HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 10-15-1999`A
9-104
OCTOBER 15, 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.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 7. 00 PM WARD 3 FOR UM WITH COUNCILMEMBER
(Residents meet individually at 5:30 PRS BROWN, Council Chambers. Agenda is attached.
(M-1)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 5:30 PM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 7: 00 PM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 7. 00 PM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,8:00 PM
(SPECIAL TIME DUE TO ELECTIONS)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 7.- 00 PM
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING:
CITY MANAGER EVALUATION,
Medicine Lake Room
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
JOINT COUNCILIPLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING ON PUBLIC FACILITIES AND
CITIZEN SURVEY, Council Chambers
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING,
Council Chambers
PUBLIC SAFETYADVISORY BOARD,
Public Safety Training Room. Agenda is attached.
(M-2)
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
OCTOBER 1 S, 1999
3. SATURDAY OCTOBER 23,
10: 00 AM -3:00 PM
4. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 7: 00 PM
S. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 7: 00 PM
6. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 7.00 PM
7.
8.
9.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 7: 00 PM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 7:00 PM
Page 2
FIRE STATION #3 OPEN HOUSE,
3300 Dunkirk Lane
PACT, Hadley Lake Room
PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers
YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL,
Public Safety Training Room
(Note location change for this meeting only)
ELECTION DAY, (School Districts)
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE,
Medicine Lake Room
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, Medicine Lake
Room
10. October, November and December calendars are attached. (M-10)
1. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
a) Public Safety Department notice concerning the recent sightings of a cougar
within Plymouth City limits. (I -]a)
b) Notice of a November 6 meeting on asset building for youth, sponsored by the
superintendents of ISD 279, 286 and 11, at the Brooklyn Center Community
Center. (I -1b)
c) Program and citation from the recent Working Family Support Awards, at which
the City of Plymouth was cited for providing employees with work and family
programs at the work site. (1-1c)
d) Notice of an October 26 forum on the juvenile justice system sponsored by the
Community Prevention Coalition of Hennepin County, at The Minneapolis
Lutheran Social Services offices. (I -Id)
e) Informational brochure from Robbinsdale area schools regarding budget reduction
options. (I -1e)
Metropolitan Council notice with information on the service availability charge
rates for 2000. (I --1j
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
OCTOBER 15, 1999
Page 3
g) Letter to Plymouth on Parade participants thanking them and giving the date for
the 2000 event. (I -1g)
h) Star Tribune October 14 news brief reporting on the Metropolitan Council award
of $70,000 to Plymouth for housing rehabilitation. Also attached is a memo from
Housing Specialist Rebecca Stoen with further details on the award. (I -1h)
i) Resignation letter from West Suburban Mediation Center Executive Director Sue
Nelson and announcement of the appointment of Cheri Fisher as the new
Executive Director. (I -1i)
j) Star Tribune news story surveying Metro area property taxes. Plymouth ranks 50`h
in property tax ranking for the Metro area. (1-Ij)
k) Notice of a reception to honor 27—year Plymouth Civic League Board Member
Wes Clemens, Thursday, November 11, at the Plymouth Radisson. (1--1k)
2. STAFF REPORTS
a) Public Safety Department animal ordinance update. (I --2a)
3. MINUTES
a) 'Park and Recreation Advisory Commission September 9 meeting. (I -3a)
b) Public Safety Advisory Board September 16 meeting. (I -3b)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Letter from Mayor Tierney to Saundra Spigner regarding the recent Law &
Politics magazine article on Minnesota women to watch in the coming
millennium. (I --4a)
b) Letter from the Youth Advisory Council to Plymouth high school and middle
school principals inviting them to attend the November 1 Youth Advisory Council
meeting. (I -4b) -
c) Internet communications between Community Development Director Hurlburt
and April Swanson concerning designation of the Swanson property in the
proposed Comprehensive Plan update. (I -4c)
d) Internet communication from Pastor Craig Muri commenting on affordable
housing in Plymouth. (I -4d)
e) Letter from Gayleen Touhy to Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners
commenting on affordable housing in Plymouth. (I -4e)
m-�
Agenda
Ward 3 Forum
Monday, October 18, 1999
City Council Chambers
5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Open Forum
Ward 3 Councilmember Brad Brown will be available to meet individually
with residents.
7:00 p.m. Residents' Meeting
A. Introductions (5 minutes)
1. Welcome, Brad Brown, Ward 3 Councilmember
2. Introduce City Council and City Staff
3. Review Agenda
4. Distribute Ward 3 Priorities Survey
B. City Highlights (25 minutes)
1.
City Finances
2.
Comprehensive Plan
3.
Northwest Plymouth
4.
City Center
5.
Plymouth Creek Center and Field House
C. Ward 3 Priorities (90 minutes)
1. Review City Goals and Priorities
2. Review Results of Ward 3 Priorities Survey
3. Discuss Ward 3 Priorities
9:00 p.m. Adjourn
AGENDA
City of Plymouth
Pubic JJf%�
Advisory 1110pi
Thursday, October 21, 1999
7:00 p.m.
Public Safety Training Room
I. Call to order
II. Approval of Minutes from September 16, 1999 meeting
III. False Alarm Ordinance
IV. Snowmobile Ordinance
V. Around the table, any other issues
VI. Adjournment
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT
COMMUNI T Y INFORMA TION NOTICE
Issued October 12, 1999
Recently, there have been three additional sightings of a cougar within the City of
Plymouth.
Several years ago, Plymouth worked with the City of Maple Grove and the DNR
on similar cougar sightings.
We do not believe the cougar to be a danger to our citizens. These cats are very
private and will take great measures to avoid confrontation with humans. We do
have the following safety tips to offer in the event someone does happen upon the
cougar.
• If you sight the animal, make sure you do not run from the animal, stand still
and observe the animal. The animal will leave.
• There is safety in numbers, which means two or more persons together.
• Within two hours after sunrise or two hours before sunset, including the dark
hours, until we locate this cat do not let children play in the backyard near a
wooded area unattended.
• If you believe you sight the cougar, call 9-1-1 immediately.
The City of Plymouth will be cooperating with the DNR regarding sightings of this
animal. Again, if you believe you have sighted the animal, contact 9-1-1. For
administrative inquiries, contact the DNR.
You're Invited to ...
The Superintendents' Summit on Asset Building For Youth
A collaborative planning session led by
Superintendents of ISD 279, 286 and 11
November 6, 1.999
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Constitution Hall at the Brooklyn Center Community Center
6301 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center
Overview of Content:
• Identify asset -building taking place in schools at this time.
• Identify asset -building strategies taking place throughout the community.
• Report on barriers that were identified at the September 23rd Barrier Busting meeting.
• Through small group interaction, identify strategies to break down barriers and collaboratively build
assets in our young people.
• Worksheets will be used by the small groups.
• Groups of six to eight people will eventually fold into three larger groups for prioritizing strategies
and reporting to large group. (Each of the three groups will be led by a Superintendent).
Schedule
8:30 a.m. Coffee, juice and bagels
9:00 Introductions and overview by the Superintendents
L. Chris Richardson, ISD 279
Roger Giroux, ISD 11
Toni Johns, ISD 286
9:15-9:45 Asset Builders by Judy Taccogna from*the Search Institute
9:45 Small Group Discussion
10:30 Break
10:45 Groups form into three larger groups, each facilitated by a Superintendent
11:30 Three groups report to the large group.
11:45 A plan for action.
12:00 ADJOURN
***Pre -registration is required as space is limited*** -
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •.• • • • • • • • •
Registration for Superintendents' Summit
Saturday, November 6, 1999
Brooklyn Center Community Center, Constitution Hall
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m:
Name: I am representing:
Address•. Telephone(s):
City: District:
You may send this form in to ISD 279, Community Education, 11200 93rd Av N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Call Carol Larson at 391-7114 if you have any questions.
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Chief Juvenile Justice
of Hennepin County
Ann Remington
Office of the
Public Defender
Sgt. Kim Muellner
Minneapolis Police
Department
Willie Bridges
Office of the Hennepin
County Attorney
-._; OCT 1 2 1999 _N
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Community Prevention Coalition
Wo Hennepin County Community"
Health Department
525 Portland Avenue (MC 968)
Minneapolis, MN 55415
6121348-5618 FAX: 6121348-7548
We know that the complexity of youth alcohol, tobacco
and other drug use requires a comprehensive response.
Today, we're discovering the value of partnering with
agencies and systems from outside our own arenas. The
juvenile justice system is often an important partner in our
prevention efforts.
To foster a better understanding of how the juvenile justice
system works, this forum will feature speakers from the
Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County
Attorney's Office, the Public Defender's Office, and the
Juvenile Court. Panelists will discuss such issues as:
♦ What happens when a young person is cited or arrested
by the police?
♦ How does the county help provide early intervention for
youth cited for alcohol or tobacco violations?
♦ What part does the school play in this relationship?
♦ What connections exist - or need to be developed -
between community-based prevention providers and
the court?
Please join us in this important discussion.
When: Tuesday, October 26, 1999
12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Lutheran Social Services
(The Centrum Room)
2414 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis
612-871-0221
(See reverse side for map and directions.)
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Cost: FREE - no need to pre -register
Lunch: Bring your lunch, or call ahead to reserve
a box lunch ($7.00) to 612-348-5618.
Beverages will be provided at no charge.
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Lutheran Social Services
2414 Park Avenue
Minneapolis
Directions: Lutheran Social Services is located on Park Avenue
between 24th and 25th Streets in South Minneapolis or call 612-
871-0221 and ask for the Directions Line. Parking is available on
the side of the building, or just across Oakland Avenue to the west. •�`.
The Forum will be held in the Centrum Room—follow signs in ,
the building.
=-Iz
MEMORANDUM
To: Governm t Advisory Council
From: Ken
Date: October 8, 1999
RE: Budget Reductions in Robbinsdale Area Schools
R0DMISME
area schools
As indicated in our conversations during the meeting of the Government Advisory
Council last week, the district is looking at budget reduction options by closing facilities
and reorganizing the district. The enclosed information has been shared with the staff in
our buildings and will be sent to all residents in the district early next week. District
leadership is now beginning a process to gather staff, parent, student and community
input regarding the scenarios and other related issues. The input gathered from staff,
parents, students and community residents will be used to develop the final
recommendation. The recommendation will go to the board in November and final
decision will be made by the board at the December meeting.
