Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Information Memorandum 04-26-1996O APRIL 26, 1996 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS 1. COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE: APRIL 29 7:00 P.M. BOARD OF REVIEW City Center Lunchroom, Lower Level MAY 1 7:00 P.M. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING City Center Lunchroom, Lower Level 2. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 6:30 P.M., Medicine Lake Room. 3. RECREATIONAL COMPLEX GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES THURSDAY, MAY 2, 4:00 P.M., southeast corner of Plymouth Boulevard and 37th Avenue N. 4. CITY CENTER TASK FORCE MEETING, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 6:00 P.M., Council Chambers. 5. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, THURSDAY, MAY 2, 7:30 P.M., Medicine Lake Room. Agenda is attached. (M-5) 6. SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, TUESDAY, MAY 7, 6:00 P.M., Bass Lake Room. 7. PRAC, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 7:00 P.M., Mooney Lake Room. 8. MEETING CALENDARS - The April, May, and June meeting calendars are attached. (M-8) A CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO April 26, 1996 Page 2 a. Notice of the merger of the municipal law practice of Curtis A. Pearson with the firm of Kennedy and Graven. (I -2a) b. Program summary of "Delinquency: Prevention Works", provided by the Federal Justice Department. (I -2b) c. Program summary for the National Juvenile Justice Action Plan, provided by the Federal Justice Department. (I -2c) 3. NEWS ARTICLES, RELEASES, PUBLICATIONS, ETC. a. Spring Landscape And Plant Care Workshop, Monday, May 13, 1:00-3:00 P.M, 7:00- 9:00 P.M., Crystal Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive N. Hosted by Plymouth, New Hope, Crystal, and Robbinsdale Forestry departments. Attached is a notice for the event. (I -3a) b. Star Tribune editorial calling for an orderly expansion of the MUSA boundaries. (I -3b) c. Quarterly update for the West Suburban Mediation Center. (I -3c) d. News release announcing a community forum about the Hennepin County Drug Court Planning Initiative, on Monday, April 29, at 7:00 p.m., at the Plymouth Fire Station #3. (I -3d) 4. STAFF REPORTS a. Status report from Transit Administrator John Sweeney reporting on legislation introduced by the Suburban Transit Association. (I -4a) 5. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS POLICY - CORRESPONDENCE a. Postcard to the Mayor from N. Sullivan expressing concern about the increase in school taxes. The note has been forwarded to Finance Director Dale Hahn for a response. (I - 5a) b. Response to Jeremy Langner from Public Works Director Fred Moore addressing his concerns about snow plowing. Attached is Langner's original letter. (I -5b) CITY COUNCIL INFORMATION MEMO April 26, 1996 Page 3 c. Letter from Thomas Malone responding to a letter from Parks & Recreation Director Eric Blank about the ice arena. Attached is Malone's original letter, and Director Blank's response. (I -5c) A status report on correspondence is attached. (I-5) 6. CORRESPONDENCE a. Letter to Park Director Eric Blank from Bruce Larson of the Association of Medicine Lake Area Citizens (AMLAC), expressing concerns about the East Medicine Lake Boulevard/South Shore Drive trail development plan. (I -6a) b. Letter from Planning Supervisor Barb Senness to Mona Domaas responding to questions about the Elim Care housing proposal. (I -6b) Dwight Johnson City Manager City of Plymouth Human Rights Commission May 2, 1996 Agenda L Call to Order H. Approval of Agenda III. Approval of Minutes m -s IV. Old Business A. Update on Assignments --Response Plan, Mailing List, Articles B. Calendar of Events --Assign Responsibilities Music in Plymouth, July 2, 1996 National Night Out, August Autumn Arts Fair, September 14, 1996 Regional Workshop, September 26, 1996 Human Rights Award, Winter 1996/97 C. Assign Response Network Liaison Roles D. Other Work Plan Items Annual Report/List of Accomplishments Network List Upkeep Commission Mailings V. New Business A. Becky Ribich's Resignation VI. For Information VII. Adjourn OFFICIAL CITY rib-- MEETINGS April 1996 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday mv-J an 4/25/96 ll 2 3 4 5 6 i 8 9 Il®: 11 12 13 Faster 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION - Lower Level Lunchroom 7:00 PM PRAC - Mooney Lake Cont Ran. 7:30 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMM648ION - MedRi s I.cl:e mtg. Rm. • 14 15 16 Ili 18 ll! d® - 3:30 PM SUB-cn►oaI = ON ucP+s. JM rowa 7:00 PM HRA - Bass Lake Meeting Rm, lower level 7:30 AM HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMIS- STONERS TOWN MEEI'OJ��, O,1'lymoath 10:00 AM PLYMOUTH AUCTION, Public Works Mtce Facility 7;•. <4Leve% , ... .- 5:45 PM SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNCIL SALARY & ATIENDANCE, Medicine Lk Rm 6143 PM PLYMOUTH Mmotam BUS UNVER.D4a tsdiw� L— 1-d 99 21 9 i/� dd 9 C3 9l��11� C Y 9 "`��I dV 9 (�/� 26 9 /b/ d / 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION- 7m PM PACT -ter Iwta re.t �` Lower Level Lunchroom 28 29 3® March May S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 4 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 10 I112 13 U 15 16 12 13 t4 IS 16 17 18 - 17 ". 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 mv-J an 4/25/96 OFFICIAL CITY rib-- MEETINGS May 1996 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday eeviwJ an 4/26/96 1 2 3 4 Apel June S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9 10 I l 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 21 25 26 27 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 30 6:30 PM SUBCONQXT- TEE ON BOARDS & COMMISSIONS, Ban Lake Room 4:00 PM RECRE- ATIONAL FACUITY GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES, 37th & Plymouth Blvd 7,'OlT PMCOI]IQClt� +,„' M)rETlNCr I aVraF 6:00 PM CITY CENTER TASK FORCE, Council Chemben 17- — HOMAN a1CN11 coMMmroN • M.aser.R. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6:00 PM SPECIAL PLANNING COMMIS- SION. Review of Zoning Ordinance, Ban Lake Room 7:00 PM PRAC - Mooney Lake Cont Rm. 12 13. 14 15 16 Ili 18 9:00 AM PLYMOUTH SPRING CLEAN-UP & PHOSPHORUS -FREE FERTI IZER SALE, Public Worlm Mtoe FeCtldy '�` OiV.QUALM COMM.- Mfg Re4 PM PLANNING11 ]OPOM COMMISSION - Lower Level Lunchroom SM PM SMOONAaTM ON COMMUN TY Poucaw. PdAx WdyiA." ro < y` 7W PM PACT 1,*. Get. Rm., L.