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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 01-24-19977 x JANUARY 24, 1997 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE. FEBRUARY 5, 1997 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers FEBRUARY 18, 1997 6:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Topic: Goals and Objectives Session Public Safety Training Room FEBRUARY 19, 1997 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers 2. PLANNING COMMISSION, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers. Agenda is attached. (M-2) 3. FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY], 2 P.M. - 7 P.M., Parkers Lake Pavilion. Schedule of events is attached. (M-3) 4. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 7:30 P.M., Medicine Lake Room. 5. PLANNING COMMISSION, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY]], 7.00 P.M., Hadley Lake Room. 7. PRAC, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers. CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO January 24, 1997 Page 2 8. MEETING CALENDARS — January, February, and March meeting calendars are attached. (M-8) 1. STAFF REPORTS a. Report from Public Works Director Fred Moore updating proposed legislation that would affect Plymouth transit programs. Also attached is a letter from City Manager Dwight Johnson to the Met Council's Mary Hill Smith, who was influential in resolving potential increases in tax increases for Plymouth residents. (I -]q) 2. MINUTES a. Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit meeting of December 11, 1996. (I -2a) b. I-494 Corridor Commission meeting of December 18, 1996 (unapproved). (I -2b) c. Planning Commission meeting of January 14, 1997. (I -2c) d. Suburban Rate Authority Annual Meeting, January 15, 1997. (I --2d) 3. NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a. News article from the Star Tribune Online, published January 17, detailing the acquisition of ValueRx by HCA Healthcare, the nation's largest private hospital chain. (I -3a) b. Impact, Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council newsletter, Winter 1997. (I -3b) c. Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council highlights of 1996. (I -3c) d. Plymouth Metrolink newsletter, Winter 1997 edition. (I -3d) 4. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY- CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter to Stacy Doyle from Park Director Eric Blank responding to comments about sidewalks and trails in Plymouth. Ms. Doyle's original letter is attached. (I -4a) b. Letter to Gary Hughes from Public Works Director Fred Moore responding to comments about snowplowing in Plymouth. Mr. Hughes' original letter is attached. (I - 4b) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO January 24, 1997 Page 3 c. Letter to the Mayor from North Memorial Health Care Safety and Security Director Pete Jaroscak with comments and attachments about speed bumps and safety. The letter has been forwarded to Public Safety Director Craig Gerdes. (I -4c) A status report on the most recent correspondence is attached. 5. CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter to TwinWest Chamber of Commerce President Larry Dowell from Manager Dwight Johnson providing City tax levy information. (I -5a) ® PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1997 (, 1 WHERE: Plymouth City Center 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CONSENT AGENDA All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 P.M. 2. PUBLIC FORUM 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 5. *CONSENT AGENDA 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. City of Plymouth. Consider reclassification of the commercial site located at the southeast corner of Highway 55 and County Road 24 "Seven Ponds Commercial Site" from "C" (Commercial) to "CO" (Commercial Office) on the City's land use guide plan; and, a concurrent rezoning of the property to "O -R" (Office Residential). (96181) (Public hearing to be opened and continued to February 11, 1997 meeting.) B. Fourth Baptist Church. Land Use Guide Plan Amendment, Rezoning, Preliminary Plat, Site Plan and Conditional Use Permits for construction of a church, K-12 school, seminary, and radio station to be located on the southeast quadrant of Forestview Lane and Old County Road 15. (96185) C. City of Plymouth. Consider a Land Use Guide Plan Amendment to reguide the property located in the northwest quadrant of Highway 55 and Dunkirk Lane from C (Commercial) and LA -1 (Living Area 1) to LA -2 (Living Area 2). (96188) 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Appointment of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson 9. ADJOURNMENT Fire & Ice Festival Parkers Lake Park Co. Rd. 6 & Niagara Ln. (1 mi. west of 494 & Co. Rd. 6 intersection) SATURDAY, FEB. 19 1997 2-7 p.m. SCHEDULED EVENTS 2:00-4:00 Perfect Chaos Kite Show 2:30-4:30 Youth Ice Fishing Contest (prizes for all 12 & Under) 3:00 Youth Skating Races Begin (ages 4-18) 3:30-5:30 Pig Roast ($5 per plate) 5:00 Northern Lights DJ Show 6:15 Eric the Juggling Magician 6:45 Fireworks ON-GOING EVENTS * "Bavarian Surf" Ice Surfer Demo * Ice Carving Demo * Bonfire * Ice Miniature Golf * Concessions * Snow Boarding Demo * Dog Sled Demo * Snow Bowling * Hayrides * Viking Kick Sleds * Hockey Goal Shooting * Winter Camping Demo This event is co-sponsored by: The Plymouth Civic League, CUB Foods Plymouth, DNR MINNAQUA Program, East Parkers Lake Improvement Assoc., Erickson's New Market, First Bank Plymouth, Franklin National Bank Plymouth, Highway 55 Party Rental, J.P. Food Service, MTI Toro, Medina Entertainment Center, Minnetonka/Plymouth Rotary Club, Norwest Bank Plymouth, Plymouth Lions, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center -Minneapolis, Rainbow Foods, Rod Gove Sign Painter and Plymouth Parks and Recreation. For more information, call Plymouth Parks and Recreation Dept., 509-5200. a U 00P6, PLO O m -F 00 h , CIS "d N O� b N O �r• � y y "d �u2 - d oC 0.U x U ax00p a ° a�. e roia� oU 0 �oU 00 t� v pT u. o ._" '�"a r ..yyyy 1 m p F1 •c0. t��S 30 mfg°'uz�0 U LL) 1% � z 8 oUUrn t� Nt ^, 00 z ^'-ter °- zF, T �� dp �P. ' UU O. � Nary 23 _ 00'o oUo U g oa oviQsn o�7z oZOU SO U c � �y oWe H X U O�� m 0 �O ACJ vi erH 8yF gyp. _ar p. o-Hn NI b=rev IIS ti ti °00 N � awe W Y �+ t� U CCS > o w N 00 CCS IZ U i2 12 N CCS ¢ - UV �Uv �V pCV NN oU oU y —= A '� 'ti V E ni _ �C C d U N 3 b� 00 h EnA a= ad ' a V Z ": xnUjF+, c4i 2OU�' a ' ovU ScgO.O U --N gU QZO t— F.., a•Dron C13 ��eOYN V N NNOH T O ^U ti Gti O � O N N CN b M cdc I� V1 t -- ON CIS � � � � � � 00 N N Cd � � cd N C13 ■ _ > W ¢I] .� e ± E . �L ,n $\ $/ \ \ y R° . > w u / ei�=a-\/ k / U / 00 C13 Zi @ $|°X �' )2R A. _ £§ 2§ I �r q ) $§ $8 # � c 0 C13 - � � DATE: January 22, 1997 TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager through Fred G. Moore, Director of Public Works J-, FROM: John R. Sweeney, Transit Administrator SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PROPOSED MET COUN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE PERTAINING TO TAX FEATHERING CHANGES I received a voice mail last night from Mark Fuhrmann, Metropolitan Council staff member, while I was at the 1997 Legislative dinner in the Public Safety training room. Based on input from Mary Hill Smith, as a result of your meeting with Mary Hill Smith on Friday, January 17, Mark has modified his position for the Metropolitan Council proposal to change the way tax feathering is calculated in the region. Mark now states that "The Dial A Ride and Mid-day Circulator are not additive in hours. The Dial A Ride weekly hours of 68 is what determines the feathering level which would be a partial unfeathering for the City of Plymouth." Based on the above interpretation, Plymouth will not be adversely impacted by the proposed legislation, due to the fact that we had already anticipated partial unfeathering when a decision was made to implement the Mid-day Circulator. Needless to say, I am pleased with the latest interpretation and happy that we were able to address this issue early in the process and resolve the matter harmoniously. Therefore, Plymouth can still expect a tax increase of approximately $150,000 payable in 1998, as originally anticipated when the Fixed Route Circulator was discussed, planned, and ultimately implemented. I will continue to monitor this proposal as it progresses through the legislative process and inform you immediately if there are any other surprises. cc: Mayor and City Council GAENGWRANSMMEMOS\UPDATE. DOC CITY OF PLYMOUTI+ January 23, 1997 Mary Hill Smith Metropolitan Council Mears Park Centre 230 East Fifth Street St. Paul, MN 55101-1634 Dear Mary: Thank you for meeting with myself and Mayor Tierney last week on our concerns about proposed transit legislation and its impact on the feathering status for Plymouth. Thanks to your prompt attention, our staffs have had further communication which has resolved the problem. We now understand that our Dial -A -Ride hours and our Mid- day Circulator hours are not additive. Instead, our Dial -A -Ride hours would now control our feathering level, and effectively leave us only partially unfeathered as we had planned all along. This solution is very satisfactory from our point of view and avoids an unplanned and unexpected $350,000 tax increase for Plymouth residents. Again, thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and we are pleased that it could be readily solved early in the process. Sincerely, a_c_� Dwig19D. Johnson City Manager cc: Mayor and City Council P, Y'CUTH 34,'10 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD 6 F..YL9OUTH. tti!NINESOTA 55447-148? • 7FLFF-_1 PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT December 11, 1996 PRESENT Joe Edwards, Herb Miller and Pat Huckleberry Representing MCTO - Sheri Gingerich and Dana Rude Representing Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc. - Dave Johnson Representing the City of Plymouth - John Sweeney Consultant for Plymouth Metrolink - George Bentley Representing Wayzata Adult Basic Education - Bev Coyne I. MEETING MINUTES Gingerich requested that a copy of the minutes be sent to Dana Rude. The minutes for the September 25, 1996 meeting were approved as written. II. RIDERSHIP INFORMATION 1992 - 1996 AND REVIEW OF RIDERSHIP STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER, 1996 George Bentley's Comments Ridership Graphs - Standard Ridership Ridership was up substantially in October. the passengers per day were up as well. ahead of where it has been in the past. There were 23 service days in October and The average passengers per month is well Dial -A -Ride - Ridership is ahead and passengers per day has stabilized. There are only two passengers per day more than last year but compared to where ridership was six months ago this is very good. Plymouth Metrolink - Passengers per day for Metrolink has come up quite substantially from the past. Ridership for all three routes (91, 92 and 93) is up. MINUTES - PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMIT= ON TRANSIT December 11, 1996 Page 2 Ridership Graphs - Revised Ridership The only difference between these and the standard graphs for 1996 is that they have been revised to show a true passenger count. This makes Metrolink consistent with the way other systems are counting passengers. Monthly Cost Summary Reports Overall on a system wide basis the subsidy per passenger is $4.22 which is down from last year. Dial -A-Ride - The subsidy per passenger for October is down to $7.84 which is still above where it should be but it is coming down. Plymouth Metrolink - The subsidy per passenger system wide is $2.79 for the month of October. Plymouth Metrolink - Route 91 - The numbers have come down. Overall, the subsidy per passenger is $3.74 which is below the threshold subsidy. Plymouth Metrolink - Route 92 - This route is doing very well with a subsidy per passenger of $2.60 in the month of October. Plymouth Metrolink - Route 93 - This route had a subsidy per passenger of $2.44 in the month of October and $2.79 for the year. M. IDENTIFICATION OF AREAS OF CONCERN AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS Herb Miller's Comments • Reported that last month's problem with the 6:11 p.m. 9 1 A shuttle leaving the park and ride before the Route 75N arrives occurred again a week ago. Miller had the Route 91B driver call dispatch and another bus was sent to pick him up. It has not happened since then. • On December 10 an incident occurred. A Route 76 pulled into the lot late and the connecting Route 91B had already left. There were two riders on that bus who were supposed to catch the Route 91B. One of riders took the 91A and insisted that the driver drop him off. Supposedly the Route 76 driver called dispatch and was supposed to have dispatch contact Laidlaw. G-UNG%TRANSn1PAC NWUrM 2I1MIN.DGC MINUTES - PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT 7 December 11, 1996 1'"✓ `� Page 3 • Miller reported an incident where a driver deviated significantly from the route. One of the riders was probably about one half a mile off the route. There were not a lot of passengers on the bus but this should be prevented from becoming a regular occurrence. • On November 26, the Route 75N at 12:12 p.m. did not show up. Gingerich stated that the driver was on the sick list and the route was covered on one day but not the next day. • The Route 75N departing at 5:36 p.m. from Washington and Marquette had 75T on its sign at the start of the route rather than 75N. The riders informed the driver and he made an adjustment a couple of blocks down the road. • Miller asked why the calendars were given out today. Dave Johnson said he would check it out. • Miller stated that the Laidlaw buses need a good cleaning. Dave Johnson said that he had already spoken to them about cleaning the buses. Joe Edwards Comment • Edwards requested that the seals on the doors be checked for drafts. Pat Huckleberry's Comments • Huckleberry commented on the difficulty in getting a Dial -A -Ride bus in the afternoon because of the students from Wayzata High School riding at that time. Coyne commented that adult students are coming in for a 9:00 a.m. class and some are coming in for a 12:00 class, with some leaving at 12:05 p.m. from the 9:00 a.m. class. There is also a pick-up at 2:20 p.m. She stated it is getting really full and some rides have been denied. These students are refugees and immigrants with no other means of transportation. She estimates that there are approximately 75 riders per week and commented on what a wonderful service Dial -A -Ride provides for them. Bentley asked if the students have looked at utilization of the Plymouth Rider. She did not know but it sounded like something that they could explore. 0-%MG%TRmsn1PACt1MINV W1Z-11MW.1M MINUTES - PLYMOUTH ADVISORY CONflvff EE ON TRANSIT December 11, 1996 Page 4 Sheri Gingerich's Comment • Gingerich reported a request from a rider wishing to board the Route 92D that comes by the General Mills Park and Ride when it deviates from its regular route to avoid traffic. Otherwise, she has to wait for a Route 75 which comes by about fifteen minutes later. It was decided that she would have to wait for the Route 75. W. DISCUSS NEW FIXED ROUTE CIRCULATOR SYSTEM THAT BEGAN SERVICE OCTOBER 7, 1996 John Sweeney's Comments • Sweeney stated that there has not been a lot of feedback either positive or negative. Jane Norling, the marketing representative, got the impression from Barb Roberts that some of the seniors at Plymouth Towne Square were using the circulator and starting to feel comfortable with it. Dave Johnson spoke with the two drivers at Ridgedale and was told that they are starting to get some regular riders. V. WINTER WEATHER EMERGENCY PLAN Bentley asked if the brochures had gone out on the buses yet. Gingerich stated that there has not been a general distribution of them but suggested that the drivers could hand them out to the Plymouth riders. VI. THE CITY WEB PAGE AND PUBLIC TRANSIT INFORMATION THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE Miller suggested that it would be nice to have the capability off of the Web site to print the schedules on 8'/z" x 11" paper so that they could be folded like regular schedules. Riders would then have easy access to an up-to-date schedule. 