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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 07-25-1997JULY 25,1997 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE: NOTE: Ward I Councilmember Tim Bildsoe meets with residents and receives their comments in the Administration Library, beginning at 6:00 p.m. before each Council meeting. JULY29 7:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ICE ARENA, SHENANDOAH TOWNHOMES FUNDING, ACTIVITY CENTER, WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK, and CITY COUNCIL MEETING PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULE Public Safety Training Room AUGUST 6 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers AUGUST 7 7:00 P.M. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING BUDGET STUDY SESSION Public Safety Training Room AUG UST 20 5:00 P.M SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING BUDGET STUDY SESSION Public Safety Training Room AUGUST 20 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers AUG UST 27 5:00 P.M, SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING (IF NEEDED) BUDGET STUDY SESSION Public Safety Training Room 2. ORIENTATION SESSION FOR NEW CHARTER COMMISSION MEMBERS; MONDAY, JULY28, 7:00 P.M., Public Safety Training Room. Agenda is attached. (M-2) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO July 25, 1997 Page 2 3. PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ABOUT EAST MEDICINE LAKE BOULEVARD STREET IMPROVEMENTS, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 5:00-7:00 P.M., Plymouth Ice Arena, 3650 Plymouth Boulevard. Attached is a copy of the notice to residents. (M-3) 4. PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION ON PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS, MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 7:00 P.M., Medicine Lake Room. 5. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ACTIVITIES, TUESDAY, AUGUST 4. 6. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 6:00 P.M., Public Safety Library. 7. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON BUSINESS RELATIONS, MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 7:00 P.M. Medicine Lake Room. 8. MEETING CALENDARS — July, August and September meeting calendars are attached. (M- 8) 1. NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a. Notice from the Department of Housing and Urban Development of the approval of the Plymouth Consolidated Plan for Fiscal 1997. (I -1a) b. City of Plymouth response to the Federal Programs Questionnaire sent from Senator Rod Grams office. Also attached is the correspondence between Senator Grams office and Mayor Tierney covering the survey and responses. (I -1b) 2. MINUTES a. I-494 Corridor Commission / JPO June 16, 1997 meeting. (I -2a) 3. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY- CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter from Christine Whitfield, Property Manager for Park Place Apartments, commenting on temporary signs in Plymouth. The letter has been forwarded to Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt for a response. (I -3a) b. Letter from Robert Held requesting a skateboard park. The letter has been forwarded to Park Director Eric Blank for a response. (I -3b) A status report on the most recent correspondence is attached. (1-3) 4. CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter from William Ludwick expressing appreciation to the City workers who repaired a drainage ditch at the end of the cul-de-sac where he lives. (I -4a) AGENDA Charter Commission Orientation July 28, 1997 I. Welcome and Introductions Virgil Schneider II. History of Plymouth Charter Commission Kathy Lueckert III. Role of the Charter Commission Kathy Lueckert IV. Legal Differences between Statutory and Charter Cities Joel Jamnik V. How Charter Issues are placed on the ballot Joel Jamnik VI. Recent and Future Charter Commission Issues Virgil Schneider Bob Sipkins VII. Open Questions/Discussion DATE: July 25, 1997 TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager FROM: Fred G. Moore, P.E., Director of Public Works XK SUBJECT: EAST MEDICINE LAKE BOULEVARD STREET IMPROVEMENTS CITY PROJECT NO. 7006 Attached is a letter being mailed to the property owners in the area of the East Medicine Lake Boulevard Street Improvements. When the City Council ordered the construction of the street improvements at the July 9, 1997 meeting, they directed the staff hold a meeting with area property owners so they could be fully informed of the proposed street/trail construction. This meeting is being held on July 31, 1997 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Plymouth Ice Center. It will be held as an open house where everyone can come and review the plans. At 7:00 P.M. there will be a forum which will provide an opportunity for the property owners to discuss the project as a group. The City Clerk should post