HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 04-09-1999APRIL 9. 1999
1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE:
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, APRIL 13, 7: 00 PM
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 7.- 00 PM
2. MONDAY, APRIL 12, 7:00 PM
3. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 7: 00 PM
4. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 7.- 00 PM
S. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 7. 00 PM
6. THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 7. 00 PM
7. April and May calendars are attached. (M-7)
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, Public Safety
Training Room
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
YO UTH AD VISOR Y COUNCIL,
Medicine Lake Room
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION,
Medicine Lake Room
Note: Meeting date change this month only
PLANNING COMMISSION
Council Chambers
HRA, Medicine Lake Room
PUBLIC SAFETYADVISORYBOARD,
Public Safety Training Room
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
APRIL 9, 1999
Page 2
1. NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
a) League of MN Cities - Annual Conference June 15 - 18 (Registration & Housing
Info.)(I-1 a)
b) Children's Activity And Coloring Book by Judy Johnson - available for classroom
and Boy Scout presentations(I-1b)
c) News Release regarding DARE event at Gleason Lake Elementary 4/8/99 (I -1c)
d) Mayor Tierney requested that the attached article "(A Case of Supermajority
Fever)" from Governing magazine be shared with the City Council. It has also
been shared with the Charter Commission. (I -1d)
e) Prevention Forum info. April 27, 1999 "Cops, Kids, Booze & Summer" by the
Community Prevention Coalition. (I -le)
J) Press Release from Plymouth Metrolink - Awarding "Three Millionth Rider"(I-1j)
2. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Memo from Nancy Bye, City Assessor to Dwight Johnson regarding Hennepin
County Real Estate Valuation Notices and the Data Privacy Act (I -2a)
b) Letter from the Mayor to Trent Eisenberg, Youth Advisory Council thanking him
for his presentation at the Plymouth Forum. April 6`'. (I -2b)
c) Letter from Gary L. Englund, Section of Drinking Water Protection, Department
of Health to Plymouth City Council regarding the first annual water quality report
Consumer Confidence Report (deadline October 19, 1999(1-2c)
3. COUNCIL ITEMS
a) Draft agenda for the April 200' Regular Council meeting (I -3a)
4. LEGISLATIVE REPORTS
a) Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM) FAX News. (I -4a)
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League of Minnesota Cities
Important Instructions
Rooms will be reserved on a first-
come, first-served basis. The earlier
you make your reservations, the better
the chance you will have of getting
your first choice hotel. The hotels
will hold the room block until May 21,
1999.
A deposit equal to one night's lodging
per room must accompany this
housing form.
Information and rates
Radisson Plaza Hotel
150 South Broadway
Hilton Garden Inn
5225 South Broadway
Kahler Grand Hotel
20 S.W. Second Avenue
Rochester Marriott Hotel
101 S.W. First Avenue
$109 single, double
$149 king leisure suite
24 hour cancellation required
$82 single, double
24 hour cancellation required
$89 single, double
$109 single, double
(t85 sin le do W.
(YLbAJb YK1N 1 UK 1 YFE)
Name: Title: _
City or Organization:
Address:
City, State, Zip
Arrival Date: Arrival Time:
Hotel Preference:
First: Second:
Special Requirements:
Names of All Occupants:
One Bed Two Beds
Enclosed is a deposit equal to one nights lodging per room:
Departure Date:
Third:
Smoking or Non Smoking:
Check
Credit
LMC HOUSING BUREAU Credit Card Company
Card Number
Send to. Expiration Date
Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau The LMC Housing Bureau is authorized to use the above
LMC Housing $Ureau Card to guarantee my hotel reservations reserved by me.
150 SdUth Broadway, Suite A
I understand that one night's room will be billed through
Rochestier, MN"55904 this card if I fail to show u form assigned housingon
-Attu: Ginger Winslow -
the confirmed date, unless I have canceled my reservations
or•fax to, Ginger 1Ninslow at (507) 288-9144. with the hotel prior to 6:00 p.m. on the day of arrival.
RESERVATIONS BY PHONE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. s Cardholder signature Date
Any questions, please call Ginger Winslow at (800) 634-8277 or e-mail her at info@rochestercvb.org.
Retain a copy of this form for your records.
®Special Housing Request:
If you have special needs, please attach a written description to this housing form, e.g. wheelchair accessible room, etc.
Holiday Inn City Centre
9 u
CREDIT CARD PREFERRED
220 South Broadway,,",,',
YOU WILL RECEIVE. A' CONFIRMA-
Economy Inn By Kahler
$79 single, double
Center Street at Third Avenue N.W.
TION„ OF YOUR RESERVATION
fFtOM THE ASSIGNED HOTEL.
Executive Suites Hotel
$99 single, double
Center Street at Third Avenue N.W.
ALL- CHANGES IN RESERVATIONS
OR CANCELLATIONS,MUST BE
Best Western Soldiers Field Tower & Suites
$68 1-4 guests
MADE THROUGH'THE HOUSING
401 6th Street S.W.
(YLbAJb YK1N 1 UK 1 YFE)
Name: Title: _
City or Organization:
Address:
City, State, Zip
Arrival Date: Arrival Time:
Hotel Preference:
First: Second:
Special Requirements:
Names of All Occupants:
One Bed Two Beds
Enclosed is a deposit equal to one nights lodging per room:
Departure Date:
Third:
Smoking or Non Smoking:
Check
Credit
LMC HOUSING BUREAU Credit Card Company
Card Number
Send to. Expiration Date
Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau The LMC Housing Bureau is authorized to use the above
LMC Housing $Ureau Card to guarantee my hotel reservations reserved by me.
