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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 02-28-1997i FEBRUARY 28,1997 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE. NOTE: Beginning March 5, Ward 1 Councilmember Tim Bildsoe will begin holding sessions in the Administration Library, beginning at 6:00 p.m. before each Council meeting to meet with residents and receive their comments. 3. MARCH 4 5:30 P.M. BOARD AND COMMISSION RECOGNITION RECEPTION Council Chambers MARCH 5 6:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Discuss New Direction of I-494 Corridor Commission Medicine Lake Room MARCH 5 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers MARCH 19 6:00 P.M. INTERVIEWS OF BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICANTS Medicine Lake Room MARCH 19 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers (Tentative) BUSINESS RELATIONS SUB -COMMITTEE, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 6: 00 P.M., Medicine Lake Conference Room. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 7:30 P.M., Medicine Lake Room. CITY CO UNCIL INFORMATION MEMO February 28, 1997 Page 2 4. PLANNING COMMISSION, TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE, TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 7:00 P.M., Hadley Lake Room. 6. PRAC, THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers. 7. MEETING CALENDARS — February and March meeting calendars are attached. (M-7) 1. STAFF REPORTS a. Report from Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt with the latest sketch plan of the City Center site. (I -]q) 2. MINUTES a. Suburban Transit Association Board of Directors meeting of January 14, 1997. (I -2a) 3. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a. Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee 1997 Report to the Legislature. (I -3a) b. Notice from Hennepin County Commissioner Penny Steele of a Town Meeting to be held Monday, March 18, at the Plymouth City Hall, beginning at 7:00 P.M, in the council chambers. (I -3b) 4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY- CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter to Andrew Goodman from Park Director Eric Blank addressing comments about the East Medicine Lake Regional Trail. Attached is Goodman's original letter. (I -4a) A status report on the most recent correspondence is attached. 5. CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter to the Mayor from Michael Johnson expressing support for reguiding of the Seven Ponds commercial area from Commercial to Commercial Office. (I -5a) 6. FRIDAY FAX, the League of Minnesota City's weekly update on legislative activity. (I--6) d Plymouth Human Rights Commission March 6, 1997 7:30 p.m. Agenda I. Call to Order II. Approval of Agenda III. Approval of Minutes IV. Old Business a. Calendar of Events/Work Plan b. Random Acts of Kindness V. New Business a. Student Involvement in Human Rights Commission b. Community Education Plan/Newsletter c. Draft Incident Report Form VI. For Information a. List of commission applicants interested in Human Rights VII. Adjourn (0 - 1 ti 00 i� l� 00 03 F 6 ore r� I � a oU � 'oU ZO op g C F o 10 c Q a� 23i NTr a NO oaUU2 ox09 00 'W" C13ti u ¢� NO >r ;3 ;3 !a� :OE LJ oa0 °' 84 gc� n 0 M0.UU to O o o0U M O vS F W o �o amb Mix LLII L—J wig II �! 00 N {LNP�ONm I CIS "Cl n aN -°—°N M O cd ISO abi i iU �I iu pyU• IxU �Fz� os �a� ori oUl N b �� O � Cl boa a Imos z . U E u _ Q c ami 0. O .] GJ muCLI 0 a e 3 00 n ti N N > �zz vi U a9 S 0 zo Q a L U �U CL Z>Z a M 0 00 o U U $ v o U U tNI 00 ^+ N N C� O r^srr �3 a Nar -- N NO�bN� V1 I TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Anne Hurlburt, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Sketch Plan, City Center Site DATE: February 27, 1997 Attached for your information is the latest sketch plan for the City Center site to be developed by Mann Theaters and Carlson Real Estate. Based on a preliminary staff review of the sketch, Mann and Carlson are proceeding with preparation of detailed site plans, grading, utility, landscaping and building plans. Much detailed design work remains, but some of the important features of this plan are: • The plan provides a full access on Vicksburg Lane, at a sufficient distance (about 640 feet) north of Highway 55 so full access to the property on the west side of Vicksburg can also be provided. • The location of the entrance to the site from Vicksburg and the internal circulation plan address our earlier concerns about traffic "cutting through" Cub Foods to access the theater site. • The plan would eliminate the current right -in right -out access to Cub Foods. We understand that this plan has Cub's full support and legal documents to that effect are being prepared. Cub's access would seem to be significantly improved by this plan. • While much more detailed design work is needed, it appears that the number of parking spaces is improved from the previous sketch, which may allow the number of seats in the theater to be