If you have questions or concerns about the information, please give me a call. I would
welcome the opportunity to talk with you.
Best wishes.
Education Service Center • 4148 Winnetka Ave. N. 9 New Hope MN 55427-1288 • (612) 504-8000 • Fax: (612) 504-8973
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SPEML NEWS REPORT FROM YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Continues Discussions on
Reducing Budget
by Closing Facilities and
Reorganizing the District
October 1999
DIS?RICT 281
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RODI D I MS Dn LE
area schools
District Continues Discussions
on Reducing Budget by
Closing Facilities, Reorganizing the District
Overview
\ For the past several years, the school board and district leadership of Robbinsdale Area Schools
have been increasingly concerned about the district's financial situation. The following factors
have forced the district to make budget reductions:
I Reduced state funding.
Rising operating expenses.
Declining student enrollment.
Knowing that it will be necessary to reduce the budget for the 2000-2001 school year, the district
leadership has been carefully examining possible budget reductions. One option is to only con-
tinue to cut programs and services for students, and increase class sizes. Another option under
serious consideration is reducing some programs and services for students, along with closing
facilities and reorganizing the district. This option has been actively considered by the board and
district leadership for more than two years. The information below describes the option to close
facilities and reorganize the district and includes the following sections:
The problem — why we need to reduce the budget.
The budget reduction process — 1998 to the present.
Objectives of the process.
Options considered for reorganization.
Criteria used to narrow options.
Remaining viable options.
Considerations for choosing these scenarios.
Option of moving 61h grade to elementary schools.
• Next steps.
Time line for decision.
The Problem — Why We Need To Reduce the Budget
\ The following describes the problem that the district is facing:
1 The 1999 Legislature provided a much-needed increase in per -pupil funding.
However, because our district is experiencing a decrease in student enrollment and state funds
' are allocated on a per -pupil basis, there was little new funding for our district.
• This lack of additional revenue has forced the district to reduce both the 1999-2000 and the
2000-2001 budgets.
• At this point, it is estimated that the 2000-2001 budget will need to be reduced by $1.5 to
$3 million.
• By closing facilities and reorganizing the district, the district could save about $1.5 million.
Any reduction gained from reorganization will reduce cuts in other areas such as raising class
sizes or eliminating or reducing programs for students.
The Budget Reduction Process —1998 to the Present
To understand why the district is considering a plan to close facilities and reorganize the district, it
\ 1 is important to outline the series of events that led up to this situation.
Between .1990 and 1998, the district received almost no increase in per -pupil funding from the
Istate._
During that time, Robbinsdale Area Schools reduced its operating budget by more than $5
million.
In fall 1997, the school board established the Financial Priorities Task Force, composed of
parents and community residents, to examine the district's financial situation and make
recommendations for future budget reductions.
In February 1998, the task force presented its recommendations to the board and community.
These recommendations included closing a middle school and/or an elementary school as a
cost-saving measure because of declining enrollment.
Using the task force's recommendations as a guide, the school board and district leadership
developed a list of potential reductions totaling $2.2 million for the 1998-99 school year.
Because of a special legislative allocation, the district avoided major budget reductions for the
1998-99 school year.
In August 1998, knowing that the district was facing a decline in student enrollment, the board
and district leadership began discussions for developing a comprehensive facilities plan
including the possibility of closing facilities, reorganizing the district and selling or leasing
facilities not used by the district. The task force recommendations to close a middle school or
elementary school were used as a guide.
In October 1998, the board and district leadership met with Robbinsdale City Council members
and staff to discuss the future use of the Robbinsdale Area Community Education Center and
the RHS Resource Center.
Beginning in October 1998 and continuing through April 1999, district leadership discussed
and examined possible future uses of all district facilities.
In April 1999, a. retreat was held with school board and district leadership on facilities use. .
At the retreat, the group examined questions on long-term facility use and several options for
reorganization were developed.
In June 1999, a second retreat was held with the school board and district leadership. The
group re-examined potential options for reorganization, narrowed the list of options and
discussed plans to involve staff, parents and community members in sharing input on potential
options.
After the June retreat and through September 1999, the district leadership refined the remaining
options; gathered additional information about the options and developed a process to solicit
community input:
At the September 13, 1999 school board meeting, the board directed the superintendent and
district leadership to explore .potential budget reductions for the 2000-2001 school year. It was
estimated that the budget would need to be reduced by $1.543 million.
On September 17, 1999, a third retreat was held with the school board and district leadership to
review.the process of gathering staff, parent, student and community input, and to review data
and information related to the options.
Remaining Viable Options ar
The board and district leadership narrowed the- list of reorganization options to two viable
\ 1 scenarios. The following scenarios best addressed the established criteria and are presented for
consideration:
I -
SCENARIO ONE
Close Hosterman.
Discontinue use of Sandburg and RACEC as middle school sites.
Combine TLC and LIS at Sandburg.
Use Plymouth Middle School and RHS Resource Center as the two attendance -boundary middle
schools.
Maintain a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade configuration.
Under this scenario, middle school boundaries would be changed to match the high school atten-
dance boundaries. All students who attended Plymouth would attend Armstrong High School and
all students who attend the Robbinsdale site would attend Cooper High School.
SCENARIO TWO
Close Hosterman.
Discontinue use of RACEC as a middle school site.
Combine TLC and LIS at RHS Resource Center.
Use Plymouth Middle School and Sandburg Middle School as the two attendance -boundary
middle schools.
Maintain a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade configuration.
Under this scenario, middle school boundaries would be changed so that about half of the students
currently attending Hosterman would attend Plymouth and about half would attend Sandburg.
These boundaries would not match the high school boundaries.
Considerations for Choosing These Scenarios
\ As was stated above, ' many options were considered for closing schools and reorganizing the
1 district. Scenario One and Scenario Two are presented to staff, parents and community as the most
viable options for the following reasons:
Both scenarioswould save about $1.5 million in operating funds.
IBoth scenarios would result in a savings of about $20 million 'in building renovation costs.
• Both .scenarios would utilize Sandburg as a school site.
Both scenarios would utilize the RHS Resource Center as a school site.
• Both scenarios would combine TLC and LIS in the same facility.
In summary, implementation of either scenario would result in the following:
• Two attendance .boundary middle schools, grades 6-8, with an average enrollment of 1,300
students.
One alternative school site housing the Language Immersion School (K -grade 5) and the
Technology and Language Campus (grades 6-8) with an estimated enrollment of 1,300 students
at one site.
Eleven attendance -boundary elementary schools (K -grade 5) — same as current structure.
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Option of Moving 6th Grade to Elementary Schools
The board and district leadership also discussed= the possibility of moving 611 -grade students back to
the elementary schools because the district's decrease in enrollment is occurring in the elementary
grades. Both scenarios could be modified to include this option. Moving the 611 grade to the
elementary schools would result in the following:
Eleven attendance -boundary elementary schools with K -grade 6 students.
Two attendance -boundary middle schools (grades 7 and 8) with an average enrollment of 900
students.
Elementary attendance boundaries may need to be changed to accommodate the addition of
sixth grade.
Next Steps
Over the past two years, a great deal of research and discussion by the board and district leadership
has occurred regarding the possibility of closing facilities and reorganizing the district. During this
time, many options for reorganization have been discussed and rejected because these options do
not fit the established criteria. In most cases, options were dismissed because they did not result in
adequate savings. We believe that the scenarios presented above represent our best thinking
around the issue and address the financial situation faced by the district. In addition, either
scenario allows the district to reduce the budget while continuing to meet the needs of students.
The district leadership has developed a process to gather input on the scenarios from staff, parents,
students and community residents. The following activities have been scheduled as opportunities
to learn more about the scenarios and to share input with the district leadership:
Board listening hours, 6-6:45 p.m. on Monday, November 1.
Question -and -answer sessions at all middle and elementary schools for staff members, parents
and students. The schedule of these sessions will be provided as soon as possible.
Focus groups, telephone survey and other methods to gather input.
Presentations to community groups by schedule and upon request.
The research and input gathering process will focus on the following questions:
What issues have not been addressed in the scenarios? What are we missing?
Given the district's financial situation, how do we proceed with the least negative impact?
What is the community's preference on moving the 6th grade to the elementary schools?
What strategies can be implemented to minimize problems through reorganization?
Time Line for Decision
During October and November, staff, parent, student and community input will be gathered. The
phone survey, focus groups and input from meetings will provide data and information. Once the
information_ gathering and research process is completed, the district leadership will use this infor-
mation to develop a final recommendation. The district leadership will present its recommendation
at the November 15 school board meeting. Information on the recommendation will then be
distributed to staff, parents and community. The board will hold public hearings in late November
and early December to receive comments on the recommendation. The board will make a final
decision on the recommendation at the December 13 meeting. Transition plans will then be
developed to implement the recommendation.
We'd dike to bear from you.
Watcb for a schedule of community meetings to be announced soon.
3p1
Objectives of the Process — 9L
It was essential for the board and district leadership to establish objectives to guide the process.
The -following objectives were used to continually focus the process:
Renovation costs.
Operating costs.
Educational effectiveness.
Political climate.
Community role and use of facilities.
Options Considered for Reorganization
The board and district leadership examined several options for reorganization. The process began
with developing a list of the most feasible options. Several different options were considered which
included the following major concepts:
Close a middle school.
Combine the Technology and Language Campus (TLC) and the Language Immersion School
(LIS) in same the facility.
Consider a change in grade configuration from the current K-5, 6-8, 9-12 model.
Criteria Used to Narrow Options
The board and district leadership realized that closing facilities and reorganizing the district may be
disruptive for families and staff. A set of criteria was developed for evaluating each option. The
following were the criteria used to narrow the options for reorganization:
To reduce the general fund budget by at least $1 million and to save building renovation costs
through facility reorganization for 2000-01 by reducing the number of middle schools from
four to three.
To combine TLC and LIS at the same facility in order to provide better alignment between the
programs, to save about $500,000 in operating funds and to save building renovation costs.
To consider moving grade 6 to elementary schools in order to reduce the size of middle school
enrollment.
To use the RHS Resource Center as a school site because of its size and flexibility for future
programs.
To use Sandburg as a school site because of the recent renovation of the building.
Metropolitan Cound
Working for the Region, Planning for the Fu
Eln ironmental Services
October 11, 1999 _
V•6T � j �
TO: ALL CITY MANAGERS f J_
,,b
SUBJECT: SERVICE AVAILABILITY CHARGE C) RATE Felt AR 2000
'Y ti
The Metropolitan Council - Environmental Services (MCES) has established the 2000 SAC rates.