150 SdUth Broadway, Suite A
I understand that one night's room will be billed through
Rochestier, MN"55904 this card if I fail to show u form assigned housingon
-Attu: Ginger Winslow -
the confirmed date, unless I have canceled my reservations
or•fax to, Ginger 1Ninslow at (507) 288-9144. with the hotel prior to 6:00 p.m. on the day of arrival.
RESERVATIONS BY PHONE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. s Cardholder signature Date
Any questions, please call Ginger Winslow at (800) 634-8277 or e-mail her at info@rochestercvb.org.
Retain a copy of this form for your records.
®Special Housing Request:
If you have special needs, please attach a written description to this housing form, e.g. wheelchair accessible room, etc.
Please type or print
Name Sex F M
Nickname for badges
Title
City or organization
Mailing address
City, State, Zip
Telephone ( )
---------------------------------------------------------
Youth Delegate (18 and under, order meal tickets only)
Family/Guests attending:
Spouse full name -Sex F M
Child
Child
There is no registration, fee for family members,but meal ticKets for family members must be purcnasea
and should be ordered below. a
I will attend the Minnesota Women In City 'Government (MWCG) Lunch
Wednesday, June 16, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. No charge.`
❑ I want to join MWCG. Please bill me ($18.00)"
❑ This is my first League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference.
FULL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
June 15-18, 1999 ;
Registration includes admission to all sessions ADVANCE REGISTRATION
and conference activities, Including tickets to: (POSTMARKED er MAY 21, 1999)
• TUESDAY EVENING KICK-OFF;: ' , $280 FULL CONFERENCE $
(no ticket necessay)
• WEDNESDAY EXHIBITORS! LUNCHEON ON-SITE REGISTRATION
• WEDNESDAY CITY NIGHT (AT ;CONFERENCE)
• THURSDAY MAYORS LUNCHEON $295 'FULI 'CONFERENCE $
;
• THURSDAY�BANOUET
PARTIAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
WEDNESDAY ONLXr OPTION THURSDAY AND FRIDAY ONLY OPTION
June 16, 1999" ` ,dune 17-18, 1999
Registration includes admission to all A6, stratlon includes admission to all Thursday
Wednesdav sessions and Jni1udas.tickets to: and Ftidav sessions and includes tickets to:
Every delegate, guest, speaker, media
representative, and other attendees
MUST REGISTER with this form.
Complete the form and return it along
with full payment of appropriate confer-
ence registration fees to address below.
NOTE: No registration will be processed
without payment in full, or without an
accompanying city voucher or purchase
order.
Youth Delegate Registration
Local officials are encouraged to register
youth as active participants in this
conference to contribute to LMC's youth
agenda. No registration fee required.
Special Needs
If you are disabled and require special
services or transportation, or if you have
special dietary needs, please attach a
written description to this registration
form.
Registration Confirmation
Pre -registrants will receive a registration
confirmation to be presented at the
ADVANCE REGISTRATION desk.
Registration Information
For more information contact:
Cathy Dovidio (651) 281-1250 or
1-800-925-1122.
Make check payable and return
with form to:
Finance Department --AC
League of Minnesota Cities
145 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55103-2044
Conference Registration
Cancellation Policy
All requests for cancellation must be in
writing and postmarked by June 8, 1999
and are subject to a $35 cancellation fee.
No partial refunds will be made.
Persons pre -registered (but not pre -paid
in full) who do not attend will be billed for
the entire registration fee.
If a registered delegate becomes unable
to attend, it is acceptable for an alternate
delegate to use the registration. A
City contact
Daytime phone number
Feel free to duplicate for
multiple registrations.
• TUESDAY EVENING KICK-OFFF'�
DAY CITY NIGHT
- (no ticket necessary)
• THURSDAY MAYOR'S LUNCHEON
• WEDNESDAY ExmistroRs LUNCH
NOTE: This registration does not include
• WEDNESDAY CITY NIGHT
THURSDAY BANQUET TICKETS. Order under Extra
Meal Tickets—
ADVANCE ADVANCE REGISTRATION
(POSTMARKED BY MAY 21,"-1999)
ADVANCE,, REGISTRATION
$145 WEDNESDAY ONLY $
(POSTMARKED BY MAY 21, 1999)
$145 , THURSDAY AND FRIDAY $
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
(AT CONFERENCE) ,ON
SITE REGISTRATION
$150 WEDNESDAY ONLY $
( AT ;'CONFERENCE )
�"
$15O ITHURSDAY AND FRIDAY $
-: EXTRA. MEAL .TICKETS
t < PURCHASE FOR ALL FAMILYIGUESTS= ATTENDING
$12 WEDNESDAY y;3: $ $18' THURSDAY $
°EXHIBITOR'S LUNCH,: MAYOR'S LUNCH
$13 WEDNESDAY$ $29 THURSDAY $
CITY NIGHT BANQUET
TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED - $
(MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO FINANCE DEPARTMENT—AC)
Every delegate, guest, speaker, media
representative, and other attendees
MUST REGISTER with this form.
Complete the form and return it along
with full payment of appropriate confer-
ence registration fees to address below.
NOTE: No registration will be processed
without payment in full, or without an
accompanying city voucher or purchase
order.
Youth Delegate Registration
Local officials are encouraged to register
youth as active participants in this
conference to contribute to LMC's youth
agenda. No registration fee required.
Special Needs
If you are disabled and require special
services or transportation, or if you have
special dietary needs, please attach a
written description to this registration
form.
Registration Confirmation
Pre -registrants will receive a registration
confirmation to be presented at the
ADVANCE REGISTRATION desk.
Registration Information
For more information contact:
Cathy Dovidio (651) 281-1250 or
1-800-925-1122.