0-MMG%TRANsnVACMINUIT.%12,11MIN.DOC MINUTES - PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT December 11, 1996 'C— '? v Page 5 VII. JOB FAIR STEERING COMNUTTEE PLANNING MEETING ON NOVEMBER 12, 1996 George Bentley's Comments • At the Job Fair Steering Committee meeting the individual committees reported (Facilities and Event Committee, Outreach Committee, Transit Committee and Promotions Committee) and everything is moving along well with a target date of March 13, 1997. Bentley will be speaking with Gingerich regarding transportation needs for the event. VIII. ESTABLISHING A POLICY FOR TRANSPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN RIDING ALONE Sweeney received a request from a mother of a two year old to transport her child to daycare. Sweeney also received a letter that was sent to Mayor Tierney from the director of the Learning Readiness Program. Some four year olds are being transported to this program and the director stated that he was.unhappy with the transit service. Sweeney sees potential legal problems with transporting small children. The Anoka Traveler has a policy that allows no children under the age of six may use the system unless they are accompanied by a passenger 12 years or older. The airlines will transport any age for $50.00 additional but they have many rules and restrictions. Sweeney said he would continue working on this matter. The next PACT meeting will be held on January 22, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. in the Engineering Conference Room (Hadley Lake Room) on the lower level of the Plymouth City Hall. Respectfully, Patty Hillstrom Committee Secretary G:\ENO\TR4NSU\PACr1MU4UrFM12-1IMIN.DOC I-494 Corridor Commission/JPO Meeting Minutes of Wednesday, December 18, 1996 (Unapproved) I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 9:25am by Mayor Joy Tierney. Those in attendance were: Joy Tierney, Mayor of Plymouth Joyce Henry, Bloomington City Council Ross Thorfinnson, Eden Prairie City Council Russ Susag, Richfield City Council Larry Lee, City of Bloomington Dave Lindahl, City of Eden Prairie Mike Opatz, City of Maple Grove Clarence Shallbeter, Metropolitan Council Gina Baas, LJR, Inc. Lisa Raduenz, LJR, Inc, II. Review of Minutes. Minutes from the Wednesday, November 29,1996, meeting were brought up for Commission approval. Dave Lindahl moved to approve the minutes and Ross Thorfinnson seconded. Motion carried. Item V. was moved up on the agenda at this time. V. Discussion of City Meetings with Toll Road Advocates. Larry Lee indicated that Bob Zauner met with Bloomington officials to discuss the possibility of proposing a toll road project for I-494. Bloomington officials proposed doing a small demonstration project to test the toll collection technology that could be removed if it was determined not to continue with the project. They were told that Mn/DOT will be proposing legislation that allows for experimental projects to be built. Russ Susag also indicated that Zauner has met with Richfield officials and the Chamber of Commerce. He is wary of their motives - it appears they are trying to sell a product versus doing what is best for the corridor. Clarence Shallbetter remarked that the proposed big projects hold out the promise for additional road capacity. Thorfinnson stated that in the case of the proposed Hwy. 212 project, Eden Prairie residents did not see this as a benefit. There was also a brief discussion about the toll collection technology that could or could not be implemented on a project in the Twin Cities. We returned to Item III. on the agenda upon the arrival of Mike Opatz, Treasurer. III. Review of 1996 Financial Statement and Discussion of 1997 Budget. Opatz handed out a packet of financial information for Commission review. Shallbetter opened the discussion by indicating that there is a possibility that CMAQ money for TDM work may be available for time beyond the length of the LJR contract, again at an 80-20 match ratio. He also remarked that using that money may become more complicated if the Commission decides to revise the purpose of the contract. Lindahl stated that there is a relationship between TDM activities and roadway improvements and that a case can be made that advocating for roadway improvements benefits TDM efforts. Discussion of the budget will continue in the coming months. IV. Ongoing Discussion of Commission Role. LJR handed out copies of a proposal entitled "Recommending a Strategy" that outlines a new approach for the Corridor Commission. The group went through the presentation slide by slide and those present offered their initial impressions. Lee expressed concern about the "To raise public and media awareness of issues facing the 1-494 corridor" bullet under the Objectives heading. He indicated that if you make the problem sound too grave then prospective businesses may be reluctant to locate along the corridor. The Commission's message would need to be crafted in such a way as to make the case that we are working on a solution. Under "Today's Situation', Shallbetter remarked on the bullet "TDM efforts in the 494 corridor seem to have stalled." He stated that the Commission would have to make a strong case that this is indeed true. He also said that the group should agree on a definition for "transit", i.e. are we talking about more than just big buses. Raduenz suggested we save that discussion for another time. Concern was expressed by several members about expanding the membership of the Commission as well as changing the organizational structure. Those present wondered if it is necessary to alter the leadership structure of the Commission. Baas reminded those around the table that this is simply a proposal of how the Commission might change its focus. Member communities can and should make recommendations for changes to this proposal depending based on their beliefs in which direction this organization should be headed. At the end of the presentation, Lindahl remarked that he is generally supportive but that we should address the issues brought up for discussion. Thorfinnson suggested that the proposal be discussed with the cities not in attendance and that the Commission come back together at the next meeting to hash this out. He also indicated that Eden Prairie as a city wants to be more pro -active in this area. Lindahl proposed that each city work on the proposal individually and bring back changes for the next meeting. Shallbetter added that it will be important to clarify the role of the cities' elected officials. There will need to be an ability to deliver more than at the staff level. Lee suggested that the Commission become more technological in its communications by taking advantage of e-mail to promote and educate. People tend to take more notice of an e-mail than other types of communications. VI. Other Business. There was no business brought up under this item. VII. Next Meeting/Adjournment. The next meeting was set for Tuesday, January 14, 1997. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 am by Mayor Tierney. CITY OF PLYMOUTH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 14, 1997 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Allen Ribbe (arrived at 7:06 p.m.), Roger Berkowitz, Kim Koehnen, John Stoebner, and Bob Stein MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning Supervisor Barb Senness, Planners Shawn Drill, Kendra Lindahl, and John Rask, Building Official Joe Ryan, City Engineer Dan Faulkner, and Clerical Supervisor Denise Hutt 1. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. 2. PUBLIC FORUM: 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MOTION by Commissioner Stoebner, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz to approve the December 17, 1996 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. 5. CONSENT AGENDA: A. CARLSON REAL ESTATE COMPANY, INC. (96182) MOTION by Commissioner Berkowitz, seconded by Commissioner Koehnen to approve a Site Plan and Final Plat for Carlson Real Estate Company, Inc. for property located at the southwest corner of I-494 and Carlson Parkway. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. B. INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 281 (96187) MOTION by Commissioner Berkowitz, seconded by Commissioner Koehnen to approve a Site Plan Amendment to allow construction of a 13,045 square foot gymnasium Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1997 Page #2 addition at Armstrong High School located at 10635-36`h Avenue North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. BRW, INC. (96155) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by BRW, Inc. for a Sketch Plan, a Land Use Guide Plan Amendment, PUD General Plan Amendment and Preliminary Plat for development in the West Health Campus and Northwest Business Campus 13`h Addition located at the northwest and northeast corners of Highway 55 and Northwest Boulevard. Planning Supervisor Senness gave an overview of the January 9, 1997 staff report. Commissioner Koehnen asked if consideration was given to the possibilities of improving the intersection of Highway 55 and Northwest Boulevard, as it is extremely difficult to cross over lanes of traffic on Highway 55 if you were exiting I-494 east of Highway 55, and wanting to make a left turn on Northwest Boulevard. City Engineer Faulkner replied that the intersection was improved recently, and that there are no future plans for any other changes. Commissioner Berkowitz asked if the traffic study addressed Highway 55 and Industrial Boulevard, as it would provide an alternate route. City Engineer Faulkner replied that it will be signalized. Commissioner Berkowitz stated that he did not see an analysis of impervious coverage. City Engineer Faulkner stated that the applicant is required to build a treatment pond in the northwest portion of the site of significant size. Chairman Stulberg stated that since no variance is being requested, the applicant has met the zoning ordinance requirements. Chairman Stulberg introduced Miles Lindberg of BRW, Inc., the petitioner. Mr. Lindberg stated that they are requesting a change to the PUD because of changes in the medical field and the need for more commercial, service and hotel uses. Mr. Lindberg stated that since the original PUD was approved for the Northwest Business Campus, there has been a component including supporting commercial use within the campus. The proposed plan provides a better location for uses and for traffic flow. Mr. Lindberg stated that Frauenshuh Companies would be the developer for Parcel F, and retain ownership of Lot 1. Proposed uses for Parcel F consist of a gas/convenience car wash, restaurant, office/bank, bakery/bagel shop, and deli shop. Mr. Lindberg stated that they are working on a agreement with Holiday to operate the gas/convenience store, and that they indicated the need for a sign. Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1997 Page #3 Mr. Lindberg stated that a reduction of 100 seats was made to the restaurant on Parcel F. Mr. Lindberg stated that they will reserve additional right-of-way for the future addition of double left turn lanes to the east and west approaches to the Northwest Boulevard/Campus Drive intersection. Mr. Lindberg asked if park dedication fees could be applied toward the construction of the sidewalk on Campus Drive. Planning Supervisor Senness replied that the sidewalk is not on the trail plan, and did not think the City could entertain fees to be used for that. Director Hurlburt stated that when a trail is shown on the plan, the city can use dedication fees for a trail, but not for a sidewalk. Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one was present to speak on the issue. Commissioner Ribbe asked if this type of potential traffic was anticipated when the improvements were made to the intersection of Highway 55 and Northwest Boulevard. City Engineer Faulkner replied that these specific uses were not considered, but rather uses with the same amount of potential traffic generation. Chairman Stulberg stated that he was not sure what more could be done for the intersection, but agreed it can be difficult to get across the lanes of traffic. Director Hurlburt commented that one of the positive aspects of including commercial is the possibility of reducing the number of trips, and by mixing uses, it provides opportunities for shared trips. Commissioner Berkowitz concurred, stating that commercial uses spread the trips out more around the clock versus industrial uses. MOTION by Commissioner Berkowitz, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending approval of a Land Use Guide Plan Amendment for BRW, Inc. for property located east of Northwest Boulevard between Highway 55 and Campus Drive. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously. MOTION by Commissioner Stoebner, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz recommend approval of a Preliminary Plat and PUD General Plan Amendment for BRW, Inc. for property located east of Northwest Boulevard between Highway 55 and Campus Drive. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION carried unanimously B. VEIJO TARNANEN. (96164) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Veijo Tarnanen for a variance to encroach 2.5 feet into the required 6 -foot side yard setback for a 12 -foot by 20 -foot garden tool shed for property located at 20 Balsam Lane North. Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1997 Page #4 Building Official Ryan gave an overview of the January 10, 1997 staff report. Building Official Ryan stated that he contacted the neighbor that had concerns about the application. He stated that the neighbor no longer had a concern, as did not know that the garden tool shed had already been constructed. She thought that it was an application to construct one. Chairman Stulberg introduced Veijo Tarnanen of 20 Balsam Lane, the petitioner. Mr. Tamanen stated that he concurs with the staff report. Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the issue. MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending approval of a Variance request for Veijo Tamanen for property located at 20 Balsam Lane North. Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. C. DAHLSTROM, PETERSON, EIDEN PARTNERSHIP (96173) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Dahlstrom, Peterson, Eiden Partnership for a Preliminary Plat for nine lots for seven new single family homes and two existing homes for property located north of Rockford Road and west of Berkshire Lane. Planner Drill gave an overview of the January 8, 1997 staff report. Chairman Stulberg introduced Chuck Dillerud, of the Tony Eiden Company, 4100 Berkshire Lane, representing the petitioner. Mr. Dillerud stated that it is their intention to annex the new lots into the Plymouth Oaks Homeowners Association and therefore, they will abide by the same Declarations and Covenants. Mr. Dillerud stated that they discussed the concept of screening and berming along the west property line, but felt that the vegetation that is there now would be lost if they put in a fence. He stated that if a new buyer would insist upon it, they would do some sort of screening. Mr. Dillerud stated that they may try to do some berming where the vegetation is less significant, but would like to wait until they have the grading plan. Mr. Dillerud stated that they have some wetland mitigation as a function of Lot 9 that has already been approved by the City Council. Commissioner Ribbe asked if the Plymouth Oaks Homeowners Association restrictions will apply to Plymouth Oaks 2"d Addition. Mr. Dillerud replied affirmatively. Commissioner Ribbe voiced his concern for the lack of screening provided from the industrial property. He asked if the applicant is prepared to advise potential homebuyers about the industrial buildings. Mr. Dillerud replied that potential homebuyers would be Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1997 Page #5 told that the adjacent property is industrial property, but they have no guarantee as to who the tenants will be from one day to the next. ChairmanStulberg stated that the Commission could suggest that the marketing and sales documents reflect what currently exists for industrial buildings. Chairman Stulberg opened the public hearing. Chairman Stulberg introduced David Wanous of 4155 Dallas Lane. Mr. Wandus stated that Mr. Dillerud is correct that the home sites would abut the industrial building, and that the industrial building is very visible. Mr. Wanous stated it would be the potential homebuyer's fault if they can't see the building, and if they don't investigate the zoning. Mr. Wanous asked if it was the City's responsibility to replace the landscaping along County Road 9. City Engineer Faulkner replied that the City does have a landscape plan for spring planting for the entire length of the project. He stated that the landscaping would be more dense to the west of Fernbrook. Chairman Stulberg suggested that Mr. Wanous may want to come in and look at the Landscape Plan. Chairman Stulberg closed the public hearing. MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner recommending approval of a Preliminary Plat for Dahlstrom, Peterson, Eiden Partnership for Plymouth Oaks 2"d Addition located north of Rockford Road and west of Berkshire Lane. MOTION to Amend by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz adding a condition to the approving resolution requiring the developer to disclose information providing zoning, regulations and existing development of the property to the east. The information is to be incorporated into their marketing/sales information and purchase agreements. The information should also include the phone number of the Community Development Department as a contact for further questions. Commissioners discussed what information was to be provided to potential homebuyers. Commissioner Ribbe stated that there is an ethical obligation to go beyond the basics to inform potential homebuyers of the existing industrial building. Chairman Stulberg commented that the Commission has required other developers to disclose such information. He stated that he concurred with Mr. Dillerud that if the industrial neighbor does not live up to zoning ordinance requirements, it is up to them to fix the problem, not the applicant. Director Hurlburt stated that the Commission should only require the developer to disclose information that they can reasonably know. She stated that tenants can change, and the applicant would not have access to that information. Commissioner Stein asked if the condition were placed on the developer, how would it be enforced. Director Hurlburt replied that this is done in good faith by the developer. Planning Commission Minutes January 14, 1997 Page #6 Roll Call Vote on MOTION to Amend. 6 Ayes. MOTION carried on a unanimous vote. Roll Call Vote on Main MOTION. 6 Ayes. MOTION carried on a unanimous vote. 8. NEW BUSINESS: A. 1997 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE Chairman Stulberg stated that Commissioners should contact the clerical supervisor if they can't attend a meeting. Commissioner Ribbe stated that he would not be able to attend the meeting on January 28" Commissioner Koehnen stated that she would not be able to attend the February I Vh meeting. Chairman Stulberg stated he would not be able to attend the February 25'h meeting and the March 251h meeting. Chairman Stulberg stated that the Commission will need to elect a new chairman and vice-chairman at the next Planning Commission meeting. Also, they will have to appoint a new liaison to the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission. MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commission Koehnen to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY Pursuant to due call and notice, the annual meeting of the Suburban Rate Authority was held at the Golden Valley Country Club in the City of Golden Valley, Minnesota on Wednesday, January 15, 1997, commencing at 6:30 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Fred Hanus. 2. ROLL CALL: Birchwood Village Bloomington Burnsville Circle Pines Columbia Heights Eden Prairie Edina Fridley Golden Valley Hopkins Jordan Lakeland Lauderdale Maple Grove Minnetonka Minnetrista Mound New Brighton Osseo Robbinsdale Rosemount Roseville Shoreview Randall LaFoy Jim Gates Steve O'Malley Jim Keinath Mark Winson Don Jolly John Frane Ron Case John Wallin Bill Hunt Jeanne Andre Jim Gessele Ron Jabs Mary Pulse Tim Cruikshank Jon Elam Fred Hanus Todd Bennett Ed Shukle Mark Hanus Barbara Jeanetta Matt Fulton Phil Phenow Maria D'Andrea Walter Johnson Dave Waldock Edward Burrell Ton Landwehr Also present were SRA Legal Counsel, James Strommen and David Kennedy, of Kennedy & Graven. The SRA's guest speaker was Lowell Bonnema of US West. It was determined that a quorum of the membership was present. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Mr. Frane moved that the minutes from the October meeting be approved. Mr. O'Malley seconded the motion which passed unanimously. JMS116377 SU160-3 1 4. GUEST SPEAKER: Mr. Bonnema is a Technical Support Manager for the 14 -State Region of US West. He discussed the background to regulated monopolies in telecommunications and the introduction of competition as a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. He noted that over 30 companies have filed or are expected to file for the authority to provide local exchange service in the Twin Cities area. He predicts that three to five providers will survive the competition, and each will provide the multiple services that customers will want, including local access, long distance, paging, cellular or PCS, internet and cable. Mr. Bonnema was critical of the FCC and the most recent decision by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to allow US West to charge no more than approximately $12.00 per month per line access rate (it wanted over $30) to the competing local exchange carriers such as AT&T and MCI and others. Mr. Bonnema asserted that this is below US West cost and will result in US West decisions not to invest in new areas because of current requirement to make such facilities available to competitors, at a loss. US West is appealing this decision. There was question and answer discussion regarding right-of- way ("ROW") concerns of cities and US West's position on that issue. He acknowledged that there are "arguments on both sides" and reiterated US West's position that certain city requirements such as Redwood Falls concrete encasements are "unreasonable" and, therefore, should be limited by state or federal law. It was explained to Mr. Bonnema that cities have responsibility for management of the ROW and have many users and the likelihood that many more will be demanding use; and that taxpayers have paid for the ROW and market principles should be applicable for ROW as it is between telecoms. All agreed that the courts and legislature would be settling this issue, hopefully in the near future. Mr. Bonnema also stated that hard wire telephony is booming and is not likely to be replaced by wireless technology anytime soon. He does not anticipate significant duplication of trunking facilities, particularly with the low rate US West is allowed to charge for access to the facilities. 5. REPORT OF THE TREASURER: Mr. Wallin distributed the treasury report on the financial status of the SRA as of December 31, 1996. (Report attached.) Mr. Hunt moved to approve the report. Mr. Keinath seconded the motion which carried unanimously. 6. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Hanus reported that Medina had also joined the SRA and welcomed it into the organization. Mr. Strommen reported that the SRA now consists of 47 Twin Cities suburban municipalities totally nearly one million in population. He noted that the significant size of the organization is helpful in protecting suburban interests before the PUC and in other forums. JMS116377 SU160-3 2 7. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Mr. Wallin moved that the following slate of 1997 nominees for SRA Executive Committee be accepted: Chair - Jim Keinath Vice Chair - Jim Gates Treasurer - John Wallin Members - Tim Cruikshank Charlie Crichton Dave Osberg Todd Bennett Mr. Hanus seconded the motion which passed unanimously. It was noted that Mr. Crichton may have conflicts preventing him from regular attendance and that, therefore, Mr. O'Malley, also of the City of Burnsville, could be a substitute on the committee. It was noted that attempts are made to maintain a geographic balance as well as keep representatives from large and small cities. The above executive committee includes three representatives from St. Paul suburbs and representatives from the largest and smallest SRA members. Mr. Strommen also expressed the appreciation of the SRA to the service provided by Mr. Hanus who has served the customary two terms as chair of the executive committee. His efforts and perspective have been valuable to the executive committee. He will continue to serve on the board. 8. RIGHT-OF-WAY UPDATE: Mr. Strommen reported on the many developments.involving city rights over the ROW as it relates to use by telecommunications carriers. a. US West v. City of Redwood Falls. Mr. Strommen reported that this case is now before the Minnesota Court of Appeals. It was argued on December 18, 1996, and a decision is expected in late January or early February. The decision is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court by either side. Mr. Strommen assisted in preparation for the argument and reported that the court may well remand the case back to the district court for further facts. The other options are to affirm the district court in favor of the cities or reverse the district court in favor of US West, finding PUC jurisdiction over the construction in the ROW. b. St. Paul -Minneapolis Ordinances. Mr. Strommen reported that both Minneapolis and St. Paul have adopted ROW ordinances governing all utility use in the ROW. Each ordinance has extensive permitting procedural provisions and multiple cost recovery provisions. St. Paul has also adopted a franchise ordinance for telecommunication providers seeking to use the ROW. The actual costs and fees are in the process of being completed by the cities. A legal challenge to the ordinances is expected from the telecoms. (Copies of the ordinances are available upon JMS116377 SU160-3 3 2d request.) The League is also preparing a similar ordinance as a model, but has not yet adopted one formally. The St. Paul -Minneapolis ordinances drew heavily from a CEAM model ordinance. c. State Lectislation. Mr. Strommen reported that one ROW bill has been circulated thus far. It is a bill drafted by House research, to be sponsored by Loren Jennings, the chair of the Regulated Industries and Energy Committee of the House. (Copy available upon request.) It is fairly lengthy and focuses on cost recovery and ROW management by cities, but leaves to other statutes the issue of franchise or use fees. Mr. Strommen reported that the League has not yet completed a draft for public discussion. US West is also expected to submit a bill. d. National Developments. Mr. Strommen reported that a number of cases nationally are working their way through courts or the FCC and may have a significant impact on Minnesota law. One case involves two Kansas cities that denied a franchise application to a telephone company attempting to provide competing local telephone service. The FCC has ruled that the city's denials were improper because they were not related to legitimate ROW management concerns as provided in the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Section 253(c). In re Classic Telephone. Another case is out of Troy, Michigan, where the city has denied a permit application for the laying of fiber optic by a cable company on the grounds that such fiber optic can be used for telecommunication purposes and therefore a franchise (under Michigan law) is necessary. The cable company is seeking an order from FCC declaring that the City is prohibited from preventing the laying of such cable and its proposed franchise agreement including percentage of gross revenues is in violation of the Telecommunications Act definition of "compensation". In re TCI Cable. Mr. Strommen also reported that the cellular telephone industry has petitioned the FCC in January to declare that moratoria on wireless communication antenna sites is in violation of the Act as a barrier to entry. A West Coast city has enacted a one year moratorium that is the subject of the cellular industry protest. The industry also notes "unreasonable" local regulations and actions including a $40,000 per year charge for use of monopole antenna support structure proposed by a Florida city. Mr. Strommen suggested that cities that have not yet adopted moratoria on the placing of wireless provider structures and antenna should do so because it is likely that eventually the FCC and federal courts will say that cities have had sufficient time to study the matter. JMS116377 SU160-3 4 -f - ?, 01, Mr. Strommen noted that there are so many developments that will be coming out of court decisions and legislatures in the next months and year that cities are advised to pay close attention to these developments as they may influence their own ordinances. 9. ELECTRIC DEREGULATION: Mr. Strommen reported on the status of movement in Minnesota toward deregulation of retail electric energy. Much of the debate involve the protection of low income residents and other customers that have less clout in a deregulated environment. Governor Carlson has stated his preference for no action on deregulation during this legislative session. It is possible, however, that the legislature will study the issue this coming year to prepare for deregulation to be implemented as early as 1998. The SRA continues to monitor development at the PUC and the legislature, but is not actively involved. 10. FRANCHISE FEE NEGOTIATION - FRIDLEY: The City of Fridley is currently negotiating a franchise fee formula with NSP in the new electric franchise to be adopted between the City and NSP. Fridley has requested that SRA cities consider interest in joint negotiation with NSP through the SRA. After some discussion, Mr. Strommen suggested that each Board delegate inquire of the City's 1) right to charge a franchise fee in its current franchise agreement and 2) the City's interest in implementing a franchise fee in 1997. SRA cities that are interested in charging a franchise fee in 1997 through NSP, would then report back to the SRA and possibly engage in joint negotiations. The desired result requested by Fridley would be if two or more SRA cities planned to impose franchise fees, they could collectively negotiate a uniform formula with NSP. The Board consensus was that this should be explored and each SRA director should inquire of their respective city. If interested, the city could contact John Flora or Bill Hunt (571- 3450) of Fridley or Jim Strommen (337-9233). 11. NSP - WISCONSIN ENERGY MERGER: Mr. Strommen referred the Board to the memorandum that had been prepared. The SRA has not been involved in analyzing or taking a position on this pending merger. 