HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 12-13-1996y
DECEMBER 13, 19
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE.
DECEMBER 18 7:00 P.M
JANUARY 8, 1997 7:00 P.M
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Council Chambers
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Council Chambers
2. BOARD AND COMMISSIONAPPLICANT INTERVIEWS, MONDAY, DECEMBER 16,
7:00 P.M, Employee Lunchroom, City Hall Lower Level. (M-2)
3. PLANNING COMMISSION, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 7:00 P.M., Council Chambers.
(M-3)
4. SUB -COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY POLICING, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18,
5:30 P.M., Medicine Lake Room. (M-4)
5. HRA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 7: 00 P.M., Council Chambers.
6. MEETING CALENDARS — December and January meeting calendars are attached. (M-9)
1. MEETING MINUTES
a. Plymouth Subcommittee on Community Policing, November 20, 1996. (I-1 a)
b. Environmental Quality Committee, October 8, 1996. (I -lb)
M
CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO
December 13, 1996
Page 2
2. NEWSARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC.
a. Notice from the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development that a
Minnesota Investment Grant has been approved in the amount of $500,000 for the
ValueRx, Inc. expansion. (I -2a)
b. Report from Teens Alone on their 1995-1996 program. (I -2b)
3. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY- CORRESPONDENCE
a. Letter to Elmer Otto Public Safety Director Craig Gerdes responding to comments about
suburban Metro traffic problems. Otto's original letter is attached. (I -3a)
b. Letter to Wendy Fasching from Public Safety Director Craig Gerdes responding to
comments about Fire Department equipment. Fasching's original letter is attached.
(I --3b)
c. Letter from Hennepin County and memo from City staff responding to Dan
Witkowski's concerns about an unsafe intersection at County Road 73 and Sunset Trail.
Mr. Witkowski received a copy of the correspondence from Hennepin County. (I -3c)
d. Internet correspondence between Public Safety Support Service Supervisor Barb Cox
and Kyle Libbert regarding intensive deer harvest in Plymouth. (I -3d)
e. Letter from Karen E. Karn with suggestions for improving the intersection at Vicksburg
Lane and Highway 55 or County Road 24 and Highway 55 to make it more accessible
to pedestrians and bikers. The letter has been forwarded to Park Director Eric Blank for
a response. (I --3e)
f. Letter from Portia Toussant and Michael Flom regarding Community Home Program's
proposed residential facility. The letter has been forwarded to Community
Development Director Anne Hurlburt for response. (I -3f)
A status report on the most recent correspondence is attached. (I--3)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
a. Internet correspondence from Todd Dugdale complimenting the Plymouth park system
and specifically the archery range. (I -4a)
5. MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT -- Attached is a preliminary report from
Public Safety Director Craig Gerdes on motor vehicle traffic accidents in the City. The
report indicates a dramatic reduction in personal injury accidents for 1995 and 1996. (I-5)
NOTICE OF COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE
MEETING
A Plymouth City Council Subcommittee on Boards and Commissions will meet on
Monday, December 16, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at 3400 Plymouth Blvd., in the City
Hall Lunchroom. The meeting is held to conduct board and commission interviews;
and to discuss appointments to boards, commissions, and other agencies; Council
Coordinating Representatives, and the Deputy Mayor designation. This meeting is
open to the public.
Please call 509-5080 for further information regarding this Council meeting.
Laurie F. Ahrens
City Clerk
City of Plymouth
Posted: 12-12-96
(h, 2 -
® PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1996
WHERE: Plymouth City Center
3400 Plymouth Boulevard
Plymouth, MN 55447
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
M—_3
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. The Rottlund Company, Inc. Land Use Guide plan Amendment and Sketch Plan for senior rental and
for -sale housing and office commercial uses for The Village of Bassett Creek located at the northwest
corner of Highway 55 and Revere Lane. (96140)
B. Cellular Realty Advisors, Inc. Site Plan Amendment and Conditional Use Permit to place a 130 -foot
high telecommunications tower at the Plymouth Middle School Playfield located at 10011-361' Avenue
North. (96167)
7. OLD BUSINESS
A. Independent School District 281. Amended Conditional Use Permit to change an approved Resolution
to permit Cooper High School events at Armstrong High School athletic stadium in the event an
emergency renders Cooper's stadium not useable. (96120) (This item was tabled from the September 6,
1996 Planning Commission Meeting.)
B. Sprint Spectrum, L.P. Site Plan Amendment and Conditional Use Permit to place a 140 -foot high
telecommunications tower and related ground phone equipment at Hampton Hills Golf Course, located at
5313 Juneau Lane North. (96160) (This item was tabled from the November 12, 1996 Planning
Commission Meeting.)
C. Town and County Homes, Inc. Land Use Guide Plan Amendment from CS (Commercial
Service)/C (Commercial) to LA -3 (High -Medium Density Residential/Living Area 3) and
Sketch Plan for a 159 -unit townhome community located in the northwest quadrant of Highway
55 and Dunkirk Lane. (96161) (Continued from November 26 Meeting) (Applicant has
requested continuation to January 14, 1997.)