Effective January 1, 2000, the SAC rate will be $1,100 for communities with interceptors, and $1,080 for
the communities of Cottage Grove, Hastings and Stillwater who do not have metropolitan interceptor
service. The 2000 rates reflect an increase of $50 and $65, respectively.
Your community collects SAC as users connect to the Metropolitan Disposal System for the first time or
as a user's potential or peak sewage increases. The SAC funds remitted to MCES pay for the reserve
capacity portion of our debt service incurred to expand and improve MCES sewer facilities.
Potential Adjustment to SAC Rate. During 1999, the state legislature gave the Council authority to
waive SAC charges for inclusionary (affordable) housing. The Council is in the process of considering
the scope, conditions, and fiscal impacts for such waivers. This waiver, if implemented, could increase
the SAC rate during the course of 2000.
Also for your information, recommended changes to SAC, generated by a 1998 SAC Task Force,
introduced in the 1999 legislative session, will be pursued in the 2000 legislative session for possible
implementation in 2001. A description of the change to a "growth cost" system is included in this
mailing. Additional modifications to either the existing or changed system may also be implemented in
2001. Contact Dorothy Goodwin at (651) 602-1263 if you would like a detailed description of the
proposed changes.
Reminder: All SAC fees_ coilected by the community in 2000 are to be remitted to the Council at the .
2000 rate regardless of when the permitting process began. The rate to be charged is the rate in effect at
the time of payment.
If you have any questions about the potential changes, please contact Sandra Selby at (651) 602-1118. ff
you have questions about specific determinations for non-residential properties, please contact Jodi
Edwards at (651) 602-1113. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
4
Jason Willett
MCES Finance Manager
CC. Building Inspections Department Jodi Edwards, MCES
Jean Erickson, MCES R.enre Gutunan MCES
Sandra Selby, MCES
Enclosure
MAEM F-SMAIg1icFRSM-LL107XU w"-SAQa2s2000 dw
230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1626 (651) 602-1005 Fax 602-1183 TDD/TTY 229-3760
An Equal oppaitunuy E-pbxj-
Metropolitan Council
WorkingPlanning or the Future
for the Region, PlS 3f
Environmental Services
MCES Profile
Metropolitan Council
Environmental Services
(MCES) is one of four
divisions of the Metropolitan
Council, a regional public
agency working for the
seven -county metropolitan
area. Searing 2.5 million
residents in 189
municipalities, MCES:
• Partners with numerous public,
private and nonprofit groups
committed to a clean
environment.
• Contributes regional leadership
to reduce water pollution
through public education.
• Provides water supply and
water resources planning for
three major watersheds: the
Mississippi, Minnesota and St.
Croix.
• Coordinates watershed
protection for 46 sub -
watersheds.
• Works with 839 industrial
clients to substantially reduce
the amount of pollution entering
our wastewater collection
system.
• Owns and maintains 550 miles
of regional sewers that collect
flow from 5,000 miles of sewers
owned by 104 communities.
• Treats 300 million gallons of
wastewater daily at nine
regional treatment plants.
• Continues to achieve, over the
past 10 years, near -perfect
compliance with federal and
state clean -water standards.
• Maintains wastewater service
rates consistently below the
national average.
SAC(Service Availability Charge)
Issue: Currently new development is not paying the actual cost of growth
for the expansion of the wastewater treatment system in this region. Of the
year 2000 MCES total debt service payment of $63.3 million, $21.1 million
is for new development. New development, however, will only pay $17.4
million, leaving the current users paying the remaining $4.7 million.
Reason: New development should pay for expansion of the Metropolitan
Disposal System (MDS) through the MCES Service Availability Charge*
(SAC) System. SAC revenue is used to pay for a specific portion of debt
service. When the SAC system was created, there was no history on which
to determine the capital cost associated with new development; therefore the
SAC contribution to debt service was determined based on a "reserved
capacity" model. This model assumed that the empty portion of the sewer
pipes and treatment plants were reserved for future users and became a proxy
for growth.
Impact: Current users, through their municipal wastewater charges, are
paying $3 to $6 million, annually, to subsidize growth in the region. That
money could be used instead to reduce municipal wastewater charges or to
pay for other environmental programs.
Proposed Solution: Changing from the reserved capacity model to a
growth cost model would allow the Metropolitan Council to charge
development, through SAC, for the real cost of growth. This would require a
change in state law.
*Definition: Since 1973, a SAC fee has been levied by Metropolitan Council
Environmental Services (MCES) for new connections or increased volume to the
Metropolitan Disposal System (MDS). The Service Availability Charge or SAC
charge is similar to fees used by many wastewater utilities and municipalities.
Generically, they are known as "impact" or "connection" fees.
One SAC unit equals 274 gallons of maximum potential daily wastewater flow
volume. Single-family houses, townhouses, duplex units and most apartments
each equal one SAC unit per dwelling unit. Commercial buildings are assessed
SAC units based on maximum potential daily wastewater flow value. Industrial
buildings are assessed SAC units based on maximum normal daily wastewater
flow volume for process areas and maximum potential flow volume for
commercial areas.
230 East Fifth Street St. Paul. Minnesota 55101-1626 (651) 602-1005 Fax 602-1183 TDD/TTY 229-3760
AnEquWoapoftunfty
October 11, 1999
Dear Plymouth on Parade Participant:
On behalf of the City of Plymouth I want to thank you for your participation in our second
annual Plymouth on Parade celebration. We have received many positive comments from the
community concerning the event (particularly the parade). And, of course, the weather made it
a grand day!!
Thank you again for your presence in this event and we look forward to your repeat
performance next year on October 7, 2000! If you have any questions or comments concerning
this year's parade, please call me at 509-5223.
In appreciation of your community support,
Karol Greupner, Event Coordinator
City of Plymouth Recreation Department
I:.— I
Over 50�,1C3 "Tear 2 -ply toilet paper y
audio clips to choose fromp .�
r � �
into I -ply squares...
11 E t 110 ., E G I 0 Published Thursday, October 14. , 999
Briefs: Met Council awards $700,000 in grants
s.
The Metropolitan Council awarded $700,000 Wednesday to the two central cities and two Minneapolis
startr�bune.com suburbs to help build or rehabilitate affordable housing.
t*tre About half goes to Minneapolis' Near North ($250,000) and Phillips ($80,000) neighborhoods to help finance
about 20 housing units, both single-family and twin homes. Another $260,000 goes to help build or
rehabilitate 50 housing units throughout St. Paul.
F—Plyqlouth gets $70,000 to help rehabilitate five housing units, and Brooklyn Park $40,000 for one twin hol�-
— David Peterson
Reservation's challenges
Chemical dependency and acquiring more land are two of the biggest challenges facing the Leech Lake
Indian Reservation, tribal officials told a group of visiting state legislators.
The tour was part of a two-day visit to northern Minnesota by the Republican delegation, which toured the
Red Lake Reservation this week.
A yearlong planning effort concluded that the tribe must effectively address rampant alcoholism on the
reservation or its other efforts are useless and that the band needs more land for housing and to allow the tribe
to develop jobs outside the gambling industry.
— Associated Press
Mayor's funeral today
A funeral is scheduled for today for the mayor of Wolverton, Minn., who died this week in a farm accident.
Steven Blilie, 37, who had been mayor of Wolverton, in northwestern Minnesota, since 1994, died Monday
after becoming trapped beneath a combine.
— Associated Press ® copyright 1999 star Tribune. All rights reserved.
DATE:
October 14, 1999
TO:
Kurt Hoffman
FROM:
Rebecca Stoen
SUBJECT:
Metropolitan Council Grant Award to City of Plymouth
The following is some additional information on the $70,000 grant award mentioned in
today's Star Tribune article:
The Plymouth HRA applied for and will be awarded the grant. The award will be used
for the major rehabilitation of five single family cluster homes in the Tiburon
development in Plymouth. The five units are owned and occupied by low-income
households who cannot afford the full cost of the substantial rehab needed to bring their
homes up to standard condition.
The $70,000 award will be combined with a one to one match of $70,000 from the
Plymouth HRA's CDBG rehab program and private funds. The private funds will come
from homeowners' savings, and/or from private or MHFA interest bearing loans that the
homeowners can afford without financial hardship.
The Plymouth HRA will be working in partnership with Community Action for Suburban
Hennepin (CASH) on this project. CASH will provide technical assistance and
counseling to homeowners during the planning and construction phases of the work and
will evaluate each applicant's ability to contribute savings and/or other financing.
The timeline for the project is to verify applications and complete the
underwriting/affordability analysis by the end of 1999, obtain bids before spring, and
complete the rehab work by Fall of 2000.
If there are any additional questions, please call me at 509-5413.
WEST SUBURBAN MEDIATION .CENTER
1011 First Street South, Suite 200, Hopkins, MN 55343 (612) 933-0005 Fax: (612) 933-6046
�— s
DATI October 12. 1999 7
vers in WSMC''s Service Area
MI.NtO LO: (ity Manan OCT
13
FROM: tiusan A. oii
I am writing to inli►rm you that I have resigned as Executive Dircctc►r o the West
Suburban Mediation Ccntcr. My successor began on October 4"'. 1 will be available liar
c►►nsuluntil the cnd ol'thc year.
The Ccnter is pleased to anmuncc that Cheri Fischer has accepted the positic►n as
the new I?xccutivc Director. She has been with the Center since its inccption and has
been Board Chair or Vice chair as well as mediator up until the present time. She is
serving as Mayor ofMinnctrista and has been a business woman.
I'm sine you will find her to be personable. knowledgeable and willing to assist in
any way possible to meet your needs for mediation services.
I wish to thank YOU for the relationship I have had with all ol'you li►r IIIc past
almost thirteen years in my position and will miss talking and inecting with you all.
I
I:- 3
Survey: Property taxes slightly up, Lauderdale a leader
Mike Kaszuba Star Tribune
Friday. October 15, 1999
Property taxes on an average Twin Cities -area home went up $12 in 1999 but were held down by increases in state aid, an annual tax survey has
concluded.
The 33rd homestead property -tax survey, to be released today by the Citizens League and the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, shows that taxes
were up more than half a percent for a typical, $125,000 home. Most tax bills, however, also will be affected by rising property values -- up 6.3
percent in the metro area.