increased. This is achieved partly through more efficient site utilization (by avoiding a curved driveway) and by agreements to share parking with the Colony Liquor store. • The plan assumes that 35 h Avenue west of 34`h Avenue would be vacated, and absorbed as part of the project. We will be scheduling the required public hearing on the roadway vacation as soon as possible. In the next few weeks, we will be working closely with Mann and Cub on all the detailed design work needed to get construction underway this spring. We anticipate that the full site plan will be reviewed by the City Council at its April 16 meeting. nmmcovr �� gggs g g g 1 i ` bbbri b b !t 1 ' b a 7 "N '3AV < s u I � r � a aj A R A A A A _ _ a a 1 V z N 3NVI oLin9sx-lA ° SUBURBANTRANSITASSOCIATION League of Minnesota Cities Building 145 University Avenue West, Suite 450 St. Paul, Minnesota 55103 Phone: (612) 228-9757 Fax: (612) 228-9787 SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING JANUARY 14, 1997 LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES BUILDING 12:00 Noon - 2:00 P.M. MINUTES The meeting was called to order by STA Interim Chair Mayor Joy Tierney. Voting members present: Mayor Gary Humphrey, Apple Valley; Councilmember Sandy Masin, Eagan; Mayor Joy Tierney, Plymouth; Councilmember Tom Kedrowski, Prior Lake; and Michael Leek, Shakopee. Also present: Beverley Miller, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority; John Sweeney, Plymouth Metrolink; Colleen Dockendorf, Southwest Metro Transit; Margaret Shreiner, Dakota County; Sid Inman, Ehlers and Associates; Bob Renner, Marty Muenzmaier and Jennifer Peterson, Messerli & Kramer P.A. It was moved by Beverley Miller and seconded by Colleen Dockendorf that the Minutes from the November 20, 1996 Board of Directors meeting be approved as presented. The motion was adopted. The Board discussed election of officers for 1997. Nancy Tyra -Lukens and Mayor Joy Tierney were nominated to serve as co-chairs. It was moved by Beverley Miller and seconded by Colleen Dockendorf that the co-chairs be approved as nominated. The motion was adopted. It was then moved by Michael Leek and seconded by Beverley Miller that the City of Shakopee continue to serve as Treasurer for the STA for 1997. The motion was approved. The Board discussed the 1997 Legislative Committee. Membership composition in 1996 was: three members from Minnesota Valley Transit Authority; two members from Southwest Metro Transit; one member from Plymouth Metrolink; and one member from Shakopee Area Transit. It was moved by Beverley Miller and seconded by Michael Leek that the membership composition for the 1997 Legislative Committee remain the same as in 1996 and that each transit authority would appoint their own members. The motion was adopted. Members: Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Plymouth Area Transit, Shakopee Area Transit, Southwest Metro Transit Commission Bob Renner reviewed the recommendations of the Legislative Committee for the 1997 Legislative Delegation meeting scheduled for January 24. He explained that a letter of invitation, signed by Mayor Joy Tierney, had been sent to all 25 STA legislators and that a number of legislators had already responded that they plan on attending. Bob Renner explained that the Legislative Committee felt it would be a good idea to invite at least one legislator to speak at the meeting. The Board made a number of suggestions for possible legislators, including Representatives Becky Kelso and Tom Workman, .and Senator Dave Knutson. There was some Board discussion about whether or not to invite members of the Metropolitan Council. It was decided that the Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee would be invited. Tom Kedrowski suggested that the STA might want to schedule a separate meeting with Metropolitan Council representatives to discuss respective 1997 legislative issues and initiatives. Bob Renner then briefly reviewed the transit issues included in the Metropolitan Council's 1997 Legislative Agenda. Beverley Miller and Sid Inman from Ehlers and Associates explained to the Board that Minnesota Valley Transit Authority was exploring the use of tax increment financing (TIF) to develop a new transit hub. Bob Renner explained that trying to expand the use of TIF would be difficult for the STA to accomplish given current legislative sentiments against TIF. The Board discussed the possibility of adding the expansion of TIF to the 1997 STA Legislative Agenda. It was moved by Sandy Masin and seconded by Mayor Gary Humphrey that a bill be drafted that would create a demonstration project to use TIF as an incentive to develop a transit hub with adjoining business establishments. The motion was adopted. Bob Renner said that he would speak with legislators about this use of TIF prior to a February Board meeting. At the February meeting, the Board will determine if this issue should be added to the 1997 STA Legislative Agenda. Bob Renner reviewed the 1997 STA Legislative Agenda. He