—L-d 7:00 PM HRA - Bass Lake Meeting Rm, lower level 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION - Lower Level Lunchroom 26 28 29 30 all Memorial Dey (Observed) 7:00 PM PLANNING City Offices Closed COMMISSION - Lower Level Lunehroom eeviwJ an 4/26/96 OFFICIAL MEETINGSv June 1996 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday nevisea an 4/25/96 2 3 4 5 6 i 8 7:30 PM HUMAN RIGH73 . COMMISSION-Medrim Like MtO. rm 9 10 Illi 12 13 14 15 ''N PM MV. QOAUff C00M.- Ls. eis R..s d,sq M PRACH.� I a CCo"7:00 rE7 PM PLANNING COMMMION - Lower Level Lunchroom 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Ix PM suasommff ¢ oM7:00 COIMIRDTY POUCO+O. P.W. s.rwy LA—y PM HRA Bass Lake Me ; Rm, m lower level 7:00 PM PACE. H.My Liu C.e(.... aa, L..� LM 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION - Lower Level Lunchroom 3® May July S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 12 3 4 5 6 S 6 7 8 9 10 li 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 - 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 26 27 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 31 nevisea an 4/25/96 Minutes of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting April 11, 1996 Page 16 Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Fiemann, Johnson, Priebe, Thompson, Willegalle; Councilmember Wold; staff Bisek, Blank and Pederson Absent: Commissioner Wahl 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Anderson called the April meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Mooney Lake Room. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Fiemann and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the March meeting as presented. The motion carried with all ayes. 3. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS a. Athletic Associations. None were present. b. Staff. Mary announced that registration for summer programs had begun on April 9 and that in three days, over 1,500 registrations had been processed. Some summer classes are already full. She stated that recreation programmers were busy hiring their part-time seasonal staff. Mary stated that we continue to have problems with the school districts' allocation of gym space for our adult programs. More and more space is being given to youth programs, such as indoor soccer, and now some outdoor activities like t -ball are starting their seasons early by practicing indoors. To make matters more difficult, in many cases, these youth programs are not using the elementary gyms, but rather the larger gyms that are needed for adult programs. Mary cited some statistics revealing that 75% of the families in School District 281 do not have school age children. Commissioner Anderson commented that District 281's attempts at passing a bond referendum have failed twice now, and perhaps it can be contributed, in part, to this. Mary also indicated that in the Wayzata School District, adults are given only 15% of the available gym space. c. Others. See item 5f. 4. PAST COUNCIL ACTION a. Awarded grading contract on ice arena. PRAC Minutes/April 1996 Page 17 b. Adopted 1996 CIP. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Ice arena/pool complex update. The first contract has been awarded on the grading of the ice arena. The project is on a fast track, with everyone working at lightning speed. Director Blank stated that an independent person was hired to do a cost estimate, which first revealed that we were within budget, then later showed we were $2,000,000 over budget. Everyone went back to the drawing board to reduce costs, which resulted in a number of things being eliminated from the facility. When these- were presented to the City Council, they decided to put five of them back into the plans. As of now, one of the things lost was permanent seating on the practice rink. Director Blank stated that all legal documents should be signed by all necessary parties by April 15. Groundbreaking may be scheduled within the next two weeks. Director Blank would like to invite Governor Carlson to the ceremony. b. West Medicine Lake Park update. Director Blank said that more sand had to be placed on the road and settling is still occuring. Also, the bridge had to be re- bid, and the results this time were higher than before. The bridge situation is going to require further study. c. Open space update. Staff is working with the Johnson Brothers on the purchase of their parcel, which the City acquired for $150,000. They have decided to discontinue conversations with Mr. Stewart, who wants $1.4 million for his land. His parcel sits between the Johnson Bros. and Seitzer parcels, and he's been told he's free to sell it, because the City is no longer interested. d. Playfield/high school update. This project is moving along on schedule. Director Blank said that you can now see the high school building from Highway 55. e. Senior citizen needs analysis update. Director Blank explained that a draft report is finished and will be forwarded to the members of the youth sports task force for their review and comment. Following that, it will be sent on to PRAC. f. Continue -golf course discussion. Director Blank introduced Craig Scherber and Mike Klatte, co-owners of the Elm Creek Golf Course, and then members of the commission introduced themselves to Scherber and Klatte. Director Blank explained that he would like the City to always have a golf course available for the residents to use, regardless of whether it's publicly or privately owned. Mr. Scherber then asked if the City was planning to buy a golf course. Director Blank responded that the City probably would not buy a golf course as long as one of the three that currently exists remains undeveloped. However, if all three decided to sell to developers, then the City might step in and attempt to purchase at least one of them. PRAC Minutes/April 1996 Page 18 2' la Mr. Klatte stated that he would prefer to stay in the golfing business, because it's been in his family for years, and he loves the game. But he explained that his taxes keep going up with every improvement he makes to the course. He stated that it becomes a catch-22. In order to compete with the larger courses, he must make improvements, but with the improvements come the increased taxes. He explained that he doesn't charge as much as the other courses and for that reason, his course