq fine Ray bei ossa for violations of liquor or tobacco
1� re ulativns•
:L45 CivilpqnSlti9p may not bs i sed for ordinances that
11 rvhi it tbs same conduct that•is classified as a orina or
1� voisdemeanor in Minnesota Statutes attepters 168 JGIIAr 169 170
1 171, and 609 except 0arking violations! and
14161 if a determination is sada that a violation aid not
occur, the city mgZ not then proceed with crisinal ose0010n
S� for the same conduct.
l Subd.� IMMpol" ppy�BR. j ]1 )Isarigg officer acting under
3 this section has the br to subvbqna and cp_211 the attendance
Z of Witnesses grid thv
7production of dovume ts, to administer
� oaths to vitnAsses and to take testimony under oath. A
24 Subpoena under this section is enforceable throw the district
74 court in the Judipial district in vhivh the subooena was issued.
3
P.5
nier,
EMPIOV11 c 101,
925-9195 volume 15 1 NUMBER THREE
www.eac-mn.org fall 1998
EAC's Male Responsibility project
combats teen pregnancy
ale Responsibility is
a project created by
EACs Young Dads
program to help
prevent young men
ages 10-21 from having children
before they are ready. The
project is funded by the
Minnesota Department of
Children, Families and Learning.
"Male Responsibility is the
education and pregnancy -
prevention part of the Young
Dads program," says Young Dads
director Clarence Jones. "It
works with a younger age group
than those normally served by
Young Dads."
The goal of Male
Responsibility is to give youth
the knowledge and tools to take
charge of their lives and make responsible
choices. The program wants to help boys
and young men identify their strengths so
they can have a positive influence in the
community.
Male Responsibility coordinator Ramone
Robinson works with the youth one-on-one
doing career assessments, job training, and
mentoring. He also promotes community
involvement and facilitates peer support
groups. "We show the youth what they can
expect to encounter in life and give them the
tools to make responsible decisions," he says.
The message the program sends is: "Don't
have a child until you are ready and able to
assume those responsibilities. If you do have
a child, be responsiblel"
Robinson has focused on working with
schools and community agencies to bring
this program to the youth. During the
1997-98 school year, Male Responsibility
staff introduced the project to the staff of
Roosevelt High School, its feeder school
Sanford Middle School, North High School,
and its feeder schools Franklin and Bethune.
At Roosevelt, Male Responsibility staff
talked with over 300 youth last year,
speaking to 5-6 classes a day and providing
some one-on-one sessions, as well. That led
to invitations to speak at Phyllis Wheatley
Community Center, the CAPS Juvenile
Detention Program at Pilot City, and the
continued on I NEXT PAGE
Male Responsibility core group
members participating in a
workshop to prepare themselves
to encourage young men to not
have children until they are ready
to assume the responsibilities of
fatherhood.
o a
Young Man in the Making
N.
10
United Way
employment HCtlon renter pop.
MALE RESPONSIBILITY I continued from page 1
Juvenile Detention Center in downtown
Minneapolis. Project staff also participated in
Juneteenth activities.
In addition to working with schools, Male
Responsibility staff also put together a core
group of eight young men who understand
male responsibility and who are willing to
talk with other young men. The "Wise Guys"
and "Fragile Families" curricula were used to
prepare core group members for their
leadership roles.
To become part of the core group, the
young men had to demonstrate that they
were responsible by showing up on time,
being willing to follow instructions, and
working as team players. They participated
in a week of classes during which they put
together the presentations they were going
to make at schools and to other groups.
"Our young men were trained to be
mentors and facilitators to go to other
groups and talk about pregnancy and male
responsibility," says Jones. 'They were
trained in pregnancy issues and public
speaking, too. In order to show them where
they fit in the fabric of the community, they
were given the opportunity to volunteer at
several community agencies and develop
skills and community relationships."
After core group members had been
trained, Male Responsibility staff arranged
for them to speak in the schools. High
school students talk to middle school
students, and middle school students speak
with K-6 students. Male Responsibility
coordinator Ramone Robinson does follow-
up with teachers and parents. A lot of
parents like the program, because it
encourages participants to stay in school or
to get back into school.
The Male Responsibility project also
stresses employment as a part of
responsibility. "We took some guys to
Mankato to meet the Vikings," says Jones.
"Brad Madson, who handles community
relations for the Vikings, said he liked the
way they shook his hand, said their names
clearly, looked him in the eye, and said
something about themselves. 'You guys are
going to go far in business,' he told them.
"We want -people to know"that there are a
lot of good young men out there who are
trying to do something positive with their
lives," says Jones. The Male Responsibility
and Young Dads programs are helping to
accomplish that, and they are teaching
young men how to accomplish it for
themselves. [EN
The theme of this year's EAC staff conference was
"Cruisin' EAC: Riding the Waves of Change." Speakers
gave presentations on the globalization of the
workforce, personal wellness, and the role of diversity
in corporate marketing. Shown here are the staff of
the Youth Futures and AMET programs accepting ;he
prize for "Best Poster Describing One or More EAC
Programs."
page two
x
L 111JJfvy11ic11L 1-%i.uv11 V_V11LV1 PP -
The Fashion Group International assists
women jobseekers
0 ver the past two years, the
Fashion Group International
(FGI), which is an organization
of executives in the field of
fashion and beauty, has assisted
the EAC Women's and Welfare -to -Work
Programs in a variety of ways, including:
• Providing seminars on topics such as
personalized color, first impressions, and
professional dress
• Serving as emcee and guest speaker at
the Women Achieving New Directions
(WAND) Annual Conference: "On the
Runway to Success"
* Providing food and toys for last year's
"Winter Connection Party" and providing
gift certificates this year for family meals at
a local restaurant
• Spearheading clothing drives for EACs
Professional Women's Clothes Closet
Dawn McCallum, past -president of FGI,
has played a leadership role in all of these
activities. "Our goal in working with EAC
is bringing our professionalism and
thoughts to help women put a professional
wardrobe together," she says. Another FGI
member, who is associated with Room and
Board, arranged for the donation of a
couch, chairs, and a coffee table to help
kEAC Job Fair
EAC employment specialist Jay
Dregni assisting a job seeker in
filling out a job application at EACs
Fall Hiring Fair held at the Zuhrah
Temple on September 9. Fifty
employers and over 250 jobseekers
participated in the event.
in EAC programs
turn the Clothes Closet at
EAC's north Minneapolis
site into "The Oval
Room." McCallum herself
made attractive curtains
for the dressing rooms.
"We're not finished yet,"
she says. The next steps
are to paint the area and
install fluorescent
lighting.
To complement these
efforts, a new EAC
community partner, Salon
Monten, recently
launched "Styled for
Success," a program
which will provide some
WAND participants with
free haircuts and
makeovers.
WAND staff member
Lee Hoover says that the
EAC Clothes Closet is used by 5-10
women a day. She recently asked a woman
trying on a new outfit how she felt. The
woman responded, "I feel powerful, like I'll
get that job!" 'That's just what we want to
happen," says McCallum. K
Dawn McCallum (right) from The
Fashion Group International
assisting Margaret Mason and
Octavia Carr (only partially visible
at left) in putting together a
professional wardrobe.
page three
Employment Action r
Peo le nIEcF-RESOURCEful p
ike Mitchell, who has worked
for EAC for nearly ten years and
is currently a career
counselor/employment specialist
with EACs Suburban DTPA
program, has a very succinct way of
describing his job: "I help people to find
jobs."
But with very little urging, he is willing to
elaborate on his duties, which include
providing career counseling and employment
support services such as help on job leads,
resumes, cover letters, and interview skills. "1
also refer people to support services such as
child care, transportation, or medical
assistance, which are all needs that can get
in the way of finding a job," he says.
In addition, Mitchell is able to provide some
funds for short-term training and financial
emergencies. He also takes services out into
the community by developing partnerships
with organizations such as PRISM in Golden
Valley and the Meadowbrook Collaborative in
St. Louis Park.
As a result of this outreach, Mitchell has
noticed a great increase in the diversity of
JTPA clients. Recently, in one 4 -hour period,
he received requests for service from
individuals from Spain, China, and Liberia.
On another day, he addressed an ESL class
that had 25 members from 25 different
countries. "I enjoy the challenge of working
Updates
• EACs Welfare -to -Work Programs have
received a major federal grant which will
allow the programs to greatly increase the
services available to the "hardest to serve"
welfare recipients (i.e., individuals who have
been on welfare for at least three years, who
do not bave� high school diploma, who have
less than an eighth -grade reading level, who
have chemical dependency problems, and/or
who have no work experience).
The $765,000 grant will permit EAC to hire
with a variety of p 9 d
e- 1
around the world," he s
Mitchell, himself, arrived in the U.S.
twelve years ago from Liverpool, Englan'cl.
His experience of looking for a job in a new
country has been invaluable when helping
recent immigrants settle in Minnesota.
Participants often mention that it is helpful
having someone work with them who has
gone through similar experiences.
Of Liverpool Irish ancestry, Mitchell is an
avid Beatles fan, a keen soccer supporter, and
a student of Celtic arts and language. He
also enjoys driving a white 1958 Rolls Royce
for a friend who owns a chauffeur business.
"It's a lot of fun," he says, "and people tip
well when I say, 'Would you like some Gray
Poupon?' " Mitchell also enjoys spending
time with his family and watching his 14 -
year -old daughter play hockey.
Mitchell and a friend recently founded a
nonprofit organization called the Center of
the European Experience, which provides
cultural exchanges and educational
opportunities for Americans and Europeans.
The embryonic organization recently
sponsored a video conference that permitted
Germans and Americans to discuss the
recent German elections via the Internet.
Both inside and outside of work, Mitchell
uses his cross-cultural knowledge to make
the world a better place to live. MI
four employment counselors, two
placement/retention specialists, one workplace
literacy/adult basic education instructor, and
two clerical case aides and to cover some client
transportation and education costs.
These staff increases will permit EAC to
serve an additional 170 parents on welfare at
any given time and to reduce the caseloads of
welfare -to -work staff already serving over
1,200 welfare recipients a year.
• EACs Dislocated Worker Programs have
Mike Mitchell
Employment Action
Center is committed
to undoing racism
and promoting
diversity.
created three new programs to assist workers
laid off as a result of plant closings.