The rankings again offer a detailed look into the state's complex property -tax picture.
One of the metro area's smallest municipalities, the St. Paul suburb of Lauderdale, has the distinction of having this year's highest property taxes
on a $125,000 home. The $2,311 total tops the list of 107 communities that were surveyed in the seven -county metro area. Next are Newport,
New Prague — which had led the rankings for several years -- Brooklyn Center and Waconia.
Minneapolis was sixth a year ago but 11th this year. St. Paul rises from 15th to 13th.
Outstate cities were ranked on a $75,000 home value. Among 131 outstate cities surveyed, Staples was on top, with a $1,383 property -tax bill. It
was followed by Thief River Falls, Cambridge and Princeton.
The study said a series of legislative changes held down increases this year, including $59 million used to lower the share of education funding
that falls on property -tax payers. The study also pointed to a significant increase in an education credit for homesteaded properties, first
introduced last year. With the change, the state paid an additional $145 million of homeowners' school tax bills.
Behind the numbers
The reasons behind a city's ranking can be complicated.
Lauderdale's ranking, according to the survey, was fueled not so much by what the city charged on a $125,000 home, but rather what was levied
by Roseville Independent School District No. 623, which covers the city.
The city's share of the total property -tax bill was $464, or 20 percent. The school district's portion, however, was $986, or nearly 43 percent. The
Roseville district ranked first among 55 metro -area school districts for property taxes on a $125,000 home.
In addition, Ramsey County's portion of the tax bill in Lauderdale is $752, or 33 percent. The county ranked fourth among 19 metro -area county
taxing districts in property taxes on a $125,000 home.
"I figure as long as we're in the same school district, the same county, we're going to continue to be as high," said Rick Getschow, Lauderdale's
city administrator. "We've kept our [city] levy flat for the last year or two."
According to the study, Lauderdale ranked 35th among the 107 metro cities for its portion of the total bill.
Newport's No. 2 overall ranking was linked to a referendum by South Washington County School District No. 833, to property values that are
lower than the metro average and to the fact that it was home to the census tract with the highest poverty rate in Washington County, said City
Administrator Larry Bodahl.
"We've never been in the elite before," Bodahl said. "It's not something we have sought."
'You can't tell'
Lynn Reed, research director for the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, said some cities may be unfairly blamed by taxpayers for property -tax
increases. "We've got to clear up what jurisdictions do what, and who's responsible for the tax," he said. "You can't tell if it's the city if you look
at the total [property -tax bill].
"Cities, in my mind, provide the most property -related services of any local government," Reed said. "Counties are becoming the biggest piece of
the property -tax bill, especially outstate."
But even counties, he added, must be judged knowing that many of their programs are mandated by the state.
Reed's point can be seen when figures in the metro area are broken down by jurisdiction. Among the 107 cities, Bayport ranked first with the
highest city property taxes on a $125,000 home. Among schools, Minnetonka School District No. 276 ranked second behind Roseville. Among
counties, Carver County ranked first.
Another ranking provided by the annual study — one that is also a valuable measuring stick for taxpayers — is based on the average home value
for each city.
That ranking puts Wayzata at the top, with a $6,024 property -tax bill on an average, $297,999 home. Wayzata is followed by North Oaks, Orono,
Deephaven and Minnetrista — all among the area's most abluent communities. Lauderdale, in this ranking, was 85th. Columbia Heights, an inner -
ring Minneapolis suburb, was the lowest, with $923 in taxes on an average, $83,560 home.
"I'm sure it's because we have some very high lake -home values that skews the average," said Allan Orsen, Wayzata's city manager. "There are
some $5 million lake homes.
"Wayzata is very unique," he added. "There are only about a thousand homes."
For complete figures go online to htt P www startribune.conL
Estimated
'h Change
Community
Market
in tax
(school district)
1999 Tax
Rank
Value
1999 Tax
Tax rank
1998-99
$125,000 home
Average value tome
Lauderdale (623)
$2,311.00
1
$85,228
$1,326
85
0.2%
Newport (833)
$2,301.00
2
$100,743
$1,678
63
14.7%
New Prague (721)
$2,256.00
3
$101,561
$1,633
64
-2.7%
Brooklyn Center (286)
$2,228.00
4
$81,920
$1,192
96
2.7%
Waconia (110)
$2,218.00
5
$121,855
$2,134
37
3.0%
Little Canada (623)
$2,214.00
6
$107,298
$1,756
58
-1.1%
Brooklyn Park (279)
$2,167.00
7
$101,585
$1,602
68
-0.9%
St. Anthony (282)
$2,166.00
8
$111,219
$1,810
56
-0.9%
Roseville (623)
$2,153.00
9
$117,014
$1,952
47
1.6%
Bayport (834)
$2,144.00
10
$124,585
$2,133
38
6.9%
Minneapolis (1)
$2,137.00
11
$96,453
$1,458
80
-0.8%
Chanhassen (112)
$2,127.00
12
$182,401
$3,601
11
-5.2%
St. Paul (625)
$2,115.00
13
$87,196
$1,219
92
2.9%
Excelsior (276) ,
$2,109.00
14
$155,835
$2,892
19
1.6%
Richfield (280)
$2,108.00
15
$99,976
$1,475
79
4.0%
Falcon Heights (623)
$2,107.00
16
$134,747
$2,348
31
3.9%
Prior Lake (719)
$2,100.00
17
$144,297
$2,579
23
0.4%
Minnetonka (276)
$2,068.00
18
$171,519
$3,230
14
2.1%
Hopkins (270)
$2,054.00
19
$110,285
$1,687
61
-2.0%
Shorewood (276)
$2,051.00
20
$242,377
$4,963
7
1.3%
Golden Valley (270)
$2,041.00
21
$134,853
$2,285
34
0.7%
Victoria (112)
$2,037.00
22
$202,983
$3,971
8
0.5%
Eden Prairie (272)
$2,036.00
23
$180,498
$3,396
12
-2.0%
Cottage Grove (833)
$2,020.00
24
$108,558
$1,625
65
10.9%
Maple Grove (279)
$2,015.00
25
$134,381
$2,241
35
-1.1%
Lino Lakes (12)
$2,008.00
26
$142,342
$2,433
28
9.6%
Osseo (279)"
$2,005.00
27
$93,928
$1,325
86
1.7%
Norwood Young America
$2,004.00
28
$89,810.
$1,141
100
-11.8%
Circle Pines (12)
$2,002.00
29
$101,506
$1,428
82
1.8%
Edina (273)
$1,971.00
30
$200,145
$3,723
10
3.1%
Robbinsdale(281)
$1,968.00
31
$87,283
$1,174
98
2.2%
Hastings (200)
$1,965.00
32
$107,608
$1,543
74
5.8%
Woodbury (833)
$1,960.00
33
$147,508
$2,484
26
12.8%
Wayzata (284)
$1,960.00
34
$297,999
$6,024
1
5.1%
New Hope (281)
$1,955.00
35
$106,856
$1,543
75
-3.6%
Independence (278)
$1,955.00
36
$202.325
$3,824
9
9.4%
Farmington (192)
$1,953.00
37
$111,124
$1,622
66
-0.1%
Savage (191)
$1,952.00
38
$132,424
$2,130
39
-1.8%
Mounds View (621)
$1,951.00
39
$101,355
$1,435
81
-5.4%
Crystal (281)
$1,943.00
40
$89,556
$1,197
95
-1.1%
Deephaven (276)
$1,942.00
41
$290,545
$5,856
4
1.6%
Rosemount (196)
$1,939.00
42
$129,870
$2,054
43
-5.1%
Maplewood (622)
$1,935.00
43
$111,105
$1,607
67
2.4%
Minnetrista (277)
$1,932.00
44
$261,581
$5,178
5
7.6%
Mound (277)
$1,924.00
45
$126,803
$1,967
46
6.1%
Stillwater (834)
$1,908.00
46
$126,248
$1,937
48
-2.3%
Columbia Heights (13)
$1,899.00
47
$83,506
$923
107
-14.7%
Belie Plaine (716)
$1,890.00
48
$98,447
$1,303
88
-4.3%
Watertown (111)
$1,870.00
49
$96,883
$1,219
93
-2.7%
'Plymouth (284)
$1,865.00
50
$164,882
$2,759
20
1.4%
St. Paul Park (833)
$1,862.00
51
$86.782
$1,134
101
11.8%
Chaska (112)
$1,854.00
52
$133,837
$2,056
42
-6.0%
Inver Grove Heights (199)
$1,852.00
53
$119,449
$1,729
59
-1.0%
White Bear Lake (624)
$1,848.00
54
$110,436
$1,524
77
-6.3%
Champlin (11)
$1,848.00
55
$112,833
$1,570
72
-4.1%
North St. Paul (622)
$1,845.00
56
$99,881
$1,314
87
3.1%
Shakopee (720)
$1,842.00
57
$112,044
$1,573
71
-9.0%
St. Louis Park (283)
$1,841.00
58
$112,384
$1,552
73
-4.4%
New Brighton (621)
$1,836.00
59
$126,947
$1,880
51
-5.8%
Vadnais Heights (624)
$1,835.00
60
$126,270
$1,863
53
-6.9%
Shoreview(621)
$1,830.00
61
$136,015
$2,076
41
-2.2%
Dayton (11)
$1,821.00
62
$137,762
$2.109
40
2.3%
White Bear Twp. (624)
$1,819.00
63
$132,867
$1,994
45
-5.3%
Hassan Twp. (728)
$1,818.00
64
$157,940
$2,552
24
13.0%
Arden Hills (621)
$1,817.00
65
$150,618
$2,385
29
-3.5%
Burnsville (191)
$1,811.00
66
$125,240
$1,816
55
-3.4%
Spring Lake Park (16)
$1,808.00
67
$94,480
$1,118
103
-6.6%
St. Francis (15)
$1,796.00
68
$101,996
$1,281
90
-2.4%
Jordan (717)
$1,789.00
69
$90.221
$1,088
104
-11.3%
Orono (278)
$1,782.00
70
$308,996
$5,890
3
7.8%
Corcoran (877)
$1,775.00
71
$155,461
$2,475
27
-1.3%
Mahtomedi (832)
$1,775.00
72
$163,657
$2,609
22
0.2%
Forest Lake (631)
$1,767.00
73
$107,360
$7,379
83
e2.4°i6
J
Fridley (14)
$1,750.00
74
$98,715
$1,175
97
-9.0%
New Market Twp. (194)
$1,745.00
75
$180,923
$2,954
18
3.8%
Bloomington (271)
$1,741.00
76
$131,118
$1,872
52
0.9%
South St. Paul (6)
$1,739.00
77
$88,485
$1,019
106
0.6%
Oakdale (622)
$1,734.00
78
$106,290
$1,345
84
0.7%
Medina (278)
$1,734.00
79
$276,760
$5,046
6
8.4%
Apple Valley (196)
$1,730.00
80
$134,038
$1.924
49
-4.4%
Lakeville (194)
$1,729.00
81
$144,714
$2,151
36
4.0%
Columbus Twp. (831)
$1,720.00
82
$133,800
$1,910
50
3.7%
Anoka (11)
$1,711.00
83
$97,600
$1,125
102
-6.7%
Lake Elmo (834)
$1,703.00
84
$188,038
$3,027
16
0.1%
Oak Park Heights (834)
$1,696.00
85
$115,632
$1,500
78
-5.8%
Oak Grove (15)
$1,683.00
86
$125,140
$1,686
62
-4.3%
New Scandia Twp. (831)
$1,677.00
87
$155,119
$2,311
33
1.9%
Blaine (16)
$1,675.00
88
$100,925
$1,165
99
-3.0%
Hugo (624)
$1,655.00
89
$142,745
$2,019
44
-2.7%
North Oaks (621)
$1,644.00
90
$339,499
$6,010
2
-0.1%
East Bethel (15)
$1,618.00
91
$109,229
$1,295
89
-2.4%
West SL Paul (197)
$1,600.00
92
$104,159
$1,208
94
-6.5%
Eagan (196)
$1,582.00
93
$134,844
$1,778
57
-6.9%
Spring Lake Twp. (719)
$1,580.00
94
$165,290
$2,370
30
-0.3%
Coon Rapids (11)
$1,576.00
95
$99,268
$1,063
105
-a.7%
Ramsey (11)
$1,560.00
96
$123,965
$1,540
76
-1.0%
Andover (11)
$1,555.00
97
$132,871
$1,711
60
-0.3%
Mendota Heights (197)
$1,532.00
98
$185,154
$2,692
21
-6.3%
Afton (834)
$1,530.00
99
$200,938
$2,985
17
-0.2%
Linwood Twp. (831)
$1,510.00
100
$112,272
$1,265
91
-7.8%
Forest Lake Twp. (831)
$1,490.00
101
$143,583
$1,845