Make check payable and return
with form to:
Finance Department --AC
League of Minnesota Cities
145 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55103-2044
Conference Registration
Cancellation Policy
All requests for cancellation must be in
writing and postmarked by June 8, 1999
and are subject to a $35 cancellation fee.
No partial refunds will be made.
Persons pre -registered (but not pre -paid
in full) who do not attend will be billed for
the entire registration fee.
If a registered delegate becomes unable
to attend, it is acceptable for an alternate
delegate to use the registration. A
City contact
Daytime phone number
Feel free to duplicate for
multiple registrations.
r% r% !• ■ ■ u n I u a §%%F r% r1 n n n w w w t% /% 11 i• A 11 1 r
1999 LMC Annual Conference
Healthy Communities: Prescriptions for the Future
Tuesday, June 15, 1999
Tuesday evening Kickoff Event—
"Hou) To Be Minnesotan"
6:30-9 p.m.
Wednesday, June 16, 1999
Registration /Cities Marketplace/Tech City/Computer Lab
7:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Continental Breakfast
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Welcome/Opening Session
8:45-10:15 a.m.
Caring for Ourselves and Our Communities' "
Edward Creagan, MD, Division of Medical
Oncology at Mayo Clinic
Tour Cities Marketplace
10:15-10:45 a.m.
Focus: Minnesota Municipal Hosts
Nominating Committee Meeting
10:45-4 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions I
10:45-11:45 a.m.
• Getting Ready for the 2000 Census
Wellhead Protection: Planning For Your City
Protecting Your City From Lawsuits
Politics: The Art of the Possible
Employee Performance Evaluation'
The Elected Officials' Role in Emergency Management
• Checkup Session—Environment
• Special Interest Session -Especially, for:Cities With, ilr
Exhibitors' Luncheon in Cities Marketplace `
11:45-1:15 p.m.
General Session
1:15-3 p.m.
LMC Almanac: City Issues Forum with
Governor Jesse Ventura and Senate an
House Leadership (tentative/each invited
Tour Cities Marketplace
3-3:30 p.m.
Focus: LMC Business Associates
Concurrent Sessions 11
3:30-4:30 p.m.
• -> Y2K: Is Your Community Ready?
• Teen -Friendly Communities .
• Creating a Council -Staff Partnership toro,
Transportation:, Finding Common G
• Evaluating the City Manager
Bringing City Hall to the Classroom
Checkup Session—Planning and Zonin
Based Planning
• Special Interest Session—Helping Your
With Tragedies
City Night
5:30-8:30 p.m.
LMC Blues Festival
d
)
.
Achie,
und'
foals
City Family Deal
Thursday, June 17, 1999
Continental Breakfast
7:30-9 a.m.
Registration/Computer Lab
7:30-11 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions III
9-10:30 a.m.
• Media Myths and Realities
• Infrastructure Repair and Financing: Who Pays? (SQ
• Annexation (CMC)
• Metropolitan Forum (MC)
• Redistribution of Property Taxes
- Building on Your Community's Economic Strengths
• Checkup Session—Personnel
• Special Interest Session Especially for Cities With
Existing Manufactured Housing Communities
Concurrent Sessions IV
11:30-12:30 p.m.
• Off the Record—Practicing Media Relations
• Energizing Downtown (SC)
• How to Partner With Ag Resources in Your Community (GMQ
Strengthening Neighborhoods (MC)
• Promoting the Benefits and Costs of City Services
• The City's Role in Workforce Development
• Checkup Session—Cultural Diversity
• Special Interest Session—Especially for Cities With Unions
Mayors Association Luncheon and LMC Annual Meeting
12:30-2:45 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions V
2:45-4:15
• Closing Council Meetings
• How to Manage Volunteer Fire Departments
• Affordable Housing—Perception vs. Reality
• Clean Water: What Cities Could and Should Do
• Financing Technology,
• Downtown Survival in Spite of:..
• Checkup Session—Public Safety
• Special Interest Session—Altemative Penalties: A City's
Alterative to the Court System
LMC Reception and Awards Banquet
6-9 p.m.
Friday, June 18,',,1999
Continental Breakfast
Special Recognition: City Achievement Awards
8-9 a.m.
General Session
9-10:45, a.m.
Vie Shape of 77iings to Come
Geoffrey Godbey, Ph.D, futurist, Pennsylvania State
University
Note: Cities Marketplace, the conference exhibitor program,
will be open on Wednesday, June 16 only.
Registered youth delegates will be mailed information
regarding meeting/session opportunities.
CHILDREN'S COLORING BOOK
Councilmember Judy Johnson has
developed a children's activity and
coloring book about local government
for use by young children - ages 3 and
over. We will photocopy the book in-
house. If you are doing a classroom or
Boy Scout presentation, or would like
some copies to have on hand to
distribute, please contact Laurie at
509-5080.
CITY OF
PLYMOUTFF
MEDIA ADVISORY — PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
For Immediate Release Contact: Susan Gottwald, 612-509-5148
DARE Event
Thursday, April 8, 10 a.m. (weather permitting)
National Guard Helicopter Fly -In
Gleason Lake Elementary, 310 Co. Rd. 101, Plymouth
As a prelude to national Drug Resistance Education (DARE) Day, the Minnesota Army National
Guard will land a "Huey" helicopter on the Gleason Lake Elementary playground, 310 Co. Rd.
101, on Thursday, April 8 at 10 a.m. National DARE Day is April 9.
At the request of the Plymouth DARE Officers, the National Guard's Drug Demand Reduction
Program will fly the 11 passenger UH -1H helicopter to the school to reinforce the drug-free life
style taught by Plymouth's DARE. The crew will discuss the helicopter, survival equipment and
remaining drug and violence free. Students will tour the helicopter after the presentation.