this as a public meeting since some councilmembers may be in attendance. attachment \\Ply_nt\ntdisk 1\P W\Engin«ring\PROJECTS\7006\MFMOSWwight.doc July 25, 1997 CITY OF PLYMOUTR «PIN» «NAME» «ADDRESS «CITY», «STATE» «ZIP» SUBJECT: EAST MEDICINE LAKE BOULEVARD STREET IMPROVEMENTS 30 AVENUE TO 301" AVENUE CITY PROJECT NO. 7006 Dear Property Owner: You have probably received letters over the past year inviting you to open houses to provide comments and view the plans for the construction of the Regional Trail along the east side of Medicine Lake. This trail construction is a joint project between the City of Plymouth and Hennepin Regional Parks. Concurrently, with the construction of the trail, the portion of East Medicine Lake Boulevard from 36' Avenue to 30' Avenue will be reconstructed as an urban city street. In order that all property owners in the area will have the opportunity to review the construction plans, you are invited to an open house on Thursday, July 31, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Plymouth Ice Center, 3650 Plymouth Boulevard. The open house will be concluded with a forum at 7:00 p.m. in order that any property owners can discuss the project as a group with City staff and the consultant. The street improvements for East Medicine Lake Boulevard that are proposed are as follows: • A two lane standard urban city street 32 feet wide. • Add concrete curb and gutter to the roadway. • Install a storm drainage system and water treatment pond to collect the water before it is discharged to Medicine Lake. • Widen the road to provide a left turn lane into the Armstrong High School Driveway and a left turn lane for traffic at 36' Avenue. Cr%PW Fbjinwq\PROJEC'M7006\L RS\Strat_ImpFormAoc PLYMOUTH ?l Beau tifulPlaceTo Live 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 The trail improvements -by the Park District will provide a separate walking/bike path along the westerly side of the street from 36'b Avenue to 13' Avenue. Also, a trail will be constructed on the southerly side of 36'b Avenue and extended to the existing trail in French Park. From Medicine Ridge Road southerly to 18'h Avenue, the street will become a one way northbound street in order that the trail can be constructed with minimum impact to Medicine Lake. The City Council is scheduled to enter into a contract for the construction of the street and trail improvements at their August 6 meeting. The open house will likely be the last opportunity for you to review the plans and provide any input before the City Council proceeds with the construction of these improvements. If you are unable to attend the open house and would like to review the plans, they are available in the Engineering Department at the City offices, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard. Also, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 509-5501. Sincerely, Jl• Fred G. Moore, P.E. Director of Public Works cc: Mayor and City Council Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager G:\PW\6iginaring\PROJBCM7006NLIRSVStrat_Im pg.d« IIN O� i b ?-+ C� 5Ofnrerm �` °rfzu u v SL!�apy! ' >, O R • ry �U y y fT C V C 890uU c� 8. O M o M U aF- E I2 O V_1. � itOu�u�78110 a' Q � •C ' � SOI OV E I 0 a0' (41M) Cl. V c z O gi-Cow gam, h N U CNoU: ',C)MV r Lv�-- v IIN O� i b ?-+ C� 5Ofnrerm �` M O '—, N i i o , r zpma% O V IU '..a Vt�7 to a aZp..N M O '—, N o , r zpma% O V IU '..a Vt�7 to a aZp..N C� 5Ofnrerm �` °rfzu u yu�a aQ�a_a': SL!�apy! ' � 18, O M O '—, N p�' Q C7 Eo3=F ! •� C� 5Ofnrerm �` u C z '' oo�y� LUQ ' � 18, O R 890uU 8. O M o z�z�' U aF- E I2 O V_1. � itOu�u�78110 a' Q � •C ' OV E I 0 a0' Cl. V c z O gi-Cow gam, h N U CNoU: ',C)MV r Lv�-- M O '—, N r - N Q C7 Eo3=F y~p=NN C� 5Ofnrerm u C z '' oo�y� c ' d• �, o x �' O P�OnO M O '—, N r - N Q C7 Eo3=F y~p=NN u M O '—, N Z e Q C7 Eo3=F O c u C z '' oo�y� c Ep .6{-Nt72KO d• �, o x �' 0 .8wuwCd ti N M O '—, N J•I °� 40 on ry) -2 \O N O Q N V � N U ohz �i m�,s z>o I aQ 1, dye : zoo N��rvN OQ ,Qj azOz W U.� .iy��jyF-� 8 N vQ Z j 8 y 00 h {ynNTN uF�= ry 00 Y =_ >' z Z <o x U 1-400 O'0 "V O i e i C7 F , z > 0En x 5 e.` z z � z O R � -- QU U z NI �nrr ZO Q F aa'I .0 'p' q h z 1-4-- fy � U -U Q N V � N U ohz �i m�,s z>o I aQ 1, dye : zoo z LU Nv1Q'Sl OQ ,Qj azOz W U.