54
4.2%
Credit River Twp. (719)
$1,490.00
102
$169,576
$2,320
32
1.5%
Ham Lake (11)
$1,473.00
103
$131,513
$1,595
69
0.5%
Grant(834)
$1,456.00
104
$222,648
$3,250
13
1.6%
West Lakeland Twp. (834)
$1,377.00
105
$222,182
$3,081
15
-4.0%
Bums Twp. (15)
$1,376.00
106
$136,802
$1,586
70
1.7%
May Twp. (834)
$1,340.00
107
$195,063
$2,542
25
0.3%
NOTES:
Taxes are computed on hypothetical homes with assessor's market values or $125,000 for the metro cities and $75,000 for the non..wh cities.
Counties often have more than one tax rate for library services or parks, because cities may provide these services to their residents. Also, the combination of tax capacity and market
value referendum rates for schools results in more rates than there are school districts.
The 107 communities in the seven -county metropolitan area with populations of 2,500 or above, plus Excelsior, and the 131 communities outside the seven -county metro area with
populations of 2,500 or above are included.
Taxes for Osseo exclude the sewer district. Taxes would be $2,301 and rank second highest if the district were included.
SOURCES: Minn. DepL of Revenue, Abstracts of Tax Lists and Assessment; Calculations by Minnesota Taxpayers Association
Back
O Copyright 1998 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
::S? \ Yt.,
J)mt %, mes
for 27 years as a -
'CL Board Member!
1973-1999
Guth Civic League will honor Wes
at a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception on
Thursday, Nov. 11, 1999
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Plymouth Radisson Conference Center
Plymouth Room
Presentdfion at 6:15 p.m.
Please come whenever you can and stay as long
as you wish, and help us wish Wes well in his
retirement from the PCL Board
$15.00 per person
Guests Welcome Cash Bar
RSVP 612-559-3099 by Nov. 1
n
TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Craig C. Gerdes, Director of Public Safety
SUBJECT: ANIMAL ORDINANCE UPDATE
DATE: October 11, 1999
A new animal ordinance went into effect January 1, 1999 with certain licensing provisions
taking effect July 1, 1999. Staff has prepared this informational update on the current status of
these issues and any concerns that have been encountered.
To date we have issued 278 individual cat licenses. Our clerk estimates between 40 and 50
percent, but less than half have been licensed as "outdoor" cats. We have issued 8 multiple
animal licenses. Four have been for more than the maximum number of dogs and four have
been for more than the maximum number of cats.
The breakdown statistics of the animal calls handled by the Community Service Officers so far
in 1999 are as follows:
Barking dog complaints
151
Dog at large complaints
425
Dog bites
21
Cat at large complaints
52
Cat bites
3
Other animal complaints
422
The other concern that has been brought to staff has been from the veterinary community.
Several of the area veterinarians objected to the requirement that the provide a letter stating the
cat was "untrainable" and refused to do this. In discussions, many of the concerns had to do
with the word, untrainable. We sent a mailing to all veterinarians with information that what
we needed was a letter from them stating that with this pet and this owner, if the cat was not
allowed to go outside it was their belief the animal would have to be put to sleep. Some of the
veterinarians then did provide letters with this guideline.
Other veterinarians still refused and are telling staff that they have received advice from their
attorneys and insurance carriers that providing this letter would put them in a position of
becoming liable for damages done by the cat while outside and advised them not to put such a
statement in writing. Some cat owners have then gone veterinarian shopping to find one that
would give them a letter while others have chosen to license their cats as indoor cats and take
their chances or not license them at all hoping we will be unable to catch them.
T Za
I would recommend that we continue to monitor the entire issue for the remainder of the year
and bring the ordinance back to the Council in February or March of 2000 for minor changes
if the concerns of the veterinarians continue. At that time we would recommend
reconsideration of the original language proposed in July of 1998 which included the
grandfather clause.
Overall, we believe the major changes to the ordinance have been positive and another major
rewrite would be unproductive. We have also received several inquiries from other
communities and organizations requesting copies of our final ordinance, especially with regard
to multiple animal licenses, for use as a model.
z �z
MINUTES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
September 9, 1999
Page 43
Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Wahl, Priebe, Willegalle, Musliner, Thompson;
Fiemann; staff Bisek, Blank, Pederson; Councilmember Black; SRF staff
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Wahl moved to approve the minutes of the August meeting. Commissioner
Willegalle seconded. The motion carried with all ayes.
3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
a. Athletic Associations. None were present.
b. Staff. Mary Bisek distributed flyers on the arts fair and the parade. The art fair will be
back at Parkers Lake after being at the amphitheater last year. It is Saturday, September
18, 10-5 p.m. There are 100 units signed up so far for the parade, which is Saturday,
October 9. This year, there's a shorter parade route. Some of the paving is done at the
new activity center so this area may be used for lining up during the parade. All activities
are free. The parade will not be broadcast live, due to a fire that damaged equipment in
the broadcast truck. Fall soccer has started, with more teams registered than last year.
Fall swimming lessons will soon begin. We hired some additional staff, so more lessons
are being offered than originally anticipated. Mary announced that Cindy Anderson, our
aquatics coordinator, is expecting a baby and will be taking a leave of absence from
January through mid-April. Staff will start working on winter programs at the end of this
month.
c. Others. None.
4. REPORT ON PAST COUNCIL ACTION
The City Council endorsed PRAC's recommendation on the rental fees for the banquet
facilities at the Plymouth Creek Center. We're getting requests for weddings, receptions, etc.
We have sent out a request for proposal for catering services to several firms. The Council
will make the final decision on the caterer. Only one caterer will be hired, and they will hold
the liquor license. We will get 15% of the gross liquor sales and 10% on the net sales of the
food through the caterer. Having only one caterer means one set of china, glassware,
utensils, etc. This makes things much less confusing.
The Council authorized the City to go ahead on upgrading the dehumidification system at the
Ice Center. Currently we have a mold and mildew problem there and by improving the
dehumidification system, this will be resolved. It will take about six months to design and
build this new system.
PRAC Minutes/September 1999 �a
Page 44
The Planning Commission held their meeting on the Ferndale North issue September 8.
Seven citizens spoke. After deliberating, a motion was made to not hold a public hearing,
which ended in a tie vote of 3-3. Another motion was made to hold a public hearing, which
also ended in a 3-3 tie. Then, after more discussion, they moved to send it to the City
Council asking them for direction. It will be
wants with thas property.eWe are not qty
attorney reaffirmed that the City can do whatever
bound by the contract from 20 years ago between Lundgren Bros. and the City.
Regarding the use of police personnel at the banquet hall, Chief Gerdes still wants two
officers to be present when liquor is served. Director Blank said we will have to go with the
Chief's recommendation.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Comprehensive Plan study session. There are seven park types within the City of
Plymouth: city parks, community playfields, neighborhood parks, mini parks, school
parks, special use parks and school recreationalIs this whois anticipated to use th
facilities.
e�facility, ori usliner asked
for some explanation of primary user
this based on current users? Adam said the general ages reflect who the park is geared to
serve and includes present as well as potential users. Director Blank clarified that
Plymouth Creek Park is also a neighborhood park, as well as a city park and a community
playfield. Commissioner Priebe asked about the elderly park user. How are they using
it? Walking, said Director Blank. There was a lot of discussion that followed among the
commissioners and staff regarding the, use of the terms "primary users." It was felt that
the primary users of neighborhood parks are adults, youth, and the elderly, not just small
children and the elderly. It was suggested that the primary users of neighborhood parks
should be changed to families, rather than just children and seniors. Director Blank stated
that when you consider the facilities in a neighborhood park, they are geared for small
children (the playground equipment) and seniors (the walking trails). As a compromise,
it was decided to use children and adults as the primary users of neighborhood parks,
because this covers more age categories. Discussion continued on who the primary users
are at each type of park. The most crucial thing about park types is what is actually there
in terms of facilities. The amenities tell you what may be installed there, such as trails,
sports fields, skating rinks, play apparatus, picnicking, etc. Mary then asked why even
list the primary users. She felt it would be better to list just the amenities. Director Blank
then suggested changing teen to youth. Commissioner Willegalle asked about being
consistent when listing users. He said that for a city park, the primary users are listed as
adults and then teens, but for a community playfield, it's listed as teens and then adults.
