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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-08-1993 Special 2MINUTES TOWN MEETING - WARD 2 MARCH 8, 1993 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Bergman at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on March 8, 1993. The meeting was held for the purpose of conducting a Town Meeting for residents of Ward 2. PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson, Helliwell, Tierney, and Vasiliou ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Dillerud, Public Works Director Moore, Finance Director Hahn, Park Director Blank, Fire Chief Kline, Support Services Supv. Cox, Public Safety Education Specialist Cwayna, and City Clerk Rauenhorst Mayor Bergman welcomed the approximately 45 residents in attendance and made Council and staff introductions. Community Development Director Dillerud presented information about the development climate in the City. The current population is estimated at 55,000, with 40,000 people employed in Plymouth. He stated there was a substantial increase in construction activity from 1991 to 1992, and 1992 was a record year for building permit issuance that generated a $144,000,000 tax base increase. The average new single family home value, excluding land, was $144,798 in 1992. DirectorDillerud discussed development occurring in the area north of County Road 24. Finance Director Hahn described the 1993 service and program changes including: Parkers Lake and Bass Lake Playfields, ADA Compliance, Expanded recycling program, Protective inspection program, Storm Sewer Utility, Volunteer Coordinator position, Additional police officers, Public Safety Education Specialist position, and Expansion of Plymouth Metrolink. He explained the division of the property tax dollar and the legislative change in the property tax structure. Finance Director Hahn stated that in 1992 the Public Works facility remodeling and expansion was completed, and the new Public Safety building was occupied as of February 1, 1993. In response to a resident question about the new Storm Sewer Utility, Public Works Director Moore stated the City is mandated to develop a storm water quality plan that will address the various lakes and ponds in the City. A defined water quality level will be Town Meeting - Ward 2 March 8, 1993 Page 2 determined for each of these. The City also has a Water Quality Committee that works on water quality issues. A resident asked where the new Park and Ride lot is proposed. He had been informed it would be at Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55. Director Moore stated there is not a new Park and Ride lot proposed within Plymouth; however, buses will be rerouted to take advantage of the lot at County Road 61 and I-394. A resident stated he had attended the Public Works facility open house, and asked why equipment such as lawn mowers are stored in a heated area. Mayor Bergman stated the equipment was presented for the tour. Also, the building is planned to be adequate for 15 years in the future so there is currently some excess area. When the heated area is needed for other equipment, the mowers will go in cold storage. Public Works Director Moore showed the five year Capital Improvement Program maps. He described major proposed projects including the connection of County Road 24 and County Road 9. Park and Recreation Director Blank stated the park system in Ward 2 is virtually completed, and he described several recent trail improvements. He stated the Parkers Lake Playfield park will open this spring and the shelter will be available for reservations. One resident objected to the rental policy. They felt the shelter should be only available on a first-come, first -serve basis. Director Blank stated the reservation policy is on a trial basis for 1993 and was implemented responsive to resident requests for a shelter to reserve for events such as reunions and wedding receptions. He stated the reservation policy only applies to the Parkers Lake Playfield shelter - all others in the City are on a first-come, first -serve basis. A resident asked when the County Road 24 and County Road 101 trail will be constructed. Director Blank stated the trail is included in the Comprehensive Plan, but it is not currently funded or scheduled for construction. A resident asked when the park behind the Seven Ponds development would be constructed. Park Director Blank stated the park will probably be about five acres in size. The City currently owns about 1 1/2 acres. Once the City acquires title to the remainder of the Town Meeting - Ward 2 March 8, 1993 Page 3 property with the platting of the adjacent land, the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission will begin discussing its inclusion in the Capital Improvement Program. Director Blank stated the City has acquired about 33 acres of wooded and wetland property in the area northwest of I-494 and County Road 9. The organization "Kids for Saving Earth" will be helping to design, develop, and name this park. There is a possibility that another four to five acres could be added to this park through future park dedication. Fire Chief Kline presented an overview of the Plymouth Fire Department and various statistics. He stated the department plans to retire one fire engine and replace two utility vehicles in 1993. There have been 110 fire responses to date in 1993, compared to 99 as of this date in 1992. He stated there were 737 total fire calls in 1992, compared to 808 in 1991. A resident stated there are an inordinate number of false alarms in the statistics. Fire Chief Kline stated that historically about 60 percent of the fire responses have been false alarms, but this trend is going down. He explained the fee schedule used for fire alarm permit issuance. Manager Johnson stated false alarms are a real problem for most cities in the metro area. Support Services Supv. Cox compared crime statistics from 1991 to 1992. She described the Neighborhood Watch Program and Animal Control Program. A resident asked if the increase in certain crimes is comparable or greater than the population increase. Supv. Cox stated this could be determined with some research. Manager Johnson noted that the largest increase in crime type is for thefts. This could be the result of a new major commercial opening - Target Greatland. A resident described an incident where three police squad cars were on his property and an officer treated him rudely. Supv. Cox encouraged the resident to contact Public Safety Director Gerdes with a report of the incident. Manager Johnson presented information on the Plymouth City Charter which went into effect on January 1, 1993. He stated the Council -Manager form of government remains, local election years change from odd to even, and a ward system adopted. The size of the City Council will increase from five to seven members, and there are new reporting requirements for campaign contributions. He described the Community Improvement Town Meeting - Ward 2 March 8, 1993 Page 4 Fund, initiative and referendum provisions, and the transition schedule for election of councilmembers and mayor. Manager Johnson described methods the City uses to communicate with residents: Town Meetings, Public information meetings, News releases, Letters to homeowner associations, Construction updates, New resident packets, Planning/Building newsletters, 24 hour customer service line, Utility bill inserts, Cable TV, Executive Call and Business Person Town Meetings. A resident asked if there was a plan to extend Fernbrook Lane from County Road 6, south to Carlson Parkway. Public Works Director Moore stated the Thoroughfare Guide Plan previously showed the extension ofFernbrook Lane. In November, 1992, the City Council deleted that extension from the Thoroughfare Guide Plan and there will not be a connection across the Luce Line trail. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m. City Clerk