explained that in the Department of Revenue Omnibus Technical Bill there would be language requiring cities that choose to levy their own transit tax to make this decision by June 30 of each year. He also suggested that it would be a good idea for the STA to add an amendment to this bill requiring counties to put the transit tax levy on a separate line each year on tax statements. This separate notification was required for taxes payable in 1997. Bob Renner discussed Metropolitan Council proposed legislation to revise the formula which determines the level of service transit operations provide. The Metropolitan Council's bill would add paratransit trips as part of the service level calculation. This would reduce the amount of tax feathering reimbursement for several STA cities. There was Board discussion about whether this issue should be added to the 1997 STA Legislative Agenda now or after a review of financial impact had been completed. It was moved by Michael Leek and seconded by Colleen Dockendorf that opposition to this tax PE 1 -• 2C a+• feathering change be added to the 1997 Legislative Agenda at this time. The motion was adopted. Bob Renner briefly reviewed bill introductions relating to transit. He explained that a few bills had been introduced to increase the gas tax, one of which would also amend the Minnesota Constitution to permit the use of a portion of motor vehicle excise taxes (sales taxes on automobiles) to fund transit. Bob also reviewed legislation that would require stronger penalties for assaulting bus drivers. The Board expressed concern that the language in this legislation would not cover volunteer drivers of van pools or Metro Mobility drivers. Bob Renner stated that he would check with legislative staff to help ensure full coverage for opt out providers. The Board set February 19 from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. as the date and time for the next Board meeting. The meeting will be held at the Plymouth City Hall. It was moved and seconded that the meeting be adjourned The motion was approved and the meeting adjourned. JJftp:8395-1.WSls 3 February 25, 1997 Dear City Administrator; MINNESOTA SHADE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Room 226 90 West Plato Boulevard Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107-2094 10 Each year the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee (7n `fAC) submits a report to our state legislature on the state of our urban and community forests. I am pleased to provide you and your community with a copy of that same report. It is communities like yours that are the grass root beneficiaries of good solid community forestry programs. As you browse through the report keep in mind that any or all of the issues listed can and probably do affect your community at this very moment or in the future. You may be surprised to find that your neighbors are battling tree problems such as Oak Wilt, Gypsy Moth, storm damage and woodland tree preservation. Without funding for these problems urban and community forests will no longer be benefiting the lives of Minnesota residents. The intent of this report is to inform and enlighten our state legislators and you, as a community leader, to the importance of trees in local government programs. Unlike state and federal forests, urban and community forests are touched by over 80% of Minnesota residents every day. Their care and management are now essential parts of Minnesota community infrastructures. I hope this report informs and enlightens you to the concerns and needs of urban and community forests such as yours. I also hope that this report raises some questions for you and your colleagues in respect to trees in your town. Please call upon any of the parties affiliated with MnSTAC or myself if questions do arise. We want you to be informed. Sincerely, T I a,4t ,�-k/(ex?t,�-lAuC/" Mark C. Schnobrich Interim Chair Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee "Coordinating Minnesota's efforts to preserve and renew its urban forests. " EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA \ISIMnSTACx 10 Report to the 1997 Legislature" Dateline: Minnesota, USA- January 1997 The Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee (MnSTAC) has just released -its ``Revort to the 1997 Legislature". In this Report, MnSTAC reminds us that trees have in the past and continue to play now and in the future an integral part of our human exis- tence. The mission of the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee is "to advance 'frees ,ks Community Infrastructure "You can't see the forest for the trees." Maintain Consistent Funding for Tree Programs "Trees and people need each other." Minnesotan's commitment to the health, care and future of all community forests." Each year, MnSTAC prepares a Report to the State Legislature detailing the current threats and issues to our urban forests, recent accomplishments,_ and opportunities for Legislative action. In 1997,.MnSTAC focus on these four areas: Woodland