Adam said it's listed that way, because the major primary user is listed first.
Commissioner Fiemann asked how we know we're meeting the needs of the residents
when we develop a neighborhood park. Director Blank said that prior to developing any
neighborhood park, we survey the residents to find out what amenities they'd like in their
park.
PRAC Minutes/September 1999 r 3
Page 45 J—
Adam then explained the "city-wide facilities analysis" and the "neighborhood facilities
analysis" on pages 4 and 5 of the handout. Commissioner Thompson suggested that the
number of parks along with the acreages should be listed. Commissioner Fiemann asked
if the parks we have now are meeting the needs of the current population. If you include-
French
ncludeFrench Park in the calculations, then we are meeting the needs, explained Director Blank.
Eagle Lake Park isn't included in current park acreages, but is included in the figures for
2020 and beyond. Director Blank said there may not be a large City park in the northwest
Plymouth area, but the Greenway will serve this area. Councilmember Black asked about
the impact of Maple Grove residents using our facilities when the trails are completed
connecting to Eagle Lake Regional Park. Commissioner Wahl said you can use the
Zachary Lane trail now to get to Maple Grove. Councilmember Black is concerned about
the increased use of our parks. Mary Bisek said there will be crossover with Plymouth
residents going into Maple Grove, as well. Since the trail was put in on Zachary Lane it
is used all the time. If trails become overcrowded, they will likely be widened from 8 to
10 feet, said Director Blank. We may have to go to 12 feet in really busy areas.
Discussion then moved to the neighborhood park service areas. Commissioner
Thompson had a question about the word inadequate. Director Blank said inadequate
means that the majority of residents living in the service area are more than one half mile
from a neighborhood park. Moderate means portions of that neighborhood are within one
half mile of a park. A lot of the park areas labeled inadequate are rural and undeveloped,
said Commissioner Willegalle and are outside the Municipal Urban Service Area
(MUSA). Director Blank explained some of the new areas that will get parks as the area
develops. On Hadley Lake, the Rusten property is being called a special use park. This
is a potential open space parcel, and we want to turn a portion of it into a public lake
access, said Director Blank.
The open space map was discussed next. This map will be in the comprehensive plan and
is essentially what was identified in the 1994 study and what's left to purchase.
Commissioner Wahl asked why The Kids for Saving Earth Park doesn't show up as city
owned open space. Director Blank explained that it's in the category special use park. He
said he was skeptical about labeling it as open space, which could lead to some citizens
saying it cannot be used for anything other than walking, observing nature, etc.
Director Blank said there are eight chapters that have to be meshed together in the entire
comprehensive plan. The whole plan has been pushed back by two or three months,
because all densities are being recalculated. At the October and November meetings,
draft copies of the plan may be available for review. Around mid-December, there will
be a joint meeting to look at the entire park plan with the Council and Planning
Commission. The plan will not be final until after the public has had an opportunity to
comment and make suggestions for changes.
b. Plymouth Creek Center update. The weather has not been great, but things are coming
along. Crews are laying drain fields today; Friday and Saturday, they're spreading sand.
Astroturf will take over Monday or Tueday of next week. That will take two or three
PRAC Minutes/September 1999
Page 46 ..7
days. The bubble will go up around the end of October. Two thirds of the parking lots are
paved. We're getting calls daily now from soccer associations, etc., trying to book time.
There will be open gym time at the fieldhouse. Three primary users are Plymouth Soccer
Association, Wings Soccer, and Wayzata Soccer.
6. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION
The Ferndale North issue will likely come back to PRAC in the months ahead.
8. STAFF COMMUNICATION
The City Council has a study session next week. Open space will be on the agenda. All
PRAC members are invited to attend if they wish.
9. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. The next meeting is October 14.
4
City of Plymouth
Public Safety
Advisory Board
Minutes of Meeting
September 16, 1999
7:00 p.m.
Present at the meeting were members Ed Albro, Dan Freese, Kim Gassner, James
Holmes, Cathy Kaufman, and Firefighter Kevin Werstein. Staff members attending
were Public Safety Director Craig Gerdes, Fire Chief Rick Kline, and recording
secretary, Public Safety Tech Svcs Supervisor Barb Cox. Council liaison Scott Harstad
was also in attendance. Police Sgt. Mike Goldstein arrived late.
Guests Judith Olson, resident; Russ Ernst, Honeywell; Rick Stevens, Wright Hennepin
Security; Wendy Youngren, Wright Hennepin Security/Response Center; and Rick
Geiger, Brinks.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Cathy Kaufman. Kaufman noted
the first item on the agenda was the minutes from the June 17th meeting. Holmes
moved adoption of the minutes, seconded by Werstein. The minutes were approved.
Kaufman noted the next item on the agenda was consideration of the false alarm
ordinance. She thanked the representatives from several alarm companies for their
attendance and input this evening.
Kaufman noted this group had some discussions on making the alarm companies
responsible for false alarms. She requested input from the representatives here on
their opinions of this option. Ernst noted that one problem is that not all of their
customers have maintenance agreements and then if there is an equipment problem,
the customer could refuse to pay for repairs and it would not be fair for the alarm
company to then be responsible.
Harstad asked how often on false alarms is the problem at the alarm company's end
and not at the customer's end. Ernst stated that this is not very often, but it is their
policy at Honeywell to work with the customer and pay or reimburse the fine if the fault
was at their end. Youngren noted that is also their policy at Wright Hennepin. Geiger
noted that Brinks also does this; however the greatest majority of alarms are operator
error.
Harstad noted that we are interested in input from the alarm companies and want them
to understand we are not trying to attack them. He stated that false alarms consume a
lot of time and resources for the police and fire departments and we are trying to get
these down. He asked how often an alarm comes in and they can take care of it on
their end before it even gets to us. All alarm companies stated this happens frequently.
Harstad asked what suggestions they have for us as to ways we can reduce the
number of false alarms and the drain on resources.
Ernst stated in reading the information supplied to them, he noted the group had
previously discussed putting an information package on the alarm ordinance with the
package new residents get to welcome them to Plymouth. He stated he felt this is a
really good idea. He stated it is really important to let people know ahead of time
exactly what the ordinance is in Plymouth. He noted when something similar was done
in the City of Baton Rouge the number of false alarms dropped dramatically. He stated
he also like the idea of leaving a notice at the residence. This really gets the
homeowner's attention.
Harstad noted that one of the things we want to avoid is that we do not want the
homeowners to get frustrated and shut the system off. Geiger stated that encouraging
the customer's knowledge of the system is proactive and key to eliminating false
alarms. He stated he believes in the discussions this group has had it appears you are
doing a lot of right things.
Harstad stated he would like to understand the process a little better. What happens
when an alarm sounds? Do you attempt to validate before you call the police? All
indicated that is their policy, with a few exceptions.
Holmes asked if they any statistics on how many problems they are able to resolve
before calling the police. They indicated they do not, but Wright Hennepin guestimated
that number would be higher than 20 to 30 percent.
Kaufman asked if the process varies for commercial locations. They stated the process
is basically the same; however, many commercial locations have more sophisticated
equipment.
Kaufman noted that our resident indicated she had an alarm that turned out to be
triggered by her washing machine. She asked how often these types of things occur.
Olson stated her washing machine in the spin cycle triggered a glass break sensor.
Ernst stated that the bulk of problems occur because of something in the home the
resident did not realize might trigger an alarm such as the cat, a balloon, or a door may
be locked and show the alarm is set, but it is not latched and can be pulled by a
delivery person. He noted that people also give keys to some delivery person, such as
the water softener company, but then forget about the alarm and it goes off when the
person enters.
Kaufman asked what is the process with the ordinance. Gerdes indicated that once this
group believes it has formulated a good base line, the ordinance would be sent for a
final review by the City Attorney and then to the City Council.
2
3'0
Holmes asked about the registration system. He asked if all systems are registered.
Cox indicated they are supposed to be, but we are sure they are not. He asked how we
find out if they are not. Cox indicated we usually find out if we respond to an alarm
there and do not have them in our system. We then notify them and send them a copy
of the registration form and the ordinance. Holmes stated to encourage registration
maybe we should consider only giving them the free alarm if their system is registered.
He stated the only problem is that he likes the idea of information in the new home
packet, but this is a problem with people buying a home with an existing system.
Gerdes noted that the packets are given to people with their recycling bin when they
come to file homestead, so it would be given to people who purchase existing homes
as well.
Ernst stated it would be really good to ensure on commercial properties you get the
name of a responsible person at the business and not just where the bill should be
sent. He noted that Bloomington has an officer assigned to deal with alarms and he
faxes information right away to the customer and they contact the alarm company to
deal with problems. He stated otherwise you could have a problem where the bill is just
paid, but the responsible person does not even know they had an alarm to try and fix
the problem.
Harstad noted in Los Angeles they have many communities Ihat contract directly with
their own security companies who perform armed response to alarms instead of the
police. Ernst stated there is a big liability issue there and this is not a very popular idea
with alarm companies. Gerdes stated that would not be for police either. He noted that
the police are usually in a position to respond faster and also prefer not to have other
armed individuals within the city.
Geiger stated that we all benefit from the same goal of reducing false alarms and we
need to work within the framework of most communities.
Kaufman asked on the language of waiving the fee, if it is easy for homeowners to get a
certification of service to provide the City. Stevens noted that their service orders are
all duplicate forms and a copy is always left with the customer on the scene. Ernst
stated they could also ask their people to add notations on the service tickets of any
training performed. Geiger noted that it is Brinks' policy to provide service within 24 to
48 hours unless it is an emergency and then they go right away.
Kaufman stated she did not see any language for giving a time for new users. Cox
noted that language is in section 1155.05. She stated it gives new users a 30 day
grace period and also gives provisions for extending that time if requested by the
monitoring company. Youngren noted this language should stated the installation or
service company and not the monitoring company.
3
Z -3b
Harstad asked if there are new systems company out that technologically better and
could distinguish if the problem is an animal or balloon. Ernst stated that most of the
newer technology is for better processing of information that can help eliminate false
alarms and identify the actual point of problem within the house or building.