Approximately 550 individuals will be assisted:
200 employees of Wang Global in Chanhassen,
which produces, distributes, and services
computer hardware and software; 250
employees of General Dynamics in
Bloomington, which produces and distrit utes
circuit boards; and 100 employees of Food
Producers International in St. Louis Park, which
produces and distributes food products. is
EAC 9 6715 Minnetonka Blvd • Minneapolis, MN 55426 '
ME t Hui. 16100
s
Published Monday. January 11, 1999
Cities planning future of area's biggest open land blocs
Dan Wascoe Jr. / Star Tribune
startribune.com
retro
From an old gravel mine in Maple Grove to a sprawling ammunition plant site in Arden Hills to a huge,
mostly empty tract in Brooklyn Park, only a few large chunks of undeveloped land remain in the built-up
parts of the Twin Cities area.
That will begin changing this year -- and not by accident.
In Maple Grove, a new mixed-use town center is to begin emerging from a 2,000 -acre gravel -mining site. In
Brooklyn Park, an amphitheater could rise on part of a 3,000 -acre tract that's mostly undeveloped. And in
Arden Hills, planners have decided what they think should happen eventually on about 2,370 acres of partly
polluted land that holds an ammunition plant and its former testing grounds.
One thousand acres equals about 1.5 square miles.
The futures of these and other sites are woven into new or updated comprehensive plans that about 175 cities
and townships are writing and sending to the Metropolitan Council.
Their deadline was Dec. 3l, but only about 44 have submitted documents so far and only 13 plans have been
approved by the Met Council, said Tom McElveen, council director of housing and local assistance. Most of
the rest are expected to finish this summer.
This is the second round of planning required by the Legislature since the council was established three
decades ago. The first round began in 1976 and continued into the mid-1980s.
"The comprehensive plan is a community statement and vision of how it intends to grow, develop and
redevelop," said McElveen, who was Waconia's city administrator before he joined the Met Council. "We
hope this process is one that includes a lot of local citizen participation."
Planning costs can range from a few thousand dollars to more than $200,000 per city. Planners and private
consulting firms often work together, said Bill Weber, director of comprehensive planning for BRW Inc.,
Minneapolis, one of the larger consulting organizations.
Plans and control
The council reviews local plans to make sure they mesh with metro blueprints for transportation, aviation,
sewage treatment and regional parks. The council has authority in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin,
Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties.
One of its key goals is to reduce sprawl and efficiently use expensive roads, bus service and sewers by
increasing population density in built-up communities. It tries to extend those services into outlying areas
only gradually. But suburban -style growth already has jumped into surrounding counties outside council
jurisdiction.
Even so, the council hopes that cities' plans anticipate the impact of demographic, economic and physical
changes. McElveen said Minnetonka has done a particularly good job developing a coordinated plan.
"There will be tremendous stories to be told as these plans come in," he said. "Some will be in small
communities that for the first time figure out how to hold land from development ... and how to use it for
agriculture or low-density, rural -type housing."
That fits another Met Council objective: preventing or delaying development of farmland on the outer borders
of the metro area.
Not everyone appreciates the council's oversight.
"There are times when guys like myself get a little frustrated," said Al Madsen, Maple Grove's city
administrator. "We've got skilled employees and high-tech equipment" to prepare comprehensive plans at the
local level without metro hand -holding, he said.
Some Met Council efforts to restrict growth "caused leapfrog development," he said. "They've caused
developers to bypass us for Rogers, Albertville and St. Michael," which are farther than Maple Grove from
the contiguous built-up area and tend to have less-expensive and less -regulated land.
On the other hand, Madsen said, not every community takes land -use planning seriously and updates its plans
every three to five years as his city has done. For those communities, the legislative mandate may have the
beneficial effect of making sure neighboring cities are "in sync with each other."
Maple Grove
Madsen said planning for the gravel mining site, now called Arbor Lakes, has been underway for years
because "we consider [it] to be a gold mine for the future of the city." As it fills with new homes, apartments,
stores, offices, industry and entertainment, "it will be our downtown," he said.
Two developers will begin the mixed-use development this year on more than 386 of the site's 2,000 acres.
Other developers are expected to compete for the rest of the site.
A separate planning effort has been underway for 8,000 additional acres in the western part of Maple Grove,
which has been developing from east to west. As a gesture to residents of the area, planners have held public
meetings to get a sense of when property owners might want to sell their land or receive extensions of sewer
and water lines.
"We don't want to extend services to an area that doesn't want to develop," he said.
By 2020, he added, he expects most of the city to be developed, raising its population from about 49,000 to
between 80,000 and 85,000.
Brooklyn Park
The largest single block of undeveloped land in the built-up Twin Cities area is 3,000 acres in northern
Brooklyn Park. For about 30 years the city deliberately let the area become what Howard Blin, city planning
director, calls "the hole in the doughnut." The goal was to encourage growth in other portions of the
community and control costs of building roads, utilities and providing urban services.
Not all 3,000 acres are suitable for development. After wetlands, parks, roads and school sites are subtracted,
about 1,500 acres remain. But whoever ends up on that land will have easy access to Hwy. 610, an east -west
freeway expected to be finished next year.
The most visible and controversial idea for the land so far is the Minnesota Orchestra's proposal for an
amphitheater that could hold up to 19,000 listeners. Because neighborhoods have grown up around the site,
some residents worry about noise, traffic and crime that concerts might generate.
But the amphitheater is just one part of Brooklyn Park's dreams. Ann Nisiewicz, the city's business developer,
envisions fiber-optic cable winding through the new area, making it attractive to businesses and homeowners
seeking a high-speed smorgasbord of telecommunications services.
Such amenities will help the city offer "a full menu of housing choices," she said. Housing choice has been a
flash point in Brooklyn Park, where residents have clashed over how much and what types of housing units to
provide for low -and moderate -income people.
Arden Hills
In Arden Hills, City Administrator Brian Fitsinger said the latest plan for the four -square -mile site of the
Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant changes an earlier proposal developed in the 1980s. The new plan
reduces acreage designated for housing and businesses and increases the amount of open space to more than
half the site.
"I can see where a housing developer would drool to have the opportunity to put homes in a large portion of
the [ammunition plant] area" because of scenic landscape and convenient location, he said. But two planning
committees agreed that because Ramsey County was one of the first counties to be fully developed, "it missed
opportunities to provide open space," he said. The new plan would help correct that.
Even so, there's plenty of room for varying uses, said Kevin Ringwald, Fitsinger's assistant. The ammo plant
site represents nearly half the city's total area.
In effect, he said, "Four square miles is a new city." Arden Hills leaders say they hope that new area will be a
community center with clusters of fairly dense housing, stores and jobs, arranged in ways that encourage
walking or biking.
The plan also anticipates eventual private redevelopment of Arden Manor, a 300 -unit mobile home park. "But
that's beyond the [I 0 -year] scope of this plan," he said.
Much of the plan depends on when the Army finishes cleaning polluted portions of the site. That, too, could
take more than 10 years.
When the Met Council receives cities' comprehensive plans, they usually aren't a surprise, McElveen said.
That's because the council staff tries to stay in touch with cities while they draft the documents.
Met Council review sometimes can lead to suggested changes or additions. And some plans will draw more
metro scrutiny than others.
"Eighty-five percent of the region's growth is forecast for 50 communities," he said. "If you get it right there,
the chances of succeeding [by efficiently using metro resources] increase."
State law calls for a new round of plans in 10 years.
— Many cities have held public meetings and forums to help prepare their plans. Drafts and completed
stmtrbimcan plans usually are available for inspection at planning or administrators' ofces in each city.
Mttm ® Copyright 1999 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
CAMPBELL KNUTSON (Ild)
Professional Asp, ,ciation
Attorneys at Law
1_11i;,it B. Knot,ch
I L. Pacr
Mr. Dwight Johnson
City Manager
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447-1482
(651) 452-5000 Joel J. Jamnik
Fas (651) 452-5550 Andrea McDowell Poehler
Matthew K. Brokl
John F. Kelly
Nlarthew J. Foh
XLtrruerite M. McCarron
January 11, 1999
Re: Statistical Report on Prosecution Cases
Dear Dwight:
Enclosed please find an original of the Statistical Report on Prosecution Cases.
Please contact me if you have any comments or questions.
Very truly yours,
CAMPBELL KNUTSON
Professional Association
By: G
Elliott B. Kne d
/slc
Enclosure
Shite 317 • Eagandale Office Center 0 1380 Corporate Center Curve • Eagan, MN 55121
1
f V1
i W
STATISTICAL REPORT TO
THE CITY COUNCIL
ON PROSECUTION CASES
CAMPBELL KNUTSON, P.A.
December 29, 1998
INTRODUCTION
We have been asked to provide a statistical report on cases we prosecute for the
City. The report focuses on the major kinds of cases we handle on your behalf.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
We successfully handle hundreds of driving under the influence cases each
year. We have obtained DUI convictions in every case, except those we have
voluntarily chosen to reduce to careless driving. In almost every instance, cases
reduced are first offenses with a test result of .12 or lower, no accident involved, no
egregious driving conduct, and no rudeness or other negative conduct towards the
arresting officer. Several dozen of these cases have been scheduled for jury trial in
1998, although none have actually been tried.' In two of those cases, the defendant
plead guilty as charged just as jury selection was to begin.
The number of DUI arrests made by the Plymouth Police Department is as
follows:
1995 ........ 278
1996 ........ 394
1997 ........ 251
'Only thirteen jury trials occurred in Hennepin County suburban courts in 1996, the last year for which
statistics are available.
Campbell Knutson, P.A.
Statistical Report to City Council
-1-
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Statistics on domestic violence cases are as follows:'
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES3
Year
Formal
I Complaints
Tab
Charges
Total
Cases
I Guilty
Pleas
Suspended
Pros.4
Decline
Charge
Dismiss
1995
32
75
107
72
23
1
16
1996
47
95
142
84
41
1
4
1997
20
89
109
57
38
1
14
19985
24
65
89
63
30
1
10
123
324
447
276
132
4
44
We work closely with the Police Department, Home Free and victims on
domestic violence cases. We have never dismissed a case or plea bargained a case
against a victim's wishes.
'Statistics provided by Home Free.
'Includes: Assault; Disorderly Conduct; OFP Violation; Interference with 911 Call; Harassment/Stalking;
and Harassing Communication.
'Includes conditions of probation such as complete domestic abuse program, no assault convictions, no
contact with victim, payment of prosecution costs, and remain law abiding.
'(Through 3rd Quarter)
Campbell Knutson, P.A.
Statistical Report to City Council
-2-
TRAFFIC OFFENSES
Citations issued by Plymouth since 1995 are as follows:
CITATIONS6
Year
Speed
Other
Hazardous
Viol.'
D.L. Viol.
and
No Ins.