12. AMENDED JOINT AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT: Mr. Strommen reported that some but not all of the SRA cities have adopted the amended Agreement and submitted the executed copies to Kennedy & Graven. He reported that two or three cities had expressed a concern about the language relating to SRA authorization to negotiate long-term contracts for electric load, if requested by such cities. He confirmed that there was no intent to authorize such action without the expressed written consent of the individual SRA cities requesting it. To clarify any concern over that term, JMS116377 SU160-3 5 he circulated a resolution stating the voluntary nature of the authorization. Mr. Winson moved to adopt the resolution (attached). Ms. D'Andrea seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 13. MERGER OF NORAM ENERGY CORP AND HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER: Mr. Strommen referred the Board to the memorandum that had been prepared. The merger is likely to be approved by the PUC and there will be no immediate impact of the merger on Minnegasco customers. The SRA will monitor any attempt by Minnegasco to recover the "acquisition adjustment"(amount paid over book value for assets). The SRA successfully argued against such a recovery following the Midwest Gas acquisition by Minnegasco. 14. TELECOM INTERCONNECTION COSTS PROCEEDING: Mr. Strommen reported on a new cost proceeding that has been recently commenced following the important PUC US West access arbitration so vigorously protested by US West (see Bonnema comments above). The new proceeding will examine "geographic deaveraging" for wholesale rates. This means that the competing local exchange carriers like AT&T and MCI will be participating in a procedure involving the determination of, among other things, whether the cost of a US West loop or trunking facility in, e.g., Shakopee costs more than one in Minneapolis or in Plymouth or in Elk River or in Willmar. The implications of this proceeding are very significant for SRA residents and businesses. The SRA fought successfully to abolish the tier system of rates in the 1980s (the tier system caused suburban ratepayers to pay a higher rate as their distance from the St. Paul Midway area increased). If the PUC concludes that it costs more for US West to install facilities in less densely populated areas, it may order the access cost to be paid by competitors to US West to be increased. This in turn may result in higher retail rates based on geographic location. Policy issues would be addressed in a later proceeding on retail rates. But the cost issues will be argued in this proceeding. Mr. Gates moved that the SRA be authorized to intervene in this cost proceeding with authority to monitor and report to the executive committee if any further participation is necessary. Mr. Bennett seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 15. PUC - MINNEGASCO APPEAL: Mr. Strommen reported that PUC requested SRA participation in an appeal involving important PUC authority and ratemaking issues relating to retroactive rates, settlement terms in rate cases and the scope of PUC authority. Mr. Strommen explained that these were important issues but that the Minnegasco appeal at issue would be costly to pursue. He stated that while this was an important matter, there were other issues likely to arise in 1997 that may have a more direct effect on SRA cities. The consensus of the Board was not to intervene in the case and save SRA resources for other matters. JMS116377 SU160-3 6 _ t 2,6 16. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION ZONING ORDINANCE: Mr. Kennedy reported on the status of a model wireless communication zoning ordinance that had been initiated through the North Suburban Cable Commission and with which he is assisting. Mr. Kennedy represents the City of Crystal which is in the process of adopting a zoning ordinance. He explained some of the issues that had been raised by the industry and believes that with careful drafting, city interests can be protected without creating ongoing resistance by the industry. He stated that the zoning ordinance would be available to SRA cities when completed. 17. LOCATION AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING: Mr. Strommen noted that there had been a consensus at the October meeting that the Board would address at the annual meeting the time at which SRA meetings would be held in the upcoming quarterly meetings. The position most often expressed in favor of a daytime SRA meeting was the convenience for many SRA delegates and less conflicts with evening commitments. The problem expressed with daytime meetings was the difficulty SRA elected official delegates may have in getting away from their own jobs. All agreed that participation by elected officials in the SRA is highly valued and should not be inhibited by scheduling matters. Several elected officials present, however, expressed their willingness to try a change on a meeting by meeting basis. Mr. Winson moved that the time of the next meeting be 4:00 p.m. at the designated location. Ms. Pulse seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Mr. Fulton offered to provide a room at New Brighton's Family Service Center for the April 16 meeting. 18. CLAIMS: Mr. Wallin circulated claims from George M. Hansen Auditors for $900 and from Kennedy & Graven for $6,517.86. Mr. Hanus moved to accept the Hansen claim. Mr. Winson seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Mr. Hunt moved to accept the Kennedy & Graven claim. Mr. Keinath seconded the motion which passed unanimously. 19. ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Hanus declared the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Attest: Chairman JMS116377 SU160-3 7 Secretary 0 Star Tribune Online 0 Busineu Published Friday, January 17, 1997 Columbia hospital chain to buy Value Health Glenn Howatt / Star Tribune Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., the nation's largest private hospital chain, announced late Wednesday that it will acquire Connecticut-based Value Health Inc. in a stock transaction valued at $1.3 billion. The deal will chart a new course for ValueRx, a Value Health subsidiary in Plymouth, which was slated to become independent this quarter. The company, which manages pharmaceutical and drug distribution programs, will become part of Columbia. ValueRx might get a new name, but its headquarters will remain here, and'it could grow significantly as it joins forces with the more than 340 hospitals owned by Columbia. "From a financial strength standpoint, Columbia brings a lot to the table," said Kevin Roberg, who will remain chief executive of ValueRx. "We want to be a consolidator of medication management and this brings us financial strength to do that." For Nashville -based Columbia, the acquisition will add depth to its existing managed care capabilities. It's pharmaceutical benefit company, Columbia Pharmacy Solutions, will be combined with the much larger ValueRx. Value Health's three other subsidiaries -- a managed mental health company, a worker's compensation cost management firm and a disease management information technology division -- will all merge with existing Columbia units. Many of these programs will be used to control costs and quality at Columbia's health care facilities, but they also make Columbia a significant player in the growing field of specialty managed care, which markets to employers, health plans and health care providers. The offer, which is subject to approval from Value Health shareholders, follows Columbia's offer to buy Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Ohio. That $299.5 million deal, announced last year is still pending, because is opposed by state officials and the national Blue Cross association. Columbia is offering a 15 percent premium to Value Health shareholders in the proposed stock swap. Columbia will issue 0.58 shares for every share of Value Health. Value Health shares increased 9 percent to close at $22.46-7/8 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange, while Columbia fell 2 percent to a $39.25 close. Value Health has suffered from weak profits in recent years, partly because of price competition in the drug business and competition from HMOs in the management of mental health benefits. Value Health has 5,400 employees and revenues of about $2 billion. Columbia employs 220,000 and has revenues of $20 billion. ValueRx employs 550 workers at its Plymouth headquarters and has 1,500 employees nationwide. Columbia does not own any hospitals in Minnesota, but it does own same-day surgical centers in Edina and St. Cloud. Business SUr Tribune Online O Copyright 1997 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. NORTHWEST KENNEM HUMAN SERVICES COUNM WINTER 1997 investing in ................... Diversity r. •���.�...1 yI � � r�v PLANNING & COORDINATION 2.3f Welfare Reform: Hot Topic For 1997 Session What a year 1996 has been for Adan Casas. Having suc- cessfully completed his educational training in the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project in De- cember of 1996, Casas is one step closer to fulfilling a ` dream of becoming a police officer. "My dream is to become a police officer. If it [weren't] for the program, I would be stranded on a small island . without much hope," said Casas. Casas is one of 11 par- ADAN CASAS ticipants currently enrolled in the cadet program which POLICE CADET assists people of color in completing the training and edu- cation necessary for becoming police officers. The program has proved to be a model for diversifying police departments in Northwestern Hennepin County, says Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council Executive Director Patricia Wilder. "Policing in the 21st Century necessitates that the [police] department represents the community it serves. The Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project is one of the tools that we use to meet the challenge to diversify," said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Wade Setter. Eight cities are currently involved with the project -- Brooklyn Center, Brook- lyn Park, Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, and Plymouth. As part of his training, Casas works with the Brooklyn Center Police Department where he was quickly promoted to the position of community service officer. In this capacity, cadet Casas As the legislature convenes the 1997 session in January, wel- fare reform will no doubt be one of the hottest topic of de- bate. Some changes will occur this session including cuts in food stamp and Social Security eligibility; time limits for public assistance; and significant cut- backs in eligibility and services for legal immigrants and adults without children. Other topics As cities in Northwestern Hennepin County continue to grow and diversify, so must the police departments serving "those communities. The Northwest Community Law En- forcement Project has strived to do just that --pushed for greater diversity in the police (over) routinely assrsts with dispatch- POINT Northwest ing calls, animal control, park- ,� ing and ordinance enforcement //�� :._ and booking. Available p rz�J . r; ,I - In addition to attending '' t z school full-time and working24 9 = ` a part-time at the department, t `�. , ." a s: Casas has also been involved POINT Northwest 6 with volunteering. He is a mem- for Runaway ber of the General Crime Advi- Youth recently received a grant from sory Council with the Depart- The Bush Foundation. The grant al- _ ment of Corrections and serves lows the program to become a 24 - as a volunteer facilitator for a hour on-call crisis intervention ser - Peace Action Group for young vice. Starting January, 1997, the pro - 1995 -96 NORTHWEST COMMUNmr LAW boys at Casa de Esperanza, a gram will become available to po- ENFORCEMENT PROJECT PARTICIPANTS ARE shelter for battered women in lice, community agencies, families, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: DOUG LESUN, MAM Saint Paul. Casas is also a mem- and other caring individuals to WILIIAMS, BILL XIONG, ANNA DEW, ADAN CASAS, ber of the Hastings Police De- handle crises with youth and fami- JONTHOMAS CROSS AND DUY NGO. NGO AND artmentReserves and has com- lies 24 hours a day, seven days a WUIIAMS HAVE SINCE GONE ON TO BECOME pleted an internship with the week. Support is only a hone call POLICE OFFICERS WITH THE CITY OF NEW HOPE. P P PP Y P Mendota Heights Police Depart- away at 493-3052. (over) Excitin§ Program Strengthens Community in Apartments file 1W Do apartment managers and owners in your city complain about resident stability while renters say apartment living lacks a sense of community? Take a whole new approach... Apartments Plus®! The Apartments Plus© Program benefits the entire apartment com- munity by providing programs and activities on-site for residents while maintaining continual contact With apartment managers. The program builds community which translates to longer- term residents, potentially decreasing turnover. The result: greater social and economic stability. With Apartments Plusm, managers spend less time dealing With residents' issues and disciplining children and more time on their business. Residents, in tum, gain respect and a sense of "neighborliness" Within their rental community. Apartments Plus® allows apartment communities to stand out against their competitors, creating a more stable lifestyle for managers and residents. The program's main goal is to create a better quality of life for children and families by bringing ser- vices on-site, where they would be most beneficial and conve- nient. If you would like more information about Apartment Plus®, or know of an owner or manager who would benefit from this program, please contact Molly Rogers at 493-2802. 1997 SEssroN CONnw" departments within Northwestern Hennepin County. The project has as- sisted people of color to successfully become police officers in the cities the Council serves. To date, eight project participants have been hired as sworn police officers while 1 I cadets are cur- rentlyenroiled in the project this year. The state grant for the cadet pro- gram will end in August of 1997, and Council staff members have already begun strateg*c planning. Rep. Phil Camither and Rep. Ember Reichgott Junge will be the lead authors on the bill to continue funding for the cadet program: As the Council prepares to testify with the cadets at legislative committee meetings, any support from you, including letters of support or calls to legislators would be greatly appreciated. In addition to the cadet program, the Council will closely monitor fiind- ing for housing construction and re- habilitation while developing strate- gies that will encourage cooperation among cities and representatives from urban, suburban and rural dis- tricts. The Council will also be testify- ing on transportation needs and dis- tributing a children's agenda to legis- lators requesting their support forpro- grams that strengthen families and support children. It is more important than ever for everyone who values and utilizes the services provided in the public and nonprofit sector to participate in the legislative process and make your voice heard. CADET PROGRAM CONTR WED ment prior to joining the cadet pro- gram. Born in Mexico, Casas moved to the United States when he was twelve years old. Casas praises his mother for instilling a strong commitment to community service, self-determina- tion, honesty and integrity while rais- ing Casas and his seven brothers single-handedly in Chicago. Casas says he is especially inter- ested in community -oriented polic- ing, which he believes would make excellent use of his strong commu- nication and people skills, Spanish speaking abilities, and deep commit- ment to public service and helping others. - Casas believes the cadet pro- gram provides an excellent opportu- nity for minority candidates. Upon successful completion of his POST (Police Officer Standard Testing) Board exam in February, he will be eligible to be licensed as a po- lice officer. Casas is a great credit to the program, and will make an ex- cellent officer, says Danielle Ricciardi, Project Coordinator. "The cadet pro- gram is really exciting because it is social change in action, and is so needed in our increasingly diverse, suburban cities," commented Ricciardi. If you would like more informa- tion on the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project, please contact Danielle at 493-2802. NWHHSC's POINT Northwest Calendar program is recruiting volun- O p p o r t u n i t i e s leer families to provide a short-term temporary foster home to youth in need. The program is approved by the State of Minnesota to recruit, train, and license foster homes. The typical length of stay in a foster home is three to five days. Host home families allow youth and family members to have a time out to resolve their problems with counseling, support, and assistance from the program. 