Mike Goldstein arrived at 7:27 p.m.
Harstad asked when new technology comes out, how do they encourage people to
upgrade their systems. Ernst stated that basically when systems get old they reach a
point where they cannot be repaired and must be upgraded.
Harstad asked if any of the companies charge their customers for false alarms. All
stated they do not. Geiger stated that the technology that is out there is good, but
basically most problems come down to human error and the best process is to educate
people on use of the systems. Youngren stated if they have a customer that is having a
continual problem they have the right to refuse to monitor their system.
Harstad asked if there are fewer problems with false alarms on the fire side. Stevens
noted that the biggest problem there is a lack of system maintenance. Ernst agreed.
Albro asked if any of the companies have any statistical information. He stated he
would be interested in the number of systems and the percentages of fire or police
systems and residential to commercial. Holmes stated he would also be interested in
some statistics. He stated he is interested in the average number of calls per year and
what is the expected number of calls per year per system. Harstad agreed that any
statistics would be a help. He stated we are trying to determine where are the
problems, residential or commercial and who need the education.
Geiger stated that any statistics they would have would be skewed as their customer
base at Brinks is 90% residential. Stevens stated Wright Hennepin also is primarily
residential.
Goldstein stated that 95% of the time in both residential and commercial the problem is
user error. Ernst stated that he would guess that 80% of the time the problem is user
error and the balance would be equipment or weather problems.
Holmes stated that he is interested in some statistics in justification for changing the
charges and he would like to wait for that before going forward with this.
Kline noted that most of the problems on the fire side are due to equipment
maintenance as stated earlier. He stated as such in the proposed ordinance, section
1155.13, subdivision 2, it states the fine will be rescinded if the alarm holder provides
certification that the system has been serviced/repaired or they have received
education or training on the system to help eliminate future alarms. He stated he would
4
3b
prefer this "or" be "and". He stated when they have had the equipment checked and
training we have very few repeat calls.
Kaufman stated she would like to make a motion to direct staff to proceed with the draft
of the ordinance with the wording changes and present it to the City Council. The
motion died for lack of a second.
Holmes asked what happens if the alarm company notifies the police and then the
customer calls to say it was an accident. Goldstein noted the alarm companies call us
and cancel, but it depends on the timing. If we are already there it is too late and it still
gets recorded as a false alarm. Holmes stated that this is noted in section 1155.11
subdivision 3, (3) and he believes we need a definition of the cancellation process.
Gerdes stated he would not like to see this language added. He stated we have a
policy on response to alarms that address this and he would like to keep the ordinance
language cleaner and allow for officer's judgment. He stated we could provide a copy
of our policy to the Board.
Harstad stated he does not understand the language in section 1155.13, subdivision 2
where we would waive the fees if the system is repaired. Gerdes stated that this
motivates the person to get the system repaired if there is a problem and eliminates
repeat calls. He noted if there is a problem and they fix it, it is a greater benefit to us in
the long run.
Gassner asked if the alarm companies could tell their customers to register their
systems. Ernst stated that the problem is that they operate in several different
communities and all have different rules, but if we want to provide them with
information, it would probably not be that big a deal.
Kline noted that the fire department recently had an incident where an alarm company
was mailing copies of our ordinance and registration form out in an attempt at
solicitation and this creates a problem for us. Gerdes agreed and stated in this
particular case the company crafted the mailing to appear as if it came from the city.
Goldstein stated he has a question over the fine schedule. He stated on residential
police it appears we are looking at two free and then the fine stays at $50 per alarm and
he did not understand why. Harstad noted that was in part to address a potential
problem of them shutting off their systems. Albro stated there is also a problem with
getting credit from their alarm company, but then the fine escalates. Freese noted the
language on this issue is in the minutes from June 17' on page 4.
Albro asked if the City requires a permit to put an alarm system in. Gerdes stated they
do not. Albro stated he thought this was unusual as you need a permit to do almost
anything on your house. Werstein asked what other cities do. Ernst noted that some
cities issue a permit for the life of the alarm, while others have annual renewals.
5
1--S)p
Kaufman asked if the alarm companies have to get a permit, like the company did when
she had her home roofed. Harstad noted that a city permit conveys an inspection
which is not done; however he does like the idea of a license on a new installation.
Olson noted the problem would be people who have all the hardware installed when
they build the home, but don't actually activate it until years later. She stated she did
that as it is much easier to have all the wiring put in while you are building, but she did
not actually activate the system until years later.
Gerdes stated that he believes it is most important to focus on how to eliminate the
number of false alarms and not a permit or registration or penalty for failure to do so.
Harstad agreed that just because everyone registers their systems does not cut down
on the number of false alarms.
Gerdes stated at this point we would take a staff direction to work on getting statistics
and bringing the item back for further consideration. All agreed.
Alarm company representatives left the meeting.
Kaufman stated she received a call from a resident on the Y2K issue. She stated there
is no information on if there is a problem with heating or anyone else what individuals
should do. She asked if anything has been communicated on this. Gerdes stated that
we do have a contingency plan in place. He noted it is the same place for if we have a
tornado go through or another disaster. He stated there is a sheltering component in
the plan. He noted there is much information in the new City newsletter which is going
out now. He stated he is the designated Y2K coordinator for the City and people
should be referred to him with questions. He noted he also has given presentations for
businesses and groups.
Kaufman stated also in the minutes from the previous meeting Harstad had brought up
an issue of a work plan and changing some of what this group works on and Harstad
was going back to the Council on this. She wondered what the status of this was.
Harstad indicated the rest of the Council was not interested in making those changes.
Kaufman stated there was also discussion of having the department's internal
Community Policing Committee come to meet with the Board and asked on the status
of this. Goldstein stated he had propose to have the group come and speak the
projects they have dealt with in the past as well as their future plans. He stated he
would like to plan for the November meeting for this.
Kaufman was going around the room to see if anyone had any other issues to discuss.
Harstad noted most may be aware of the growing problem with cell phones in vehicles.
He stated there is a problem when they call 911 with triangulating where they are if they
do not know and that is being worked on. Also, he stated there is legislation pending
about using phones in vehicles while driving unless the operation is hands free. He
M.
stated they feel they are valuable in increasing response time to accidents but not while
driving.
Freese stated he was wondering if we could get an update on the gang task force and
curfew task force activities.
No one else had any issues. The meeting was adjourned.
7
CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
October 11, 1999
Saundra Spigner
9615 291h Avenue N.
Plymouth, MN 55441
Dear Saundra:
On behalf of the Plymouth City Council, I want to congratulate you on your recent recognition in
the article W2K. Women to Watch, 2000, which was in the Law & Politics October 1999 issue.
Councilmember Kelli Slavik brought this article to our attention, and it is being shared through
the Council Information Memo. Again, our congratulations!
Sincerely, )
Joy Tierney
Mayor
PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place ?o Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
®,..,,,, &WW www.d.plymouth.mn.us
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she strongly opposed nuclear waste
storage in casks on prairie Island. But
Hausman, first elected in 1999, has
demonstrated her ability to reach across
partisan lines and work with diverse
coalitions. She joined St. Paul Mayor
Norm Coleman, a Republican, and the
St. Paul business community in efforts
to win support for a new hockey stadi-
um for the city. Shek teen as a potential
candidate for mayor, particularly if
Coleman does not run again in 2(X)I,
Some brilliant, dynamic woman of
color are moving onto the political
stage. say W2W leaders:
Denise Walker, 44, brot►klyn Center,
is co-chair of the Minnesota Heritage
Council formed to bring people of color
into the Republican party. A Univetsity
of Minnesota Law School graduate,
she's busy with her three children and
textile design and quilt -making busi.
ness, but intends to run for the
Legislature in the future. She says: "A
man has one job, whereas we have scv.
eral. lt's very difficult for a woman to
make an effective run for offike."
Saundra Spigncr, 46, Plymouth, newly
appointed to the Metropolitan
Council by Gov, Ventura. is a Rcpub-
lican who was endorsed by the Reform
Party for her Council scat. She is a
Hennepin Cnunty probation officer,
member of the
Peace officers
Board of Stand-
ards and Train-
ing and former
Plymouth City
Council mem.
Icer. A native of
New York and
the Bronx, shed
learned a lot about Politics wvrking on
the campaigns of former County
Commissioner Mark Stenglein and for.
mer County Commissioner John Donis.
She expects to run again herself toy
elected office in the future.
Halisi Edwards Staten, 49, Min-
j�neapolis. is a clinical psychologist
with a doctorate degree in that field. A
DFLer, she's president of the fIcnnepin
County Women's Political Caucus,
which includes menrl.)crs of all parties,
and is married to former state Rep,
Randy Staten. Next year she may tun a
F 1131..,..;;,(,WED 106 99 , i 0:,
held by Mark Stcnglein. In 1996 sh
also ran unsuccesafully:for that office i
the district comprising rho norther
unc-third of Minncapolis and all c
parts of adjacent suburbs.
Why aren't more women raring t
run for top offices in Minnesota o
the eve of the 21st century? Crame
says one reason is that political par
tics are in a state of flux, and a nev
generation of politicians is moving
away from political parties ant
instead building voulitions: "It,% a time
of transition between old leaders anc
new leaders, both men and women,
and the ttcw leaders haven't fully
developed yet."
There are a lot of talented women
out there who "just need a littic nudge,"
says Betsy Whitbcek, who is recruiting
women to run as Reform party candi.
dates next year. Whitheck ran unsuc-
ecssfully for the Legislature as an inde-
pendent in 1996 against formcr Dr -L
state Rep. Dce Long of Minneapolis.
She now lives in Stillwater.
Kiffineyer calls the progress of
women in politics "a bubbling up
prucess, it's not a sprint. It's d
marathon, 1 think there arc a lot or
women out there like me flaic
bloumers]'" she says.
It's an uphill struggle. piere's
been no more talk of "the Year
of the Woman" cinc:e the fizzle
Of a $1 million drive launched
in 1992 for w woman candidate
for the US. Senate.
"The reality is when you are running
for public Office, regardless of sex or
anything else, you have really, really got
to want it more than anything else,"
says DFL Chair Mikc Erlandson. "A lot
Of people would like to run, but when it
tames down to asking them to raise a
millitrn dollars [for Congress) or six mil-
lion dollars to run against (U.S. Senator)
Rod Grams, that's where ultimatcly it
becomes a struggle."
These are a few examples of out-
standing women who are becoming
movers and shakers around the state.