8. NEW BUSINESS
9. ADJOURNMENT
t vi - +
AGENDA
City Council Subcommittee on
Community Po/icing
Wednesday, December 18, 1996
5:30 p.m.
I. New Community Notification of Sex Offenders Legislation
effective January 1, 1997
II. January meeting date
III. Future Committee
more citizen involvement - overall committee make-up
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A
Plymouth Subcommittee on
Community Policing
Minutes of Meeting
November 20, 1996
5.30 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Councilmembers Christian Preus and Tim Wold, City
Manager Dwight Johnson, Citizen Kim Koehnen, Chief Craig Gerdes, Sgt. Mike
Goldstein, and Public Safety Tech Svcs Supervisor Barb Cox. Also attending as a
guest was Mayor Joy Tierney. Mary Ann Biermeier was unable to attend.
The members of the fire department scheduled to attend this meeting responded to
a townhouse fire at approximately 4:30 p.m. and were then unable to present.
Also, due to inclement weather and other problems, some committee members
arrived after the meeting had started.
The Chief stated due to the weather and active fire, a number of members were not
present, so he began by discussing the new law requiring community notification of
sex offenders. He stated he would like to discuss this issue with the committee
further at its December 18" meeting as the law goes into effect January 1, 1997.
The Chief gave an overview of the law and its requirements. City Manager
Johnson asked if this State Law would then give immunity to any contended
violation of the Federal Civil Rights Law. The Chief stated this was probably a
question for the Attorneys to answer.
Kim Koehnen stated that taking into account the fact that this group did spend a lot
of time going over the various programs, she would like to see the committee be
proactive in its approach. She stated she would like to see more citizens get
involved. Further she stated she had a couple of questions. One, as the committee
is now dealing with fire department issues, should the name of the committee be
changed to reflect Public Safety instead of policing. Also, she would again like the
group to consider whether we need more citizen members, even though we would
have to find some way to get them up to speed on the programs previously
reviewed. There was a discussion on the citizen academy proposal. The Chief
stated one of these academies could be the way to get additional citizens informed
on the programs.
The Mayor stated she has been reading the minutes from this committee and asked
how this committee compares to the Crime and Fire Prevention Fund. The Chief
stated the basic difference is that the Crime and Fire Prevention Fund deals
primarily with funds and fundraising. He stated they have raised funds to enable
the purchase of specific equipment for the department such as the police K-9
program and the fire water rescue boat. He stated they also keep an amount of
funds available in case the City needs to offer a reward in connection with a major
crime or event as this money would not otherwise be available. He stated this
committee primarily deals with ideas and how to best work on issues. An example
of this is the current issue with fire department response and staffing. The
committee first develops an understanding of the issue and recommends a plan of
action.
At this time the entire committee was present, the fire department presentation
was discussed. Chief Gerdes stated he could present the information in Chief
Kline's absence as they had discussed it previous to this meeting. Chief Gerdes
distributed some handouts the fire personnel had prepared outlining the five options
that had previously been discussed. He stated at this time, the fire department is
recommending we proceed with options 1 (using City personnel), 2 (duty crew),
and 5 (technological enhancements). He stated they recommend these options go
forward for further review.
Councilmember Wold stated he would like to comment on the pre-emption system.
He requested some clarification on how the system works and how many would be
needed to equip Public Safety. The Chief stated we would need probably 30
vehicle units to equip both police and fire vehicles. Wold asked then if we spent
55,000 today, we could equip 10 vehicles to control the signals already equipped
along Highway 55. The Chief stated that was true. Wold asked what the life
expectancy of the units was. The Chief stated on the units used in the vehicles,
there would be an easy 10 year life on units used by police and probably 20 on fire.
Wold asked if there would be a problem when the vehicles were replaced. The
Chief stated these units would easily transfer to the new squad. There was
discussion on who would benefit from the system. The Chief stated all emergency
vehicles including police, fire, ambulance, and State Patrol would benefit from the
system. Wold asked that we continue to point out that ambulance and State Patrol
benefit in discussions of intersections to equip. Wold questioned whether a private
citizen could get ahold of one of these units and use it to control intersections. The
Chief stated there is an encoding of the units so this would not be possible. He
stated further the encoding would allow for use to extend to Public Works for
plows and the system would prioritize if receiving signals from both a plow and an
emergency vehicle.
The duty crew option was then discussed by the group. The Chief stated if this
project were implemented we would begin by using a member of the current
department as a leader for the group for at least a six month period and assess the
need for a full-time staff member. He stated the program as laid out by Chief Kline
would use 16 current firefighters to assign 4 at a time to work specific days and
hours at a station. City Manager Johnson stated he liked this option as it has the
most impact on response time. Wold commented that the response on other than
2
..r- I n,
fire calls such as extractions at accident scenes was compelling to him. He also
stated this appears to be a good compromise between a full-time fire department
and status quo. He stated he could also see how this option could be more
attractive when recruiting new volunteers.
Johnson stated that option 3, recruiting additional volunteers is not a viable option
as we currently have 70 positions approved and only have 60 firefighters. Wold
stated he likes the idea of going to a duty crew and continuing to move forward.
He stated this seems like a prudent first step. Gerdes stated we will continue to
research into PERA (retirement fund), overtime and other union issues involved in
the use of present city employees.
