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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) ai (M-7) E N N M w W fr OM N CIA f`1 >Y U E „] Y ru g r 8 gN N N �--� 00 � 5 r :9 01 u gV .-� 00 N N F b N N pq T � • � 7 Q Y 0.F UU� U� F 2 E= r' n Cf) �G N N N V M N N U Q EQo U E b _ g�v gra FNa:� to N ON �O �y N C O H q C {, � Y A p �� 00 I a� o� ��3 g pS J ,--� 00 •--� N N •c m .--+ 00 0 � U EQ U ay.5 L t ._= M .-4 O N l� N F n o n $� N E o Z :7 F e q 3 pp C v� N ~NN UU06 p„ U U �yCzzz2C'G�i VisWWe w $Ua�ipaF r a O < F •o r n ttcc�� ar OO r V'1 UUpa oVf� N � x �• U v F OU� a0 �p�U3 °,F�aj �j yp,U•'S p.35 Ou a7� 5 ow ,Qa ^ D i i $ a 6 M 9 � a o Y g Y O y s O Y 4 `Yx .� tw r ;c p, t„ MC (Tees yn•n„ 1;ng a:cen nc. 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.