The Drug Demand Reduction Program offers drug-free role models and flies daily to Minnesota
schools. The event was planned by DARE Officers to recognize Plymouth DARE students for
their efforts in resisting pressures to become involved in violence and drug abuse.
DARE is being presented in nine elementary schools in the City of Plymouth. Plymouth DARE
officers are Officer Susan Gottwald, Investigator Craig Lindman, Officer Greg Oly and Officer
Scott Streachek.
DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a collaborative effort by DARE certified law
enforcement officers, educators, students, parents and the community. The 17 -week curriculum
helps students recognize and resist pressures that influence them to engage in violence and
experiment with alcohol, tobacco, inhalants and other drugs. The strategies focus on enhancing
communication skills, self-esteem, decision-making, conflict resolution skills and positive
alternative activities.
-30-
PLYMOUTH 91 Beautifu[P[ace To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 - TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
www.d.plymouth.mmus
vp�S�S•f�S-oS�I�E`�N1a5 ALAN B 11 R B N A A L T
A Case of Supermajoriq Fever
of long ago, a real estate developer went to the city coun-
cil in Naples, Florida, with a proposition he didn't think
it could possibly refuse.
An old post office was sitting empty downtown,
becoming more of an eyesore every day. The developer,
Gary Galleberg, wanted to take up some of the concrete in front
of the building, plant trees, create a courtyard and set up a design
studio. He would benefit, the community would benefit But the
plan needed a zoning variance. The council debated it, called
the roll, and when it was all over there were four votes in favor
of the plan and three against Permission was denied.
That's correct. It was denied. According to a law that took
effect in Naples at the beginning of this year, any zoning deci-
sion required approval by a supermajority—five votes out of
seven, or 71.4 percent And three members of the council insisted
that the plan was flawed because the four parking spaces called
for in Galleberg s design didn't meet official requirements for a
building that size at a downtown location.
This was a pretty strange objection, as the four -member coun-
cil majority patiently tried to explain. True, a post office is a large
building, but a design studio just doesn t attract that many visi-
tors. Forcing the developer to meet strict parking standards based
on square footage was a pointless display of bureaucratic petti-
ness. "Nobody ever imagined it would get turned down," says
Councilman Peter Van Arsdale, one r,f the nroiect's sup-
porters. "It was just crazy."
The primary victim of this exer-
cise wasn't the developer. If the city
council really preferred an eyesore
to an art studio, Galleberg told them,
that was all right with him. He
would go somewhere else. The real
loser was the community. Naples
was the victim of its own procedural
reform that allowed a misguided
minority to exercise a veto over
common sense.
I learned about this event from
the excellent reporting of Brent
Batten, who covered it for the
Naples Daily News. But there's a
larger point to the story, one that
extends fir beyond the concerns of
single Florida town, and beyond th,
calities of zoning law. The point is tl
requirements are almost always a bad idea. Any legislative
body that adopts them—from a city council to a national assem-
bly—is asking for trouble.
This is a good time to raise the issue, because in the past year
or so, politicians all over the country have contracted a bad case of
supermajority fever. Mostly it has to do with taxes. Tom Ridge
ran for reelection as governor of Pennsylvania last year on a plat-
form calling for a two-thirds requirement on any proposal to
increase state taxes. Christine Todd Whitman wants a two-thirds
rule in New Jersey, as does John Engler in Michigan. Iowa's
GOP leadership has.placed a three-fifths rule on the ballot for this
spring, and the Nebraska legislature is considering one.
It isn't exclusively a Republican issue. Minnesota's Jesse Ven-
tura is thinking along the same lines. "The governor likes any
idea," an aide recently explained, "that would make it harder to
raise taxes." Any idea at all? I think I can help him out here. The
legislature could vote to make tax increases a criminal offense,
punishable by fine or imprisonment, or maybe both. That'd teach
those liberals to keep their greasy hands off the people's money.
THE REAL QUESTION, however, is why an idea as dubious as
supennajorities would pop up in so many diverse places at the
same time. One answer is that it's a relatively easy way to pander
to the electorate, especially if you are a governor running for
reelection. But a more important answer is that the supermajor-
ity scheme has been the object of an endless propaganda barrage
by organizations such as the. Heritage Foundation and the Cato
Institute, neither of which see any harm in changing the rules of
American democracy to help enact their chosen agendas.
Pared down to its essentials, the position of these groups
amounts to this: Anything we favor should be allowed to pass by
majority vote. Anything we oppose needs at least two-thirds.
They don't say this, of course. What they do is publish reams of
statistical material purporting to demonstrate that the
Ad would be a much better place if
zslative bodies could be stripped of
;ir ability to set fiscal policy by major -
vote. One such study, issued a rou-
e of years ago, looks at seven states
kat have had supennajority tax-writ-
ig rules for an extended period of
me, and finds that five of the seven
xew their economies faster than the
iational average between 1980 and
1992. In the view of the Heritage
Foundation, "there is no escaping the
logical relationship between super -
majorities and superior state perfor-
manoe."
In fist, you dont have to be Hou-
dini to escape this one in about 10
seconds. As the Center on Budget
and Policy Priorities pointed out in
rebuttal, tinkering with the time
penon unaer sway gives you a completely different result.
Between 1979 and 1989, most of the supennajority states actually
had lower -than -average growth. Not only that, but combined
state and local taxes went up in most of them—mainly because
local property -tax rates were rising to make up for what the state
wasn't willing to spend.
But the crucial argument against supermajorities dcesn t come
out of any debate over the minutiae of state economic perfor-
mance. It comes out of the utter illogic of the concept itself.