Gerdes stated that Chief Kline had met with City Manager Johnson and himself to
discuss the available options. He stated they all agreed to recommend moving
forward on the three issues proposed by the fire department. He stated they will
continue forward with these issues and develop additional research for
implementation. Gerdes asked when this issue should be brought before the
Council for authorization. Johnson stated we should keep proceeding along with
research and development and write an information update to be included in a
weekly Council Information Memo as soon as possible. Gerdes stated we would
try for this week, but could have it by next week at the latest.
There was discussion as to whether the committee needed to make a motion or
some direction for work to proceed. Councilmember Wold moved the
subcommittee recommend options 1, 2, and 5 move forward for further study and
directed Chief Gerdes to give a status report to the City Council as soon as
possible. Motion seconded by Kim Koehnen. All in favor, motion passed
unanimously.
Chief Gerdes noted that we will need to finalize our recommendation on the 25
mph limit to the legislature. Councilmember Wold stated he would be happy to
take time off to speak individually with legislators about this issue.
Last Mayor Tierney stated she would like the issue of citizen involvement with this
committee discussed when the Council discusses the various board and
commission appointments. She stated we also have the option of making this
group a commission. Also, we need to evaluate the Council interest in the
committee and how many and which Councilmembers will serve. Koehnen again
stated she would have more comfort with more than two citizens involved Gerdes
stated he would also like some type of blend with the police department's internal
community policing committee considered.
In closing, Kim Koehnen asked that Chief Gerdes convey to the fire department that
they did a good job of researching and putting together the information for the
committee and making recommendations. Chief Gerdes stated he would.
rj
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
MINUTES
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE
Meeting No. 54
Tuesday, October 8, 1996
7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Bridget Jodell, Rita O'Donnell, David Shea, Mary McKee, Bob Swanson,
Shane Missaghi, Council Member Ginny Black
Members Absent: Martin Frank, Paul Liebman, Ex-officio:John Bieen, Hennepin County,
Staff Ex -officio Eric Blank, Staff Ex -officio Dan Faulkner
The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and approved by the committee.
Visitor recognition
• Margie Vigoren, Solid Waste Coordinator, - Hennepin County Seed Exchange. Margie
thanked all who participated. Fertilizer sale resulted in 250 bags sold and the sale was
deemed a success. Ginny requested an update to give to the Council.
• Yard waste site - a master gardener will be present on Saturday, October 12 and available
to speak about home composting, flyers will also be handed out.
The following items were added to the Agenda:
Update on the surface water maintenance plan
• Shane met with Mark on October 7 to finish setting goals. The goal is to have a working
draft by mid November. For a frame of reference, no city has gotten a water plan
approved in less than 2 years, while the City of Plymouth is attempting to do within one
year. A suggestion made that it would be preferable to have the plan sent to the
watersheds for review and input, however, not enough time is available. Final draft copy
will also be made available for the committee as soon as possible. Overall, Shane said
the Water Plan is going well.
• Bassett Creek watershed is also doing a study of Medicine Lake. Shane recommended
including our plan, he would also like to involve the Citizen Lake Advisory Association.
WATER QUALITY MINUTES
MEETING NO. 54
Landscaping, Ordinance
Ginny - Community Development is redoing a section of the ordinance for
commercial/industrial development. Complaints about development of Home Depot on
County Rd. 6 is what has prompted these revisions. Ginny recommends we review and
offer comments from the committee. The draft will be up for comment. Do we want to
offer recommendations? Will this be included in our next meeting? Public hearings will
also be held.
Inlet study of water into Medicine Lake
Bridget and Rita participated in a photographic study of lake inlets measuring
sedimentation. Pilot survey is being done with the assistance of John Barten. John
contends that these could be cleaned in the 90's. The plan is to be included on the next
agenda. Photographs were viewed by the committee members.
Sustainable Community Reports
Environmental Sub Committee report:
• Recommend monthly seminar with the business community and Plymouth. What do they
want, how do they want information, what do they want to do?
• Several businesses will be contacted for the first meeting in November. Looking for
dynamite speaker. What will be the focus?
• Goal: Foster a competitive advantage for Plymouth businesses through environmental
initiatives.
Next step/developing a program
• Rita: What is sustainable community? Have we all agreed what it is? Do we need to
further discuss prior to plan of action? Do we have a definition? Yes, a working draft.
Mary read from August meeting. David commented that we need to be involved
Page 2
WATER QUALITY MINUTES
MEETING NO. 54
./b
1997 Annual Report
October
November
December
January.
Early draft of
report
Approved by EQC
Sustainable Community Working Definition
Business Education Water Solid/Hazardous Yard Issues
Waste
This needs to be done first. What are we doing now? What grants do we want to go after? What
are the funding sources. Mary needs information on what to put into a letter to the Council of
what we have done and what we planning Can all be done under Sustainable Community
umbrella?
1996 Accomplishments:
Education
• Newsletter articles - Environmental Fair, Stencil project, Booth at Music in Plymouth,
Open House October 26, many school presentations, meetings and involvement with
Global Action Plan.