Other
Non-
Hazardous'
TOTALS
1995
3,677
1,722
1,717
2,424
9,540
1996
4,913
2,431
1,495
3,144
11,983
1997
3,990
2032
1,234
2,885
10,141
Traffic citations have increased substantially since 1994, when a total of 6,204
citations were issued.
Fine revenue has also increased drastically since 1994, as follows:
FINE REVENUES
1994
373,148
1995
574,054
1996
777,900
1997
685,882
'Statistics provided by Plymouth Police Department.
'Defined as moving violations which are hazardous to other drivers such as careless/reckless driving,
disobey signs, improper passing, turning or stopping, and failure to yield.
'Defined as moving violations which are not hazardous to other drivers such as improper registration,
overweight vehicles, leaky loads, seat belt, and driving around barricades.
'Figures provided by Plymouth Police Department.
Campbell Knutson, P.A.
Statistical Report to City Council
-3-
The majority of traffic citations are paid without a court appearance. In 1998
approximately 2,600 traffic cases will appear in court. Of those, about 182 will be
scheduled for court trials, and about 78 will go to trial. The conviction rate for court
trials is over 95%. The few acquittals are almost always cases such as disobey stop
sign, where it is the officer's word against the driver's word, and the driver's version
has some credibility to it. In those cases, some judges will give the benefit of the
doubt to the driver. Radar and LASAR speeding trials are almost never lost.
ALCOHOL/TOBACCO COMPLIANCE CHECKS
The City is mandated by State law to conduct compliance checks on licensed
tobacco vendors. The City also conducts compliance checks on liquor license holders.
Since the City began compliance checks in March 1997, the prosecution
statistics are as follows:
TOBACCO
Year
Number of
Cases
Convictions
Suspended
Prosecution
Dismissed
Pending
1997
5
5
0
0
0
1998
17
14
1
210
0
11
22
19
1
2
0
100ne case was dismissed on a ruling of entrapment. It has been appealed.
Campbell Knutson, P.A.
Statistical Report to City Council
-4-
ALCOHOL
Year
Number of
Cases
Convictions
Suspended
Prosecution
Dismissed
Pending
1997
10
8
2
0
0
1998
24
11
2
0
11
34
19
4
0
11
MOTOR VEHICLE FORFEITURES
State law allows a City to forfeit a person's car if the person commits a
designated offense, usually a repeat driving under the influence. Plymouth has seized
approximately 53 vehicles. Twenty-nine of those vehicles have been forfeited.
Fourteen cases are pending. Approximately ten vehicles have been released because
of a legitimate legal defense to the forfeiture.
FORMAL COMPLAINTS
All gross misdemeanors must be charged by formal complaint. In addition, if
the offense is a misdemeanor not committed in the officer's presence, it is typically
charged by formal complaint. Finally, if a person is given a citation for a non -traffic
offense, and fails to appear in court, a formal complaint is necessary.
In 1997, 686 formal complaints were issued. In 1998, over 800 formal
complaints will be issued.
Campbell Knutson, P.A.
Statistical Report to City Council
-5-
(I -1e)
head forthehills
01 E 1 R 0 E6100 Published Tuesday, January 12.1999
.a Plymouth debates proposed golf course near lakes
F 1,
tF
r Terry Collins / Star Tribune
startrilitine.com In one corner, Hennepin Parks natural resources director Tim McDowell was surrounded by people
armed with questions.
Metro
Another group clung to every last word from special services director Margie Ostlund, who could
be heard answering similar questions just a few yards away.
They were just two of several Hennepin County parks representatives chatting with more than 50
people Monday in Plymouth at an informational meeting regarding a proposed nine -hole golf
course at Eagle Lake Regional Park.
Parks officials are looking at building the estimated 92 -acre golf course on the south side of Eagle
and Pike lakes in Plymouth. It would be part of a redevelopment plan that also includes new biking
and hiking trails, picnic areas, croquet courts and more parking.
"I like golf, but I'm against a course in that area ... not on public land," said Bill Gimble of
Plymouth. "Besides, why do they want to put it there?"
He was among a majority of residents in attendance contending that a golf course would destroy
habitat and wildlife. Opponents also complained that as taxpayers, they would be underwriting a
course they might not even use.
Attendees were given a Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District fact sheet stating that no tax
dollars will be proposed to build the course. Instead, it would be financed through bonds.
Plymouth City Council Member Ginny Black said she doesn't buy it. "Somebody has to pay for it,"
Black said. "And it's going to be us, whether we like it or not."
Keith Greeninger, the parks golf course superintendent, said Monday that once all public comment
is gathered, parks officials could begin the process of preparing design plans and cost estimates to
present to their seven -member board of commissioners. The board could approve the plan by
spring.
Hennepin Parks Superintendent Doug Bryant said the public will have another chance to voice
opinions on the proposal at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Hennepin Parks district headquarters at French
Regional Park, 12615 County Rd. 9 in Plymouth.
"We're still in the early stages. We've still have a way to go," Bryant said. "We're looking to see if
the course fits into the plan."
Ken Wendinger of Plymouth said he is working to form a group opposing the proposed course.
40 startrhme.com "We have to protect our natural resources," Wendinger said. "We can't let them destroy nature."
JP Metro
0 Copyright 1999 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
(I -M
City Briefs
City of Plymouth
From: Helen LaFave, 509-5090
Date: January 12, 1999
Recycle phone books
If you live in Plymouth, you may recycle telephone books anytime through the
City of Plymouth's curbside recycling program. Phone books should be placed with
either miscellaneous paper, newspaper or on their own in the bin.
From Jan. 20 through April 6, you also can recycle phone books at a specially
marked collection container at Cub Foods in Plymouth, 3550 Vicksburg Ln.
Please keep fire hydrants clear of snow
The Plymouth Fire Department asks residents to shovel out fire hydrants near
their homes. Keeping hydrants clear of snow and ice substantially reduces the time it
takes firefighters to get into service to put out a fire.
-30-
2 (fen
o/ Elle
b."
iw
gSe Sol w' ()�wpresenm is refuesledf
in cefe&afion ofXe sefeclion of
rid,el9- Xremer
",Ofj)ijjricl270
Superintendent PAPA"
as of ISe gear
1999 17(innesola 6uoer'nlenaren'
gSur$ufa
_y, Yanuary 28, 1999
4 O'CfOcip. M. %cephon
5 ocf0clo. in. 5proyr=
Xoplins Genlerkr I& lqr/$
III, jrXdnsired
Xo
,plins, Zfine$Gfa
etonka.
14600 Minnetonka Boulevard Minnetonka, MN 55345
January 8, 1999
RE: PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Fak61
T
yT�
(I -1h)
Applicant: Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Owner: City of Minnetonka
Site Location: 204 Xenium Lane near Plymouth Rd water tower (see the attached map)
Application(s): Rezoning Master Development Plan, Preliminary Plat, Site and Building Plan
Review
Description: A rezoning from R-1, low density residential, to R-2, low density residential,
to construct two twin homes. The property is also proposed to be subdivided
into four lots for individual ownership of each unit.
Project No.: 98075.98a
The Minnetonka Planning Commission invites you to a public hearing on Thursday, January 21,
1999, for the above referenced application. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.; however, the
hearing may not start until later in the evening. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of
the Minnetonka Community Center at 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard. The City is notifying all
property owners within 400 feet of the subject property.
At the public hearing, the Commission will give anyone wanting to speak the opportunity to do so.
The Commission requests that a spokesperson speak for a group with a consensus opinion.
Additionally, Planning Commission meetings are televised live on Channel 34. Rebroadcasts of these
meetings are at 12 Noon on Sundays and Mondays, and at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.
If you did not already respond with your comments to the Planning Department, you can do so by
sending an e-mail to cgutoske@ci.minnetonka.mn.us, and reference Project No. 98075.98a.
The Planning Commission acts as an advisory board to the City Council. As such, the final decision
on this proposal will be made by the City Council. Interested parties should contact the Planning
Department for the Council meeting date, after the Planning Commission meeting, as notices are not
routinely mailed for Council review.
If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Department at 939-8290.
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Minnetonka... where quality comes naturally
G:\WP\NOTIFY\98075.98a
AND
January 13, 1999
Mr. Robert Melamed
Mel Air Associates
2354 Wayzata Boulevard
Long Lake, Minnesota 55356
(I-10
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
RE: Petroleum Storage Tank Release Investigation an- LtdrrCCri-ve Action
Site: 2500 Nathan Avenue, Plymouth
Site ID#: LEAK00012321
Dear Mr. Melamed:
Notice of Release
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has been informed that a release of petroleum has occurred from
storage tank facilities which you own and/or operate. We appreciate your timely notification so this site can be handled
in an efficient manner.
Legal Obligations
Federal and state laws require that persons legally responsible for storage tank releases notify the MPCA of the release,
investigate the release and, if necessary, clean up the release. A person is considered legally responsible for a tank
release if the person owned or operated the tank either during or after the release, unless specifically exempted under the
law. If you believe that you are not legally responsible for this storage tank release, please contact the project manager
listed below.
If you are not legally responsible for the release, but hold legal or equitable title to the property where the release
occurred, you may volunteer to take corrective action. Responsible persons and volunteers who take corrective action
may be eligible for reimbursement for a major portion of the costs of corrective action. The legislature has established
the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Account to reimburse responsible persons and volunteers. The account is
administered by the Petro Board which is part of the Minnesota. Department of Commerce. Final decisions regarding the
amount of reimbursement are made by the Petro Board. All questions about eligibility and reimbursement should be
directed to the Petrofund staff at (651) 297-1119 or (651) 297-4203.
Request to Take Corrective Action
The MPCA staff requests that you take steps to investigate and, if necessary, clean up the release in accordance with the
enclosed MPCA fact sheets. The site investigation must fully define the extent and magnitude of the soil and/or ground
water contamination caused by the release. A report (excavation report and/or remedial investigation/corrective action
design (RI/CAD)) which details the results of the investigation or concludes that excavation was sufficient to clean up the
release must be submitted to this office within 10 months of the date of this letter. Please refer to MPCA fact sheets for
information pertaining to the amount of work needed at the petroleum release site(s).
520 Lafayette Rd. N.; St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; (612) 296-6300 (Voice); (612) 282-5332 (TTY)
Regional Offices: Duluth - Brainerd - Detroit Lakes - Marshall - Rochester
Equal Opportunity Employer • Printed on recycled paper containing at least 20% fibers from paper recycled by consumers.