Preservation' and Tree Protection "Trees don't get any respect!" Tree "Smarts" -The Need for Education "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." - UE: TREES AS COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE `R AT: City -owned trees are seldom seen as an integral element of a community's infrastructure. Consequently, they fail to receive the proper care and attention they need. --Nationwide, community forests contribute a value of $30 billion to city infrastructures. --On average, for every four trees removed due to insects, diseases, storms, and/or construction, only one tree is replaced. --Spraying to control the spread of gypsy moth was completed on over 200 acres in the City of Apple Valley and Lent Township (1996 moth trapping indicated its poten- tial establishment in Minnesota). --Celebrated the one millionth foot of control•line plowed to combat the spread of oak wilt disease (some 4,000 infection centers have been treated in the seven -county Metropolitan Area since 1991). --Provide State funding for both the Gypsy Moth Control Program and the Oak Wilt Suppression Program at the MDA due to declining Federal funds to coordinate control efforts with other State and Federal Agencies. --Provide State funding for an urban and community forestry grant program to provide the necessary financial assistance to cities in need of improving the management of their community forest resource. ISSUE: MAINTAIN CONSISTENT FUNDING FOR TREE PROGRAMS THREAT: The proper care and maintenance needed for healthy community trees is th ened due to declining budgets at all levels of government (federal, state and local). AS: --Community forest products include: (1) increased property values; (2) safer, healthier communities with enhanced neighbor- hood livability; (3) cleaner air and purer water; and, (4) a more balanced and sustainable urban ecosystem. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: --Continued the DNR's "Minnesota ReLeaf" program (LCMR funded) providing $375,000 in energy conservation tree planting grants to Le Roy and Walker (and some 60 other cities) and non-profit groups. --Planted over 21,000 trees in 32 communities from Coleraine to Caledonia in cooperation with city volunteer organizations through MNDOT's Community Roadside Landscaping Partnership Program. OPPORTUNITIES: --Provide State funding -for the current Federally funded urban forestry positions, within the DNR, MDA, MES and MnDOT to secure the stability for the on-going grant and technical assistance programs. --Provide continuing State funding for the Minnesota ReLeaf Program and the Community Roadside Landscaping Partnership Program to assist communities in enhancing and properly managing their trees. JSSUE: WOODLAND PRESERVATION AND TREE PROTECTION 7,: --An .average urban tree supplies annual values consisting of air conditioning, $73; $75 for soil erosion/ stormwater control; wildlife shelter, $75; and, air pollution control, $50; total annual value $273. Over 50 years the compounded benefits equal nearly $57,000. ••In cooperation with the Minnesota OEA, DNR, EQB, MES, PCA, DOT, the Metropolitan Council and the USDA Forest SeR ice the "1996 Minnesota Conference on'Sustainable Development' was held and attended by nearly 800 federal, state, county, city staff and private individuals. **In cooperation with the DNR, developed a "travelling" tabletop display on Woodland Preservation and Tree Protection. OPPO T NJI S: --Provide State funding for continuing education efforts directed at community officials, builders, developers, and property owners about tree preservation and other efforts for -appropriate community sustainable development. -Provide State funding for the development, printing and distribution . of a publication on the "Best Management Practices for Development in Wooded Areas". PACTS: • Tree "topping" (removing all of a tree's upper limbs) for maintenance is the primary improper technique damaging our city's trees. "The majority of an urban tree's root system is located within the top 12 inches of the surface. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: ••The Tree Trust, DNR and MES continued the `TREES for Teens" education program with various projects undertaken in 39 schools. • The MnDOT produced a CD-ROM `Trees and Shrubs for Minnesota Landscapes and Roadsides" to assist communities in proper plant selection. ••The Tree Emergency Response Task Force distributed 650 folders of disaster mitigation information. --Provide additional State funding for the 'TREES for Teens" program to expand the number of schools and community -service projects. "Provide State funding to develop a CD-ROM regarding proper tree planting and tree maintenance. --Provide State funding for the expansion of efforts related to storm damage mitigation and disaster response for tree needs. MnSTAC Member Affiliations The Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee (MnSTAC) is recognized throughout Minnesota for its expertise, advice,. coordination, and