'This is an excellent way for caring and concerned families to give to a young person, on a one-to-one basis;' said Sue Haugen, program supervisor. Families interested in learning about this opportunity to help a young person should call POINT Northwest at 493-3052. January 28,1997 • Children's Advocacy Network Workshop. Registra- tion begins at 4:45 p.m. Workshop from 5-7:30 p.m. Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Avenue North in Crystal. Success by 60 Northwest will host a workshop on practical ways to become a strong, effective advocate for children. Public welcome. To register call 493-2802. February/March 1997 • Mental Health Workshop, "Surviving Welfare Reform for People with Mental Illness". Call NWHHSC 493-2802 for details. April 5, 1997. 1997 Remodeler's Fair. Crystal Community Center. The cities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, New Hope, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale will be participating in this annual event. Northwest Hennepin Human Services council celebrates 25 years Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council is looking for founders and funders, commissioners, former board members and staff members and interested citizens of old to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Council. This is an opportunity for citizens of all ages to remember, reconnect, and recommit. The Council has played a critical role in Northwest _. Hennepin County. This is a chance for people to reflect on the mission and values of the Council -- cultivating potential, nurturing possibilities and developing collaborations while contributing to its community. 'The Council has become a primary source of information and feedback for human services in the northwest area, said Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat. "it provides a vehicle for citizen input to help identify services that better meet the needs of residents." A focus group meeting has been scheduled for Monday, January 27,1997 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Council Offices located at 7601 Kentucky Avenue North, Suite 101 in Brooklyn Park. Come and share your stories, photos and memories, or call Laura Schauben at 493-2802. NORTHWEST HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL HUAMN SERl7CES RESEARCH, PLANNING & COORDIMATION 7601 Kentuckv Avenue North • Suite 101 Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428-1284 612/493-2802 phone/TDD 612/493-2713 fax SERVING THE CITIES OF BROOKLYN CENTER, • BROOKLYN PARK • CHAMPLIN • CORCORAN • CRYSTAL • Dm-ni.% • GOLDEN VALLEY • HANOVER • HASSAN 6 MAPLE GROPE • NEir HOPE 0 OSSEO 0 PLYA1OU7H • ROBBINSDALE • ROGERS 1996 NWHHSC Highlights Community Awareness: -3C We continued to have coverage in local newspapers; cable coverage related to some pertinent issues and related to sponsored events. We also continued to distribute reports, data, brochures, resource directories, municipal profile information, demographic information, and our resource materials for both specific and general community awareness. We provided presentations to local universities, to civic groups, to churches on the need for services and demographic changes as well as helped orchestrate presentations by others to increase community awareness on specific topics. Agency Research (highlights): P. Survey of all Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) in Minnesota ► Survey of employers participating in HIRED's fall job fair ► Thorson Family Resource Center Evaluation: A report on service delivery ► Collected data on the number of northwest Hennepin children receiving Head Start services ► Completed series of transportation -related needs assessments including surveys of: or MCTO bus riders, a� people with special needs, o� "people on the street," o transit funders, ow for-profit transit providers, w non-profit transit providers, and w secondary transit providers ► Worked with apartment communities, researching a method of approach, delivery, and contract development for providing services on-site for residents and management. Collected data on American Disability Act laws and how to accommodate learning disabilities with regards to cadets in the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project. Collected data regarding the number of families and children with needs in Northwestern apartment communities to create a target list for Apartments Plus®, an on-site service development program. /�-3e 2 ► Coordinated the first Consolidation of Transportation community forum. The forum was held at St. Joseph's Church in New Hope. After the overview, participants broke into three focus groups: transportation providers, transportation users, and human service representatives. Each group addressed questions related to transportation needs, resources, and barriers. ► Developed focus group for Hennepin County library regarding job program development. ► Provided technical assistance and data to numerous groups for their own planning processes or grant applications such as Family and Children's Services for their strategic planning process, Hennepin County Community Works related to the Humboldt avenue project, Brookdale related to local demographics. ► Updated municipal profiles ► Collected data on the needs of low-income families living in the Zaneway Corridor in Brooklyn Park. Collaborated with area health providers, Hennepin County and United Way to receive funding for Home Visiting project for the targeted area to prevent the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Other Publications: ► Community Social Services Act Report ► Annual Report ► Quarterly News Briefs ► Working Toward Success Brochure ► With the Domestic Violence Prevention Network, compiled a Guide to Domestic Violence brochure • Created and copyrighted a brochure for the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project as part of the Subcommittee on Support Issues for Participants to help get the word out about the program, attract new candidates, and ensure that police officers from participating departments understand the components of the program, and are supportive. ► Created and copyrighted a program brochure and services package (including a time allocation worksheet, apartment community business budget worksheets, and checklist of services that could be provided on-site) for the new Apartments Plus® Program. ► Created and copyrighted "The Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project: A Model for Diversifying Police Departments". M Citizen Input: Collected opinion sheets from 160 seniors at the 1996 Senior Spring Forum sponsored by the Senior Leadership Committee. The opinion sheets inquired about health care coverage and its affordability. Assisted the MCTO with the "What's in a Name?" contest to name bus routes in the northwest Hennepin area. Collected entries and convened a selection committee which chose "Brooklyn Connection" as the name for Bus Routes 82, 83 and 84. Mental Health Group provided input into the citizen recommendations and sponsored workshops to educate themselves and the community on mental health issues. This year's workshops included: "Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children" presented by Mindy Mitnick, Licensed Psychologist; "The Role of Attachment in the Development of Children's Problems" presented by Dr. Alan Sroufe; and "At Risk Does Not Mean Doomed" presented by Dr. Craig Ramey. Advisory Commission met all year and studied and discussed a multitude of human service issues including welfare reform, affordable housing, the future of non -profits, healthy early childhood development, and services to people with disabilities. The Commission also developed the 1996 Citizen recommendation report. New participants were selected for the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project (twice throughout 1996) through a Community Review Panel consisting of community police officers, training officers, city human resources managers, and the community college Director of Cultural Diversity Programs. Met with representative from PICA to discuss the delivery of services at the Town Hall Head Start. Collected questions from Success By 6 Northwest Committees and Advisory Commission regarding the number of children served by Head Start. Produced meeting summary results and distributed them to city managers, Organization Events: Annual meeting hosted David Morris from the Institute for Local Self -Reliance, the Prophecy Kids, and "Invest Northwest " awards including the Robbinsdale Senior Theatre group who also entertained that night. ► Co-sponsored conference: "Making a Diverse Society Work: Awareness to Action" with speakers discussing issues of racism, housing, and education at St. Joes Church in New Hope initiated by Mary Kennedy -Lamb "f - 3 c 4 ► Sponsored the 1996 Senior Spring forum entitled "Your Health or Your Money: Can You Afford to Choose?" The Forum had approximately 400 attendees and discussed Medicare, Medicaid and prescription drugs. ► Co-sponsored workshops at Crystal Community Center and Brooklyn Park City Hall for owners and managers of rental property • Co-sponsored the "At Risk Does Not Mean Doomed" conference about IQ development in young children. Successful efforts at counteracting the negative effects of poverty, poor parenting skills, and even premature birth on children's early intellectual development were discussed. ► Sponsored a meeting of social service providers and government and school district representatives to discuss the lack of accessible and affordable mental health counseling in northwest Hennepin County. ► Co-sponsored a program by Dr. Alan Sroufe on attachment and its impact on healthy early childhood development. 30 Organized direction setting meeting for Success By 6 Northwest Committee members regarding work plan projects and priority needs for children. • Hosted the third annual "Children's Advocacy Network" legislative training session for 45 parents and community members. The training gave specific ideas on communicating with legislators about children's issues. ► Co-sponsored Remodelers Fair with six of the member cities ► Sponsored 5th annual "Invest Northwest" awards ceremony. ► Hosted a kick off event at Northwest Inn in Brooklyn Park to introduce community members to the Consolidation of Transportation project. An outline of the planning and citizen participation process was presented. • POINT Northwest in March 1996, held a benefit concert with David Wilcox, Jeff Arundel at The Metropolitan in Golden Valley. ► Hosted a tour for Congressman Martin Sabo and his staff of four properties developed by the CO-OP Northwest Community Revitalization Corporation (CHDO) ► Co-sponsored a drive-by tour of properties developed by the CHDO for funders, city officials, and board members 5 ► Participated in a panel discussion of job and training opportunities sponsored by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce • Displayed Success By 60 Northwest community tent at three local events and distributed early childhood development materials and resources. • Hosted a meeting with the Metropolitan Council members to educate them on the effort to consolidate transportation services in the northwest Hennepin and north Minneapolis areas. ► Participated on the Livable Communities Housing Task Force, which examined action plans submitted by cities under the Livable Communities Act and made recommendations to public policy makers • Participated in the Multi -Housing Trade Show to promote the Enhanced Housing Initiative, now called the Apartments Plus® Program. • Hosted two Apartments Plus® Open Houses for apartment managers and service providers to launch the program's implementation phase of bringing services on-site to apartment communities. ► Coordinated, planned and staffed an Open House to celebrate the opening of the Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center. ► Participated at the Brooklyn Center Police Substation Open House ► Coordinated monthly presentations (August - November) at the Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center on topics of interest to the FSC Advisory Council, Police Substation volunteer and community residents. ► Co-sponsored Search Institute presentations at nine community locations in an effort to promote the FSC and further positive connections related to children and families. ► Participated in the Law Enforcement Opportunities (LEO) Career Fair by staffing an information booth with Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project cadets. ► Co-sponsored and planned a Remodeling Fair at Park Center High School in Brooklyn Par. Worked with CO-OP Northwest cities to provide informational booths and workshops, and staffed a booth on behalf of the CO-OP Northwest Community Revitalization Corporation (CHDO) to advertise the program and properties. ► Co-sponsored, planned and attended the first Annual Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project's Summer BBQ for past and present cadets. i 0,/ 0 Participated in the first annual Don Davis Law Enforcement Scholarship Golf Tournament along with current cadets. Attended legislative training for non -profits, held at the state Capitol, in preparation of approaching the legislature in 1997 for continued funding of the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project. ► Participated in Results and Community Oriented System process through Hennepin County involving input from organizations in the community. Networks: Coordinated activities, scheduled speakers, and provided staff support for the Senior Services Network, and the Emergency Services Network. Programs/Proiects: Administered the Northwest Community Job Bank Project through a two-year $100,000 grant from the McKnight Foundation that provided employment and training services at community-based locations that were accessible to unemployed and underemployed residents of Northwest Hennepin County. From January of 1995 through November of 1996 the program served 320 job seekers, providing full-time employment for 121 residents, with an average wage of $8.14 per hour. ► Provided approximately 20 hours per week of research, technical assistance, contract negotiations, policy development, member recruitment and fund raising support to the CO-OP Northwest Community Revitalization Corporation, a 501(c) 3 Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Launched new Apartments Plus ®Program. Developed a list of target apartment communities, marketing plan, program brochure, services package, and contract options for the new approach for the Enhanced Housing Initiative. Administered the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project, a very successful program (since 1992) which assists participants in getting the training and education needed to become police officers and diversifies the smaller, suburban police departments in Northwest Hennepin County. Negotiated contracts, recruited new participants, coordinated efforts with schools and police departments, and provided case management services. Served fourteen cadets throughout the year, and provided additional employment services to five past cadets. Successfully expanded the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project