Mr. Robert Melamed
Page Two
Sites with free product (free-floating petroleum), drinking water supply impacts, surface water impacts, indoor vapor
impacts, fire or explosion hazards, or ground water impacts which pose a significant threat to public health or the
environment, are considered high priority for staff review. If one or more of these situations apply to your site, an
RI/CAD report must be submitted within 90 days. In addition, if you know or discover that there is free -product from a
well, excavation, or borehole, you must notify the MPCA within 24 hours and IMMEDIATELY begin interim free
product recovery.
If you have not already done so, the MPCA recommends that you hire a qualified consulting firm registered with the
Petrofund staff that has experience in conducting petroleum release site investigations and in proposing and
implementing appropriate corrective actions. A list of registered contractors and consultants is available from the
Petrofund staff. The MPCA reserves the right to reject proposed corrective actions if the requirements of the site
investigation have not been fulfilled. Please note that, under Minn. R. 2890 (Supp. 1997), you must solicit a minimum of
two competitive proposals on a form prescribed by the Petro Board to ensure that the consulting costs are reasonable.
Questions about bidding requirements should be directed to Petrofund staff.
Required Response
MPCA staff requests a response to this letter within 30 days. Please tell us whether you intend to proceed with the requested
work. If you do not respond within this time frame, the MPCA staff will assume that you do not intend to comply, in which
case the MPCA Commissioner may order you to take corrective action. Failure to cooperate with the MPCA in a timely
manner may result in reduced reimbursement from the Petro Board. See Minn. R. 2890 (Supp. 1997). The enclosed fact
sheets will provide you with the information necessary to complete a successful investigation and cleanup. If you have any
questions concerning this letter or need additional information, please contact me at (651) 297-8580. Please reference the
above LEAK # in all correspondence. If you are calling long distance, you may reach the MPCA St. Paul office by calling
(1-800) 657-3864.
Sincerely,
4 Chris McLain
e'ct Manager
e o Site Remediation Section
CM:lek
Enclosures
cc: Laurie Ahrens, City Clerk, Plymouth
Robert Anderson, Northern Environmental
Greg Lie, Hennepin County Solid Waste Officer
Richard Kline, Fire Chief, Plymouth
Human Rights Commission Focuses on Healthy Neighborhoods in 1999
The Plymouth Human Rights Commission's theme for 1999 is "Plymouth: A
Neighborhood and Community for All." By spotlighting this theme, the Human Rights
Commission hopes to help residents understand all types of neighborhood relationships,
encourage healthy neighborhood relations and promote understanding and tolerance. The
Human Rights Commission is tentatively planning to host forums in 1999 highlighting
these issues. Dates will be announced at a later date.
In 1993, the Plymouth City Council established the Human Rights Commission to handle
grievances through mediation and to offer public education. The commission consists of
seven Plymouth residents and four high school students appointed by the City Council, as
well as representatives from the four school districts which serve Plymouth -- Hopkins
(270), Osseo (279), Robbinsdale (281), and Wayzata (284).
The mission of the Plymouth Human Rights Commission is to promote and encourage
equal opportunity and fair treatment in all facets of life for all individuals in our
community through the following activities:
• Identify and respond to equity problems and incidents of discrimination in the
City;
• Educate the public, City staff, and elected officials with the goal of fostering
protection of human rights;
• Present Annual Human Rights Commission award to a deserving individual,
business or organization;
• Respond to human rights issues referred by the City Council for study or
resolution;
• Develop a Human Rights essay contest with the schools;
• Build relationships with school districts, the business community, community
educational programs, libraries, other educational forums and all community
organizations;
• Administer an appropriate grievance process when needed; and
• Organize discussion groups and dialogs within Plymouth religious
communities and civic organizations to better understand and appreciate the
diversity within our society.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Commission or receiving assistance from
the Commission, please call the City of Plymouth at 509-5080.
(I -1k)
For More Information:
• Council adopts interim ordinance • Call Community Development at 5095450
• New development applications will not be accepted • Check the City Web Site at www.ci.plymouth.mn.us
until Comprehensive Plan is completed • E -Mail us at AHurlbur@ci.plymouth.mn.us
A Newsletter for
Residents and
orthwest LandownersIssu1
January 15, 1999
r22)
R CITY OF
PLYMOUTI+
Council adopts interim ordinance
Development applications prohibited in 2020 urban expansion area
At their meeting on January 5,
1999 the Plymouth City Council
adopted an interim ordinance
prohibiting submission or approval
of new subdivision, rezoning, land
use guide plan changes, conditional
use permits, interim use permits,
variances, site plan or planned unit
development applications within
the 2020 urban expansion area
identified in Northwest Plymouth.
The interim ordinance effectively
establishes a moratorium on new
development applications until
completion of the City's updated
Comprehensive Plan or until
January 1, 2000, whichever comes
first.
Staff recommended the interim
ordinance to the Council to protect
the City's ability to complete the
Comprehensive Plan update before
the City must react to development
applications. Over the next year,
plans will be prepared for the roads,
trails and utility systems that will
allow the area to develop. The
temporary ban on development
applications will give the City the
time to put the plans in place and to
schedule construction of needed public facilities before any developments are
approved.
Subject to the interim ordinance is the area identified as the City's 2020
Urban Expansion Area by the City Council in October, shown on the map.
Generally, this is the area east of Vicksburg Lane, plus some land lying along
future Schmidt Lake Road west of Vicksburg. The ordinance does not affect the
area in Northwest Plymouth that would not receive urban services until
sometime after 2020.
2 Northwest Notes January 1999
While new development
applications will not be accepted in
the area, building permits may be
issued for remodeling or additions
to existing structures. Permits may
be issued for new construction on a
lot of record if it meets all City
ordinance requirements. If you
have a question about whether your
upcoming building project is
affected, call the Community
Development Department at 509-
5400.
Fembrook Road between the
CP railroad tracks and County
Road 47 has been identified as the
major road improvement needed
for development of land east of
Vicksburg Lane and west of I-494.
The exact alignment and right-of-
way needed for the road must be
determined.
Staff is currently working with
Strgar, Roscoe & Fausch (SRF), the
City's transportation planning
City of Plymouth
Community Development Department
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
consultants, to develop alternative
Fembrook alignments. The
alternatives must fit the topography
of the area, avoid wetlands and
floodplains as much as possible, and
fit the general land use concept
adopted for the area in October.
Public meetings on the alternatives
will be held in the early spring.
When dates are set, separate mailed
notices will be sent.
Staff is also working with SRF to
prepare detailed work plans for
completing the remaining
Comprehensive Plan elements by
the end of 1999. More details will
be available in February and
announced in the next Northwest
Notes.
An application for a nine hole
golf course to be located south of
Camelot Overlook Subdivision was
received prior to enactment of the
interim ordinance. This application
will therefore proceed through a
public hearing yet to be scheduled.
Although the interim ordinance
does apply to this proposal, the
City and the golf course developer
will be working cooperatively to
address major planning issues over
the next several months. If the
location of Fembrook Lane and
other planning issues can be
resolved in the next several months,
the Council may amend the interim
ordinance to allow the golf course
to proceed.
For more information please
contact the Community
Development Department at 509-
5400. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday and Wednesday
through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. Tuesday. You may also send
e-mail to the following address:
ahurlbur@ci.plymouth.mn.us.
Documents are also available on
the City's web site. The current
and previous issues of Northwest
Notes are there, along with other
reports. The web address is:
http://www.ci.plymouth.mn.us.
Northwest Notes/ News on Planning for Northwest Plymouth
School Board Meeting HighiignTSe'
December 3, 1998
Hopkins School District 270 • 1001 Highway 7 • Hopkins. Minnesota 55305 • 612-988-40M
Passion for Leoming ... Learning for Life
Community
The third annual review of the Community Education strategic plan included status reports and
Education
recommendations from strategy managers; analyzing internal and external factors that have an
impact on specific strategies; and considering the greatest threats and opportunities to the Com -
Strategic
munity Education strategic plan.
Plan review
No changes were recommended for the mission: Hopkins School District Community Educa-
tion, as part of a caring, diverse community, provides lifelong learning experiences, develops and
promotes partnerships, and facilitates access to resources.
Community Education's belief statements include the following:
• All individuals have worth and potential to learn.
• Lifelong educational opportunities and resources for all learners are community wide responsi-
bilities.
• All parts of the community are interrelated, so collaboration is critical.
• Individuals need multiple pathways to experience success.
• A person's life will improve through purposeful learning experiences that meet the needs of the
individual.
• Family and other relationships have significant influence on individuals.
Four of the five Community Education strategies remain unchanged, including:
• Facility use—to provide access to and coordination of School District and community facilities
consistent with the expanding needs within the community
• Partnerships—to facilitate partnerships among community members to coordinate resources
and meet identified community needs
• Asset Building—to create a plan that aligns service delivery and programs to build assets and
meet the needs of community members
• Communications—to implement a plan that will inform students, staff members, parents and all
community members about the strategic plan and available Community Education programs
and services
The Diversity strategy was enhanced, and now encompasses initiating strategies with families,
schools and community organizations to respond to the increasing diversity in our community.
Improved Learning is a new strategy and entails the enhancement of learning by integrating
Community Education resources with K-12 education. Two new action teams are being formed
to develop action plans for the Diversity and Improved Learning strategies.
The Community Education strategic plan review committee members included Pam Askeland,
Marsha Baisch, Jo Bartz Vanessa Brown, Julie Forchay, Jon Marie Fox, Linda Hibbard, Mar-
sha Jacobsen, Dave Johnson, Dan Johnson, Barbara Klaas, Chuck Kritzler, Katie Lee, Donna
Leviton, Jan Ormasa, Jim Parsons, Rebecca Sabot, Ted Sauer, Nancy Scheibe, Deb Ukura,
Barbara Westmoreland and Kathy Zanner.
Graduation Hopkins School Board members approved maintaining the current 9th -12th grade course/credit
Requirements requirements (27 semester credits), which were adopted in January 1998, including: 8—English,
8—social studies, 4—math, 4—science, 2—physical education, and 1—health. Students will
develop personal learner goal plans, and record their progress on the 24 state standards.
Graduation requirements ad hoc task force members included: Ron Chall, Hopkins High
principal; Jerry Christenson, Jan Ormasa and Dale Searles, Hopkins High associate principals;
Ruth Misenko and Gail Toatley, Hopkins High counselors; Terry Wolfson, Hopkins West Junior
High principal; Marilyn Larson and Pat Unruh Jr., junior high counselors; Tim Rummel, director
of administrative services; Dee McCarthy, graduation standards technician; and Bob Muller,
director of curriculum, instruction and assessment.
School Board Meeting Highlights Is prepared by Communications Coordinator Eileen Horvala.