� .iy��jyF-� 8 N vQ Z j 8 y 00 h 00 �ouvwrof `g J o a = 9s�N DE�'D 'rXk 2 2 1997 Honorable Joy Tierney Mayor of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Mayor Tierney: Subject: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Minnesota State Office 220 Second Street South ,_ Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401-2195 , 1997 Consolidated Plan Approv, Plymouth, Minnesota It is with great pleasure that I am forwarrZrT?f the approval of your Consolidated Plan for Fiscal Year 1997. This approval is the end result of an extraordinary effort on the part of your staff to integrate long and short term development needs with Community Development program resources. Enclosed -you will find funding approval contracts and/or grant agreements for the following programs and amounts: CDBG $322,000.00 Please execute the attached documents and return two copies of each document to our office. As you review each document please note any special conditions and/or program reminders for each program. You will also find an enclosure entitled Program Notes. The Department views your approved submission as a living planning document which will allow you the flexibility to respond to changing needs in a thoughtful and coordinated manner. My staff and I look forward to working with your community in the coming months. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact me directly at 612-370-3019. My staff contact point for program management issues is John Swanson, and he can be reached at 612-370-3022. Sincerely, A� .�. 6 haven G. Huckl Director, Com ity Planning & Development Attachments CC: Ed Goldsmith CITY OF PLYMOUTff July 21, 1997 Mr. Tom Yedinak c/o Senator Rod Grams United States Senate 261 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Mr. Yedinak, Enclosed is.the response of the City of Plymouth to the Federal Programs Questionnaire, sent to us last month. The City of Plymouth does not receive much federal funding compared to other cities. However, we are pleased with the effectiveness of those federal program in which we do participate. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to the questionnaire. Should you have questions, please call Assistant City Manager Kathy Lueckert, at 612-509-5052. Sincerely, G % 7J Joy Tierney Mayor of Plymouth cc: Plymouth City Council Enclosure PLYMOUTH A BeautilirlTlace `Ti? Liv 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEP! if ?•. i. ;''1 ROD GRAMS WASHINGTON OFFICE: MINNESOTA PH. 202-224-3244 COMMITTEES: FAX 202-228-0956 BANKING, HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS�lnite� �tate� senate INTERNET: MAIL_GRAMSQGRAMS.SENATE.GG' ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES MINNESOTA OFFICE: WASHINGTON, DC 20510 FOREIGN RELATIONS 2013 SECOND AVENUE NORTH ANOKA, MN 55303 JOINT ECONOMIC PH. 612-427-5921 June 2, 1997 FAX 612-427-8872 The Honorable Joycelyn H. Tierney 17915 20th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447-2137 Dear Mayor Tierney: As:the 105th Congress continues, I need your help and advice in making decisions here in Washington, D.C. that affect the unique communities of Minnesota. Last summer,, I sent out the attached survey to key community officials. Since'I have not received your response, I would like to again invite yo u'::to participate. I hope you will take a few moments to answer the enclosed questionnaire. I am interested in knowing which federal programs yourcommunity participates in, how effective you think those programs are, and how we can improve these programs. I want to effectively represent Minnesota taxpayers and make sure your needs are part of the budget debate in Washington. Should you have any questions or if the questionnaire is unclear,'' please do not hesitate to contact Tom Yedinak of my Washington, D.C. staff at 202-224-3244. Also, please send your response to my office at 261 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington,.D.C., 20510, attention Tom Yedinak. Thank you, again, for participating in this survey. I appreciate your input and look forward to receiving your suggestions. Your response would be most helpful if I received it by June 30. Sincerely, Rod Grams United States Senator RG:ty Enclosure PRINTFn f1N PF(`Vf,— cpocp Senator Rod Grams Federal Programs Questionnaire Name of City: Plymouth, Minnesota 1. Please list the federal programs.in which your community received funding for 1995 along with the amount received. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Lower Income Housing Assistance (Section 8) $ 829,641 CDBG 446,165 Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Management Assistance Program 7,622 Department of Justice Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 9,071 Cops Ahead Program 16,667 Health and Human Services Cancer Control Program (Assist—Tobacco compliance) 1,157 Small Business Administration Community Tree Planting 5.000 Total $1,315,323 2. What state funding was received in these areas for 1995? No state funds were received. 