appeals to the "working man." He explained that the costs for maintenance and upkeep of a golf course are very high and that it's a struggle for him to stay afloat. He can't afford to buy the fancy turf equipment. He would like to charge more, but feels that Elm Creek is a tough course and not plush enough to justify a higher fee. Mr. Scherber was asked what his plans were for Elm Creek. He responded that if City sewer is extended beyond Elm Creek he probably would opt to develop the golf course into home sites. He said he would consider keeping it a golf course if the number" of golfers were to increase enough to make it more profitable than turning it into home sites. Director Blank commented that when the Elm Creek sewer finally does go through, all property owners will be assessed. Councilmember Wold asked Director Blank to look into whether or not Hollydale's_owners had to pay an assessment when City sewer was installed up to their property line. There was some question that the fee might have been waived. Commissioner Fiemann commented that he likes to golf as often as possible, and he supports Elm Creek because of its affordability. Councilmember Wold stated that the City Council is looking at the price of land in the northwest part of the City, to which Director Blank added that the City may consider buying land and building a public golf course on its own if no other arrangements can be made with the owners of the courses in Plymouth. Mr. Scherber said that the private golf course owners in Plymouth might be more willing to keep their courses if the City were to give them all some kind of tax break. Director Blank responded that the City would probably consider any reasonable course of action to assure that its residents had at least one course available in Plymouth. Commissioners informed Mr. Klatte and Mr. Scherber that their goal is to have some sort of plan in place by the end of this year regarding the future of golf in Plymouth. g. Planning for northeast neighborhood park update. Director Blank displayed copies of different concept plans for this park and stated that concept A is the preferred choice at this point. Another planning meeting is scheduled for April PRAC Minutes/April 1996 Page 19 16, at which time a different plan may or may not be selected. If things go well at the second meeting, a final plan could be ready for the May PRAC meeting. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Letter from Pilgrim Lane Elementary. The Pilgrim Lane PTO has requested assistance from the City to help replace their playground, which is approximately 13 years old. Director Blank explained that their request must be included in a future CIP, which they understand. He also mentioned that both Sunset Hill Elementary and Birchview Elementary have recently made similar requests of the City. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATION None. 8. STAFF COMMUNICATION Director Blank stated that the Henn. Co. regional trail meeting held at Armstrong High School last month was well attended with approximately 165 people present. He felt that 75% of those in attendance support the trail. He explained that an engineering/feasibility report will take about two to three months to complete and that the steps are in place to plan the trail in 1996 and construct it in 1997. The City has allocated $100,000 for the trail and Hennepin County has $1.5 million available to spend. Another public meeting will be scheduled when more information is available to share. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. -lox 0V 3 a SPRING LANDSCAPE at PLANT CARE WORKSHOP 6te: Monday, May 13th Mime: 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. 'Place: Crystal Community Center 4800 Douglas Dr. N. Crystal, MN Room: The Crystal Room 'Topics 16 be covered 4J Tree selection (discussion of varieties) Tree planting techniques Pruning trees and shrubs Insect/disease problems and tree maintenance (wrapping, mulching, rodent protection) Lawn care practices / Composting Native landscaping and native plant communities Each topic will be presented at a station where people can go to hear a short talk (15 minutes), ask questions, pick up literature and/or see a demonstration. New Hope, Crystal, Plymouth and Robbinsdale Forestry departments will be hosting the clinic. For more information, call Marcia Holmberg - Crystal Forester Phone: 531-1162 T- 31) April 24, 1996 JetarTrIbuneEditorial MUSA-ex MW• Fiahting sprawl t "leapfrog, low-density' residential development has been the major cause of : land -wasting urban expan- sion. So it might seemust more of the same to have the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) issue its recent •call for a 550,000 -acre enlarge- ment of the Metropolitan Urban Ser= vice Area (MUSA),the zone within the seven -county regg1. i�on in which urban development isallowendo. secret of their The builders make _primary motive: They want cheap land on which to build houses. They believe the current MUSA has so little builda= ble land left within its boundaries that an artificial scarcity has been created that drives land and housing costs up. . BATC researchers have done their homework, conducting the most de- tailed study yet of how much develop - Ale land actually exists Within both q e. MUSA as currently set by the Met- ropolitan Council and the ultimate" 1v USA, which is. the area that could eventually be served by current or planned sewage collection and treat- ment facilities. Take away parks, wet- lhnds, land zoned for* nonresidential use and land already developed into lot sizes of 10. acres or more, and s1liprisingly little is left — by BATC's. Mculations, a barely three-year sup - p of land available for housing within tIfe current MUSA. Second, the builders also advocate pprograms to achieve more efficient ur- ban-denkty development within the MUSA, plus redevelopment and revi- talization of the central cities and old- pansion he builders' way er existing suburbs. Also, they share the growing concern about develop- ment leapfrogging beyond the Met Council's seven -county jurisdiction, a phenomenon they see as one result of an overly restrictive MUSA. The main problem with the MUSA has been that the Met Council is too lenient in expanding it, but the build- ers argue that the - expansions have been reactive and unplanned. What is. needed, they say, is a deliberate MUSA expansion