• Water - Stencil project, Surface Water plan involvement, "pilot survey of selected
discharge sites into Medicine Lake", DNR grant, and involvement of Wayzata SHS, two
public meetings to review the surface water management plan.
• Solid Waste - Bonded to become an environmental family, a cooperative effort,
distributed directory.
• Community Liaison - Pike Lake water skiing dispute, Luce Line/NSP, Environmental
Fair, Christmas Fair Art Fair, fertilizer sale, wrote article (unpublished at this time) about
noise reduction.
Shane is writing final report on the above. This could serve a working outline for 1997 plans.
Open House, October 26, 1996
The EQC will offer a display. What information will be available? Mary volunteered to
attend. Recommended information to be available: "Goose" brochure, calendar, Stormy
brochure.
Page 3
WATER QUALITY MINUTES
MEETING NO. 54
DNR and Wayzata High School Project
-T... % _�
A DNR grant of 15k to use part on the High School area as a lab/experimental site. One
idea is to have the area protected from deer to give the seedlings a chance to grow. Bio-
engineering or creek, plant prairie grass. Will work with HS teacher and 30 students and
have already made a protected area and have planted. Wild rice ceremony was held,
planted with native American elders. Will be reported in Sun Sailor upcoming.
Adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
POge 4
NTINNEsoTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRADE- AND FCON01%liC DEVELOPMENT
SOiI Metro Square
121 7th Place East
Saint Paul, 1%linnesuta 55101-21.16 USA
The Honorable Joy Tierney
Mayor, City of Plymouth
City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, Minnesota 55447
Dear Mayor Tierney:
• 'onomic0.•
• 04'ilvldf�-
December
FG 10, 1996
I am pleased to inform you that your application for a
Minnesota Investment Fund grant has been approved in the amount
of $500,000. As outlined in the approved application, the City
of Plymouth will make a loan of $500,000 to ValueRx, Inc. to
assist in their expansion.
A grant agreement is being prepared by the Business and
Community Development Division staff. They will also provide you
with additional information about your grant award to help you
achieve your economic development goals. Also, please note that
your approved application becomes part of the grant agreement.
No changes can be made regarding the rates, term, use, schedules,
or recipient of the loan funds without approval from this
Department. For additional information, contact Jeffrey Rageth,
Deputy Commissioner at (612)296-4039.
Finally, let me extend my congratulations to you and your
staff for developing a successful project application to help
address your community and economic development needs.
JN: jmc
p1121096.36k
Sincerely,
J7 A)J
Jay Novak
Commissioner
(812) 297-1291
Gt. (800)G57-3858
TTY/TDD (612) 282-61.12
An Equal Opportullit) Employer FAX (612) 296-1290
December 4,1996
Dear Friend of TEENS ALONE,
I am pleased to share with you the TEENS ALONE program report
for 1995-96. Some highlights from the year include:
E�9 *425 clients served -- an increase of 39% over the
previous year.
915 Mainstreet * 60 educational presentations made to 1400
Hopkins, MN 55343 community members.
988-4086
988-5358 (fax) *Received a 96% approval rating from school counselors and
social workers who had used the TEENS ALONE services.
*Identified short and long term shelter as a critical service
need of youth that is not currently being met and initiated a
community dialogue on how to meet this need in the
western suburbs.
TEENS ALONE's purpose is threefold:
•To strengthen and stabilize youth and'families experiencing
crisis or conflict
*To reunify youth with families if separation has occurred
•To increase the community's awareness and understanding
of teen and family conflict
As the attached report demonstrates, TEENS ALONE is making a
difference in the lives of teens and their families in the west
suburbs. Our thanks to all of our community partners who make
our work. possible.
Sincerely,
C�,ce
Kerrie Blevins
Coordinator
TEENS ALONE
PROGRAM REPORT July 1, 1995 - June 30,1996
TEENS ALONE serves youth, ages 10-18, and
their families who attend school or reside in the Eden Prairie,
Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Wayzata school districts. These youth
are experiencing family crisis or conflict and maybe already be or
are at -risk of becoming runaway, abandoned, or homeless.
TEENS ALONE is a community-based effort
committed to stabilizing and strengthening youth and families in
crisis or conflict; to reunifying runaway, abandoned, and homeless
youth with families and increasing community awareness about
teen and family conflict. During the 1995-96 program year,
TEENS ALONE Board and staff focused on the following
activities:
Providing Direct Service
TEENS ALONE continues to a provide unique service to
west suburban teens and families. No other resource offers a 24
hour response time, free services, and counselors who will come
to the youth and family -- to school, to their home, or anywhere
else the family choose.
During 1995-96, TEENS ALONE counselors provided
nearly 1200 hours of counseling to 425 west suburban teens and
adults. a 39 percent increase in individual clients served over the
previous year.
Who was the typical TEENS ALONE Client?
• 14 to 17 years of age
• As likely to be female as male
• Living in a household with two adults,
often in blended families
• Frequently a child of divorce
• Caucasian
Because of the program's emphasis on preventing youth
homelessness and running away through early intervention, 60
percent of the youth were at home or staying with a relative when
TEENS ALONE worked with them and their families. Five percent of
youth were on the streets for more than 3 days or homeless
when they contacted TEENS ALONE.