8„r Associates illas"lion April 1999 G O V E R N I N G
There are many issues I feel
just as strongly about as the
Heritage Foundation does
about tax increases. Abortion,
for example. I would be troubled
by any new law extending legal-
ized abortion any further. Maybe
I'm unreasonable, maybe not. But a sup
either way, I have no right to
demand that my legislature or ane
muster two-thirds in order to pass
such a law, just because I oppose
it. American democracy is based unpl
on majority rule. If 51 percent vote
against me, my job is to try and change their minds—not cook
the books so I can stop them with 33 percent.
Are there situations where a supermajority makes sense? Yes,
a few. As a matter of fact, we've just been through one in Wash-
ington. If you watched even a few minutes of the congressional
debate over impeachment, you probably understand why the
framers didn't want to let a narrow majority nullify an election
result and turn a president out of office for partisan reasons. The
core safeguards of our democratic system are fragile and pre-
cious, and it's perfectly legitimate to want to place some kind of
supermajority fence around them.
But the minute you try to stretch this notion beyond its narrow
protective category, you are on very thin logical ice. You wind
up with absurdities like the situation that prevails all the time
on the floor of the U.S. Senate, where any bloc of 40 sena-
tors can declare a filibuster and require the majority to
obtain 60 votes to cut off debate
uses impose and pass almost any bill. The Sen-
ka-�� ate no longer legislates by majority
., rule; due to intentional misuse of
or one purpose its debating procedures, it oper-
ates under a three-fifths thesuperma-
jority that in fact leaves it y jori ty
hostage to minority dictatorship.
This is why most of the original
Clinton domestic policy agenda
never passed during the first two
years of his term. On the merits, I think that's prob-
ably just as well. But it wasn't fair. When it happens to
a Republican president, maybe as early as two years from
now, quite a few of the anti -Clinton filibuster hawks of 1993
will get an education in the unjust facts of supermajority life.
Fortunately, no other legislature in America has rules of pro-
cedure as silly as those that prevail on the Senate floor. But quite
a few of them impose a supermajority rule for one purpose or
another, nearly always with unpleasant results.
For the past 65 years, California law has required that the state
budget receive the votes of two-thirds of both the Assembly and
the Senate in order to be enacted into law. This was a Depres-
sion -era rule designed to prevent the legislature from spending
REBATE:
The Bond Buyer Editor: "REQUIRED READING FOR [BOND) ISSUERS.
A tome Issuers should own. "You need It to finance public improvements.
Write Ehlers on Public Finance, 414 Rehnberg Place, West St. Paul, MN 55118.
Fax 612-457-4134; Call 1-800-414-2395. (www.pVblicfinance.org)
Rebate: All buyers at the full price ($299) each after March 1, 1999,
who shall have paid for the book are entitled to a $100 REBATE.
Send proof of purchase and payment. Rebates will issue within ten days
after our getting proofs of purchase.
8 GOVERNING April 1999
scarce resources.
If it did that, it might be worth
keeping. In fact, it does precisely the
opposite. Obtaining two-thirds is so
difficult that the budget writers have
to make sleazy side deals with individ-
ual members who demand special
favors for special interests as their
price for going along. "The recent
budget negotiations in Sacramento," a
bipartisan citizens commission con-
cluded last year, "have been a sorry
example of the pork -barrel spending
that has become a regular feature of
achieving the necessary two-thirds
votes." The commission recom-
mended repealing the requirement
and going back to old-fashioned
majority rule.
Whether California will have the
courage to do this, I don't know. I am
certain that the U.S. Senate won't. On
the other hand, I also know that com-
mon sense does occasionally prevail. A
few weeks ago, declaring that a mis-
take had been made, four members of
the Naples City Council announced
their intention to repeal the superma-
jority zoning rule after less than two
months on the books. (Yes, they can do
that by simple majority.) The council
also reversed itself on the post -office
project and told Gary Galleberg he
could start anytime he wanted to. M
Cops, Kids, Booze & Summer
r
Craig Gerdes
Director of Public, Safety,
Plymouth
Lori Klapperich
Sherbume County
Public Health
Laura Boyd
City of Minneapolis'`
License Division
Linda Bosma
Community Organizer
Join your colleagues)
Make a difference!
Community Prevention Coalition'
c/o Hennepin CoUnty'Community
Health Department
525 Portland Avenue (MC 968)
Minneapolis, MN 55415
6121348-5618 FAX: 6121348-7548
It's '!oing to be a long, hot summer! How hot
and how long will it be for teens in YOUR community? Kids
will be looking for something to do, and that something might
just involve booze.
Kids who use alcohol are more likely to have a car crash, get
into a fight, have unsafe sex, or drown. Youth who drink
regularly are more likely to become adults with alcohol-related
problems. It's a community responsibility to prevent kids from
illegally buying and possessing alcohol.
But many adults just shrug off teen drinking and look the
other way. How can we turn that around? What can your
community do to prevent underage drinking? Learn strategies
from our panel of experts on how adults can reduce teen
drinking.
When: Tuesday, April 27, 1999
Titne: 12:00 noon - 1.30 PM
• Aft Hennepin County O �
A® Community Health Department minnesota prevention resource center
COALITION
OT TNI h
o
MINK
ad
N
W+E
S
From the NorthNYest:
On 35W in Roseville (south of 694), take Cleveland Ave/Highway 36 Exit (far left lane). Stay in far left lane past Highway
36 entrance ramp. Tum left (east) at first stop light - County Road B. Proceed east for approximately .5 mile to dip in roac
Fairview Center will be on your right (south).,
From.North/East:
On 35E (south of 694) take Highway 36 west (first e)it) Proceed to Fairview Avenue exit (Rosedale Mall will be on your
right), approximately 4 miles. Tum left (south) on Fairview ; Proceed through 2 additional stop lights. At third stop light, tur
west;(dght) on County Road B; `proceed for"a' pproximately 1/10 mile, Fairview Center will be on your left (south).