based on a reevaluation of need. Their case -has some merit. The MUSA was never intended to be static, and holding too tight to its present size could become self-defeating. But the MUSA remains an essential mechanism for assuring that metro- politan growth occurs in an orderly, cost-effective and timely manner. No significant expansion should be al- lowed to occur without such mitigat- ing programs as proposed by the BATC report to assure reinvestment in older parts of the region and efficient devel- opment of the new. Nor should there be any major ex- pansion without concurrent legislative passage of a st�aatewide land -use plan-. ning act to adsure that development .outside the seven -county area is no less well-planned than.it is supposed be inside the MUSA. If those difficult conditions can be met, careful expansion of MUSA may prove a wise move in ensuring orderly' growth throughout the metropolitan area. has failed. It is a political HIS u i existing more for its own sake .an, embodying the conflicting goals c both helping and punishing the poc of this country — i.e., women an ..children. . I believe we must look to systerr that work better. European countric value their children as precious rc sources for the future and are willir to subsidize families and children they can receive the same benefits other children, decent housing, heap care and education. While ours is more culturally diverse society, we w not seethe kind of America most of i want until we start taking better ca of our children and giving poor far ilies real opportunities for success. —Mary Knuth, Shorewood Value -packed taxes Recently the Tax Foundation r ported that the average America worker works the first 127 days of t: year to pay his taxes. Annually abo tax time this statistic is rolled out wi the clear implication that the taxes a collected and somehow disappear in thin air or worse, that they may ct lected for the benefit of someone else The current popular theme calls i personal responsibility and self -re ance and the average American wot certainly want to carry his own weig In that context, let's examine this s tistic a little further. The aver: American is'a suburbanite with a cc pie of kids in public school. He has t cars which he drives 30,000 mile year on publicly maintained stre and highways. When it snows, he ects his street will be plowed. If Khouse catches fire, he expects the I -Department to save his home. And course, there is the police protect and the parks where his children I baseball. Let's subtract the value those services from the 127 tax days. Then there are other governmei benefits which indirectly affect our erage American. As a good citizen ,bl. ' ..must., ust �'one of. many factor r'chitectu're is the south of the Co cugmsi a direction, all important WEST SUBURBAN_MEDIATION'CENTER MCO1021 First Street South, Suite 2Q0; 'I opkii;k N�Irj%x55343 (612) .933.0005. P= (612) 933-6046 .April 19, 1996 Mayor and City Council City of Plymouth. 3400 Plymouth Boulevard '. • . - Plymouth, MN 55447 " Dear Mayor and City Council: - First quarter report for the residents, businesses and city staff of Plymouth: : – f .veniTe T iefT,–Operatia�i CrdW W.(Gdi)'referral',-mediated-with signed--- - -- — -_ __ agreement : 21 Juvenile theft, OdN referral, mediated with signed agreement 3. Juvenile theft, OdN referral, other party, notwilling 4. Juvenile theft,' OdN referral, other party did, not show up for the mediation 5. Juvenile theft, OdN referral, mediated with •signed agreement 6_ Business/consumer, self referral, initiating party did -not follow through 7. Juvenile assault, OdN referral, initiating party not willing 8. Juvenile theft, OdN referral, mediated with signed agreement 9. Business/consumer; Conciliation Court (CC) flyer referral. mediated with signed agreement 10. Juvenile. assault, PPD referral, mediated no signed agreement 11. Business/consumer., CC flyer referral, other party not willing 12. Juvenile theft, -OdN referral, conciliated Thank you for your support and interest in mediation., Sincerely, 2_1, Susan A. Nelson Executive Director' <- U Community Forum Hennepin County Deng Court Planning Initiative Monday, April Z9, 1996 7 p.m. Plymouth Fire station #3 3300 Dunkirk Lane, Plymouth see map on reverse side Who should attend? The general public, community leaders, police chiefs and residents interested in substance abuse issues. What will be discussed? Hennepin County is planning a drug court to effectively treat and supervise drug offenders. Who's speaking? Speakers include representatives from the court, county attorney, public defender, corrections and chemical health. Members of the audience also will be asked for their input and ideas. For more information about the forum, contact Dennis Miller, Hennepin County Drug Court Planning Coordinator, at 348-3874. f z c� Lu x z d z W X Z 31 4 Ln s co s . 0 WUN M: 4 Y G YZ Px z J W4 � �mV t7 COUNTY OF HENNEPIN !J FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HENNEPIN COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER 300 SOUTH 6TH STREET MINNEAPOLIS MN 55487 This Information Sheet gives a general overview of the planned Drug Court in Hennepin County. The programAplan is not final. The Drug Court Planning Committee seeks to involve the community in the planning process to help design a program that responds to the strengths and needs of our community. 1. WHAT IS A DRUG COURT? • Drug Courts have become a major focus for criminal justice reform in the U.S. • It is estimated that there are 50 Drug Courts operating in the U.S. • A Drug Court responds to defendants who are charged with drug related offenses and who are eligible for court ordered treatment through collaboration among court personnel, criminal justice agencies, treatment providers and community organizations. • Applying a direct, immediate and personal approach to the drug offender, a single judge handles all drug cases in a jurisdiction from start to finish. • Defendants are placed quickly in appropriate treatment programs where services include group and individual counseling, acupuncture, drug testing and relapse prevention services. • Court procedures are adapted to reflect the realities of the offenders substance abuse. Graduated sanctions and incentives are applied to promote program compliance, chemical health and recovery. • Specifically designed supervision strategies are used that consider