to three new cities including Maple Grove, Golden Valley and Plymouth (added to the original core T,- 3& 7 cities of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, Robbinsdale, and New Hope). Provided presentations for city council's and police departments and negotiated new contracts. ► Assisted with marketing and evaluation of the Northwest Work Skills Project, a program of HIRED and school district #279, which provides work preparation training and job placement to unemployed and hard to place residents of Northwest Hennepin County. ► Based on research collected in 1995, provided free resource information and family - friendly business policy information to 15 small to mid-sized companies as part of Success By 60 Northwest's Working Toward Success project. ► Served as the fiscal agent for the Northwest Community Job Bank Project and provided staff support to the advisory groups to the project through the CO-OP Northwest Jobs and Training Committee as well as a partners group that met quarterly to work on aspects of this pilot project. • POINT Northwest served 154 unduplicated youth and families. POINT Northwest also had over 1500 contacts with agencies, police, schools, parents and other concerned parties in 1996. POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth secured a grant from The Bush Foundation to expand the program to 24 hours on-call. This allowed POINT Northwest, to hire another 1.5 staff positions. Licensure was received by POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth, to license foster homes. This allows POINT Northwest to begin the host home program again. A collaboration effort to begin a first time runaway diversion group with North Hennepin Mediation Project and POINT Northwest is underway. Administered Emergency Services Program for NW Hennepin County distributing more than $55,000 in loans to people in crisis primarily for rental assistance, producing quarterly reports on usage, and collecting loan paybacks for recycling dollars. Administered the Grades "R" UsTm and Discovery Days for Kids at the Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center. Supervised coordinator for the Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center throughout 1996. Sent out RFPs inquiring about the possibility of another agency/entity to supervise the Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center. Worked with ISD #286 (Brooklyn Center) who requested the role and developed a plan for the transition, hiring of permanent Resource Center Coordinator (after a search in June found no acceptable candidates), and finalizing plans for the change. Worked with the Osseo -Maple Grove FSC on allocating grant funds to several youth and family related programs, including after-school buses for youth, a youth performance group at a Junior High School, an African-American mentoring program for adolescents �,- 0; Q-,, 8 and a diversity videotape utilizing youth to write, edit and develop a final work on what it's like to be a child of color in the community and school. Worked with Kellogg Foundation Consultant, Joel Mugge, to plan a several day event for Kellogg Fellows on Civic Involvement and Services in a first ring suburban community with Brooklyn Center as the example. Community Organizing: Continued work in two manufactured home parks in Dayton and Corcoran addressing resident needs and community building Assisted the Dayton Resident Committee with the securing of a grant for development and performance of an original play involving the park's youth Planned an informational workshop for community residents on how to establish CO-OP Babysitting. Community Suaport: ► United Way Success By 60 Meetings which includes Cultural Diversity, Evaluation; Public Education and Management Committees • Suburban Hennepin Domestic Violence Prevention Network • Robbinsdale Area Schools Learning Readiness Advisory Committee • Brooklyn Park Community Resource Center ► Brooklyn Center Police Substation ► Northwest Hennepin Children's Mental Health Collaborative ► The Redesign ► The Minnesota Community Policing Institute • District 281 Safe and Drug Free Schools advisory committee. • District 279 School Community Action Team (safe and drug free schools committee). • Representative on Healthy Youth, Healthy Communities initiatives (Search Institute) in Robbinsdale, Anoka, Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park and NW Hennepin (Champlin, Dayton, Brooklyn Park). ► Involved with District #279 Interagency Planning Team ► Executive Board for the Minnesota Community Policing Institute. ► Family Homelessness Prevention Committee ► Commonbond Communities Resident Services Board ► Community Prevention Coalition ► United Way LEAD Committee ► McKnight Family Loan Program ► the Widowed Persons Service ► North Hennepin Leadership Academy Cabinet 1- 3 ✓ 9 Additional Activities: Provided numerous presentation to groups on demographics of northwest Hennepin area. Provided 8 presentations in the community to civic groups, churches, etc., as part of the Success By 6 Northwest speaker's bureau to educate the community about the healthy development of young children. Provided public and private agencies with technical assistance, consultation, and statistics to assist with program development, funding sources, program implementation, and program evaluation. For example information was collected and provided on: poverty rates and economic assistance usage for the Robbinsdale School District; different age groups of seniors and projections regarding growth in the senior population for the City of Brooklyn Center; unemployment rates and the number of working poor for HIRED; and health care information for the Hennepin County Community Health Department. Developed legislative agenda for Success By 6 Northwest and CO-OP Northwest. The main goal of the CO-OP Northwest legislative agenda is the re -funding of the Community Law Enforcement Project. Support has been sought and received from the Commissioner of Public Safety, and sponsors have been found to introduce the appropriate legislation. Housing issues, especially the maintenance and expansion of funding for affordable housing, are also being monitored. Success By 6 Northwest initiative also completed their legislative agenda which outlines key concerns in the areas of family support, education and transportation. ► Participated in the Brooklyn Park Community Resource Center strategic planning task force. ► Participated in session for NW Hennepin Family and Children's Strategic Planning Session. • Provided presentations at landlord forums and Apartment Manager Coalition meetings to promote services on-site to apartment communities. • Continued partnering with the University of Minnesota School of Dental Hygiene to offer dental screening clinics at the Thorson Family Resource Center. Approximately 110 children were screened by dental hygienists. ► Participated in the University of Minnesota's Career Fair, sponsored by the School of Social Work and the School of Public Health. ► Provided internship fieldwork supervision for a social work intern from the College of St. T -3Q,,- 10 Catherine's. Participated in training, weekly intern meetings, and site visits from the school's fieldwork instructor. ► Provided supervision for intern working on the Success By 6 Northwest legislative agenda and Consolidation of Transportation Services needs assessment process. ► Served as a moderator/panelist at the Forum on the First Ring conference to present information about the FSC and its role in the larger community. Participated in a career fair at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. ► Participated in the Brookdale SCOPE program for a weekend promoting the Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center. (The Resource Center received $384.00 from participating in the event) ► Developed a comprehensive fund raising plan for the CO-OP Northwest Community Revitalization Corporation (CI -MO) ► Coordinated efforts to secure the services of a real estate agent to market properties developed by the CHDO • Hired an Assistant Projects Coordinator to implement Apartments Plus®, an Enhanced Housing Initiative program aimed at bringing human services and activities to apartment communities in the northwest area. Administered the Apartments Plus® marketing strategy by appealing to apartment managers' good business sense. ► Recruited members from each FSC Advisory Council as well as appropriate community partners to serve on the Barrier Busting Council which hears barriers Collaboratives are facing and develops solutions for system change. Held the first two meetings of the BBC in spring and fall. ► Through the Anoka -Hennepin Family Services Collaborative hired two Family Advocates to work with families, individuals and youth who are referred to them for assistance. ► Participated in process to apply for funding and subsequently oversee implementation of the program for Northwest Hennepin area for a home visiting nurse program that would provide intense services for families at risk of abuse of neglect of children. Awards: Applied for and received the Partnership Mnnesota award, submitted on behalf of the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project and partner organizations. The award recognizes innovative and successful collaborative projects throughout Minnesota. Grants Received: $14,650 from the McKnight Foundation to continue the Northwest Community Job Bank Project through 1997 $15,000 from the McKnight Foundation to continue the Enhanced Housing Initiative/Apartments Plus® Program through 1997 $100,000 HOME funds - for CHDO - secured in 1996 $100,000 State of Minnesota Grant for the Northwest Community Law Enforcement Project - secured in 1995 (to cover September 1996 -August 1997) $ 9,819 MHFA Capacity Building Grant - CHDO support $460,000 MHFA CASA funds for low interest mortgages through the CHDO $62,000 United Way of Minneapolis support for Success By 6 Northwest $ 750 from St. Joseph's Community Church in New Hope for Success By 6 Northwest $218,898 State of Minnesota/Family Services Collaborative $45,000 from the Minnesota Board of Innovation and Cooperation $ 1,200 from North Memorial Medical Foundation $ 2,700 from McKnight Foundation for Dayton Mobile Home Park summer youth activity: "Theatre in the Park" $ 2,000 from Metropolitan Regional Arts Council for Dayton summer youth activity: "Theatre in the Park" $38,900 from Bush Foundation for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 5,000 from Cities 97 for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 1,000 from Twin West Chamber of Cominerce Foundation for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 1,000 from Tenant Foundation for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 1,000 from TCF Foundation for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 3,000 from NSP Foundation for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 1,000 from North Memorial for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 4,500 from Minneapolis Foundation for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 8,000 from Dayton Hudson for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 3,000 from Dain Bosworth Foundation for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 7,810 from Benefit concert for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 3,000 from St. Gerard for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $100,870 from Hennepin County for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 29,150 from Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (grant) for POINT Northwest for Runaway Youth $ 384 from Brookdale Mall (SCOPE) contribution to Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center $ 5000 from Brooklyn Center Lions Club contribution to Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center Facilitated the coordination, writing and completion of the Brooklyn Center After-school Enrichment Grant ($112,308) as well as securing $5,250 of these dollars for the Grades "R" UsTm program at the Brooklyn Center Family Resource Center. ffffffPL YMOUTH METROLINK 3400 Plymouth Boulevard • Plymouth, MN 55447-1493 Phone (612) 509-5521 • Fox (612) 509-5510 CONNECTIONS January -March, 1997 Winter Edition "COMMUTE WEST" JOB FAIR .SET A reverse commute job fair, which is being called "Commute West" by organizers, is set to be held on March 13, 1997, at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. A program for participating businesses and for dignitaries will take place at 9:00 am, and the job fair itself will run from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Commute West, which is sponsored by the City of Plymouth and the Neighborhood Employment Network (NET) job banks in Minneapolis, is being held to help provide job opportunities for inner city workers and to assist local businesses in their efforts to attract and retain employees. They, along with Plymouth Metrolink and the Metropolitan Council Transit Operations (MCTO), are participating to demonstrate how the existing transit system makes employers in the Plymouth and New Hope areas accessible from other metro locations. Participating employers must offer frill -time regular positions with a benefit package in order to participate, but part-time and short-term positions will also be available. Most available jobs will be entry level positions in the $6.00 to $8.00 per hour range. Several hundred. job candidates are expected to attend, many of whom will ride Plymouth Metrolink buses to and from the job fair for free. Transit, housing, local adult education and day care information will be provided. Interested businesses should contact Bill Arendt of Scoville Press at 553-2154. Job seekers should call 529- 9267 for information on pre-screening and registration. VISIT THE PLYMOUTH WEB SITE ON THE INTERNET FOR TRANSIT INFO The City of Plymouth has a new WEB site on the Internet with extensive transit pages available regarding the Plymouth Metrolink system. The WEB site can be reached at www. ci.plymouth.mn.us and then follow the WEB page directions to access transit information. The City has done a very nice job in preparing and presenting the transit WEB pages with attractive layouts and color pictures. Everyone with access to the Internet should give the WEB site a try and check out the transit section. METROLINK TO GET NEW VEHICLE Plymouth Metrolink will be receiving a new transit vehicle from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) later this year. The vehicle is provided through a federal program designed to assist transit systems in the provision of services to seniors and persons with disabilities. Plymouth Metrolink personnel have been meeting with non-profit transportation providers serving the Plymouth area to prepare a plan for service coordination using the new Metrolink vehicle. Because it will be operated by Plymouth Metrolink, a public transit service, the new vehicle will be available to the general public as well as targeted populations. It is anticipated that this vehicle will become a welcome fixture around the community for the next few years. REMEMBER To set up a ride on Dial -A -Ride call 559-5057 between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday. To cancel a ride call 559-5519 as soon as possible. PLYMOUTH RIDER BEGINS SERVICE The Plymouth Rider, an exciting new circulator service, has begun operation connecting major civic, retail and population centers within Plymouth and nearby locations. There are two circulator routes, Route 90A and Route 90B, with both traveling in a clockwise direction. Connections can be made at Ridgedale in Minnetonka and at Target Greadand on Rockford Road, just east of I494 in Plymouth. All you need to do is "Rag" the bus down for a ride at any safe location along the route. The fare for the Plymouth Rider is just $1.00. For more information call 349-7000, or call Plymouth Metrolink