3. How much local funding is required, above that which was received from federal and state sources for 1995? Emergency Management Cops Ahead $20,378 .11,462 4. What percentage of your total annual budget was federal dollars received in 1995? Total 1995 Revenues $33,235,712 Federal Dollars $ 1,315,323 % Federal Dollars 3.95 5. Rate the federal programs you listed for their effectiveness, one through ten. One being the least effective and ten being the most effective. Emergency Management 10 Juvenile Justice 9 Cops Ahead 10 Tobacco compliance 8 Tree Planting 9 Section 8 Housing 9 CDBG 10 6. Do you have any suggestions for improving those federal programs? Please be specific in your suggestions as they relate to the individual federal program. Tree Planting—continued funding, so that more communities can become more livable and energy -wise. Long term investments in the infra -structure are essential for a thriving, vital community. Trees have many tangible and intangible benefits that last for generations. Section 8—(1). Passage of the public housing reform bill (S. 462) to consolidate the certificate and voucher programs to increase efficiency. (2). Provide more incentives for landlords to participate in the program to encourage a wider distribution of certificates and vouchers, to prevent a concentration of units. Tie existing income tax benefits for property owners to participate in the program. (3) Provide adequate administrative fees for local housing agencies. We project that by 1998 existing administrative fees may not be adequate to cover costs. (4) Increased support to tie programs to family self- sufficiency programs. Provide increased administrative fees to support such programs. CDBG—(1) Permit members of consortiums to have different fiscal years for programs that they operate independently. (2) Simplify the application and consolidated plan requirements. 7. Do you have any suggestions for insuring the accountability of taxpayer dollars used in these programs? Please be specific in your suggestions as they relate to the individual federal program. Criminal Justice Pro rams—maintain reporting requirements within grant without making these so difficult that it is not worth applying for the grant. Section 8/CDBG—Increased computer matching of participant's reported income with IRS and state/county assistance programs. 8. Please list the unnecessary unfunded mandates imposed upon your community by the federal government and the estimated cost to your community associated with the unfunded mandate. CDBG—inability to charge modest overhead costs or allocation of costs into program without doing an extremely complicated analysis that may not realistically reflect the actual cost. In 1995, $5,800 in additional cost to community. • �d I494 Corridor CommissionflPO Meeting Minutes of Monday, June 16,1997 I. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 12:20pm by Chair Ross Thorfinnson. Those in attendance were: Ross Thorfinnson, Eden Prairie City Council Joy Tierney, Mayor of Plymouth Joyce Henry, Bloomington City Council Jim Hovland, Edina City Council Dick Allendorf, Minnetonka City Council Russ Susag, Richfield City Council Larry Lee, City of Bloomington Dave Lindahl, City of Eden Prairie Alan Gray, City of Eden Prairie Craig Larsen, City of Edina Curt Gutoske, City of Minnetonka Barb Senness, City of Plymouth John Melin, City of Richfield Clarence Shallbetter, Metropolitan Council Gina Baas, LJR, Inc. Lisa Raduenz, LJR, Inc. II. Review of Minutes. Minutes from the Wednesday, May 21,1997, meeting were brought up for Commission approval. Dave Lindahl moved to approve the minutes and Russ Susag seconded. Motion carried. III. Review of DRAFT TDM Report. Baas went over the components of the draft version of the TDM Report with the group. Dick Allendorf wondered if there is going to be a "Summary and Next Steps" component as part of the report. Raduenz responded with a brief background as to why we are doing the report and indicated that the action steps are part of Scope of Work plan for the next contract period. She added that based on what the evaluation piece tells us, a "Next Steps" piece could certainly be included in the final version. Shallbetter stated that the evaluation pieces will provide a sense of completion for the previous work and may make a difference in the direction on next year's work. Baas asked that any changes that group members have should be communicated to LJR through mail, fax or e-mail. IV. Review of 1997-98 Scope. of Work document. Raduenz explained that the new approach that the group has been discussing over the last 6 months has been incorporated into next year's work as part of this document. She briefed the group on the two track approach of the Scope of Work with Track 1 continuing the ongoing TDM work and Track 2 yielding a long-range plan to provide a comprehensive alternative transportation program for the corridor. She reminded the group that this document is still in the draft stage and that there is a question as to whether Met Council will support this funding. Allendorf wondered why we were using the year 2040 as a benchmark when other plans are based on year 2020. Raduenz explained that this was put in as a suggestion by Shallbetter based on the Met Council's Regional Growth plans. Curt Gutoske asked why a disproportionate amount of time is still being devoted to TDM when the discussions over the last 6 months would seem to indicate that the Commission