both drug involvement and public safety risk. • Integrated information management that links the court with case management and treatment providers.. - 2. WHY CREATE A DRUG COURT IN HENNEPIN COUNTY? Over the years, the courts have experienced an ever-increasing workload and have moved toward a segmented case management approach. No one has or is expected to take a larger view of the offender -or the system. The offenders learn how to "operate" within this framework and act accordingly. The Drug Court attempts to take a more holistic approach, linking the offender with timely and appropriate services such as treatment, housing, jobs and education, coupled with effective case management and supervision services. • In 1995 approximately 1,200 felony drug offenses were filed in Hennepin County District Court which represents approximately 25% of the felony filings, 2- Tat • According to a recent American Bar Association report, imprisonment of drug offenders nationwide increased by 327% between 1986 and 1991. • In Minnesota, the number of offenders committed to the Department of Corrections in 1985 for drug related offenses was 45. In 1995, the number rose to 410. • Relapse rate- for substance abusers leaving prison is over 65% one year later. • Relapse of clients exposed to drug abuse treatment is as low as 30% one year post treatment. • Cocaine/crack users have the highest rate of relapse at over 60%. • The proposed Hennepin County Drug Court would be an integral part of a coordinated approach aimed at enhancing public safety by reducing substance abuse and related criminal activity. • The Drug Court is being planned in direct response to the increased volume of non-violent, drug abusing offenders charged in Hennepin County. 3. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the proposed Hennepin County Drug Court is to enhance public safety through a reduction in substance abuse related criminal activity. The Drug Court would provide early intervention, appropriate community based treatment, and effective case management and supervision services. 4. PROGRAM STRUCTURE The proposed Hennepin County Drug Court will manage cases through three tracks: I. Diversion programming where first time felony offenders are offered treatment or education and supervision; an opportunity to avoid a criminal record; II. Felony drug offenders who are convicted, placed on probation or committed to the Department of Corrections; III. Woman with children who are felony drug offenders or property offenders motivated by substance abuse. • All drug cases will be heard in one courtroom by one judge. • There will be a consistent team of h rofessioncls who make a commitment to serve the Drug Court. • Emphasis will be placed on decreasing delays and providing early assessment and delivery of appropriate treatment services. • Graduated sanctions and incentives will be used to gain program compliance. • Coordinated case management linking probation supervision, treatment, relapse prevention, housing, employment, training/education services. The proposed Hennepin County Drug Court is not a "soft on crime approach". It is a common sense effort aimed at reducing the number of substance abusers who repeatedly appear in the criminal justice system at great expense to the community. For further information about the Drug Court Initiative contact Dennis Miller, Drug Court Planning Coordinator, at 348-3874. DATE: April 19, 1996 TO: Dwight D. Johnson, City Manager through L - Fred G. Moore, P.E., Director of Public Works FROM: John R. Sweeney, Transit Administrator SUBJECT: STATUS OF LEGISLATION INTROD BY THE SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION The Suburban Transit Association (STA) is comprised of all opt -out communities with the exception of Maple Grove and as you know pursued legislation during the last legislative session to provide for a local levy option for the opt -out communities. Attached to this memo is a copy of the STA legislative update dated April 16, 1996 prepared by Lynn M. Nichols, Messerli and Kramer, P.A. The purpose of this memo is to highlight the specific provisions that could affect the City of Plymouth and the potential impact on the City. It will be necessary to complete a detailed review of this legislation and the potential impacts on the City of Plymouth to determine if indeed the Council should consider levying their own local property taxes to be used for the Plymouth Metrolink and Dial -A -Ride system. The STA local levy option legislation identified as Chapter 455 was signed into law by Governor Carlson on April 12, 1996. Lynn's legislative update provides much more background information and detail than I am providing in this summary. In essence, the new law allows opt -out communities the option and ability to levy and retain up to 88% of their local property taxes to be used for local transit services with the remaining 12% to be levied by the Met Council for regional transit services. If for some reason a city chooses to levy less than 88% the law also permits the Met Council to add the decreased percentage to the 12% that they will be levying annually. It is important to note that the City must notify the Met Council and the Commissioner of Revenue of its intent to levy by July 1, of the levy year. ,%.. +a SUBJECT: STATUS OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY THE SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION Page 2 Chapter 455, Article 5 - Replacement Transit Service provides for the following Notice of Proposed Property Taxes • Permits an opt -out city that exercises the option of levying for replacement transit service locally, to include in the notice of proposed property taxes a statement explaining the amount of the increase that is due to the city exercising the option and indicating that the Met Council's transit levy is reduced by the same amount. This section was added in the Senate Taxes committee and is intended to clarify why there will be an increase in the local tax and a decrease in the Met Council tax. This provision may also help clarify that the optional change in law DOES NOT increase property taxes. Local Levy Option • ` Permits an opt -out city to levy for operating and capital expenditures for transit and other related activities, and for debt service, in lieu of receiving "financial assistance" from the Metropolitan Council. • Provides that a city that