What brought youth to TEENS ALONE? fT� ;- �i
/
My parents don't understand what's going on in
my life and I want out of here. - St Louis Park Teen
This comment by a St. Louis Park teen reflects the feelings of SO
percent of youth who report their problems stem from a lack of
of communication with a parent. For over a third of youth,
conflict between their parents is a primary factor. Interpersonal
problems with peers and authority figures were also common
problems cited by youth.
A high percentage of youth (4S percent) reported their
own chemical use as a problem. Truancy and involvement with
law were also factors for over a third of the youth. Approximately
25 percent of youth reported some form of physical, sexual, or
emotional abuse.
New Approaches to Reaching Youth
Summer has traditionally been a difficult time to reach
youth for TEENS ALONE. During summer 1996, the TEENS ALONE
counselors went to where the teens are -- shopping malls. In
addition to talking directly with youth, staff developed
relationships with mall security personnel and employers.
Sustaining Community Partnerships
The Schools
School retention is a critical factor in the stability of
youth and families and is the central focus of the TEENS ALONE
partnership with the collaborating schools districts. The schools
continue to be the primary source of referral to the TEENS ALONE
program, not only because the schools interact with teens
everyday, but also because the schools are often the first place
families turn when they are experiencing conflict with their teen.
Last year, TEENS ALONE co -facilitated groups in the St.
Louis Park and Wayzata Schools, participated in a parent
information fair in Eden Prairie, and made numerous
presentations to student, parents, and staff in all of the
collaborating school districts. In spring 1996, TEENS ALONE
partnered with Hopkins Community Education to offer an
adolescent parenting course as part of the district's parent
education programming.
The Police
Your program is an invaluable resource for our officers
and directly helps the families in our community.
Eden Prairie Police Officer
Aside from the schools, no other community resource is
as likely to be involved in teen and family conflict as the police.
TEENS ALONE outreach staff works with the police to identify
youth and families in crisis by developing relationships with
school liaison officers in all of the collaborating schools districts
making presentation to patrol officers, and working with the
community and safety officers. Police officers are encouraged to
carry TEENS ALONE crisis cards and distribute them during
domestic calls or runaway reports.
The Faith Community & Other Partners
The faith community continues to be an important
partner in the work of TEENS ALONE. The counseling staff make a
significant effort to maintain relationships with area youth
ministers. In 1995-96, TEENS ALONE staff participated in five
community awareness building activities at area churches.
TEENS ALONE actively participates in a number of
community collaboratives and planning initiatives to increase
awareness of the TEENS ALONE program and to help shape the
community's dialogue about teen services. During 1995-96, TEENS
ALONE staff were active in Healthy Eden Prairie Initiative, planning
for the Eden Prairie Family Resource Center, the Plymouth -Wayzata
Chemical Health Commission, and in outreach activities sponsored
by CONECT Collaborative. TEENS ALONE is located at the Hopkins
Area Family Resource Center and coordinates services with other
agencies and programs sponsored at the Resource Center.
Evaluating & Planning* for the Future
The TEENS ALONE Board of Directors undertook a
comprehensive program evaluation in 1995-96 with the goal of
assessing the program's performance over the first four years of
service and planning for the organization's future.
The board reviewed three data sources to conduct the
evaluation: past client evaluations; a school personnel survey, and
a comprehensive review of program data to assess trends.
Evaluation of past clients indicated that the TEENS ALONE
services helped reduce family conflict and improve communication
in a high percentage of cases (85-90 percent) .
The level of success reunifying families where separation had _r"4
occurred was high (10+ percent), as was the number of families
using referral resources from TEENS ALONE (65 percent).
The school personnel survey found: 78 percent used the
service ; 92 percent received a response to their request for
services within 24 hours; 82 percent had a high level of
satisfaction with the services; 96 percent would use the services
again.
The evaluation process reaffirmed that TEENS ALONE
continues to offer a unique service to the community that no
other organization duplicates; it continues to respond quickly,
unbureaucratically, and effectively to the needs of teens and
families; and demand continues to grow each year significantly.
Interpreting that the program can be accessed ktkm a
youth has runaway and that parents can call the program directly
were key priorities for the future. Developing methods to
measures the program's effectiveness was also identified as a
priority. Short and long term shelter needs of suburban youth
were the primary service needs identified as not currently being
addressed by the program.
Revising the Mission Statement
In response to the evaluation and planning process the
TEENS ALONE Board adopted the following new mission statement:
the purpose of TEENS ALONE is to
provide free and immediate services
including crisis intervention, short
term counseling, facilitation of safe shelter,
and community outreach to west suburban
teens and their families in order to reduce
conflict and reunite families
Initiating Community Dialogue
on the Transitional Living Needs of Youth
TEENS ALONE took a proactive step toward addressing
the need of'youth who have no home to return to or have "aged
out" of the foster care. by convening a community meeting of
over thirty-five youth and emergency service providers to discuss
the transitional service needs of these youth. This group
overwhelmingly identified transitional housing as the number one
need of youth. A planning group formed to continue work on
developing a community based response to these needs of these
youth.