From the SouthMest:
On 35W - continue through downtown Mpis. taking 35W North. Take Highway 36 turnoff (2 east Ianes);'get into right lane
Take first exit (Cleveland Avenue) and tum left on County Road B at fir#t stop light. Proceed (east) for approximately .5
mile to dip in road. Fairview Center will be on your right (south).
From the South/East: �
On 35E - continue through downtown St.- Paul taking 35E North. Take Highway 36 going west (second exit). Proceed to
Fairview Avenue exit (Rosedale Mail will be on your right), approximately 4 miles. Tum left (south) on Fairview. Proceed
through 2 additional stoplights. At third stop light, tum west (right) on County Road B; proceed for approximately 1110
mile. Fairview Center will be on your left (south).
PARKINGIBUILDING ENTRANCE
Park in front lot immediately off of County Road B. The Main Office building is center and west 'and is connected to the
Gymnasium/Pool building on the east by a Skyway. Enter the Main Office building in either of two entrances (both are
numbered):
A-10-1999 0:d9AM FROM
I
(I-1fi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 1999
Contact; John Sweeney, 509-5521
Plymouth. MetrolinkAwards Three. Millionth Rider
When Lew Thornbrough left for the bus stop on Thursday morning, April 8, he had no
idea he represented the three millionth passenger to use the City of Plymouth's transit
system. He was waiting to board the 93A bus at Four Seasons Mall to commute
downtown to his job at Andersen Consulting when Plymouth Mayor Joy Ticrney and the
press cameras walked up to congratulate him. The Mayor presented Lew with a basket of
products and gift certificates donated by eighteen local businesses representing a total
retail value of $700.
"This is great!" Lew told the cameras. "I use the bus to commute downtown because. it's
easier, and I don't have to worry about.parking when I get there, It's a lot cheaper than
driving. It's the only way to go downtown." Lew moved into Plymouth in 1983 and has
commuted on the Plymouth Metrolink buses for the past two years when he accepted the
downtown job. "Sometimes I catch the bus at the Schmidt Lake Road stop," he said.
Today, he's very glad he chose the Four Seasons Mall.
"Our ridership has been increasing approximately 6% every year,"said John Sweeney,
Transit Administrator, "but three million is really a milestone number we are proud of. To
US.. it represents the commitment of our community.to use public transit, and the.
assurance that we are providing the transit services they need."
Plymouth Metrolink is an Opt -Out transit system established by the City of Plymouth in
1984 which offers a variety of transportation services including Express Commuter service
to downtown Minneapolis, Reverse Commute trips from downtown to Plymouth
businesses, local Dial -A -Ride. shared curb -curb service, and the newest Flyer vehicle
especially .designated to serve Plymouth seniors and people with disabilities. The three.
million passenger trips celebrated by the April 8 event, is a cumulative total of all transit
services provided since 1984.
Questions about Plymouth 'Metrolink's transit services may be directed to John Sweeney,
Transit Administrator, at 509-5521,
—PieterIs of this event ov.316 la for use st your request. Contact Jany Nurgag at 472-7155. --
Plymouth Metrolink- 3400 Plymouth $oulc4rd • Plymouth, MN 55447-1482- Fax 612.509.5510• Website. www,ci.plymouth.mn.us- Phone 612.509.5521
(l --2a)
DATE: April 5, 1999
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Nancy Bye, City Assessor G0
SUBJECT: HENNEPIN COUNTY REAL ESTATE VALUATION NOTICES
The following information is in response to any inquiries regarding the post card mailer
used to notify property owners of their property valuations.
Minnesota State law provides that all property owners be notified of the valuation on
their property. Under the Data Privacy Act the valuation used for tax purposes is
considered "Public Data." Using the Data Privacy regulations, the State Department of
Revenue and Hennepin County Assessor's office determines the verbiage and style of
mailer to use when notifying owners. Hennepin County and the municipalities in
Hennepin County use the post card style mailer. To save on costs, Plymouth's notices
are printed and mailed directly from Hennepin County. Valuations on all properties are
available to anyone on the Hennepin County web site.
Plymouth has approximately 21,000 notices sent each year and has received less than six
calls over the past five years regarding this mailer. The postage cost alone would
increase about 25 % by enclosing these notices in an envelope.
Cc: Mayor Joy Tierney & Council Members
aiv OF
PLYMOUTI-F
April 7, 1999
Trent Eisenberg and
Youth Advisory Council
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Trent:
Thank you for your presentation last night at the Plymouth Forum on behalf of the Youth
Advisory Council. The information you presented on the various forms of Minnesota
identification cards was new to most of us.
The City Council and I certainly appreciate the initiative of the Youth Advisory Council to
research this issue. You provided us with new information important in our conduct of the
alcohol and tobacco compliance violation hearings. Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Joy Tierney
Mayor
PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
epw-moo« www.ci.plymouth.mmus
WE S O T A
NTOMALTH
Protecting, Maintaining and Improving the Health of All Minnesotans
March 31, 1999
Plymouth City Council
c/o Ms. Laurie Ahrens, Clerk
Plymouth City Hall
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
Dear Council Members:
(I -2c)
Beginning in 1999, all community water systems must submit an annual water quality report, officially
known as a Consumer Confidence Report, to their customers. The deadline for the completion and
delivery of the reports is October 19, 1999. (The deadline in subsequent years will be July 1.) The basic
information required in the report includes the source of the system's drinking water, monitoring results
for the previous calendar year (including detections and, if any, violations), compliance information, and
standard language required by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
We have sent a packet to your water superintendent that includes a report with most of the required
information. There may be some places on the report where additional information is required. These
areas have been noted.