exercises the local levy option may levy up to 88 percent of the "available local transit funds" (i.e. transit property tax revenues attributable to the city). • Provides for the opt -out city to receive a proportionate amount of the HACA and fiscal disparities distribution that are part of "available local transit funds". • Permits an opt -out city to determine each year whether it will levy locally or receive assistance from the Metropolitan Council. • Requires an opt -out city that levies locally to continue to meet regional performance standards established by the Met Council. • States that within the Americans with Disabilities Act area, metro mobility remains the obligation of the state. • Requires an opt -out city that intends to levy locally to notify the Met Council and the Commissioner of Revenue of its intent by July 1 of the levy year. Taxation within Transit Taxing District OMNOM-4NNNA MosvMM AMM SUBJECT: STATUS OF LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY THE SUBURBAN Page 3 TRANSIT ASSOCIATION Established how to calculate what amount may be levied each. year by the Met Council and by each opt -out city that exercises its local levy option for transit. Deduction of Local Transit Levy for Eligible Municipalities • Establishes how to calculate what amount the Met Council may levy in an opt -out municipality that exercises the option of levying locally for transit. Effective Date • States that the law is effective for taxes levied in 1996, payable in 1997 and subsequent years. The important items to note at this time are the July 1 deadline for notification to the Met Council and Commissioner of Revenue and the fact that the Americans with Disabilities Act area Metro Mobility remains the obligation of the state. This fact will come into play when the City is making a determination whether or not to establish a fixed route circulator that will provide mid-day service. It is my intention to meet with Fred and George Bentley, Transit Consultant, next week to begin deliberations to evaluate the pros and cons of this new legislation to determine the potential impacts on our transit service. Once we have completed this exercise we will be making a recommendation to you and the City Council so that a final evaluation and determination can be made by them prior to the deadlines specified in the new legislation. attachment cc: Daniel L. Faulkner Dale Hahn G-W4G%TRmsff1 Am0S1LEti1 &DW FROM MESSERLI & KRAMER (WED) 04. 17 96 11:36/ST. 1-0:46/NO. 3562115453 P 2/7 Prepared by Lynn M. Nichols Messerli & Kramer P.A. The 1996 Minnesota Legislature adjourned eine die on Wednesday, April 3rd, after finally wrapping up the controversial tax and bonding bills. Several legislators announced they would not be seeking re-election this fall. One of the legislators not running is Senator Terry Johnston, who has long been a staunch supporter of the opt outs. She will be sorely missed by the STA. This session was an overwhelming success for the STA with lawmakers taking action on the STA's number one issue: the Local- Levy Option Legislation. The final 1996 Legislative Report is being prepared and will be distributed to all members at the neat STA Board meeting which is tentatively set for Thursday, May 9th at 9:00 a.m. On behalf of the STA, we tracked over 21 bills during the past legislative session. At the upcoming Board meeting, we will review and discuss the potential impact this may have on suburban transit providers. Hope to see you there. STA LOCAL LEVY OPTION LEGISLATION •. SIGNED INTO LAW Chapter 455 The most important issue for the STA this legislative session was the bill we introduced to allow opt out communities the ability to levy and retain up to 88% of their local property taxes to be used for local transit services with the remaining 12% to be levied by the Met Council for regional transit services. The STA Local Levy Option legislation, S.F. 25881H.F. 2676, was introduced by Senator Terry Johnston (RrPrior Lake) and Representative Dan McElroy (R -Burnsville). Both legislators worked hard to guide the legislation through several committee hearings in the Transportation and Transit, Metropolitan and Local Goverment and Tax committees. As you may recall, the bill passed as an amendment to H.F. 1404 on the Senate floor where it then went to be voted on in the transportation conference committee. The House and Senate sent two separate bills to conference, H.F. 1404 and S.F. 2702, and emerged with one large omnibus bill which not only included the STA legislation but also included a 5 cent gas tax and a ballot question to dedicate 30% of the NWT to transit. However, due to Governor Carlson's objections to a gas tax increase and the ballot question, the conference committee separated the bill into two separate omnibus transportation bills and sent each to the House and Senate for final action by the Legislature. The opt -out provision was included in both bills to help ensure ultimate passage of the STA legislation. FROM MESSERLI & KRAMER .1-4a (WED) 04. 17' 96 11:36/ST. 10:46/NO. 3562115453 The House rejected the transportation conference committee bill, H.F. 1404 which included the 5 cent gas tax increase, the ballot question to dedicate 30% of the MVET for transit and funding for the new state troopers. However, the other transportation conference committee bill, known as "Transportation Lite, won final passage in the House on April 2 on a 1.13-9 vote. It then passed the Senate the same day on a 62-2 vote. The bill, Chapter 455, was then signed into law by Governor Arne Carlson on Friday, April 12, 1996. Chapter 455 includes the STA local levy option legislation in Article 5 entitled "Replacement Transit Service. " Chapter 455 also included a speed limit increase to 65 mph on rural four -lane highways. However, the Governor has instructed the Commissioner of Transportation to keep the speed limit on freeways and expressways at 55 mph. Only the Commissioner of Transportation has the authority to implement the speed limit law change. In addition, the Governor Carlson line item vetoed a provision of Chapter 455 which would have appropriated $200,000 to the MnDOT to dialogue about telecommuting and to conduct public opinion polls via the Internet and to wake recommendations to the legislature. Below is a detailed summary of selected provisions included in Chapter 455: Article 5 Replacement Transit Service: Notice of