For an audio recording of the School Board meeting or copies of reports or background materials,
please call the Communications Office. 988.4024.
4'R Youth
The 4'R Youth Steering Committee was formed five years ago. Its initial charges were to build
Future
awareness in the community about the power of assets in healthy youth development, and to
focus the responsibility of the entire community on helping to build those assets. It appears that
Direction
these charges have been fulfilled. Many of the 4 'R Youth Committee's goals have been met, and
its strategies have been incorporated, in a myriad of ways, into the community. As a result, the
committee is in transition and is evaluating its future.
The 4'R Youth Committee will spend the next three months reviewing its future role in relation
to other groups that exist as the boarder District 270 community. The action plan for the next
three months includes the following:
• Creating a flow chart of all organizations in the community that address the needs of youth.
• Evaluating SCIP's role in leading the asset building initiative, if the School and Community in
Partnership (SCID) group develops into a more formal organization working closely with
Hennepin County in human services planning.
• Evaluating the implications to the ongoing role of the 4 'R Youth Steering Committee, if the
Local Collaborative Time Study (LCTS) Grant Committee redesigns its current function and, as
a result, a new spending plan is implemented, .
• Hosting a January meeting of the west suburban communities to update and review the progress
of their individual initiatives. The purpose of this meeting will be to measure the District's
progress based on the information and experiences of other asset building programs.
• Hosting a summit in March for the western suburbs that will serve as a recommitment for these
communities to stay attached to the asset building philosophy, and to carry that affirmation
back to their communities and organizations.
The 4 'R Youth Committee will meet in February to determine if it should continue, should be
folded into an existing group, should become an advisory committee to an existing committee, or
should be discontinued with the recognition that other groups are implementing asset building
within the community.
Two -Year
In January 1999, the District's administration—working in conjunction with staff and parents—
Calendar
will prepare calendars for the 1999400 and 2000-01 school years. Calendar discussion issues
include whether to start school before or after Labor Day; how long to extend the school year into
Preparation
June; early release and late start times; Martin Luther King Day; clustering or separating of non -
school days; implementation of the Profile of Learning; personal learning goal conference days;
length of winter break; the length and placement of spring break; the impact on instruction when
large numbers of students are absent due to religious holidays; and planning time.
Other
In other business, Board of Education directors:
Business
• Approved, in second reading, a policy governing the enrollment on non-public school students,
and revisions to the District's policy concerning School District enrollment options.
District
Appointments—temporary
Staff
Debra Ellison—math teacher 1.0 FTE at Hopkins High School. Debra received her associate degree from
Normandale Community College and her bachelor's in mathematics education from Cedarville College in Cedarville,
Ohio. She student taught at Hopkins High School.
Sudha Ramprasad—teacher 1.0 FTE at The Downtown School. Sudha received her bachelor's from Vijaya College
in Bangalore, India; her B.Ed. from the University of Bangalore, India; and her BS in elementary education from
Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Sudha has been a long-term substitute with the District since Sept. 12, 1995.
Request for leave of absence
Lynn Pietrick—special education paraprofessional at Glen Lake Elementary, requesting a personal leave of absence
from Nov. 2. 1998, through Nov. 10, 1998.
Resignations
Beverly Freeman—school nutrition worker at Hopkins North Junior High, resigning effective Nov. 13, 1998.
Beverly has been with the District since Sept. 13, 1994.
Nan Nicolle—Kids & Company activities assistant at Tanglen Elementary, resigning effective Nov. 6, 1998. Nan has
been with the District since Sept. 2. 1998.
Heather Schweiger—special education paraprofessional at Meadowbrook Elementary, resigning effective Nov. 20,
1998. Heather has been with the District since Sept. 15, 1998.
Jennifer Sommer—paraprofessional for Transition Plus, resigning effective Nov. 20, 1998. Jennifer has been with
the District since Feb. 2, 1998.
Suellyn Trin—Learning Center paraprofessional at Hopkins West Junior High, resigning effective Dec. 18, 1998.
Suellyn has been with the District since Nov. 12, 1990.
School Board Meeting Highlights Dec. 3, 1998 Page 2
SchooI Board MeetingHighugnTs'
December 17, 1998
Hopkins School District 270 • 1001 Highway 7 • Hopkins, Minnesota 55305 • 612-988-4024
Passion for Learning... Leaming for We
Legislative
The Hopkins School District's Legislative Action Coalition's (LAC) 1999 platform was ac -
Action
cepted by the School Board, Thursday, Dec. 17.
The District's LAC was established in 1994, and arose out of the need for a local, grassroots,
Coalition
parent—driven, proactive connection with the Legislature. The purpose of the LAC is to assist the
Platform
School Board with education—related legislation by developing, proposing and advocating for
legislative positions. The LAC has three tiers: a small Steering Committee that meets weekly to
develop the District's legislative platform, plan meetings with legislators, and organize other
special events; a group of about 45 people who receive regular minute and update information;
and another 90 people who have agreed to write, call and e—mail legislators whenever important
school legislation is being discussed at the Legislature.
School funding is the LAC's top priority. It proposes that the Legislature:
• Increase the general education formula allowance without reducing local school district referen-
dum revenue and without shifting the education funds so it results in a net loss of revenue
• Provide inflationary funding increases
• Remove penalties on districts that receive referendum revenue
• Fund its requirements at the level that each school district can successfully meet the state's
expectations
• Provide an ongoing source of revenue to integrate technology into the educational program
• Provide funding incentives to create areas of collaboration between counties, cities and school
districts
• Make funding decisions in a manner that allows local school districts time for effective and
efficient planning
The LAC also is concerned that the Legislature provide funding, again without reducing
general education revenue, to support enhanced learning opportunities, including Early Childhood
Family Education, parent education and parent involvement, and extended day and expanded year
learning opportunities. The LAC's platform also addresses the use of public funds for education
outside of public schools, taking the position that any school accepting any form of public funds
also assume financial responsibility for providing all state required services.
In addition to the funding issues, the District's LAC platform encompasses desegregation,
diversity and equity in educational opportunity. The LAC endorses desegregation/integration
through voluntary partnerships. It also believes that a comprehensive desegregation policy must
address housing, transportation initiatives and employment as well as education, and requires the
involvement of all aspects of the community. A desegregation plan specific to education also
should include the recruiting and training of teachers of color; staff training to support working
with diverse populations and achieving equity in educational opportunity; capital and operating
grants for magnet schools or programs; transportation funding; local and state organizational
structure for support; and voluntary student participation.
The LAC also supports the state's commitment to improved student performance. It proposes
that legislation provide local control for implementing the graduation rule. Funding also is needed
to implement statewide testing and the graduation rule mandates, which includes money for staff
development and student record keeping.
Ethical Over the past eight months, the School District has been working with Child's Play Theatre
Behavior Company to create a special workshop and presentation program for junior high school students
focused on the District's Principles of Ethical Behavior. Funded through a grant from the Hop-
kins Family Services Collaborative, a planning group of junior high staff members, students and
parents, and educational program staff members from Child's Play sought to find a creative way
to build awareness and understanding of those ethical principles among junior high students.
School Board Meeting Highlights is prepared by Communications Coordinator Eileen Harvola.
For an audio recording of the School Board meeting or copies of reports or background materials,
please call the Communications Office, 9884024.
Working with playwright Rick Logan, the planning group generated a series of real life,
everyday situations in which junior high students are faced with ethical choices. Those were
reviewed and refined by a focus group of about 25 students from North and West.
Loosely based on popular television court room dramas, the case of The Students of North
(West) Junior High vs The Students of North (West) Junior High is played out as opposing
attorneys present evidence through video and vignettes that demonstrate the ethical or not so
ethical behavior of students at the schools. Final judgment rests with the jury—the audience—of
peers who must weigh-in on the ethical climate of their schools.
Over three days, about 8 to 12 students from a grade level participate in a three-hour workshop
with educational program staff from Child's Play Theatre Company. During the workshop, the
students fine tune the script outline, and create and rehearse the vignettes, which they perform
later in the day for their grade -level peers. Following the presentations, student performers and
adult actors answer questions from the audience about the presentation and the ethical behavior
themes. Teachers also engage students in further dialogue and classroom activities designed to
reinforce the ethical behavior messages from the play.
An objective for creating the Ethical Behavior Tour is to offer an innovative and engaging
vehicle for junior high students to begin building shared meaning about the relationship of the
District's ethical principles to their real life situations, and to develop and reinforce their capacity
to think, reason and respond to ethical concerns.
The Ethical Behavior Tour opened to enthusiastic audiences at Hopkins North Junior High on
Nov. 1, and moves to Hopkins West Junior High, Jan. 11-13.
Junior High Mark Parr, Hopkins North Junior High principal, and Terry Wolfson, Hopkins West Junior
Use of Time High principal, presented a progress report on the junior high use of time study. The current
junior high schedule provides numerous options for students; however, the schedule also has
limitations that are problems for students and staff members, including the inequity issue between
teachers of 40 -minute academic courses and 60 -minute elective courses; and a short passing time
between classes.
A Use of Time Committee has been meeting since March 1998 to review the current junior
high educational program, to determine what changes are needed, and to make specific recom-
mendations to the superintendent and School Board. That committee is comprised of 26 mem-
bers, including a teacher who represents each department, four students, four parents, the two
junior high school schedulers, and the two principals. A proposal being seriously considered by
the committee is an alternating -day block schedule, with 88 minute classes, five minute passing
times, and students taking four subjects a day.
On Dec. 7, all of the junior high teachers met by team and department to provide feedback to
the Use of Time Committee concerning the kind of information they need to make an informed
decision on the proposed scheduling options. Based on those discussions, it became apparent that
the junior high teachers need more information on the proposal; would like to make some site
visits to schools currently using the alternating -day block schedule; and an opportunity to hear
testimonials from teachers; and time to talk with each other about the information and possible
change.
At the Board meeting, Dec. 17, Parr and Wolfson presented an updated decision making and
implementation schedule. They also asked for an early release day in April, so junior high staff
members could have a block of time together to receive information, and to share their thoughts
and concerns. From now through April, information will be gathered and site visits made. Teach-
ers may vote on the proposed change in May. If a decision is made to change the schedule, staff
development would then occur throughout next year, with implementation occurring in 2000-01.
Other In other business, School Board members:
• Adopted a $52 million tax levy, which includes $46 million for the District's general fund; $792,000 for community education; and
Business $5 million for debt
• Approved the appointment of Susan Scharenbroich to fill the vacancy of Board member Jason Ophoven. She will serve from Jan.