CITY OF
PLYMOUTF+
December 9, 1996
Mr. Elmer J. Otto
1057 Eastview Circle
Shakopee, MN 55379
Dear Mr Otto:
Thank you for your recent letter inquiring about photo radar systems. Cities cannot
consider this option until State Laws are changed as you mentioned in your letter. If such
laws are changed, the City of Plymouth would consider uses of the system, including
joint use with another municipality.
We believe the system does have advantages, but does not replace an on -street presence
of officers including our department, the State Patrol, and other departments in the
metropolitan area.
Regarding the traffic issues you noted in the City of Eden Prairie, I have sent a copy of
your letter, as well as my response, to Chief James Clark of the Eden Prairie Police
Department for his review. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further
questions.
Sincerely,
r
4Crai Gerdes
Director of Public Safety
PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT
be
cc: Kathy Lueckert, Asst City Manager
C/R file (96-69)
Eden Prairie Chief James Clark
PLYMOUTH ABeau4ufPface?o Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
�1
November 30, 1996 -
Mayor Joy Tierney
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Mayor Tierney;
If you've been reading the newspaper articles about traffic accidents, you may have seen in almost all of
them the word "inattention". There seems to be more viciousness, too, one cause may be the increase of
stress.
In the September 22, 1996 Star Tribune, a front page article, "Pushing the Limit" has a picture of State
Trooper Russell Wicklund, who wrote 4,176 speeding tickets in 1995.
In the November 24, 1996 Star Tribune, a front page article, "Suburbanites can't escape the traffic", tells of
traffic problems in Edina, Burnsville, Richfield, Plymouth, Shoreview, Circle Pines, Lexington, Blaine.
Turn on WCCO Radio for the traffic report, and many times you will hear of a crash in the Eden Prairie area
of Hwy. 169, or at the intersection of Hwy. 5 and Prairie Center Drive.
Can you see that car patrolling today is outdated? There are just too many of us driving out there
Photo -radar would get driver attention. Wherever there is an installation, it is talked about. People are very
much aware of it. An owned system, rather than leased, would avoid a ticket quota. A stationary location,
well marked, would prevent speed -trap labeling. Two law changes are needed: The registered owner of the
vehicle to be responsible for the violation, and the citation to be delivered by mail, in addition to personal
presentation by an officer. Data privacy objections can be lessened by using a one -camera system, instead of
two, to take a rear -only photo. Financing to come from having the State Patrol only for emergencies. And,
two or more cities in the same county may share the cost of a mobile system.
My suggestion for a first test site: The intersection of Hwy. 5 and Prairie Center Drive at Eden Prairie. Red-
light installations are also possible.
I am looking forward to receiving your thoughts on photo -radar for traffic enforcement.
Sincerely,
Elmer J. Otto
1057 Eastview Circle
Shakopee, MN. 55379
.� JJ
F!
CITY OF
PLYMOUTR
December 9, 1996
Ms. Wendy Fasching
14405 - 18'h Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Ms. Fasching:
Thank you for your recent letter inquiring about equipment for the fire department. Fire
Chief Kline and I have discussed this issue, not only in conjunction with your letter, but
previously as we were discussing the 1997 budget. The current cost of one of these
helmets is $24,000. While we believe this technology has an opportunity to assist us in
the future, Chief Kline and I both feel that currently an emphasis is more appropriately
placed on fire prevention.
As technology improves, costs usually come down. We believe that in time the purchase
of similar devices will be appropriate, including placement of the devices on all of our
operational trucks. We will continue to review this type of technology, along with other
technological advances each budet year.
Thank you again for your interest. Please feel free to contact me at 509-5161 or Chief
Kline at 509-5121 directly if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
rai C. Gerdes
Dir ctor of Public Safety
PLYMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT
be
cc: Kathy Lueckert, Asst City Manager
C/R file (96-71)
Fire Chief Richard Kline
PLYMOUTH A Beautiful Place To Live
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000
December 3, 1996
Mayor Joy Tierney
3400 Plymouth Blvd
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mayor Tierney:
I am writing regarding Plymouths Fire Department.
On the news one night they had a special regarding helmets with the
new Infer Red Lights attached to them, I'm not exactly sure what
they are called, but they worked great.
I am wondering when the City of Plymouth will be purchasing one
helmet for our Fire Department? I understand one helmet is very
expensive but its not as expensive as a Life. If it saves people
that are trapped or our Firefighters it is well worth it.
We pay high taxes and I hope the City of Plymouth can f ind the
money and purchase this for our hard working Fire Department.
I would appreciate a response to this letter as soon as you have
time.
Sinc ,
Wendy Faschzng
14405 18th Avenue North
Plymouth, MN 55447
DATE: December 6, 1996
TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Fred G. Moore,P E., Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: COUNTY ROAD 73 AND SUNSET TRAIL INTERSECTION
The Mayor received a letter from Mr. Dan Witkowski concerning what he felt was an
unsafe intersection at County Road 73 and Sunset Trail. It was his feeling that
additional stop signs were necessary. Since this intersection is on County Road 73 and
under the jurisdiction of Hennepin County, his letter was forwarded to the County for
response. The city street at this intersection (Sunset Trail) is required to stop for
County Road 73.