Proposed Property Tawe • Permits an opt out city that exercises the option of levying for replacement transit service locally, to include in the notice of proposed property taxes a statement explaining the amount of the increase that is due to the city exercising the option and indicating that the Met Council's transit levy is reduced by the same amount. This section was added in the Senate Taxes committee and is intended to clarify why there will be an increase in the local tax and a decrease in the Met Council tax. This provision may also help clarify that the optional change in law DOES NOT increase property taxes. Local Levy Option Permits an opt out city to levy for operating and capital expenditures for transit and other related activities, and for debt service, in lieu of receiving "financial assistance" from the Metropolitan Council. Provides that a city that exercises the local levy option may levy up to 88 percent of the "available local transit funds" (i.e. transit property tax revenues attributable to the city). Provides for the opt out city to receive a proportionate amount of the HACA and fiscal disparities distribution that are part of ''available local transit funds." 3/7 FROM MESSERLI & KRAMER (WED)04.17'96 11: 6/ST. 10:46/N0.3562115453 P 4/7 • Permits an opt out city to determine each year whether it will levy locally or receive assistance from the Metropolitan Council. • Requires an opt out city that levies locally to continue to meet regional performance standards established by the Met Council. • States that Within the Americans with Disabilities Act area, metro mobility remains the obligation of the state. • Requires an opt out city that intends to levy locally to notify the Met Council and the Commissioner of Revenue of its intent by July 1 of the levy year. Taxation within Transit Taxing District Established how to calculate what amount may be levied each year by the Met Council and by each opt out city that exercise its local levy option for transit. Deduction of Local Transit Levy for Eligible. Municipalities Establishes how to calculate what amount the Met Council may levy in an opt out municipality that exercises the option of levying locally for transit. Effective Date States that the law is effective for taxes levied in 1996, payable in 1997 and subsequent years. Article 1 Metr. ovolitna Council Provision: • Appropriates $1 million for the transportation department budget to bolster public transit in greater Minnesota. • Appropriates 66 million to MCTO for public transit in the Twin Cities area. (However, according to the Met Council, the $6 million in funding is not enough to prevent the fare hikes and service reductions which must now occur as a result of MCTO's financial struggles. • Provides $1.6 million (of the $6 million) for metro mobility, and exempts that amount from the $15.3 million annually spending limit for metro mobility set in 1995 law. • Requires up to $625,000 (of the $6 million) to be dedicated to the high-speed bus demonstration project along I -35W. = FROM MESSERLI & KRAMER (WED)04.17'96 1117TSTt:400-3562115453 P 5/7 OMNIBUS TAX Bn-L -- SIGNED INTO LAW Chapter 471 Negotiations in the tax conference committee had broken down over a state -imposed property tax freeze for 1997 which was being proposed by the Senate. As a result, the tax conference committee failed to produce an omnibus tax conference committee report. In an effort to have some tax Iegislation pass this session, the House compiled its own tax proposal, which included most of the items that were passed by both House and Senate, and sent it to the Senate just before adiourning for the year. Under the House proposal, there was no property tax freeze, no metro sales tax and no gas tax increase, but there was property tax relief for cabin owners. Other provisions of interest to the STA include: Met Council's Transit Bonding Authorization: Met Council is authorized to use the proceeds from its bonds and other obligations for paratransit fleet replacement, facilities and capital equipment. These sections also provide new bonding authority of up to $20.5 million for the Council to be used for capital expenditures described in the Council's transit capital improvement program. Svecial Assessments to Met Council Transit Pronert�c This section provides that the Met Council's transit properties remain exempt from taxation, licenses or fees, but that the properties are subject to special assessments levied by a political subdivision for a local improvement. The provision limits special assessments to Met Council property located in the seven - county metro area. The tax bill, Chapter 471, passed the House on a 125-9 vote on April 2 and was the last bill passed by the Senate on April 3 with a vote of 49-14. Governor Arne Carlson signed the legislation into law on Friday, April 12, 1996. TRANSPORTATION INVESTiVIENT ACT OF 1996 -- SIGNED INTO LAW The Metropolitan Transportation Investment Act of 1996 legislation, introduced by Representative Dee Dong and Senator Sandra Pappas, was a result of the committee meetings on transportation issues which occurred over the interim this past summer. One of those meetings took place at the Buraville transit hub.. The legislation passed out of several committees, but was held up in the House Rules committee where it remained until the last days of session. In a last minute attempt to keep the bill alive, Representative Long had portions of the legislation incorporated into H.F. 3012 which was the metropolitan government bill. FROM MESSERLI & KRAMER 4a (WED) 04. 