14,1999, to Jan. 1, 2000.
• Approved the sale of 20 acres of land on the southeast corner of Baker Road and Highway 7 to the city of Minnetonka for $1,000.
Minnetonka intends to build a water tower on that site.
Request for leave of absence
Karen Stachota—special education paraprofessional at Harley Hopkins, requesting a family leave of absence from Nov. 30, 1998,
through Dec. 18, 1998.
Resignations
David Seymour --special education pamprofessionaUn—building substitute at Epsilon, resigning effective Dec. 18, 1998. David has
been with the District since Sept. 8, 1998.
School Boord Meeting Highlights Dec. 17, 1998 Page 2
(I -3a)
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10
Metropolitan Council (I -4a)
Working for the Region, Planning for the Future
January 6, 1 �
Mr. William G. Clelland 8
Carson and Clelland
im
Attorneys at Law JAN
6300 Shingle Creek Parkway, Suite 305
Minneapolis, MN 55430-2190 COMM, VN!TY(D7� �Yh��Uncene,
RE: Association Free Lutheran Bible School Expansion/Impact upon North Hennepin
Regional Trail Corridor on the east side of Medicine Lake
Dear Mr. Clelland,
We received your letter concerning the impact of the Free Lutheran Bible School
- expansion project on the North Hennepin Regional Trail and related transportation issues.
The City of Plymouth will be submitting for Metropolitan Council review and approval
the proposed reguiding of Plymouth's Comprehensive Plan. This review will be focused
on consistency of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment with the Metropolitan Council's
Regional Growth Strategy, Regional Blueprint, and Regional Systems.
I would like to clarify your comment on the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council over
the North Hennepin Regional Trail, part of the Regional Recreation Open Space System.
The Metropolitan Council is responsible for developing the Regional Recreation Open
Space Policy Plan that includes the System, adopted Capital Improvements Program, and
policies governing the Regional Recreation Open Space. Implementation including
facility master planning, acquisition, development and operations is done by
Implementing Agencies. In the case of the North Hennepin Regional Trail, Hennepin
Parks is the Implementing Agency. This segment of the trail was done in cooperation
with Plymouth's East Medicine Lake road project. Trail operations and safety questions
can be addressed by Del Miller of Hennepin Parks. He can be contacted at 559-6754.
If you have further questions concerning this letter, please contact me at (651) 602-1306.
Sincerely,
Richard E. Thompson ��
Supervisor, Comprehensive Planning
cc: Bill Schreiber, Metro Council member District 2
Thomas Caswell, Sector Representative
Anne Hurlburt, City of Plymouth, Director of Community Development
230 East Fifth Street St. Paul. Minnesota 55101-1626 (651) 602-1000 Fax 602-1550 TDD/TIY 291-0904 Metro Info Line 602-1888
An Equal Opporfur-Ihl Enydrulrr
January 8, 1999
Mr. William Clelland
6300 Shingle Creek Parkway, Suite 305
Minneapolis, MN 55420
Dear Mr. Clelland:
I am responding to your letter of December 23, 1998 in which you express concern about
"improprieties" relating to the Council's consideration of the Lutheran Bible School
application. You requested that the Council reconsider its action.
Since reconsideration is an action for the entire Council to determine, your letter was sent
to all members of the City Council. As you know, the Council took no action to
reconsider this matter at the January 5h Council meeting. Council rules state that any
reconsideration must take place at the same meeting or the meeting immediately
following.
You had previously requested information from the City Manager regarding City records
on this matter, and I believe that the City Clerk has fully responded to you at his
direction. As I stated at the January 5t' meeting, the Council had the opportunity to
review the Open Meeting law requirements in detail with the City Attorney on December
9, 1998, which itself was an open meeting and on the public record. Since the City
Attorney's presentation to the City Council on that date, no member of the Council or the
public has stated, of their own knowledge, that any open meeting law violation occurred.
Further, for an open meeting law violation to incur any penalty, it must be found to be
intentional. Finally, the City Attorney has advised that even if an Open Meeting Law
violation had occurred, it would not have invalidated any decision by the Council to
either approve or disapprove the application before us.
You also expressed concern about what you refer to as an "ex parte" contact with Council
member Bildsoe during the course of the meeting. The Council's actions on reguiding are
not judicial in nature, but legislative. Judicial rules relating to "ex parte" communications
do not apply to the City Council acting as a legislative body. Citizens are free to contact
PLYMOUTH A Beau tijulPlace To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
® •--�« www.d.plymouth.mn.us
January 8, 1999
Mr. William Clelland
Page 2
their legislative representatives before, during, and after council meetings on such
matters. Indeed, neighbors opposed to the project did contact council members on this
subject. Even so, the 1991 City report in the folder was shown on the overhead cameras
to the entire audience only a few minutes later.
This was a difficult decision for the City Council. I believe every member of the City
Council voted on facts and arguments publicly presented, and their beliefs regarding the
best interests of the City. In my opinion, no "improprieties" occurred and no evidence has
been forthcoming otherwise.
If you wish to pursue this matter further, I would refer you to City Attorney Roger
Knutson of the Campbell Knutson law firm. Mr. Knutson can be reached at 651-452-
5000.
Sincerely,
Joy Tierney
Mayor
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd
Plymouth, MN. 55447
Attention: Joy Tierney, Mayor
Re: Animal Ordinance
10,1999
(I -4c)
We were stunned to read in the "Plymouth News" that the animal ordinance passed by
the City Council at the December 16, 1998 meeting prohibits cats from running at large.
We have attended many meetings, voiced our opinion and listened to opinion of others
both agreeing and disagreeing with our viewpoint. We have been in constant contact
with, Barb Cox, at the City to keep up to date with the progress of a new ordinance.
Since the animal ordinance was scheduled to go before the City Council again at the
December 16, 1998 meeting, we called, Barb, to get an update. She sent us a copy of the
proposal being recommended by Public Safety Advisory Board. She felt relatively
confidant that the City Council would vote positively on these recommendations which
treated cats at large on a "nuisance only" basis or the previously adopted ordinance with
the "grandfather clause". The police department felt very comfortable with both options.
It appears that the City Council will do whatever they personally choose to do regardless
of the recommendations of the public Safety Advisory Board and the input of their
constituents. First of all the Council voted on this sensitive issue in the middle of
December, when people are busy with the holidays, so that fewer people will be likely to
attend a meeting. Second the ordinance was scheduled on the agenda after another highly
debated issue. As a result, it was so late by the time that this topic was finally heard, that
nearly everyone had gone home. Lastly and most important the City Council refused to
consider the proposal from the Public Safety Advisory Board. Instead they drafted
their own ordinance and totally ignored the recommendations of the board and the many
concerned citizens that participated in numerous prior meetings. At midnight, when no
one was there to voice their objection, the City Council quickly passed their own animal
ordinance. It appears that this was their intent from the beginning. Allowing citizens to
voice their opinion and requesting input from the advisory board was simply a tactic to
make it appear as though the City Council listened to their constituents.
The action taken by the council is a perfect example of why the majority of the citizens
don't trust people in government on all levels. The council acted on what "they wanted"
and totally ignored the recommendation of the Public Safety Advisory Board and the
majority of the Citizens. We are very disappointed in our city government!
Sincerely,
Warren & Mary Docherty
300 Zircon Lane N
Plymouth, MN. 55447
Cc Barb Cox
Kelli Slavik
Sandra Spigner
Tim Bildsoe
Ginny Black
Scott Harstad
Judy Johnson
1/14/99
1999 CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS
COUNCIL COORDINATING REPRESENTATIVES
1. Planning Commission
Ginny Black Annual
2. Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Saundra Spigner Annual
3. Environmental Quality Commission
Ginny Black Annual
4. Human Rights Commission
Saundra Spigner Annual
5. Independent School District No. 279
Ginny Black Annual
6. Independent School District No. 281
Joy Tierney Annual
7. Independent School District 284
Kelli Slavik/Judy Johnson Annual
8. Independent School District 270
Saundra Spigner Annual
AGENCIES AND BOARDS
1. Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council (2 year terms)
Kathy Lueckert, Executive Committee (2/94) 12/31/00
Norma Garfin, Advisory Committee (1/99) 01/31/02
Karen Timmen, Advisory Committee (1/96) 01/31/00
(Vacancy)
2. Municipal Legislative Commission (1 year terms)
Joy Tierney 12/31/99
Dwight Johnson, Staff Representative 12/31/99
3. Northwest Suburban Cable Communication Commission
Tim Bildsoe, Council Representative Ongoing
Kathy Lueckert, Staff Representative Ongoing
City Council Appointments
Page 2
4. Wayzata/Plymouth Area Chemical Health Commission
Jan LaBreche (4/2/97) 1/31/00
Craig Gerdes Ongoing
5. Suburban Rate Authority
Fred Moore, Director 12/31/99
Tim Bildsoe, Alternate 12/31/99
6. Community Collaboration Task Force - I.S.D. 284
Joy Tierney Ongoing
Dwight Johnson Ongoing
7. Bassett Creek Water Management Commission (3 year terms)
Ron Quanbeck, Director 01/31/00
Fred Moore, Alternate 01/31/00
8. Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission (3 year terms)
Dan Faulkner, Director 01/31/00
Fred Moore, Alternate 01/31/00
9. Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission (3 year terms)
Ron Quanbeck, Director 01/31/00
Fred Moore, Alternate 01/31/00
10. School District 284 Community Education Advisory Council
Mary Bisek Ongoing
11. Communities in Collaboration Council
Joy Tierney Ongoing
Dwight Johnson, Staff Ongoing
12. Lake Region Mutual Aid Association
Rick Kline Ongoing
13. North Suburban Mutual Aid Association
Rick Kline Ongoing
14. Fire Training Center Joint Powers Agreement
Rick Kline Ongoing
15. West Suburban Mediation Center Board
Wanda Braziel 01/31/00
City Council Appointments
Page 3
16. Northwest Suburbs Community Access Corporation (2 year term)
Helen LaFave 01/31/00
17. I-494 Corridor Commission
Joy Tierney Ongoing
Barb Senness Ongoing
Tim Bildsoe, Alternate Ongoing
Anne Hurlburt, Staff Alternate Ongoing
18. Plymouth Civic League
Kelli Slavik 01/31/00
19. Suburban Transit Association
Scott Harstad 01/31/00
John Sweeney, Alternate Ongoing
(I -6a)
DATE: January 12, 1999
TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager _
FROM: Fred G. Moore, P.E., Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: SCHOOL SPEED ZONES
GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
COUNTY ROAD 101
In October 1998, the City Council adopted a resolution establishing school speed zones
on city streets adjacent to the public schools. Also as part of that action, they requested
that Hennepin County establish school speed zones on County Road 101 or County
Road 6 adjacent to three elementary schools. The County has completed the analysis of
this request adjacent to Greenwood Elementary School on County Road 101.