support related to urban and community forestry. It is an advocate for -public and private community forestry interests statewide and serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of ideas and information. MnSTAC is an organization of diverse individuals representing a wide spectrum of tree related interests. It fosters and supports local community tree programs across the state so that healthy community forests are fully integrated into community development, infrastructure, education and man- agement. Approximately 150 people are now members of MnSTAC which holds its monthly meetings throughout the State. The following list recognizes communities, organizations, businesses, and agen- cies represented on MnSTAC: Accent Company; American Forests; Anoka County Conservation District; Anoka County Tree Board; Bachman's Wholesale Center; Bailey Nurseries, Inc.; Bullock Tree; Canopy Tree Care; Chisago-Isanti Woodland Council; Cities of: Andover, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Duluth, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Ham Lake, Hibbing, Hutchinson, Lino Lakes, Mankato, Maple Grove, Mounds View, New Brighton, New Hope, Plymouth, Ramsey, Robbinsdale, Roseville, Savage, St. Louis Park, St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, Thief River Falls; City of Ramsey Tree Board; Cook Company; Dakota County Parks Department; Dahlgren, Shardlow, and Uban, Inc.; Dain Bosworth, Inc.; EnvironMentor Systems; Heartwood Forestry; Hennepin County, Department of Environment and Energy; Hennepin Parks; Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy; Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, Mineland Reclamation Division; Itasca Community College; Kunde Company Inc.; Living Sculpture Tree Care; Merriam Park Environmental Committee; Minneapolis Committee on Urban Environment; Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board; Minneapolis Star and Tribune; Minnehaha Creek Watershed District; Minnesota Association of SWCD's; Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Protection; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry; Minnesota Department of Public Service; Minnesota Department of Transportation; Minnesota House of Representatives; Minnesota Office of Tourism; Minnesota Office of Waste Management; Minnesota Power;- Minnesota Senate; Minnesota State Horticultural Society; Mycological Applications; National Urban Forest Council; Northern States Power; Plant Health Associates, Inc.; Plant Disease Diagnostics; Rainbow Treecare; Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department; River Front Corporation; Rochester Parks and Recreation; Sherburne County Tree Board; Treescapes; Source Technology Biologicals, Inc.; St. John's University; Top Notch Tree Care; Tree Trust; University of Minnesota, Departments of: Entomology, Forest Products, Forest Resources, Plant Pathology, and Minnesota Extension Service; Minnesota Landscape Arboretum; United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service -Northeastern Area and North Central Forest Experiment Station; Vernix Forestry Consultants; V.A. Medical Center; Washington County Health Department; Wilkinson Hardwoods. , MnSTAC is committed to .bring the gest information and resources to the r)ublic,professiooals and decision -makers of Minnesota. For more information contact: Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee 90 West Plato Boulevard, Room 226 St. Paul, Minnesota 55107-2094 Printed with soy based ink on recycled paper (containing at least 10% post -consumer waste). I'h\�;1 ~1'1':1':1.1•: pIN I'Ii�� J •,L' :r. ('()N1 \1LS.Sh )NV1t W Z ". k X .� .,` c' 03 - .^_.+ i�NESO P BOARD ov HENNEPIN COUN'T'Y COMMISSIONERS NIINN1-:AN)1.iti, MI[ NE.SOTA 55487-0240 February 27, 1997 The Honorable Joy Tierney y - Mayor �- City of Plymouth a=i 3400 Plymouth Boulevard i L ? J ir:97 Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mayor Tierney: As elected officials, we are all concerned ab-NOWalarA-r6form and how it will impact recipients, taxpayers, and our communities. For this reason, I will be hosting three Town Meetings to discuss the impacts of welfare reform with constituents and local officials. I would like to invite you to attend one of these meetings to share your viewpoints on this important issue. Your opinions are valuable to me as I serve as the Chair of Hennepin County's Welfare Reform Policy Committee. The Committee will be integral to implementing welfare to work plans in Hennepin County. Your input is essential to ensure that cities like yours are heard when the Policy Committee makes recommendations to the County Board and ultimately the Legislature. The Town Meetings will be held Monday, March 17, at the Champlin Library, 12154 Ensign Avenue; Tuesday, March 18 (with fellow Commissioner Mark Stenglein) at the Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard; and Wednesday, March 19, at the Orono City Hall, 2750 Kelley Parkway. All meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. Welfare reform will be a continuing process and I hope you will join me in listening to our constituents and presenting your perspective as a policy maker for your city. I have enclosed copies of the promotional flyer which you may copy and distribute to any of our constituents, if you wish. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 348-7887. Sincerely, Penny Steele County Commissioner - 7th District PS:pr Enclosures 4-� Lor- , PENNY STEELE AND MARK STENGLEIN ]H[IENNIE]P'IN COUNTY COMM I[SS][(0)NIERS ](N \ul[T E YOIU( TO JOIN THEM AT A\ TOWIN MEETING G TO TAILIK ABOUT WELFARE REFORM DISCUSSION WILL FOCUS ON WELFARE REFORM AND WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO ALL OF SIS. THEY WANT YOUR OPINIONS NS AND IDEAS AS THE COUNTY AND STATE WORK TOGETHER TO REFORM MINNESOTA'S WELFARE SYSTEM. JOIN THEM AT 7:oo P.M. ON: TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1997 AT THE PLYMOUTH CITY HALL, 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SER VED February 21, 1997 Andrew J. Goodman 10225 28th Avenue N Plymouth, MN 55441 Dear Mr. Goodman: CITY OF PLYMOUTF+ I have received your letter dated February 17 with regard to the East Medicine Lake Regional Trail. For your information, this week, both the City Council and the Hennepin Parks Board have given final approval to the plan for the East Medicine Lake Regional Trail. The specific section you're looking at between 36th Avenue and Medicine Ridge Road will have an off- road trail designated. For the area adjacent to the Mission Farms and running down toward the lake, the trail will be separated from the road by about an eight foot boulevard. The rest of the way through that area along the lake, the trail will be separated from the road by a curb rising up and elevating it away from the roadway surface. This project is scheduled to be underway this year along with the actual upgrade of the road itself. The Engineering Department will be monitoring this program and looking at ways we can make that road safer. We have also been made aware of the speeding going on in this area, and we will work with the Police Department to attempt to slow the speeding down. Thank you for your time and interest in this matter. If I may of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call. Sincerely, , Eric J. Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np cc: ity Council Fred Moore Craig Gerdes Bob Wicklund, Hennepin Parks Barry Warner, SRF PLYMOUTH :I Beautiful Plate 110 Cine 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 Plymouth City Council 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Andrew J. Goodman Esta G. Goodman 10225 28th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55441 February 17, 1997 Re: Proposed East Medicine Lake Regional Trail Dear Council: I am writing this letter concerning the issue of the regional trail currently being proposed on East Medicine Lake Boulevard between 36th Avenue and Medicine Ridge Road. As an avid bike rider who lives in the area I would love to have a bike trail. However, while my desire to have a bike trail is a preference, I would strongly urge the council to consider what I believe is a necessity and that has to do with SAFETY. Most of the area between 32nd Avenue North and Medicine Ridge Road does not even have a shoulder to walk on and there is barely enough width in the street for two oncoming vehicles to pass each other. I have witnessed several near tragedies while walking or biking along this route involving other bike riders or pedestrians. In fact, one evening I had to jump out of the way of a vehicle and ended up rolling down a hill towards the lake. Unless something is. done concerning these safety issues, it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed. While the aesthetics and recreational value of a bike trail would undoubtedly serve the community well, if such a plan will take several years to complete, the council should consider doing something immediately with respect to the safety issues. Very truly yours, Andrew J. Goodman AJG/pjb O� O1 O, a, rn rn T (31 V) N N 00 T T [� [� r— M -- � ON 01 C1 M It O M •-+ . -. —+ -- N N N N N N , -- '- N N , 4 --� �-- •--� •--� —4 -- N N N N N M Q\ O1 O� 01 01 01 Q1 r- r O� i i i •-- •-- r-+ N N M N 1-4O � O O O —+ N 00 N February 23, 1997 Joy Tierney, Mayor City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Tierney: I am writing this letter to express my support for the Planning Commission's nearly unanimous recommendation to reguide the Seven Ponds commercial area from Commercial to Commercial Office. I, along with my neighbors, feel that this petition is. -more in line with the City's comprehensive zoning ordinance and serves the interests of our city and our community best. It does not take away the developer's ability to gain economically from his property and yet does protect the welfare and safety of our neighborhood. I object strongly to the planning staff's study on this issue. I believe they misrepresented or ignored the