Attached is a letter dated September 2, 1996 from Hennepin County with the
conclusions of their study. Their study does not indicate any change in traffic control
at this intersection. This is based on traffic counts which they made and the accident
history over the past five year period. This intersection has an accident rate below the
average rate of this type of intersection within the County.
Mr. Witkowski received a copy of the letter from Hennepin County.
attachment
G:\ENG\GENERAL\M EMOS\FRED\CR73S UNS. DOC
enne'Din
Fred G. Moore, P.E.
Director of Public Works
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
(Zachary Lane)
Dear Fred:
ountyEmnlover
3(�'
As stated in the November 20, 1996 response to your letter of November 8, 1996,
our section has recently conducted a traffic investigation to determine whether
multiway stop and/or traffic signal warrants are met at the referenced
intersection.
A copy of the warrant review is enclosed. The results of our investigation
indicate that none of the warrants for the installation of a multiway stop or a
traffic signal are met for the eight hour period as defined in the Minnesota
Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Our investigation also included a review of the accident history at this
intersection for the five year period 1991 through 1995. There has been one
motor vehicle accident during this period. The average accident rate for this
period is 0.08 accidents per million vehicles entering the intersection. This is
below the county average accident rate of 0.33 Acc/MV for a branch (skewed tee)
intersection.
Based on our investigation, a change in traffic control at this intersection is
not warranted. Should you have any questions feel free to call me at 930-2680.
Sincerely,
jjV_W 10
Thomas D. 40hnson, P.E.
Transportation Planning Engineer
TDJ:DAL:jh cc: Mr. Dan Witkowski
Jim Grube
Enc. 1
Department of Public Works
320 Washington Avenue South Recycled Paper
Hopkins, Minnesota 55343-8496
(612)930-2500 FAX:(612)930-2513 TDD:(612)930-2696
Helen LaFave
T S G/
From:
Barb Cox
To:
Kyle Libbert
Cc:
Helen LaFave
Subject:
RE: INTENSIVE DEER HARVEST
Date:
Wednesday, December 11, 1996 10:59AM
No problem. We'll get your packet out in today's regular mail. If you have any questions once you receive it or in
the future, please do not hesitate to call or e-mail again.
From: Kyle Libbert[SMTP:kylelib@MICROSOFT.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 1996 8:35 AM
To: 'Barb Cox'
Cc: 'Helen LaFave'
Subject: RE: INTENSIVE DEER HARVEST
Thank you so much for your prompt reply. It's interesting to know, as a
resident of Plymouth, that the city is keeping up with technology. I hope
you continue to enhance the web page to show such services as those
discussed below.
If I could get an information packet sent to my home I'd really appreciate
it. My address is:
Kyle Libbert
5450 Norwood Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55442
Thanks you again.
-----Original Message -=---
From: Barb Cox [SMTP:BCOX@ci.plymouth.mn.us]
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 1996 7:36 PM
To: Kyle Libbert
Cc: Helen LaFave
Subject: INTENSIVE DEER HARVEST
Your e-mail inquiry regarding Plymouth's participation in the DNR sponsored
intensive deer harvest was forwarded to me for reply.
The City of Plymouth does allow bow deer hunting during the regular DNR bow
deer hunting season (mid-September through December 31st) as approved by
our City Council on an annual basis. Our City Council did approve
Plymouth's participation for the 1996 season. Only the northwest corner of
Plymouth is in the allowed hunt zone. Packets including a copy of the
ordinance, rules, an application and a map of Plymouth showing the hunt
zone are available by calling 612-509-5160 during business hours or by
e -mailing your mailing address to me. You may also stop in and pick up a
copy. Participants must first have a DNR bow hunting permit and then
Page 1
obtain a Plymouth permit from us. Our permits are $10.
I believe what you are referring to with the intensive deer harvest is that
hunters in certain areas are allowed to take more than one deer with proper
DNR permits. Plymouth does fall within this area. More information on
that program and maps of the entire area would need to be obtained from the
DNR. You could try calling either their Wildlife Division at 612-296-3344
or their Hunting Division at 612-296-4506.
If you have further questions, please feel free to call me at 612-509-5165,
(If I am away from my office, I do have voicemail at that number.) or
e-mail me at bcox@ci.plymouth.mn.us. Thanks for your interest.
Page 2
3000 Black Oaks Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55447
October 228, 1996
Mayor Joy Tierney
City of Plymouth
3400 Plymouth Blvd.
Plymouth, MN 55447
Dear Mayor Tierney:
Congratulations on your win in the recent mayoral election. My family feels you
are doing a great job as mayor of Plymouth, and are pleased you will be serving
another term.
I' d like to make a suggestion that would make the new Plymouth Community
Center and the Plymouth branch of the Hennepin County Library more safely
accessible to pedestrians and bikers who live south of Highway 55. Crossing
Highway 55 by foot or bike is a harrowing experience, and I am fearful every
time my fourteen -year-old announces that he's biking to the library. Could there
be a pedestrian overpass, or perhaps underpass, at Vicksburg and 55, or perhaps
County 24 and 55? I'm sure such an addition to our city bike trail system would
be greatly appreciated and create an atmosphere more friendly to those who
aren't traveling in automobiles.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
,It -
Karen E. Karn
551-0968
0
December 11, 1996
Joy Tierney, Mayor
Tim Bildsoe, Councilperson Elect (Ward 1)
Judy Johnson, Councilperson Elect (At Large)
Saundra Spigner, Councilperson Elect (Ward 3)
Ann Hurlburt, Director of Community Development
Re: Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard Community Meeting Regarding Community Home
Program's Proposed Plymouth Residential Facility on December 5, 1996.