Attached is a letter from Hennepin County stating that they will not be establishing a
school speed zone on County Road 101 adjacent to Greenwood Elementary School as
requested by the Plymouth City Council. They state in their letter that the school does
not allow any students to cross County Road 101 and presently there are not any
students walking along or crossing County Road 101. The letter also gives the
guidelines that they use in establishing school speed zones.
As referenced in the letter, the County is planning an improvement project on County
Road 101 as part of their year 2000 construction program. Although not yet
specifically determined, I would anticipate that a traffic signal would be installed at the
intersection of Medina Road and County Road 101. This would be in addition to the
addition of through and turning lanes at this intersection. This will provide additional
safety for any students along County Road 101. The County's letter also refers to a
discussion with the Principal at Greenwood Elementary School stating they are planning
a building expansion and a revision to its parking and its onsite traffic circulation which
would remove the direct access from County Road 101. Neither the Engineering
Department or the Planning Department are familiar with any plans by the school
district to make modifications to Greenwood School.
F:\pw\Eogincering%GENERAL\MEMOS\FRED\1"7SchooiSpdStdy_mem.doc
SUBJECT: SCHOOL SPEED ZONES
GREENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Page 2
As we work with Hennepin County on the preparation of the plans for the improvement
of County Road 101, we will continue to address the safety of pedestrians along County
Road 101 either accessing Greenwood School or the City's playground at that location.
attachment
F:%pwW%ineainS\GENERAL%MEMOS%FRED%199%SchoolSpdSWy_mem.doc
HennepkiR,County
p
Mr. Fred Moore
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
RE: Request for School Speed Zone —Greenwood Elementary School--�-`F
Dear Mr.
ore:
January 8, 1999
This letter is in response to your letter of October 16, 1998, which transmitted the city's request that the
county establish a school speed zone along CSAH 101 in the vicinity of Greenwood Elementary School.
We have conducted field investigations and met with school officials to determine if the requisite
conditions exist for establishment of a school speed zone. We offer the following observations.
The intent of speed zoning in school areas is to improve safety when children are present, going to or
leaving school during opening or closing hours or during school recess periods. It is fundamental that
children be present near the roadway before there can be consideration of the establishment of a reduced
school speed zone.
Both our observations and our discussion with the school principal confirm that all students are given the
opportunity to be bussed. Further, there presently are not any students walking along or crossing CSAH
101. Indeed, the school does not approve requests to cross CSAH 101. Further, the neighborhood to the
south accesses the school via a path that is in back of the school, not in front where CSAH 101 is located.
The state (Mn/DOT) provides guidance to counties and cities in the establishment of school speed zones.
The guidelines state that `Proper speed zoning can: 1) reduce vehicular speed differential, 2) provide
basis for enforcement, 3) increase driver respect for speed zoning, and 4) decrease accident potential.'
However, `speed zoning will not: 1) automatically reduce vehicular speed, or 2) automatically reduce
accidents.' Further, the guidelines make a point of stating that `In fact, improper speed zoning may: 1)
increase accident potential, 2) increase vehicular speed differential, 3) decrease driver respect for speed
limits, 4) mislead pedestrians as to true vehicular speed, 5) leave actual speed virtually unchanged, 6)
make the majority of drivers `speeders', and 7) create enforcement problems.'
Mn/DOT evaluated child accident experience in the vicinity of schools and made two sets of observations
that warrant mention and are quoted as follows. "School speed zoning will not automatically reduce
accident frequency or severity. Improper zoning may actually create a situation favorable to accidents,
by increasing the speed differential between vehicles and by causing pedestrians to rely on a posted limit
which does not accurately reflect vehicular speeds. Thus, speed zoning must be done with great care."
Transportation Department
1600 Prairie Drive Recycled Paper
Medina, MN 55340-5421
(612) 745-7500 FAX: (612) 478-4000 TDD: (612) 852-6760
Mr. Fred Moore
January 8, 1999
Page 2
Mn/DOT's comments conclude with the following observations: "The recently passed legislation
granting authority to establish school zone speed limits to local officials is not intended as an
endorsement of blanket zoning or maximum reductions. Alternatives such as sidewalk construction,
parking restrictions, crossing guard utilization, stop sign or signal placement, and pedestrian rerouting,
are virtually always more effective in reducing a pedestrian hazard."
In the current instance, we believe the opportunity for busing, combined with the absence of children
near the road, would make it inappropriate to establish a school speed zone. As referenced above, there
are potential negative consequences to the establishment of a school speed zone.
As you may be aware, there are pending changes to the roadway and to Greenwood Elementary School
itself. As you may know, the county's recently adopted 1999-2003 Capital Improvement Program
budgets funds in 1999 for year 2000 reconstruction of CSAH 101 from south of CSAH 24 up to TH 55.
We anticipate that the intersection of Medina Road would be channelized with turn lanes, and
constructed to facilitate its eventual signalization. We expect the raised channelization would extend
from Medina Road to a point south of the current driveway to the school. The channelization would
physically preclude northbound left turns, which are currently signed as prohibited. Further, based on
discussion with Principal Art Johnson and the school's architect Michael Swanson, the school is planning
a building expansion and a revision to its parking and to its on-site traffic circulation that assumes no
direct access to/from CSAH 101. Thus, there should be even less future potential interaction between
pedestrians and vehicles accessing the school.
While we do not currently support a school speed zone in the vicinity of Greenwood Elementary, we are
willing to re-evaluate the need if you believe future conditions change sufficiently.
Sincerely,
C �_'
James N. Grube, P.E.
Director Transportation Department
JNTG:WKP:jh
cc: Tom Johnson
ArtJohnson
(I -6b)
DATE: January 12, 1999
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report
Attached is the report that was provided by Hennepin County staff for the month of December,
1998.
The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility in December was 494
including juvenile girls housed in the ACF Women's Section, less than the occupancy limit of
601 set by the Conditional Use Permit.
w MEMO h,
t�
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN
55447AA�
DATE: January 12, 1999
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report
Attached is the report that was provided by Hennepin County staff for the month of December,
1998.
The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility in December was 494
including juvenile girls housed in the ACF Women's Section, less than the occupancy limit of
601 set by the Conditional Use Permit.
a -6c)
DATE: January 14, 1999
TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Fred G. Moore, P.E., Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: FERNDALE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
COUNTY ROAD 6 TO TRUNK HIGHWAY 12
CITY PROJECT NO. 6007
The plans for the improvement of Ferndale Road from County Road 6 to Highway 12
have been completed and we have now received approval from the Minnesota
Department of Transportation. This is a joint project with the City of Orono since the
road is within each city.
Attached is a letter which will be sent to property owners on January 19 informing
them that the plans have been completed; and we will be having an open house on
February 4 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers for property owners
to review the plans. We have previously sent a copy of the plans to the president of the
Ferndale North Homeowner's Association. As stated in the letter, the plans have been
completed in accordance with the direction given by the Plymouth City Council. This
direction was arrived jointly between Plymouth and the City of Orono.
I will have Laurie post this as a public meeting in case Councilmembers wish to attend
the open house and review plans. Plans are also available within the Engineering
Department and can be reviewed at any time. Please let me know if there are any
questions.
attachment
N:\pw\Engineering\PROJECTS\MMEMOS\Ferridale—DwighLdOC
0
January 19, 1999 CITY OF
PLYMOUTH+
«Property_ D*
«Owner»
«Address»
«City, «State» «Zip»
SUBJECT: FERNDALE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
COUNTY ROAD 6 TO TRUNK HIGHWAY 12
CITY PROJECT NO. 6007
Dear Resident:
The final plans for the proposed improvements to Ferndale Road have now been through all of
the required review processes and have received approval from the State of Minnesota. We
have scheduled an open house for Thursday evening, February 4, 1999 from 6:30 p.m. to
8:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Plymouth City Hall located at 3400
Plymouth Boulevard. Residents from the cities of Orono and Wayzata are also being invited
to the open house where plans will be available for review and City staff members and the
engineering consultant will be available for questions.
The construction plans are in conformance with the direction given by the Plymouth City
Council when they authorized the preparation of plans:
• The street width is 28 -feet with only an additional turn lane at County Road 6.
• There is an 8 -foot wide walkway immediately adjacent to and along the east curb.
• The roadway is of an urban type design with vertical curb and a storm sewer system.
In accordance with state requirements, the plans have been prepared with "metric"
measurements. For this reason, the road is indicated as 8.4 meters wide and not 28 -feet. The
walkway is also shown as 2.4 meters which equates to 8 feet.
Following the open house on February 4 and review of the comments received, it is the staff's
intention to request City Council approval of final plans at their February 16 meeting. The
contractors' bids would then be received on March 18, with the award of a contract anticipated
at the April 6 City Council meeting. You could then expect some construction activity to
begin about May 1st, but we will inform you of the contractor's schedule before any
construction commences.
N:%pwMoneeri%%PROJEC'IS MLTMFerr&le Form_3.doc
PLYMOUTH A Beautifuf Place To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD - PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
® � www.d.plymouth.mn.us
SUBJECT: FERNDALE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Page Two
The project will require some encroachment onto private property and in these areas
where the cities do not have the necessary easements for this encroachment, those
affected property owners will be contacted by City staff to clearly explain what is
necessary well before any construction activity begins. These property owners will be
compensated for the fair market value associated with any encroachment necessary with
the road improvement project.
The Ferndale Road improvement plans are available at the Engineering Department
located in the Plymouth City Hall for your review or if you have questions, please call
either myself at 509-5520, Dan Campbell at 509-5522, or Fred Moore at 509-5501.
The cities of Orono and Wayzata also have the plans and a copy has been sent to the
Ferndale North Homeowner's Association.
Sincerely,
t9�0144 ".
Daniel L. Faulkner, P.E.
City Engineer
cc: Fred G. Moore, Director of Public Works
Ronald S. Quanbeck, Assistant City Engineer
Daniel K. Campbell, Sr. Engineering Technician
N.\Pw\Enginaring\PROIECTS1607\L7RS\Fandale Pg2 3.doe
a -6d)
DATE: January 15, 1999
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
4 �
FROM: Anne Hurl Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Storage Requirements for Recyclables in Commercial and Industrial Districts
At the November 4 City Council meeting, staff was asked to review requirements for storage of
recyclable materials in commercial and industrial areas. As I understood it, the concern was whether
we needed to add or change ordinance requirements to make sure businesses provided adequate
space either inside or outside for storing recyclables, in addition to storage of other waste materials.