numerous concerns and objections of the surrounding neighborhood in both their study and their conclusions. More importantly they seemed to totally disregard the hard numbers, facts and findings of the independent traffic study which was commissioned. I believe the planning commissioners, as well as anybody else who was in attendance at the January 28th and February 11th public hearings, came to the same conclusion. The current delay in your action on this issue to look at alternative designs for access to this site will not change my position in any way. I applaud the decision to relook at a full County Road 24 access and to eliminate the Garland Lane intersection as an access to this site; it should have been done a long time ago. It will go a long way in reducing many of the obvious safety concerns associated with this site brought up by the traffic study. It will not, however, alleviate any of the other multitude of problems, concerns and objections if this area was to remain intense service commercial. This site never should have been allowed to remain commercially guided. The dynamics of the neighborhood that has been built, and even encouraged by this same developer, simply make a commercial guiding of the area unworkable, undesirable and inconsistent with the history of good Plymouth city planning. I know the developer has threatened legal action if he loses, and though I am not a lawyer, the legal experts we have consulted with and the Minnesota case studies we have researched all agree that the City's right to reguide this area to Commercial Office Z S is strongly supported by the Minnesota courts. I strongly urge you to support the general welfare and enjoyment of our community and not the economic interests of one or two developers and vote in favor of the planning commission's recommendation to reclassify the Seven Ponds area from Commercial to Commercial Office. Thank you very much. Sincerely, Sp Michael P. Johnson 3345 Everest Court Plymouth, 14N 55447 449-6838 FEB 28 '97 02:06PM LEAGUE OF MN CITIES P. 1 LMC0 FRIDAYFAx +- Vol. 2, No. 8 a. P."V awrw r A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities February 28, 1997 Not all surplus news is rosy On the day that state officials announced they will collect $1.7 billion more than they need from Minnesota taxpayers, the Gover- nor hinted at restricting local levy authority and a need to increase local accountability. This week, the Minnesota Department of Finance an- nounced that additional revenues have boosted the projected state budget surplus by an additional $892 million for the upcoming 1998-99 biennium. This projected increase over the November 1996 forecast surplus of $1.4 billion is largely due to a combination of increases in the projections for major tax revenues and reductions in human services related state spending. With this unprecedented surplus, Governor Arne Carlson is proposing $1.3 billion in tax cuts for Minnesotans. Carlson is also proposing funding for white pine restoration, wheat scab research and deformed frogs. Unfortu- nately, it appears that cities are somewhere below those items on a priority list. Despite the rosy financial picture, Carlson said nothing about restoring the LGA cut he announced in his initial budget proposal. In addition, he sug- gested that local units of govern- ment must hold down their prop- erty tax levies. He indicated that the property tax reform proposal being developed by a group chaired by Revenue Commis- sioner Jim Girard (and personally appointed by the Governor) may include a provision requiring voter approval of local property tax levy increases. According to Carlson, this requirement would improve local accountability. Dollars and cents While media outlets are reporting the surplus to be $2.3 billion, the actual amount under current law is $1.7 billion. The difference is due to the new law that will repeal K-12 education appropriation caps and cost the state an estimated $614 million for the upcoming 1998-99 biennium. The Governor's $1.3 billion tax relief package includes, - $750 million income tax rebate. - $900 million in property tax relief over the next three years directed at commercial -industrial and apartment property taxes without shifting the burden onto residential property. - $150 million education tax credit/deduction for all Minnesota parents with a child in school. - $98 million in business and other tax reductions. What's wrong with this picture? $1.7 billion Estimated state surplus Governor's proposed LGA cuts $9 million Info needed on statewide brownfields A legislative initiative that would provide funding to mitigate and redevelop brownfields is gaining momentum at the Capitol. We need to obtain evidence of contaminated lands from outside the metropolitan area. If there is a contaminated site in your community, please fax a short paragraph describing the site and an estimated cost of mitigation and redevelopment to Andrea Atherton at the League as soon as pos- sible. The fax number is (612) 215-4116.