was moving in a different direction. He assumed that the group was looking to cut its losses and move on from TDM. Raduenz replied that the Scope of Work reflects an emphasis on TDM as a strategy to attract additional funding to the Commission from the Met Council. Thorfinnson added that realistically the small infrastructure projects will be the only ones to get completed in the short term so that advocating for the total reconstruction will not be successful with the current funding scenarios. Lindahl remarked that the Commission should focus their efforts on getting funding for the interim projects. He also brought up Larry Lee's idea to expand the parallel arterial system to encompass the entire corridor and wondered if this would be a more attractive approach considering the lack of funding for major improvements on the freeway. He suggested that we consider adding a component to the scope that addresses it. Carrying the ring road idea further, Gutoske asked whether or not it would have to incorporated into each city's comprehensive plan updates. Shallbetter agreed that the question of how the ring road idea and the other improvements the Commission is interested in will fit into city plans is an important one. They will have an effect on future land use designations. He also added that the issue of traffic congestion is and will be overwhelmingly focused on the west metro. How do you engage the communities that are and will be affected? Lee brought up the issue of economic impacts and wondered how we avoid pursuing options and incentives that do not end up being very cost effective. As we are looking at solutions, we need to keep the marketplace in mind. For example, the RTB determined whether or not transit routes would be continued based on the level of subsidy necessary to operate it. Hovland suggested that an economic component be added to the analysis of programs and incentives. After further discussion, Thorfinnson requested that each member of the group take the time to look over the scope and communicate any comments or questions to him or to LJR. V. Discussion of Upcoming MN Transportation* Ajliance 1 -IT; -in and Update on HCIC- sponsored Coalition Meeting Regarding Funding. Raduenz and Thorfinnson informed the group that they have scheduled individual meetings with Congressmen Jim Ramstad and Martin Sabo during their time in Washington, DC for the Fly -in. The large group will also be having breakfast on each of the two days with Senator Rod Grams and Senator Paul Wellstone. The purpose of the meetings with the congressmen is to make them aware of the activities of the Commission and its goals in terms of projects and funding. They asked the Commission members to communicate to them any specific points that should be brought up with any of the elected officials. Raduenz briefed the group on a series of meetings attended by representatives of various transportation stakeholder groups to discuss a course of action to push for funding legislation in the next legislative session. The meetings are sponsored by HCIC (Highway Construction Industry Council) and include groups such as Ramsey and Hennepin Counties, Association of Minnesota Counties, Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, Minnesota Transportation Alliance and others. A letter has been drafted and is being reworked that expresses displeasure I' Zd with the Legislature at the lack of funding action during the past session. They are also % developing a plan of action that includes grassroots activities to inform the general public and advocate for funding. Raduenz will keep. the group apprised of these activities as they progress. VI. Renewal of Commission ACT Membership. Baas informed the group that the Commission's membership in the Association for Commuter Transportation is up for renewal at a cost of $200. Senness moved to renew the ACT membership and Lindahl seconded. Motion carried. VII. Other Business. No additional business was brought up under this agenda item. VIII. Next Meeting/Adjournment. The next meeting was set for Wednesday, July 23, 1997 at 8:30am. Meeting adjourned at 1:35pm. Park Place Apartments 14300 34th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55447 July 22, 1997 City of Plymouth Ms. Joy Tiemy 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Joy, On July 7th, I spoke with Don Munson regarding the drastic increase of temporary signage being used within the City of Plymouth. Don confirmed for me that this was in fact against the City Ordinance as I suspected. In our business we spend tens of thousands of dollars each year to market our property and we too have attempted to use such temporary signs to increase our drive by traffic. Although this worked suprisingly well, our signs were removed by City employees. Several of my competitors are and have been using temporary signs for quite some time and are attaching balloons to