HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-23-1993 SpecialMINUTES
BUSINESS PERSONS TOWN MEETING
MARCH 23, 1993
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Bergman at
12:10 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on
March 23, 1993. The meeting was held for the purpose of conducting a Business Persons
Town Meeting.
PRESENT: Mayor Bergman, Councilmembers Edson and Helliwell
ABSENT: Councilmembers Tierney and Vasiliou
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Dillerud,
Public Works Director Moore, Finance Director Hahn, Public Safety Sergeant Ward, Park
Director Blank, Assistant Engineer Sweeney, Assessor Hovet, and City Clerk Rauenhorst
OTHERS PRESENT: Gary Cooper, Cooper's Super Valu; Stan Vogel, Zero -Max; Lisa
Hajja, Zero -Max; Erik Gabrielson, Carlson Real Estate; Charlotte Rensch, Rensch
Chiropractic; Frank Lunetta, Buhler Inc.; Don Greven, Assoc. of Free Lutheran Bible
School; Tom Severinghaus, Chelsea Woods Association; Bob Gumm, Honeywell SSEC;
Jim Chrran, Opportunity Workshop; Stan Mustawski, Opportunity Workshop; Paul
Stauffer, Radisson Conference Center; Barb DeMars, Cottonwood Plaza; Barb Fallstad,
St. Mary of the Lake Church; Terrie Jensen, Prudential Insurance Company; Diane Olson,
Prudential Insurance Company; Gene Erding, Walser Chevrolet; Gordon Miller, Picture
Perfect Framing; Dean Riesen, Carlson Real Estate; Donna Vander Ham, Blanks USA; Ed
Whitman, Blanks USA, Steve Cheney, Cheney Inc.; Stuart Bennerotte, BMA Inc.; Roger
Jamkowski, First Bank Plymouth; Kris St. Martin, First Bank Plymouth; Paul Stormo,
Artograph Inc.; Gloria Kauls, Paul's Woodcraft Co. Inc.; Linda V. Guinn, Carlson Real
Estate Company
Mayor Bergman welcomed everyone and made Council and staff introductions.
Community Development Director Dillerud presented information on development in the
City. He stated Plymouth's population is currently estimated at 55,000, with 40,000
people employed in the City. Staff estimates there is currently about five years of
residential growth remaining within the Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA)
boundary. By the year 2000, Plymouth is estimated to have a population of at least
70,000.
Director Dillerud reported that 1992 was a record year for issuance of building permits in
the City with 573 new single family detached units compared to 350 in 1991. There were
6,000 permits issued in 1992 for all types of construction compared to 4,700 in 1991. The
Business Person Town Meeting
March 23, 1993
Page 2
average value of new single family home construction in 1992 was $143,000. Due to new
construction, the City experienced an increase in valuation of $144,000,000 in 1992,
compared to a $104,000,000 increase in 1991.
Mayor Bergman explained that a project modeled somewhat after the Habitat for
Humanity program is underway in the City, and stated the first home is scheduled for
occupancy by the end of October, 1993.
Director Dillerud stated that about 15 grants per year are authorized through the HRA to
assist low-income individuals with down payments and closing costs to purchase homes in
Plymouth. He described the proposed senior citizen facility, and informed business
persons of the new medical facility approved for the northeast quadrant of I-494 and
Highway 55, which is a joint venture of North Memorial and Abbott Northwestern
Hospitals.
Community Development Director Dillerud explained that a recent reorganization was
made with respect to inspection services, whereby the fire inspectors were transferred
from the Public Safety to Community Development Department. This change will allow
the building, housing, and fire inspectors to coordinate inspections and takes advantage of
centralized inspection scheduling, centralized plan review and consistent enforcement and
interpretation of codes. The reorganization will increase efficiency and improve customer
service. He described the Housing Maintenance and Rental Licensing Program currently
under consideration by the City Council.
Director Dillerud offered the services of the Planning Division staff to assist business
owners in discussing new or expanded business locations, as well as describing possible
Industrial Revenue Bond Financing and Tax Increment Financing opportunities.
A business person stated the community is enthused about its growing tax base, but
encouraged the Council to consider if the cost of providing additional services matches the
increased property taxes resulting from the growth and its impact on existing business.
Councilmember Edson explained the property tax formulas, and stated Plymouth has a
lower rate than its neighboring communities.
Mayor Bergman explained the affect of fiscal disparities on Plymouth. He stated the City
also works on legislative issues like worker compensation and property tax reform.
Assistant Engineer John Sweeney stated the Plymouth transit system was started in 1983,
and he described the Metrolink and Dial -a -Ride services. He explained the new Travel
Demand Management Program and noted benefits of the program for businesses and
employees.
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March 23, 1993
Page 3
Park and Recreation Director Blank stated that all of the participative rules for Plymouth
recreation programs include individuals who live or work in the community. He stated the
City has a corporate recreation staff person who would be pleased to assist businesses
with recreational opportunities for their employees. Director Blank described the City's
volunteer program and noted that over 800 individuals volunteered time for the City in
1992. The Council has authorized the staff position of a part-time Volunteer Coordinator
to further expand the volunteer program.
A business person asked if improvements are proposed for the Vinewood Lane/Xenium
Lane area this year.
Public Works Director Moore stated the improvements are included in the 1993 Capital
Improvement Program. A key issue with this project will be acquisition of right-of-way.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.
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ty Clerk