Dear Mayor, Councilpersons and Director:
Thank you for attending our meeting last week. We appreciate your taking the
time to discuss the issues our community has with the proposed placement of a residential
facility in the Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard community.
We question your interpretation of the statutes pertaining to residential care
facilities. We think that the proposed facility in question should be licensed as a facility
of more than six persons, because it is a single facility for eight residents (four in each
twin home), in one structure, at one address, owned and operated by one organization, for
one specified type of resident. Moreover, the twin home will not be separated by more
than 1,320 feet (in fact, it is not separated at all). We note with great interest that there
appears to be no indication in the record that Community Home Program itself considers
the proposed facility to actually be two facilities, or that Community Home Program
attempted to use the scheme of "two facilities" as an end run around Plymouth's zoning
plan. Rather, Community Home Program applied for a conditional use permit to erect the
proposed facility, and this application should come before the City Council for approval
or, we believe, rejection.
Most people in our community were unaware of your intent to place this
residential facility within the Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard community. We are opposed
to this for the reasons outlined in the petition, which was given to you at the meeting.
Currently we have 29 signatures on the petition (51 % of the residents). We would not
want other people moving into our community to be similarly caught unaware. We
request that a public notice sign be placed in the spot where the facility is proposed to be
erected, so future buyers will have access to this information.
We are pleased to know that the City Engineer, Dan Faulkner, is studying the
traffic impact and feasibility of alternatively building the facility to provide ingress and
egress from Fernbrook Ave. instead of the 41 st Ave. North cul de sac (through Plymouth
Oaks and Courtyard community). We note that U.S. West, owner of adjacent property
with access to Fernbrook Ave., has previously indicated a willingness to provide
easement rights. Please know that this would be a more acceptable alternative for the
Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard communities.
We would ask that we keep this issue open, and that no further action be taken
without notifying us first. Again, thank you for taking the time to meet with us, and
discussing our concerns regarding the proposed residential facility.
Sincerely,
Portia Toussaint
4145 Empire Lane
Michael C. Flom
4185 Dallas Lane
On behalf of the homeowners and residents of the Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard
Community
cc: Dan Faulkner, City Engineer
Ginny Black, Councilperson - Ward 4
Christian Pruess -- At Large
Tim Wold -- Ward 2
Anthony Eiden, Developer of Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard
Terry Dahlstrom, Developer of Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard
Dave Peterson, Developer of Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard
Plymouth Oaks and Courtyard Community Residents
3
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Internet Contact
_T1_ / Gv
From: Todd Dugdale[SMTP:sirius@mci2000.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 1996 3:03 PM
To: contact
Subject: Mark Peterson: parks
Hello,
I've only lived in Plymouth for a few months, but I just want to let you
know how much I appreciate the park system. I moved from St. Louis Park,
where the parks aren't meant to be used and you couldn't find anything to
do there if you wanted to. Here there are large wooded
peaceful places with paths to explore on. I especially appreciate the
archery range, which is well-managed. I have not found a better range in
the metro area. Someone is doing a great job, and I want to let you know
it's not unnoticed.
True words are not fine -sounding. Fine -sounding words are not true ... More
words count for less. (lao tzu)
Page 1
MEMO
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD, PLYMOUTH, MN 55447
DATE: December 13, 1996
TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager
FROM: Craig C. Gerdes, Director of Public Safety
SUBJECT: MOTOR VEHICLEACCIDENT HISTORYPRELIMINARY
REPORT
As we are approaching the end of the year, we are starting to develop our year-end
statistics, including a review of traffic accidents. Although we will not have the final
information for the annual report until February of 1997, we find the accident statistics
interesting and I wanted to provide a report regarding those statistics to you.
In 1995, we noticed a significant decrease in personal injury accidents within our City
and there appears to be a decrease from average in the 1996 personal injury accident
statistics as well. The property damage accidents appear to overall be remaining
consistent, taking into account the two ice storms in calendar year 1996. A chart of the
accidents since 1988 is included for your information.
While these number certainly need further analysis it has often been held that personal
injury accidents tend to be more directly related to traffic enforcement and education than
property damage accidents; so it appears that the increased education and enforcement
activities begun in 1995 may in fact be having a very positive effect on personal injury
accidents. It will be interesting to continue this study after the year end statistics. There
may also be a positive effect on property damage accidents since they are remaining
stable and there has been an increase in the overall traffic within the City.
I look forward to providing more complete information in early 1997.
City of Plymouth Accident History
Year
Personal
Injury
Property
Damage
1988
174
865
1989
138
934
1990
165
909
1991
139
955
1992
149
888
1993
168
937
1994
151
1001
1995
57
995
1996
81*
1047*
*Jan through Nov