at 509-5521. Quality never costs as much as the money it saves. .0000 Mone are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm. 1996 METROLINK RIDERSHIP UP Plymouth Metrolink completed a successful 1996 with a 5.3% ridership increase over 1995. Overall, 1996 ridership was 241,153, up by 12,123 from the previous year. Express and reverse commute services (Routes 91, 92 and 93) saw the largest increase, growing by 6.3% to a ridership total of 197,370. Dial -A -Ride also grew in 1996 to a total ridership of 43,386. This increase in ridership compares favorably to other transit programs in the metro area. Most systems saw little or no growth in 1996, while some lost ridership due to the strike at the end of 1995 and the fare increase in July, 1996. A 6% growth rate is projected by Plymouth Metrolink for 1997. METROLINK RIDERSHIP 1993 -1996 250000 240000 230000 220000 210000 200000 190000 180000 1993 1994 1995 1996 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS The 1996 legislative session %as gaveled to order on January 7th, and is expected to run through mid-May. There is expected to be considerable discussion about transit and transportation funding, as there has been for the past several years. Highway supporters are expected to renew their call for a 5 cent gas tax increase, while transit supporters will likely ask for a dedicated source of transit funding. The Metropolitan Council will be asking for $112 million over the next biennium, up from $83 million during the current biennium, to maintain existing transit services and provide some minor expansion. Plymouth Metrolink, which is an "opt -out" transit system, does not receive any state funding, but relies solely on the regional transit property tai levied in Plymouth. This will be further explained in future issues of Connections. January 17, 1997 Stacy Doyle 4835 Juneau Lane Plymouth, MN 55446 Dear Stacy: CITY OF PLYMOUTH Mayor Tierney has forwarded your letter to me for review and comment. Many people in Plymouth agree with your assessment that sidewalks are needed on additional streets throughout the community. Every year the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission reviews the comprehensive plan and looks at streets that need additional sidewalk or trail. We are currently in the midst of a program that will add 11 1/2 miles of trail to the City's system, bringing us to a total of approximately 75 miles of trail. Although its not economically feasible to add a sidewalk on every block in Plymouth, many streets will be considered for improvements in the coming years. If you have a particular street in mind that you think is dangerous, we would like to know about it, so that we can review it along with our other requests for trails. Thank you for your interest in this matter. Sincerely, ,F, &'� Eric J. Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np cc: City Manager PRAC PLYMOUTH A Beautifu(Placc To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 1p �---' ' `--'-~�-~�^-`--'--- ----- - U -~ --- __re, ���~-��---_ - -'--'----_-�'-��.__.,_-_-_--_ ~ -.~~��..---_-_-__--__'_'---_-_--_'--_-___�_-__'_____________-____-' �� �� '^-^�"�^,�~~�~~�+^�� -' -' -'---r--- -- ' '- '-~--~~'-----'- ^ -8 -47 Ink jl� OA January 23, 1997 Gary Hughes 16820 - 28" Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 SUBJECT: SNOW PLOWING Dear Mr. Hughes: bow OF PLYMOUTFF I am responding to your letter dated January 5 concerning the snow plowing on the street on which you live. As all of us are aware, this winter has been a challenge to both the City and property owners because of the numerous and large amounts of snow we have received. As you referred to in your letter, the January edition of the Plymouth News reported that we had received 27 inches by December 20. We have now received approximately 50 inches with about two months of the snow season remaining. Your letter specifically referenced the January 4 - 5 storm. You wished that the City could have done a more timely plowing on the "slush" which the city received on Saturday. Using the allocated resources of the City to snow plowing, it takes 8 to 10 hours to plow the snow from all city streets. This includes over 260 miles of streets and 700 cul-de-sacs. The storm which you are referring to began as rain. The maintenance personnel began working early Saturday correcting drainage problems which were resulting from the rain and frozen conditions from previous snow and ice. Because of drainage issues, it was not until mid -Saturday afternoon that a full effort could be devoted to snow removal. The plowing of all city streets was not completed until about midnight. This rain was then followed by a very rapid decrease in temperature which caused the slush, which had been plowed from the street, to turn to ice. The City regrets this inconvenience which was caused to some property owners, but because of the timing of the storm and changing weather conditions, we did not have the opportunity to complete the work earlier. Sincerely, Fred G. Moore, P.E. Director of Public Works cc: :Kathy Lueckert, Assistant City Manager (C/R File 97-06) GAENMENERAUI TRSTMU(UGHESAGC PLYMOUTH A Bcautif'u(Ptace To Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD - PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 - TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 Dc-fiz Ana, Jo.Y -fi6teogy' "00, u� r�� ... 9 q7 . ws. 90&) �50M C- -12.6761b647 Ca -A -Tc- Maw WOU- f,0121 -Me POWs - Ow TooAPY. 4.-f A 497 / sl-opm OF )e ic 17- ..7�201- 'MR-BE �1009s. C-fo dlafl- 197Y DRIV660A Y) LAST 7--p 4 e4 . �8 v6� P6006. -fix 'FLOWS CAME 100064 54TO ZD /i y An6.o-r. y posgED -fde -.�50�W .1-0'rP MY VIZIV60hY 1 7-A.64 I _c1Ty DCS 06 -1 Z. JX -1000/ -Me WoUeloels 167)- CITY is PAID -IRP.,006d PR,.,4P6A-ry '10AV,55 RAV9 70'o Do j T FD4, ifX6�5 el '126 *A -fgc-' luccv--r 7)Mc- -1116 arry ViJ USG . go/nE - �m mo,� ��s� , ��oW ��� ��vs� EA2LY 6/00069 50 %46 1e6SjZ)&1JTS eAA) I -r gc--Foza / 7- i54zezas . l plow . t fihV6 -br-06A) j)OUJ/j -r�tz6g--. 76M & S DO2OJ6 -rg) S S rokdn , AsAsg.. BE RcvA2C Z06T AS -196 96S1 �l 664D j o f C-O'DSI O UAT6 7o `7)c /T�i ?�ob)S "-fW di -/y IJ660S *rb Ze:-- 7'S ' P-66,t 06w i S Gary Hughes 16820 - 28th Ave. N. Plymouth, MN 55447 t IzC • �}RGSojv t North Memorial Health Care® An Orpni alion ofHealth Care Professionals Date: January 22, 1997 To: Mayor Joy Tierney City of Plymouth From: Pete Jaroscak, Director Safety and Security Subject: document2 North Memorial 10-t Health Care. An Organfzatton ofKea/tb Care Prufecrlonals Pete Jaroscak Director of Safety 6 Security 3300 Oakdale Avenue North • Robbinsdale, MN 55422-2900 (612)520-5642 0 fax (612)520-7113 Speed Bumps / It was a pleasure meeting you at Joy Robb's retirement. party. My wife Gloria and I are both employees of North Memorial and residents of Medicine Lake. Enclosed is an article out of the January/February issue of National Fire Protection Journal. As a retired Fire Marshal for the City of Robbinsdale I am concerned about the safety of the speed bumps on South Shore Drive. The article touches on various studies that have been done re the safety of speed bumps as they relate to response times for emergency vehicles. I thought you may find this article interesting. I would appreciate your passing this on to Fire Chief Kline if he has not seen it. Anything you can do to eliminate these bumps surrounding our community would be greatly appreciated by all concerned. Thank you for your interest in this and if I as a citizen or safety official can be of any help, please contact me. .i '� � ..� , y � 1'�.""'� � sem°, r. ,,,� - .l Fi�� -- • - _ _ ,� �!ya�, Via` �,r�►�'�-�-��r� � _ Jon W.1mosh 4Q Cities all over the United States are busy building speed humps to cut down on theflow of traffic through residential neighborhoods. And they seem to work— cars have to slow down to get over thein in one piece. But so do fire trucks. H over the United States today; communities are implementing neighborhood traffic management programs to provide a safer, more livable envi- ronment. Physical barriers, such as cul-de-sacs, and traffic diverters, such as speed humps, have sprung up nationwide. Street closures are being approved by many city councils, and many newer subdivisions are installing entrance gates and cutting down on the number of streets into the developments—all to limit access to neighborhoods. Austin, Texas, like at least 47 other cities around the country, has chosen to deal Nvith its problem traffic by implementing a speed hump program. And it's been happy with the results: In the two years the program's been in existence, the Public Works and Transportation Department has been asked to build speed humps on more than 600 city streets. Obviously; the city feels that speed humps work. They cut down on unwanted traffic in residential neighborhods. But they also reduce the fire department's response times. Neighborhood traffic management strategies Traffic management programs often focus entirely on installing one or two types of control devices, with little or no areavvide planning. A neighborhood group complains, and a speed hump, stop sign, or some other device is installed—and that's the end of it. Occasionally, this strategy is successful. Residents on streets where the devices were installed are happy, and any complaints other residents and drivers might have soon die down. However, the literature seems to suggest that the more successful traffic calming initiatives are broader in scope, using more than one strategy and a variety of control devices. These broader initiatives focus on transportation improvements using passive strategies, active strate- gies, or a combination of both. Passive strategies use subtle or psychological means to influence drivers to behave in a desired fash- ion, while active strategies prevent or reduce traffic movement by changing street configurations or putting up physical barriers. Passive traffic control devices include traffic signs and signals, brush trims, textured pavements, markings at pedestrian crosswalks, educa- tional programs, and traffic enforcement. These devices are meant to improve safety and reduce accidents by making driver more aware of their actions. Educational programs and enforcement efforts are gen- erally accepted as the more effective passive techniques for dealing with issues related to speeding, and, to a lesser degree, traffic volume. Active traffic control devices include speed humps, tragic circles, cul-de-sacs, choker or curb extensions, gates across roadways, medi- ans, and street closures. These "hard" control devices are largely self -enforcing and create a visual impression, real or imagined, that a street isrit intended for through traffic. The most common hard control device is the speed hump. The two most common speed humps are the 12 -foot -long circular hump 3 to 4 inches high and the 22 -foot -long flat-topped hump with a plateau 10 feet long and 3 to 4 inches high and a circular arc approach 6 feet long. The recommended spacing for speed humps is 200 to 250 feet apart. Speed humps are relatively inexpensive to install—usually between S1,000 and S1,500 per hump—and they successfully slow traffic. However, they can also increase noise pollution and block the paths and hinder the mobility of emergency apparatus. They can damage vehicles and cause trauma to patients being transported to hospitals. They may affect how fire departments respond to calls, and they may interfere with firefighting operations. Traffic control devices may even affect how the locations of neve stations are determined. Their biggest disadvantage? They reduce emergency response times. The impact of traffic management on emergency response Response time is a key emergence service performance indicator, and traffic management plans, especially those that incorporate traffic barri- ers, adversely affect it. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, such devices may force apparatus to use longer, less direct routes and confine them to the busier streets, possibly exposing them to significant delays and even collision,. Apparatus may also end up on the wrong side of a barrier from a fire, or they may have to slow down sig- nificantly to maneuver through or around barriers. Traffic barrier may also preclude the practice of routing apparatus from the same station along parallel streets to prevent a single traffic accident from delaying them all. Finally, traffic barrier may make an entire area temporarily inaccessible to fire apparatus. This occur when the barriers close several residential streets, and one or more unanticipated problems, such as street repair, force traffic from the blocked streets to jam the remaining open streets. In addition to having an impact on response time and capabilit; traffic management barriers may affect operations at a fire scene by interfering with the appartus' ability to maneuver; hampering the effective deployment of apparatus and equipment, particularly tillered aerial ladder apparatus; impeding access to the water supply; and mak- ing it difficult to divert traffic from the fire scene. Obviously, many emergency agencies in cities around the countn are alarmed by these developments. For example, the city of Berkeley; California, recently put its speed hump program on hold because the fire department was worried that most, if not all, of their primary response routes would have traffic devices that would delay fire depart- ment response. "The Fire Bureau wanted to know where it would all end," said Susan Sanderson, a transportation planner. "How long would it be before there were speed humps on every street? I thought the question was ridiculous at first, until, on closer inspection, I realized that speed- ing was so ubiquitous that speed humps probably would be needed on every street if that was our only solution to speeding." Austin Fire Chief Robin Paulsgrove and Austins Director for the Emergency Medical Services (E'IS) Department voiced similar con- cerns when they learned that the city's Public Work, and Transportation Department had received requests for speed humps on more than 600 streets in the 13 months the speed hump program had been in place. By comparison, Dallas had approved only about 210 NFPAJournal January/February 1997 M. speed humps on a third as many streets. And Dallas, at approximately 400 square miles, is considerably larger than Austin, which covers about 220 square miles. The speed humps -30 of them, both curved and flat -topped --were installed in March 1995 in six Austin neighborhoods to test their effec- tiveness in reducing vehicle speed. They did the job. Data collected before and after the speed humps were installed indicate that the curved speed humps reduced vehicle speeds by 5 to 15 miles per hour, while the flat-topped humps reduced speeds by 7 to 10 miles per hour. According to surveys conducted in the first four pilot neighbor- hoods, to which an average of 57 percent of the recipients responded, 87.5 percent of the residents felt that tragic speeds had slowed on their streets. The majority --74 percent -of residents in two neighborhoods also felt that traffic volume had decreased, while 59 percent of resi- dents in the other two neighborhoods noticed a change in traffic volume. Overall, 70 percent of the residents had a favorable opinion of speed humps as a speed reduction measure, and 55.5 percent felt that the speed humps had improved the quality of life in the neighborhood. However, both the Austin Fire and EN IS Departments worried that multiple humps would decrease response and patient transport times and that they'd subject paramedics in the back of EMS units to injury if they lost their balance when crossing one. In March 1996, the city manager, Jesus Garza, asked the Fire and EMS Departments to measure the delay in response times for emer- gency vehicles responding over speed humps. A fire engine, a fire truck, and an EMS ambulance were used to conduct the tests on a