Hopefully, in the not too distant future,
there'll be women representing
Minnesota in Washington and a woman
governor, and an article such as this will
be moot. flap
10:46/NO.4261218519 P 8
FROM GRAY PLANT MOOTY MOOTY & BENNETT 43) -(WED)10. 6'99 10:48/ST. 10:46/NO. 4261218519
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FROM GRAY PLANT MOOTY MOOTY & BENNETT 43) (WED)10. 6'99 10:49/ST. 10:46/NO. 4261218519 P 7
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CITY OF
PLYMOUTI-F
October 8, 1999
«title» «first» «Last», Principal
«school»
«address»
«cityst» c zip»
Dear «title» «Last»:
A year ago, the City of Plymouth formed a Youth Advisory Council, which is comprised of high
school students living in Plymouth. Since its formation, the group has been actively studying and
making recommendations to the City Council on youth—oriented issues. The Youth Advisory
Council has been cited for its efforts at this year's League of Minnesota Cities state conference,
and has drawn interest by other cities around the state.
On behalf of the Youth Advisory Council, I want to extend an invitation to you to attend its
November 1 meeting, beginning at 7:00 PM, in the second floor training room of the Public
Safety Department at City Hall. The group would like to take the opportunity to meet with the
principals of schools in Plymouth, to get to know you and to discuss ideas for future projects
including a Town Hall Teen Forum and a youth recognition event.
I have been meeting with this group since it was formed last year, and I think you will find
meeting with them well worth your time.
Please RSVP to Kurt Hoffman, 509-5054. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Dwight D. Johnson
City Manager
PLYMOUTH ABeautifulPlace7oLive
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
®P-W«-XWW www.d.plymouth.mn.us
title first Last
Mr. Ron Johnson
Mr. Mark Bezek
Mr.
Steve
Root
Dr.
John
Greupner
Mr.
Craig
Paul
Mr,
Merlin
Meitner
school
Plymouth Middle School
Robbinsdale Armstrong High
School
Central Middle School
East Middle School
Wayzata Senior High School
West Lutheran High School
1
address
city/st
zip
10011 36th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN
55441
10635 36th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN
55441
305 Vicksburg Lane
Plymouth, MN
55447
12000 Ridgemount Avenue
Plymouth, MN
55441
4955 Peony Lane
Plymouth, MN
55446
3350 Harbor Lane
Plymouth, MN
55447
Anne Hurlburt
..0 4C�
To: Swanson, April J
Subject: RE: Comprehensive Plan: Property Identification No. 05-118-22 14 0008
Dear Ms. Swanson:
Thank you for your comments on the Plymouth Comprehensive Plan. Your message will be shared with the Planning
Commission and City Council.
We will check our mailing lists and make sure that you and each of the other owners are included in all future mailings. In
the meantime, you may want to check the City's website (www.ci.plymouth.mn.us) for additional information on the
planning that is underway.
Sincerely,
Anne Hurlburt, AICP
Community Development Director
City of Plymouth, MN
612 509-5401 Fax 509-5407
—Original Message --
From: Swanson, April J [mailto:SwansoAJ@bp.com]
Sent: Monday, October 11, 1999 2:53 PM
To: 'Anne W. Hurlbut
Cc: Swanson, April J
Subject: Comprehensive Plan: Property Identification No. 05-118-2214
0008
Please acknowledge the receipt of this message by e-mail (swansoaj@bp.com).
Thank you.
October 11, 1999
Anne W. Hurlburt, AICP
Community Development Director
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447-1482
Dear Madam Director:
RE: Property Identification No. 05-118-22 14 0008 and Comprehensive Plan
1 was surprised to see that our parcel of land (west of Vicksburg Rd.) was
in an area marked MUSA 2020 Boundary, tentatively designated as LAR (Living
Area, Rural). We require a LA -1 designation, and the proposed LAR category
unfairly restricts the use of our land. The letter written September 17,
1999 was the first communication that we have received on this matter.
This land is owned by a group of my family members and was purchased in 1986
with the intention of holding the land for development. When the land was
purchased, we asked about the timeframe for city water and sewer development
at this site, and were told that this would occur in about 1998. We have
held the land for 13 years as an investment, paying taxes on "land,
non -homesteaded" in the anticipation that the property could be developed in
1998, give or take a few years. We are ready to begin development as soon
as we receive the required zoning change to LA -1.
We have always planned to develop the land:
` It was purchased from Wallace Cates (a contractor) in 1986.
` Carl A. Evans (my father, an owner since 1986) has developed land in
Shoreview.
` Penny and John Dando (sister and brother-in-law, also owners since
1986) purchased their share as an investment.
April and Lawrence Swanson (my husband and I, owners since 1992)
purchased the majority of the Dando sharp as an investment.
• No home was built on this land, giving flexibility in platting the
land when it is developed.
We understand the desire by residents in the area to maintain a rural
atmosphere in Plymouth. If this is the goal, the burden must be bom by all
property owners, not just a few parties. A fairer alternative to maintain a
rural atmosphere is to set aside a portion of open land on every development
parcel. All LA -1, LA -2, LA -3, or LA -4 sites should include a certain
percentage of unbuilt open space.
It is not reasonable to expect that land in this location will go
undeveloped. It is very close to 1-494, and there is significant building
in areas west of this land. Denying us the full economic use of our
property without suitable compensation is not fair.
The limit of one home on a 20 acre parcel is an extreme restriction on land
use that is not necessary and is not consistent with development on
adjoining property on the west side of Vicksburg lane, which are 5 acre well
and septic lots. There is no a priori reason why the lack of city sewer and
water would dictate a 5 acre minimum lot size. I have lived in an upscale
area where all well/septic lots were 1 acre. If there is a concern about
the effectiveness of septic systems, active mound waste treatment systems
are in use that give superior performance and can be located on lot sizes of
acre or smaller. Use of well/septic systems should not restrict the lot
size to 5 acres or larger.
If there are concerns about burdening city services such as fire
departments, snow plowing, or schools, this can also be addressed in a more
equitable manner. Decreasing the proposed density of a LA -2 site to a LA -1
site would compensate for designation of our property as a LA -1 site. This
allows the benefits of city services to be more equally shared by all.
We are vitally interested in the outcome of the Planning Commission meeting.
We are available to discuss any of these points with members of the Plymouth
Commission. Please keep us informed of any developments.
Thank you for your consideration of our comments.
Sincerely,
April J. Swanson (Lawrence Swanson)
Work phone: (630) 420-4884
Home phone: (708) 544-4704
FAX: (630) 420-4341
Address: 1540 Harding Avenue
Berkeley, IL 60163
John Dando (Penny Dando)
Work phone: (612) 935-3471
Home phone: same
FAX same
Address: 5141 St. Marys Place
Minnetonka, MN 55345-4849
Carl A. Evans, Jr.
Home phone: (651) 484-1834
Address: 1000 West County Rd. B-2
Roseville, MN 55113
April
April J. Swanson
BP Amoco Asphalt US
Telephone: 630 420-4884
swansoaj@bp.com
Page 1 of 1
Internet Contact
From: A. Craig Muri [acm@wavefront.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 1999 10:50 PM
To: contact@ci.plymouth.mn.us
Subject: Land Use Plan for 2020 Urban Expansion Area Plymouth Comprehensive Plan
October 12, 1999
Dear Committee Members,
I am a local pastor in Plymouth representing a congregation of approximately 80
family units. In my 10 years here housing has been an ongoing problem. Our families who
rent in Plymouth cannot afford to buy homes in Plymouth. Others who move to the twin
cities and are attracted to our church cannot afford to live in this community. Young couples
looking for starter homes are forced to locate in 1 st or 2nd tier suburbs or outside the city.
Urban planning should not court a single economic segment to the exclusion of the others.
A very large proportion of the families that are not accommodated in the current plan are
solid, stable, productive, middle class, hard working, folk who work here, worship here, shop
here, build our economy but simply cannot afford to here. It is an imbalance and an injustice
that we should work hard to rectify. I realize that I'm not speaking to the whole issue before
the committee. My concern is primarily for affordable housing for the average income family.
Thanks for taking our comments.
Craig Muri
Parkers Lake Baptist Church
14720 County Road Six
Plymouth, MN 55447
473-3552
parkers.lake@jun.o.com
10/13/99
,�- t e-0 /0-(,q1
City of Plymouth Council Members and Plymouth Planning 9 yrs: .w,
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447`������`'''!!!!!!,,
i�
UT 12 11,993
Attention Plymouth Councilors and Commissioners: ;
I am writing as a Plymouth tax payer for over 40 years with great anticipation, ur
Plymouth community elected and volunteer members value all people- witho stinctioi
to have adequate affordable housing in our great city! It only seems fair at we must be
responsible in meeting the housing goals which require adequate guidelines that will
ensure honest action through your word and vote.
Our family consists of 4 adult children, none of them can afford the housing costs and/or
the lack of availability in Plymouth. Two of them work in Plymouth and have to
commute 30/15 miles respectively on a daily basis, because of the housing crises. Don't
try to say there is adequate affordable housing in Plymouth, it simply does not exist.
I've attended the Council of Churches and Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable
Housing (MICAH) forums on the housing needs and heard personal testimony of needs. I
am a volunteer driver for Interfaith and Community Partners where I hear peoples stories
and see the stress placed on them and their children.
I was an employer in Plymouth for over 20 years and certainly experienced first hand
frustration with the lack of affordable housing, plus limited public transportation. Quality
teachers could not find adequate living conditions that coincided with a bus line, therefore
not able to take jobs.
All it takes is one glance in the "help wanted" sections of the Plymouth Post newspaper
and we realize the crunch employers are in. I don't think there is any establishment in
Plymouth that does not have a "help wanted" sign, let alone having to close sections of
their store due to lack of help. Yes, I am proud of Plymouths attempts to bring potential
employees into our community for jobs and relocation through the organizing of job fairs.
Can we be just as creative in planning for adequate affordable housing and
transportation?
One day a week I volunteer in a community agency for homeless and jobless people. The
daily conversations are monopolized with frustrations due to the lack of transportation for
a job interview, enough money to make first months rent, plus damage deposits, plus
background checks all in the name of at least $1000.00 to get into a place should one be
lucky to find a vacancy
Your support for the benefit of our community and the people who want to live in our
City are counting on equal opportunity housing for all stages in our life cycle, support for
families and singles who deserve affordable housing.