HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-08-1993 Special 1MINUTES
JOINT MEETING WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
MARCH 8, 1993
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Bergman at
5:20 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on
March 8, 1993.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson, Helliwell, Tierney, and
Vasiliou
ABSENT: None
HENNEPIN COUNTY OFFICIALS PRESENT: Commissioners Sandra Hilary, John
Keefe, and Emily Ann Staples; Staff member Carol Wright
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Dillerud,
Public Works Director Moore, Police Captain Paulson, Park Director Blank, Finance
Director Hahn, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
City Manager Johnson stated the purpose of the meeting is for the City Council to conduct
a joint study session with Hennepin County commissioners who represent areas of
Plymouth.
Mayor Bergman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.
Community Development Director Dillerud stated the new women's facility at the Adult
Correction Facility is nearing completion. Since that project has started, there have been
discussions with the neighborhood residents regarding the concept of growth of the
facility. The residents felt it was timely to discuss the growth issue while there were no
immediate proposals pending for consideration by the City Council. The City Zoning
Ordinance has subsequently been modified with respect to setbacks for correction
facilities. He stated the current men's facility is scheduled for addition of a library and
other services. This could be accomplished while staying within the revised setbacks, but
there could be no expansion southerly toward the residential area.
He stated the maximum number of clients served at the adult correction facility is fixed in
the Conditional Use Permit approved for the facility. He stated the former women's
facility will be razed when the new facility is occupied.
Several Councilmembers and Commissioners indicated they have had discussions with
Facility Supt. Sig Fine regarding his suggestion that the former women's facility perhaps
could be retained and converted for office space.
Joint City Council/Hennepin County Commissioner Meeting
March 8, 1993
Page 2
Councilmember Tierney stated the neighbors' major concern is that the inmate population
will increase.
Director Dillerud stated it was his understanding that the space would be used for
administrative purposes and no new individuals would be served. He stated that no formal
request, application, or plan has been submitted to the City.
Councilmembers indicated that Mr. Fine had suggested additional individuals could be
housed over the weekend when more space for DWI offenses is needed.
Mayor Bergman stated the City believes it has done a lot for Hennepin County because the
current facility is located in Plymouth. He hopes that the possible fixture expansion of the
men's facility would take place in another City. He stated that Supt. Fine has done a good
job of working with the City and the area residents.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated the area residents are very concerned about any changes
proposed for the adult correction facility, and she clarified that no changes have been
formally proposed or submitted to the City.
Director Dillerud stated informal plans for the new community library have been submitted
to the City. Staff is working with the County on issues relating to automatic sprinkler
system and fire lane requirements. A curb cut off of Vicksburg Lane to the site for the
bookmobile and other limited uses has also been requested. The City's concerns with the
curb cut proposal relate to sight distance and how to keep the access from being used by
the general public for safety reasons.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated she is also concerned with the curb cut request for reasons
of fairness. Other property owners along Vicksburg Lane have been denied similar access.
Commissioner Staples stated the zoning issue is also of concern to the County.
Director Dillerud stated the zoning is appropriate for the proposed use; however, any
public building requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). It is the City's intent to proceed
with the CUP concurrent with the site plan request.
Commissioner Keefe stated the City could place limitations on the CUP and this is a
concern to the County. He suggested that the CUP be processed first so the Library
Board and County know what conditions the City will place.
Commissioner Hilary stated another concern is that the City could review and amend the
CUP over time.
Joint City Council/Hennepin County Commissioner Meeting
March 8, 1993
Page 3
Commissioner Staples stated she is also concerned that the CUP conditions could be
changed in the future.
Manager Johnson suggested that the CUP could be processed before the land is
transferred to the County. In addition, the CUP could be structured so there is no annual
or ongoing review by the City.
Director Dillerud stated the City could also be a co -applicant on the CUP request. He
stated the City was unaware this was a concern to the County or Library Board.
Councilmember Vasiliou stated the City needs to ensure to Plymouth taxpayers that the
structure will remain a library as its sole use.
Director Dillerud stated this could be accomplished through the sales agreement, covenant
to title, or the CUP.