residential street with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour. The street con- tained five curved speed humps spaced between 358 and 433 feet apart. A similar street of about the same length containing no speed humps was used for comparison. The roads were closed to traffic during the tests. Each vehicle made two runs on each of three tests, using a different driver for each run. The vehicles crossed each hump at 15 miles per hour, at 20 miles per hour, and at a speed chosen by the drivers. A fourth test was conducted using an FMS unit that crossed the humps -:C -- �-� at a speed decided by the driver, with E'IS medics in the back simu- lating care to a critical patient. Stop watches were used to time each run, and radar guns measured the vehicles' speeds. Videos were made to show how crossing the humps affected the vehicles. For the various combinations of tests, the time needed to travel a length of street that had no speed hump was compared to the time needed to travel a length of street with the speed humps. The difference between the two travel times equaled the total delay. The total delay time divided by the number of humps equaled the delay per speed hump. The tests revealed that 20 miles per hour was close to, or more than, the reasonable safe speed to cross a speed hump. None of the drivers felt that they could maintain good control of their vehicles at 20 miles per hour, and they feared that the jolts would damage the vehicles. The drivers individual performances didn't appear to influence the outcome significantly. Their choices of speed in the runs during which they used their oven discretion were relatively consistent. The time delay for each speed hump was found to vary between 2.3 and 9.7 seconds. The shortest delay of 2-3 seconds occurred with an empty ambulance traveling at an average discretionary speed of 16.8 miles per hour. The greatest delay also occurred with the ambulance. When transporting a patient, the ambulance's average speed slowed to 6.6 miles per hour, and the average delay per hump rose to 9.7 seconds. In the runs with the fire engine and truck, the average delays per hump were in the 3- to 5 -second range. The significance of the delay is apparent when you consider that most streets with speed humps have more than one. In the case of an ambu- lance transporting a patient, this can mean a delay on the way to the hospital of close to one minute for every street with multiple humps. Resolving the conflicts So hove does a city solve its traffic problems without jeopardizing its emergency servicesf Solving neighborhood traffic problems is as much a political problem as a technical one. Many attempts to resolve traffic issues fail because well-meaning elected officials, engineers, or planners listen to a small, vocal group from the community and implement a traffic plan, only to face resentment from affected parties who vveredt involved in the process. To avoid this problem, communities must include all affected parties, including emergency service providers, in the planning process. Because traffic management programs appear to increase neighbor- hood livability, there will be a great deal of pressure on elected officials to approve such programs in their communities. It's critical that they not react hastily and pressure city officials to come up with a quick fix. When asked to make decisions about traffic management programs, elected officials must clearly understand the tradeoffs that will occur in emergency response times and capabilities. Citizens will inevitably complain when response times are slowed, and elected officials will have to support their city's emergency agencies against these complaints. Emergency response providers will never come to consensus on traffic management projects if they fear that the resulting reductions in response times will be blamed on their incompetence or lack of opera- tional efficiency. Planning professionals should also take into account the negative effects such a plan vvill have on emergency agencies. They mustn't leap January/February 1997 NTFPAJournal Average emergency response times in Austin speed hump route In seconds _jF4 --5 - Driver discretion Hump 11 3.22 12 13 13.27 25.80 14 36.48 # verage 47.61 2.26 Amb,�'arca Engine 3.56 13.88 25.13 39.69 60.22 2.83 Truck 3.83 15.60 28.67 40.77 51.14 2.99 15 MPH Hump 11 Engine 3.18 12 13 15.84 29.69 i4 41.14 35 Average 53.29 3.69 15 MPH Hump 11 Ambulance 3.85 #2 #3 16.33 30.54 14 42.65 15 Average 57.41 4.56 With patient Hump 11 Ambulance 4.79 12 13 20.96 41.27 14 59.60 15 Average 78.80 9.67 Resolving the conflicts So hove does a city solve its traffic problems without jeopardizing its emergency servicesf Solving neighborhood traffic problems is as much a political problem as a technical one. Many attempts to resolve traffic issues fail because well-meaning elected officials, engineers, or planners listen to a small, vocal group from the community and implement a traffic plan, only to face resentment from affected parties who vveredt involved in the process. To avoid this problem, communities must include all affected parties, including emergency service providers, in the planning process. Because traffic management programs appear to increase neighbor- hood livability, there will be a great deal of pressure on elected officials to approve such programs in their communities. It's critical that they not react hastily and pressure city officials to come up with a quick fix. When asked to make decisions about traffic management programs, elected officials must clearly understand the tradeoffs that will occur in emergency response times and capabilities. Citizens will inevitably complain when response times are slowed, and elected officials will have to support their city's emergency agencies against these complaints. Emergency response providers will never come to consensus on traffic management projects if they fear that the resulting reductions in response times will be blamed on their incompetence or lack of opera- tional efficiency. Planning professionals should also take into account the negative effects such a plan vvill have on emergency agencies. They mustn't leap January/February 1997 NTFPAJournal to obvious solutions. Solutions that may seem obvious often have hid- den problems that aren't discovered until the programs have been implemented. It's essential that planning professionals include the city's emergency service agencies in the planning process. Traffic management plans should minimize any adverse effects traffic -calming devices might have on response time and firefighting operations by making barriers tra- versable, designing barriers so that they don't block primary access routes in the vicinity of potential multiple -alarm fire sites, andl provid- ing additional fire hydrants where barriers block existing hydrants. Each plan should be designed so that no portion of a neighborhood becomes isolated from emergency service. Planning professionals should incorporate a variety of mitigation tools and strategies in their plans, and tailor control devices to the specific situation. No active control devices of any kind should be considered on primary emergency response routes, and horizontal devices, such as one-way streets, rather than vertical devices, such as speed humps, should be considered on secondary, emergency response routes. Emergency vehicles have more difficulty with vertical mitiga- tion devices than they do with horizontal mitigation devices. Planners should try passive strategies first and phase in more active strategies only if necessary: One example is the three-phase Neighbor- hood Traffic Safety Program in King Count. Washington. In Phase I, passive, less restrictive measures are used to educate the residents on traffic safety issues. Phase II focuses on physical traffic control devices, such as speed humps and traffic circles, which mail be considered only after Phase I measures prove ineffective. Phase III includes the devel- opment of major projects that require special funding, such as a capital improvement program. Planners may also %giant to develop a new street classification for pri- mary emergency response routes, as the city of Portland, Oregon, is in the process of doing. The new classification will restrict the types of traffic -calming devices that can be placed on streets that have been identified as emergency response routes. Finally; planners must develop reliable methods to assess accurately the costs and benefits to the different interest groups that will result from the traffic changes. What planners don't %%ant to do is give individual neighborhoods carte blanche to pay for any type of traffic control device they want themselves. Just because a neighborhood is willing to fund a project shouldn't mean that it can install a device that fails to meet the com- munity's criteria for traffic mitigation. Mat emergency.response agencies can do It's understandably difficult for emergency service providers to accept that many people value livability more than rapid emergency response or the efficient movement of traffic. When given the choice between a quick response time by emergency service prodders or a reduction in the speed and volume of cars on their neighborhood streets, residents will invariably place a greater value on the latter. Regardless of whether the danger to children from speeding automobiles is really a greater risk than a slow emergency response time, residents' fears for their chil- dren's safety is grater than their fear of fire and medical emergencies, and that must be respected. NFPAJournal January/February 1997 -,T- - �-C, If firefighters understand that the community is willing to accept a slower emergency response time and that city officials won't blame them when traffic control devices cause their response times to drop, they'll more easily accept the operational changes that must be imple- mented to give the customers what they %ant. To help citizens create the kind of communities they want to live in, emergency service providers may have to work %with their public works departments to help design traffic management programs. To do this, fire and EMS departments can set up a committee that meets regularly with the planning or public works department to review and approve such projects. Committee members can be the first point of contact for the departments on transportation issues and can provide the public safety departments with a consistent review and approval process when implementing traffic management projects. In areas where traffic management initiatives reduce response time, emergency service providers can implement mitigation strate- gies. They can create maps that clearly indicate the most efficient routes into and through neighborhoods, as well as the location of traffic management devices. They can practice getting through 911 gates quickly and plan routes that bypass gates. And they can buy hardware that permits emergency vehicles to pre-empt traffic signals so that they can clear intersections and stop cross -traffic. Taking this advice to heart, the Austin Fire, EMS, and Public «Forks and Transportation Departments recently met to discuss how to move forward together with the city's speed hump program. As a result, speed humps won't be approved for all the Austin streets on which they're being requested. Current funding levels will limit the number of humps that can be installed to approximately 65 to 100 annualh; depending on which design is used. And Austiris Public 1 -corks and Transportation Department recently revised the approval criteria to include only those streets where average vehicle speeds exceed the speed limit by five miles per hour. In addition, the Austin Fire and Ei\1S Departments will more clearly define what they' consider to be emergency response routes and will approve speed humps requested on streets that don't fall into this cate- goty:The Public Works Department will seek additional funding for traffic management and explore the use of other devices. Most impor- tant, the departments have agreed to work together to find a balance between the neighborhoods' need for increased livability and the fire and ELMS departments' need to provide effective and efficient response. To implement a traffic management program that benefits both the community and those .who provide emergency services successfulh; cities must evaluate the different strategies and devices available and incorporate them into a comprehensive plan to deal with traffic prob- lems. All affected parties, including the emergency service agencies, must participate in the planning process from the very beginning, and they must all make a commitment to work together, seeing the inter- ests of their community. Anyone interested in receiving a copy of "The Impact of Traf c Alanagetne nt Pr. - grants on the Delivery of Fist• Suppression and Emergency Medial/ Services, "tbe complete report frons z: hick this article is taken, mai, vrite to A1•Cinris at the Austin Fire Department, 1621 Festiva/ Belch. Road, Austin, TV 787 0?. Please enc%sea check or money order%or SS to co- er coprllrg and post,7ge costs. C S t; � � t- OS ON ON a� all n n n n n r, r- r, O; 91 C, O, v) n n 0 vi r- r- -- A n T C� T O� T °LOa - l� [- I- Ir- ll- l- M Ir- I- It ON ON ON --� M r-+ --� V1 N N N N N N i l i Ts j ° o pp ti 2 M ., n n n n n r, r- r, O; 91 C, O, v) n n S 'L C E C 0 vi A n c r- r- r00 °LOa - U O a OO 3> O T T T M M d' V1 V1 O I '-' t. [� l Ts j ° o pp ti 2 M ., S 'L C E C 0 vi A o c �° °LOa - U O a OO 3> O O M10 O 3 3 O t. Ts j ° o pp ti 2 M ., 3 N z 0 N U a3 ¢, _O "0, d R ° U x-dH �a a.aB >a'O o c U 0 v ^ b O V ti vOi��1l O o O c� V O. � bA y a, N 0 O .b d ci ; Q to 'o ti�aWo"8�,xxtiU0 Cd z 00xx� S 'L C E C 'O N c7 U O a OO 3> O O M10 O 3 3 O cV M S 'L C E C a ary of PLYMOUTFF January 23, 1997 Mr. Larry Dowell, President TwinWest Chamber of Commerce 10550 Wayzata Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 55305 Dear Larry: At our Mayor -Manager meeting yesterday, you inquired about the increase in Plymouth's overall tax levy of approximately 11 % and compared it to other TwinWest cities. I have looked up the levy information for this year and 1996 and found the following results. Our total gross levy (before fiscal disparities is subtracted) increased by 11.1 %. This may be the number you were recalling. You may be interested to know that our General Fund Levy increased by 6.9%. This number is more indicative of our long term, underlying growth rate in spending. As you know, we are the fastest growing TwinWest City by a large margin. The additional overall levy increase is explained by two increases: (1) a new levy for capital projects of $280,653 which is equal to a 2.8% overall levy increase, and (2) a new levy for our Water Resources Fund of $150,049 which is equal to a 1.5% overall levy increase. Both new levies anticipate new capital costs in specific areas. The City could have chosen to fund some of the new capital projects with alternative funding sources, such as tax increment financing, but chose to levy for them instead and clearly explain them to the public during our budget process. We believe this is consistent with recent TwinWest policy statements. We are pleased to continue to have the lowest City tax rate of any Minnesota city over 10,000 population, even though we are a large net contributor to the fiscal disparities program and rank very low in state aid per capita. We are also pleased that the average business in Plymouth is paying no more actual dollars in taxes to the City in 1997 than in 1993. PLYMOUTH A'Beautilld Pidce'r) Live ' 4nn PI YMr)I ITH ROI II P:vaPn • PI VfkAnl ITW AAI Mt.I CCnrA SCA 47 4 X07 . Tr' rn -]�-�5a We would we be happy to discuss City finances in more detail at any time. This may be a subject the new local business council would want to discuss. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Dwight D. Johnson City Manager cc: City Council