HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-08-2016 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
March 8, 2016
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:30 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on March 8, 2016.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Carroll, Prom, Wosje, Johnson, and
Beard.
ABSENT: Councilmember Willis.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Callister,Administrative Services Director Fischer, Public
Works Director Cote, Fire Chief Coppa, Public Safety Director Goldstein, Economic
Development Manager Parr, Community Development Director Juetten, Police Captain Reed,
Park and Recreation Director Evans,Administrative Intern Hansen, City Attorney Knutson, and
City Clerk Engdahl.
Group Home Licensure
Community Development Director Juetten and Public Safety Director Goldstein led the Council
in a discussion regarding group home licensure, which has arisen due to a group home located at
2650 Alvarado Lane North, that is operated by Genesis. This facility has been operating at this
address since 2014. Police Captain Reed added that Genesis has six facilities such as this one in
Minnesota. They provide independent skilled services to higher functioning adults in a single-
family neighborhood setting. The needs are more geared towards mental versus physical for
individuals who are 18 and over. The Plymouth site currently has four clients and one adult
supervisor who doesn't reside on site. There are two ways to operate a group home in Plymouth:
The organization holding the State license owns the property, such as Hammer
Residences that have properties in Plymouth.
The State licenses organizations that can operate skilled homes that aren't for a specific
property.
The City's options are:
Take no action but work with the adjacent neighborhood with their concerns and Genesis.
Inform Genesis they need to vacate the use which is in violation of the City's Zoning
Ordinance.
Amend the Zoning Ordinance allowing such uses with conditions.
The majority of the Council agreed this situation is very troublesome for the adjacent
neighborhood as there have been numerous situations where the residents haven't felt safe.
Adopted Minutes Page 1 of 2 Special Meeting of March 8, 2016
However, displacing the residents at this group home may not be in the City's best interest.
Therefore, the Council recommended that the staff immediately begin the process to amend the
Zoning Ordinance to accomplish the following objectives:
Outline an inspection and"strike"process for violations.
Define what the definition of a"health" check versus "nuisance" check is.
Require staffing ratios depending on the number of residents.
Limit the number of group homes and allow the Public Safety Department to use their
discretion in resolving property complaints.
2016 Council Goals and Legislative Priorities
The Council briefly discussed the proposed 2016 Council goals and legislative priorities that
would be approved at the Regular Council meeting this evening.
Set Future Study Sessions
The Council added an update on the Public Works Maintenance Facility project on the
March 22, 2016 study session agenda. The Council also scheduled a study session on
May 10, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. to receive an update on the universal playground and miracle
playfield at Zachary playfields.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Pititaaitaildi
Sandra R. Engdahlity Clerk
Adopted Minutes Page 2 of 2 Special Meeting of March 8, 2016