Rather than merely adding the above information and then photocopying and distributing the attached
report, it may be in your best interests to reformat all the information into a new document, which will
allow you to enhance the report with maps and graphics as well as additional information, beyond what is
required. (Keep in mind that the information on the attached report is the minimum that must be included
in a reformatted report.) The additional information could include a description of your treatment
processes and any upgrades that are planned for your water system. The reports require detection
information only on primary contaminants, but it may be wise to address secondary contaminants if they
are causing aesthetic problems with your water. If you have detectable levels of secondary contaminants,
your customers may have a greater concern about them than about those that can bring about adverse
health effects. Rather than ignore this issue, you may want to address it and point out that the iron,
manganese, etc., are not causing any adverse health effects even though they may be making the water
look, taste, and/or smell bad.
Also, for systems that serve a population that contains a significant number of people who do not speak
English, please consider including one or more of the statements below in the report. (The statement
says, "This report contains very important information. Translate or ask someone who understands it.")
Spanish: Informacion importante. Si no la entiende, haga que alguien se la traduzca ahora.
Hmong: Nov yog ntaub ntawv tseem ceeb. Yog koy tsi to taub, nrhiav neeg pab txhais rau koh
kom sai sai.
121 East Seventh Place • St. Paul, MN 55101 • http://www.health.state.mn.us
rw An equal opportunity employer
Plymouth City Council -2-
Distribution:
March 26, 1999
You must distribute a copy of the report to all of your users by mail or other means. Efforts must be
made to get the reports to actual consumers rather than to just the billing customer. One method is to
mail the report to all postal patrons within the service area using a "Simplified Address" that is available
to government agencies; check with your post office about this. Other options include publicizing the
availability of the report through the media, delivering multiple copies for distribution by single -biller
customers such as apartment buildings or large private employers, and posting the report on the internet.
A copy of the report must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health, along with a certification
of completion form (which your water superintendent has) attesting that the information in the report is
accurate and that the required distribution was carried out. You must also retain a copy of the report for
at least five years. Failure to produce and distribute a report as required may result in enforcement
actions, including fines, from the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or the Minnesota
Department of Health.
Sincerely,
/4 �.
Gary L. Englund, P. E., Manager
Section of Drinking Water Protection
GLE:ST:Imw
u -sad
onaFr 04/08/99
11:49 AM
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
AGENDA
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 20,1999,7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLYMOUTH FORUM Individuals may address the Council about any item not contained
on the regular agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the Forum. If the full 15
minutes are not needed for the Forum, the City Council will continue with the agenda. The
City Council will take no official action on items discussed at the Forum, with the exception of
referral to staff or Commission for future report.
4. PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENTS
4.1 Arbor Day Proclamation and Tree City USA Award -- Paul Buck, City Forester
4.2 Annual Report on Volunteer Program -- Nancy Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator
4.3
5. APPROVE AGENDA—Councilmembers may add items to the agenda including items
contained in the Council Information Memorandum for discussion purposes or staff direction
only. The Council will not normally take official action on items added to the agenda.
6. CONSENT AGENDA—These items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one
motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember or citizen
so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed
elsewhere on the agenda.
6.01 Approve proposed City Council Minutes
* Items require 5 affirmative votes of the City Council for approval.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 20,1999
Page 2
6.02 Approve Disbursements
6.03 Approve Resolution for Abatement of a Hazardous Building located at 2025 Kilmer
Lane North
6.04 Approve Findings of Fact for Alcohol Violation Civil Penalties imposed on April 6
6.05
6.06
6.07
6.08
6.09
6.10
6.11
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1
7.2
7.3
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.1 Renew Property Casualty Liability Insurance and Approve Transfer from Risk
Management Fund
8.2 Consider Contribution to Plymouth Civic League
8.3 Adopt Ordinance Banning the Use of Fertilizer Containing Phosphorus in the City of
Plymouth
* Items require 5 affirmative votes of the City Council for approval
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
April 20,1999
Page 3
8.4 Approve Name for Activity Center and Field House Facilities
9. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
9.1
9.2
10. ADJOURNMENT
* Items require 5 affirmative votes of the City Council for approval
From: AMM To: Kathy Lueckert Date: 418/99 Time: 7:28:16 PM
AMM FAX
NEWS
April 5-9, 1999 (page 1 of 2)
AM M celebrates
25th Anniversary
at Annual Meeting
ark your calendars -- the
AMM will celebrate its 25th
Anniversary at the Annual Meeting
on Thursday, May 20, 1999 at the
Maplewood Community Center.
A social hour will begin the
evening at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at
6:30 and the business meeting at
7:30.
Former AMM Executive Director
Vern Peterson and AM M's first
president Elliott Perovich will share
some stories of the early days and
the Lynn Deichert Music ensemble
will provide some Dixieland enter-
tainment.
All members are invited and
AMM past presidents are also
encouraged to attend. Invitations
and agendas will be mailed out later
this month.
AMM Fax News is faxed periodically
to all AMM city managers and
administrators. The information is in-
tended to be shared with mayors,
eouneilmembers and staff in order to
keep officials abreast of important
metro city issues.
OCopyright 1999 AMM
145 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55103-2044
Phone: (651) 215-4000
Fax. (651) 281-1299
E-mail: amm@amml45.org
(1-4a)
up
Aff 0(IatI0110f
Metropolitan
Municipalities
Funding bills take shape
Appropriation bills deadline is Friday, April 16
he finance divisions are in the
process of marking up the various
appropriations bills. At least two
divisions —Transportation and Jobs —
could complete their bills this week.