Commissioner Staples stated it is a concern that each time there would be a modification,
the CUP would have to be amended by the City.
Director Dillerud stated remodeling or interior improvements would not require an
amended CUP; only a modification in use, or enlargement of the structure footprint or
parking areas.
Councilmember Tierney stated she is very pleased with the architecture of the proposed
plan.
Commissioner Staples stated the Library Board is very pleased with the new library site.
Community Development Director Dillerud stated a waste transfer facility was previously
proposed by Hennepin County at County Road 6 and I-494. The Plymouth Planning
Commission recommended denial of the Conditional Use Permit, and the County
withdrew their application. Subsequently, the County has notified the City that the site
will now be dedicated to a household hazardous waste/recycling facility. This change was
the result of analyzing the projected solid waste flows. He stated the objections to the
original transfer station were largely related to traffic that would be generated by large
trucks. Director Dillerud stated there is a time deadline on the property repurchase
agreement. He asked if the County intends to process a planning application for the site.
Commissioner Keefe stated the County staff is aware of the deadline and the repurchase
agreement.
Commissioner Staples stated only about 4-5 acres of the 14 acre site would now be
needed for the revised household hazardous waste/recycling drop-off center, and the
original property owner is interested in repurchasing the remainder of the property.
Joint City Council/Hennepin County Commissioner Meeting
March 8, 1993
Page 4
Public Works Director Moore stated access to the site is very difficult due to proximity to
the I-494 interchange. This must be considered in any division of the property for multiple
uses.
Director Moore reported on the status of the Xenium Lane (County Road 61)/Highway 55
intersection improvements. He stated County Road 61 is the major north/south arterial
street that runs parallel and to the east of I-494. The State is currently doing the
intersection improvements at Highway 55 due to safety considerations. There are
inadequate left -turn lanes at this intersection which causes traffic to stack in the through
lanes on Highway 55. MnDOT and Hennepin County have approved the ultimate plan for
upgrading County Road 61, but the County has not appropriated funding for the
improvements. He stated the traffic situation will worsen with the new medical campus
which is proposed for construction later this year. The City would like Hennepin County
to fund the improvements for County Road 61 from Highway 55 to County Road 6. The
County staff has suggested the work could be done in phases. Director Moore stated it
could be done in phases, but the most critical current need is at Highway 55.
Public Works Director Moore reported on the status of the Bass Lake Road (County
Road 10) Improvement Project and the County Road 9/County Road 24 Improvement
Project. He stated the biggest complaint residents have on county projects is that the
County will not replace trees that are lost during construction. He stated the City has
found that tree replacement is really appreciated by residents, and suggested that the
County consider such a program.
Commissioner Keefe stated the County's reluctance is due to cost considerations because a
tree replacement program done county -wide would be expensive.
Director Moore stated Hennepin County should also be considering widening of the
County Road 9/I-494 bridge to their Capital Improvement Program. He stated that all
other I-494 bridges in Plymouth will have been upgraded by the end of 1993, and the
County Road 9 bridge will become a "bottleneck" when County Road 9 is widened.
Commissioner Keefe asked if Plymouth is experiencing problems with delinquent taxes.
Finance Director Hahn stated the City has not had significant delinquency problems, but
value reductions have impacted the City the last couple of years.
Commissioner Staples reported that the commissioners will be conducting town meetings
throughout the county. Meetings are scheduled for April 7 in Golden Valley and March
30 in Orono. Commissioner Hilary stated she will be conducting meetings throughout the
county as well. The first meeting will be held on March 25 at Armstrong High School
with respect to social services.
Joint City Council/Hennepin County Commissioner Meeting
March 8, 1993
Page 5
Communication between the City and County was briefly discussed. Commissioners will
be provided with copies of the Plymouth News and Plymouth ward maps. Commissioner
Keefe stated that the three commissioners representing Plymouth will try to jointly discuss
issues that affect the City. One commissioner will try to keep the City informed of events
on behalf of the three commissioners.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
znc&-Ic el / Gtcce G6 6
Cit Clerk