Section 21120.07 of the Zoning Ordinance requires that all buildings having exterior trash receptacles
shall provide an enclosed area in conformance with seven standards. The two most relevant standards
are:
Subd. 5. The design and construction of the trash enclosure shall be subject to the approval of
the Building Official; and
Subd. 6. Recycling space shall be provided as required by the Minnesota State Building Code.
Section 1300.4700 of the Minnesota State Building Code requires recycling space for all buildings
over 1,000 square feet. A minimum amount of recycling space is required based on the square footage
of the building and the building use. For example, the code requires a 10,000 square foot office
building to provide 25 square feet of recycling space.
Staff has discussed whether or not a different standard is needed and could be included in the Zoning
Ordinance. We concluded that it would be very difficult to develop a reasonable standard that could be
enforced as part of the Zoning Ordinance for several reasons, including the variability of the types of
materials generated by the variety of activities and businesses allowed in each zoning district. The
needs of an office user and the needs of a manufacturer would be very different. Even the variations
among manufacturing uses would make it very difficult to create a standard. The end user of a
building is often unknown at the time of City development approvals. Furthermore, the types of
materials that are accepted for recycling change over time, and materials that may be collected today
may not be the same as those collected in the future.
We believe that the appropriate approach to this issue may be in the realm of refuse collection
regulations, recycling programs or technical assistance to businesses for waste management; not with
the zoning or building regulations.
DATE: January 15, 1999
TO: Planning Commissioners
cc: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
Planning Staff
FROM: Ar a Hurlburt, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Voice Mail Access
With this memo you are receiving the instructions for setting up your new voice mail box on
the City of Plymouth system. The instructions should make it easy for you to access the
system, but if you have any problems with it please call me (509-5401) and let me know.
We will be including your new voice mail number in our rosters and publications, so you
should set up your mailbox as soon as possible. You will be able to use it as soon as you go
through the set up procedure, but we will indicate in our publications that the voice mail access
to Planning Commissioners will be effective on February 1, 1999.
The voice mail telephone number for the Planning Commission are as follows:
Mike Stulberg
509-5016
Roger Berkowitz
509-5017
Robert Stein
509-5018
Allen Ribbe
509-5019
John Stoebner
509-5020
Robert Sipkins
509-5021
Sarah Reinhardt
509-5022
You will also have the capability of sending "group" messages to all Planning Commissioners.
The group code will be "009". I would suggest a little caution about using this feature,
however, as communications among more than three Planning Commissioners at one time
could lead to a violation of the Open Meetings Law. If you have any questions about this
feature, please let me know.
DATE: January 15, 1999
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Summary of Agenda Items for January 19, 1999
6.3 Renewal of liquor licenses. These licenses should be renewed at this time. Those
license holders who have been found guilty of selling to minors will be brought forth for
hearing and penalties next month as outlined by a memo from the Chief a few weeks ago.
6.4 Child Endangerment ordinance. The proposed amendments to this ordinance
arose out of an incident last year wherein a citizen was tagged under this ordinance, even
though there were no specific endangering factors present. This revised ordinance would
provide some criteria for officers to use. Public Safety recommends the changes.
6.6 Pokorney Home Occupation License. Based upon calls to Council member Slavik,
it now appears that several residents will want to speak in opposition at this meeting. If
so, we will need to pull this off the consent agenda. The specific issue before us is
whether or not the request to allow off -premises employees will, in itself, cause any new
or different problems. It is hard to see how allowing off -premise employees would cause
any new problems, even if current problems do exist.
6.9 Fee increase for City Attorney. Upon a request by Council member Saundra
Spigner, staff checked and found that no actual resolution approving either the 1998 or
1997 increase was actually presented to or approved by the Council, even though it had
been presented as part of the budget process both years. The resolution on this agenda
approves the 1999 fees as well as retroactively approves the previous increases. Our total
budget for City Attorney services has not increased over the last several years. A
summary of the recent evaluation of our attorney services can be found elsewhere in your
packet.
6.18 Park Capital Improvements. The proposal would update three existing
playgrounds and add several more finishing features before summer to West Medicine
Lake park. Most of the funding would come from the Park Replacement Fund. Although
it is unusual to update three playgrounds all in one year, the proposal is actually well
below what was anticipated in the long range financial plan for this fund presented to
Council last year.
7.1 Public Hearing-Kingsview Lane. This is the second hearing on this project. While
50% of the residents petitioned for the project, there was testimony at the first hearing
that the assessments were too high and the Council should reconsider them. Since then,
staff has examined the cost of maintenance of the existing gravel road compared with the
expected cost of maintenance of a paved road. The difference is proposed to be credited
to the resident's assessment bill, dropping the total assessments from about $9,112 to
$7,387 per lot. We hope both the residents and the Council will find this a fair
compromise.
7.2 Liquor License -Howie G's Signature Steaks. Staff knows of no reason for denial
based on the usual investigations.
8.1 Zoning Amendments. This item presents a lengthy list of clarifications and
technical amendments to the zoning ordinance. It is not intended to change any current
practices or policies, but rather make sure the zoning ordinance language does reflect
current practices and policies. There was no public opposition at the Planning
Commission hearing.
8.2 Legislative initiatives. Each year, we identify items that should be called to the
attention of the Legislature for new or amended legislation. This year, our attempts to
have a meeting with the Plymouth legislative delegation at a time that fits both the City
calendar and their schedules have been in vain. However, the City should still identify its
issues and present them in letter/resolution form and communicate them on an individual
basis to our legislators as opportunities arise. The staff has identified seven issues. We
have tried to limit the list to items that would have a specific benefit or application to
Plymouth.
8.3 Discuss Open Meeting Law issue raised at January 5`h Forum. Council member
Spigner has requested this item. She is concerned that she was specifically and publicly
named in the Mayor' remarks to Mr. Clellan in a way that implicates her in an Open
Meeting Law violation and that this issue should be publicly clarified. A transcript of
what all parties said at that meeting is included in the packet.
DATE: January 4, 1999
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: City Attorney Evaluation results
Background. Several weeks ago, I invited all 1998 Council members and department
directors to fill out a one page evaluation of our City Attorney services. The contract
with the City Attorney provides for regular evaluations. Six council members and six
department directors responded. Attached is a table showing the quantitative ratings and
a separate memo with all the comments listed. This memo summarizes the results and
presents my own comments as well.
Summary of Results. Generally, the City Attorney ranked very high in the level of
service provided, with an overall rating of just over 4.5 from Council and staff combined.
This is mid -way between "good" and "excellent." Also, there is no single category that
averaged below a "4" for either the Council members or the staff. All responders had an
overall average rating of over "4" except one. The highest overall category was
"Integrity and Ethics" while the lowest category was "Prosecution."
City Manager's evaluation comments. The following comments are strictly my own.
The City Attorney's office provides an excellent overall quality of service and has
excellent depth of personnel. Any one of many attorneys in the firm can and does answer
questions for us. The work requested as well as general communication is generally
timely and I believe the firm provides excellent advice to help prevent lawsuits. The cost
is very reasonable since the members of the firm are very efficient in answering our
questions, usually because they already know the answer or need only minor research to
verify the answer. The City has not needed to increase its legal budget for several years.
My recommendations for maintaining or improving service in the future include (in no
particular order): (1) work with Council member Spigner on her concerns; (2) emphasize
regular communication and consultation between the prosecution office and the City's
Public Safety and Community Development Departments; (3) consider being somewhat
more proactive at Council meetings, not only on parliamentary questions as Council
member Bildsoe suggested, but helping members to phrase motions, etc. and (4) schedule
a future study session on prosecution in general.
NAME
EVALUATION OF CITY ATTORNEY SERVICES
DECEMBER, 1998
(circle an answer and provide any comments)
Please rate the overall quality of advice and work provided by the City Attorney
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
2. Please rate the timeliness of the advice or work.
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
3. Please rate how well the City Attorney's office helps prevent law suits against the City
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
4. Please rate the performance of the City Attorney during official Council meetings
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
5. Please rate your overall satisfaction with your communication with the City Attorney
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
6. Please rate your overall satisfaction with the cost for City Attorney services
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
7. Please rate your overall confidence in the integrity and ethics of the City Attorney
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
8. Please rate your general satisfaction with the City's prosecution service
Excellent Good Fair Needs Improvement Poor
Comments:
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DATE: January 4, 1999
TO: Mayor and City Council, Department Directors
FROM: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Written comments on 1999 City Attorney Evaluation Forms
The following are the written comments provided by members of the Council or staff
who participated in the recent evaluation of the City Attorney services.
1. Overall Quality:
CG: "Especially from Roger and on general City business."
FM: "Either knows the answer or gets back to me in a short time."
2. Timeliness.
CG: "Inmost circumstances answers are received on the same business day. Some
answers are delayed (see Prosecution)."
SS: "He has always returned calls and made contact in a timely fashion. I think I
remember several cases we settled."
3. Preventing lawsuits.
TB: "We will see!"
SS: "Hard question to answer because he appears to be doing a good job, but I don't
have data."
4. Performance at Council meetings.
CG: "Roger clearly understands and follows and gives timely advice."
TB: "Could be more proactive on parliamentary procedure questions."
SS: "Public has commented that he appears to be mumbling through advice, and doesn't
appear to know what he is saying."
5. Communication.
CG: "(see #2)"
SS: "He projects himself to me as not wanting to work with me and I believe that's a
problem. I think we both need to work on communication with one another. However,
he appears not to want to. Dwight -hope you can help me end this!"
6. Cost of services.
CG: "Full time staff would be too expensive."
SS: "I don't know what the cost analysis is in regard to other offices -and with his
increases where does it fit?"
JJ: "I'm not aware of what other's rates are."
7. Integrity and Ethics.
SS: "I believe he is aware of the contract he entered into with the City and should have
advised us that we needed to amend."
8. Prosecution service.
CG: "From time to time responses are delayed perhaps because of the court calendar.
We need to continue to work on communications so that when we request specific
information we receive what we requested in a timely fashion."
KL: "Do not know enough to comment."
AH: "Timeliness of response on code enforcement prosecution and related issues (i.e.
noise ordinance) are my only real concerns about the firm's performance."
SS: "Overall the vote is good however we continue to have a fair showing with Elliott,
and court's and court's personnel opinion continues to be only fair."
JT: "But -uncertain of quality at this time."