All appropriation bills
must be out of
committee by April
16,1999.
The House
Jobs Appropria-
tions Bill as
initially drafted
has a general
fund proposed
expenditure of $356.714
million as compared to the House
target of $357.314 million.
The bill appropriates funds for the
Department of Trade and Economic
Development (DTED), Minnesota
Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), the
Department of Economic Security,
Department of Commerce, the Depart-
ment of Labor and Industry, and
Tree re -planting bill
heard in Senate
bill to assist in tree re -plantings in
t. Peter (SF 1980) was amended
to include all cities that received a
federal emergency management
administration disaster designation in
1998 and was assigned a DSR num-
ber. The bill will be considered for
inclusion in the Omnibus Natural
Resources Finance Bill. Thanks to the
cities that provided information regard-
ing tree loss and re -plantings.
numerous boards and commissions
that regulate professions or services.
Among the items that impact mem-
bers are the following:
Redevelopment Fund
The DTED-administered fund is not
funded for the next biennium.
Minnesota Investment Fund
The fund is appropriated $4.0 million
for each year of the biennium.
Contamination Clean-up Grants.
The fund is continued and policy
changes are proposed in another bill.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
The proposed budget approximates
$96.0 million or $6.0 million more
proposed by the governor.
The preservation of existing federally
subsidized housing is expanded by
$10.0 million, the community rehab
fund has a $8.0 million increase, or
$2.0 million over the governor, and
$1.6 million is available for innovative
owner -occupied housing development.
TIF to be discussed
Monday, April 12
The House Tax Committee will hold a
hearing on Monday, April 12 to
discuss TIF legislation.
The committee could review propos-
als to amend general law to address
the pooling issue for districts estab-
lished from 1979-1982 and the revenue
shortfall caused by property tax class
rate changes.
From: AMM To: Kathy Lueckert Date: 418199 Time: 7:28:16 PM Page 3 of 3
April 5-9, 1999 ♦ AMM Fax News ♦ Page 2 of 2
House Transportation completes funding bill
The House Transportation Finance
Committee completed its work on
the Omnibus Funding Bill Thursday,
April 8. It will be introduced Monday,
April 12.
Of main interest to AMM members is
that the committee did
not fund $60 million fo
the Hiawatha Corridor,
LRT as per the
governor's recom-
mendations and cut
about $4 million from
Metro Transit, as well
as cut $1 million for
outstate transit.
Metro Transit is
funded at $109.9
million, up about $11 million or 11
percent over the last biennium.
This is basically a preservation
budget which allows for only minimal
service expansion.
Originally, the Metropolitan Council
had requested about $8 million for
expansion, the governor cut that to $4
million and the House cut the rest.
The House bill funds trunk highways
at $2.1 billion, the County State Aid
Highway system (CSAH) at $727
million and the Municipal State Aid
Street system (MSAS) at $213 million
as per the governor's recommenda-
tion.
The House bill
also adds $10
million for local
bridge matching
funds and $20
million for the
transportation
revolving loan
fund, neither of
which were in the
governor's budget.
Overall, the House bill is about $29
million under the governor's budget.
The bill does not address license tab
fee reduction or replacement funding.
These issues will be dealt with in the
House Omnibus Tax Bill or as a sepa-
rate issue if a constitutional amend-
ment is involved.
New Transportation
Commission created
Also created in the House
Omnibus Funding Bill is a
Transportation Major Projects
Commission.
The commission's purpose is to
set priorities for proposed major
projects involving MnDot and report
those to the governor and the
legislature. Membership consists of
the governor, three citizens ap-
pointed by the governor, five sena-
tors and five representatives.
MnDot submits a list of major
projects, each exceeding $5 million
in cost, with a completed Environ-
mental Impact Statement (EIS). The
commission recommends approval,
changes or disapproval and priori-
tizes. The legislature must approve
projects before they can be con-
structed and cannot add projects not
recommended by the commission.
MALHFA presents affordable housing, economic development program
The Minnesota Association of Local
Housing Finance Agencies
(MALHFA) is sponsoring a spring
luncheon meeting entitled, "Partnering
Affordable Housing with Economic
Development."
The luncheon will be held Thursday,
May 6, 1999 at the Holiday Inn Interna-
tional (Three Appletree Square) in
Bloomington. Registration begins at
11:45 a.m., lunch is served at noon
and the program will run from 12:30-
1:30 p.m.
The program will be presented by
Warren Hanson, president of the
Greater Minnesota Housing Funds
(GMHF), and Tom Fulton, president of
the Family Housing Fund.
The speakers will discuss the
relationship between affordable hous-
ing and economic development,
especially in this age where the lack of
affordable housing makes it difficult for
businesses to attract and retain
qualified workers. Real life examples
Will be given of affordable housing
development achieved through em-
ployer partnerships.
City officials, HRA and EDA staff,
financial advisors, developers, mort-
gage bankers and underwriters are
invited to attend.
The GMHF was created in 1996
through the collaboration of The
McKnight Foundation and Blandin
Foundation. GMHF's mission is to
increase the supply of affordable
housing in Minnesota's rural areas.
The Family Housing Fund was
created in 1980 and is a private, non-
profit organization that raises private
money to help create affordable
housing for low and moderate income
families.
To register, please call MALHFA at
651-635-0306. If registering before
April 26, the cost is $20 for MALHFA
members and $30 for non-members. If
registering after April 26, the cost is
$25 for MALHFA members and $35 for
non-members. Registration includes
luncheon and lecture sessions.
Registration fees can be refunded
up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. No
refunds are available for cancellation
notice of less than 72 hours.