them drawing even more attention from everyone, but the city, and still they seem to remain there against your City Ordinance. You might also note that temporary signs for apartments are even being placed in the cites lawn during weekend hours . I would like to purchase and utilize such signage, however due to the close proximity of my property to the City Center I am quite sure that they will be removed once again. I hope that you can understand my concern and realize how the lack of city enforcement of such an ordinance can impact my business and yet increase others. I am requesting one of the following items to be addressed immediately, communicate with me, in writing, approving the temporary signage usage, if approval is not granted I insist that the city notify and remove the signs from the communities that are violating the ordinance. Sincer , istine Whit Id, Property Manager Park Place Apartments Equity Residential Properties Trust a On July 7th, I spoke with Don Munson regarding the drastic increase of temporary signage being used within the City of Plymouth. Don confirmed for me that this was in fact against the City Ordinance as I suspected. In our business we spend tens of thousands of dollars each year to market our property and we too have attempted to use such temporary signs to increase our drive by traffic. Although this worked suprisingly well, our signs were removed by City employees. Several of my competitors are and have been using temporary signs for quite some time and are attaching balloons to them drawing even more attention from everyone, but the city, and still they seem to remain there against your City Ordinance. You might also note that temporary signs for apartments are even being placed in the cites lawn during weekend hours . I would like to purchase and utilize such signage, however due to the close proximity of my property to the City Center I am quite sure that they will be removed once again. I hope that you can understand my concern and realize how the lack of city enforcement of such an ordinance can impact my business and yet increase others. I am requesting one of the following items to be addressed immediately, communicate with me, in writing, approving the temporary signage usage, if approval is not granted I insist that the city notify and remove the signs from the communities that are violating the ordinance. Sincer , istine Whit Id, Property Manager Park Place Apartments Equity Residential Properties Trust City Council Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Council Members: t' l b July 22, 1997 I am writing to express my opinion upon the need for skateboarding facilities here in our community. Skateboarding is a very physically demanding activity, and the number of kids participating is growing at a remarkable rate. Last month our family traveled to Columbus Ohio to visit relatives. We observed that the city of Columbus had built a skatepark and use is free of charge. The facility is viewed as a playground, a playground for older kids. It all of a sudden hit me that here in Plymouth, we spend all sorts of money equipping lavish playgrounds for our children when they are young. Once they become teenagers we tend to ignore their changing needs for recreation. I know we have baseball and soccer fields but these are used primarily by organized groups. I have a feeling that if we looked at the cost to construct the average activity/play structure that we build for toddlers we will find quite a disproportionate amount of dollars are spent in relation to what is being spent on our adolescent youths. The Columbus facility was little more than a fenced in area that had a moderate in ground skateboard run, an above ground Ih pipe and another ramp. Picnic tables under a covered area provided escape from the sun, and if you wanted something to drink you brought a cooler along. Nothing elaborate. I would like the city to recognize the recreational needs of our adolescent citizens and vigorously pursue building a modest skateboarding facility to better round out our city's park and recreation offerings. Sincerely, Robert Held Plymouth Resident 17410 34TH AVE. N. • PLYMOUTH / MN - 55447 PHONE: 476-4497 WILLIAM E. LUDWICK 18845 12TH AVENUE NORTH PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-2513 July 17, 1997 Mayor Joy Tierney City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 Dear Mayor Tierney: On behalf of the residents living on the culdesac of Twelfth Avenue North, we want to express our appreciation for repairing the drainage ditch at the end of the culdesac. This eliminated the twenty four foot deep wash-out which was a serious hazard. Once the project was started, the city workmen were kept on the project until completed. They were careful, considerate and polite. It is the desire of the residents that the city employees be notified of our appreciation. Sincerely, William E. Ludwick