17'96 11:37/ST. 10:46/NO. 3562115453 P 6/7 Chapter 464 includes the following provisions of interest to the STA: Regional Transportation Planning Met Council is responsible for review of statewide transportation plan and insuring that it conforms to metropolitan policy guidelines. Transportation Policy • Integrates the 7commute shed" into the regional planning for transportation purposes. • Requires the metropolitan transportation planning to be consistent with Regional :Blueprint and Livable Communities Act. • Adopts a "no -new -roads" policy unless and until additional highway funds become available, per the comments of MnDW Commissioner James Denn, unless safety issues aries. • Transportation projects will be reviewed for consistency with the Met Council's transportation policy. Results of the evaluation will be reported to the Legislature. Annual Performance Audit An independent entity shall be retained for purposes of auditing the performance of the region's transportation system, including the needs of the commute shed an the impact of trends. The audit will also include recommendations for improving the system. Community -Based Transit & Transit Redesign A community based transit demonstration program is created to identify and explore ways to integrate development, transit, housing, employment and services (such as education and medicalhosues into transit planning. The MCTO initiative to redesign its transit planning and services is officially sanctioned by the Legislature. MCTO will work with members of the public and local communities in preparing a plan for presentation to the Legislature in 1997. The plan will include recommendations for MCTO performance measures and community-based transit services. Best Practices The Legislative Auditor will prepare a "best practices" report to identify models for cooperative and integrated transit planning, including issues affecting public and private services and school transportation. FROM MESSERLI & KRAMER Reverse Commute Service Incentive , 5'- jr.1 (WED)04.17'96 11:37/ST. 10:400.3562115453 P 7/7 An opt out service provider shall receive and additional 2% of funding if the reverse commute service provided is increased by at least 6% from the previous year, provided the opt out provider operates within regional performance standards. This means the opt out provider may receive up to 90% of the local property tax dollars. Chapter 464, was signed by Governor Carlson on Friday, April 12, 1996. 1.6 NdWAIM-1 M-1• 3-411( \; n 1 n . , y. It w n T -57a "RA Mr. Jeremy Langner 3340 Niagara Lane Plymouth, MN. 55447 Dear Mr. Langner: Mayor Joy Tierney has asked me to respond to a letter she received from you dated April 3, 1996. First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to write. It is a goal of the City of Plymouth to provide fast and efficient snow plowing service within budget limitations to our residents. Safety and ease of travel is our first priority.. Receiving letters such as yours is one of the ways that we measure and evaluate. the effectiveness of our snow plowing services. It is unfortunate that you described the snow plowing service this past winter as horrible. We had six snow events where we plowed all streets in the entire City. We plow every street in the City, including cul-de-sacs, when we have received over 2 1/2 inches of snow. On snow events of less than 2 1/2 inches, we plow many of the streets that are classified as an arterial or collector streets. None of the streets in your subdivision are classified as arterial or collector. Because of this, you could have some compacted snow build up within your subdivision that has not been plowed. This does give an appearance of a messy and unplowed streets if we have a series of one inch snow falls. Snow from these light snow falls is simply packed down and stays on the roadways until we melt it down with chemicals or the temperature and sun helps loosen it up so we can scrape the streets with our underbody plows. You mentioned that your cul-de-sac was missed. Cul-de-sacs are an ongoing challenge for the snow removal. You are correct in that the cul-de-sacs are plowed contractually. The City of Plymouth now has over 700 cul-de-sacs to plow in a short period of time. We are continually trying to improve the snow plowing of cul-de-sacs to ensure that no one is missed and that snow is properly placed and distributed within the cul-de-sac. Living in a cul-de-sac does not guarantee that any homeowner will not have some snow at the end of their driveway, but they should not have an amount of snow that is not manageable for a resident to deal with: The Street Supervisor recalls conversations with residents from the Cavanaugh area and specifically from your household. After being notified that your cul-de-sac was missed he drove to your cul-de-sac. By the time he got there it had been plowed. If in the future, your cul-de-sac is missed, please call immediately so we can take corrective We Listen • We Solve - We Care Z-56 action and have it plowed. Our goal is to plow the entire City without any missed streets. I would also like to respond to your question about the sidewalks being plowed ten times better than the streets. The sidewalks are of different size and have a different use than our streets. The sidewalks are not subject to compaction like the residential streets. On the streets as the snow is falling, and before we can get the snow cleared, traffic compacts the snow and makes it more difficult to remove. Usually on the sidewalk there is a minimal amount of compaction. Therefore, the sidewalk snow removal equipment can get right down to the surface of the concrete or the bituminous. The sidewalks will always appear to be plowed neater because all that is required to clear the sidewalk or the bituminous walkway is that the blade or blower make one pass up or down. There are no repeated trips up or down as there are with the plowing of the residential streets. Because it can be plowed with one trip, there is less streaking of snow trails and snow falling back into the plowed area. The sidewalks stay more neatly plowed because they aren't subject to hard pack and vehicular traffic breaking the snow loose. You might also note that the sidewalks are being plowed simultaneously with the streets. This does not mean that we give sidewalks and trails equal priority to the streets, it is an equipment and personnel availability situation. The equipment that plows on the sidewalks and trails is not the same equipment that we use `to plow the streets. The City tries to get all of the plowing done as quickly as possible with the available equipment and personnel. Keep in mind that many of our residents do use the sidewalks and trails daily and prompt plowing is important to them. In summation, I would like to tell you that we will continue to try and make improvements to our snow removal service and the way to take care of individual problems is to bring them to our attention immediately so that we can make any corrections necessary. Thanks again for taking the time to write and if you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to give me a call at 509-5991. Sincerely, Tom Vetsch Public Works Superintendent cc: Mayor Joe Tierney (C/R File 96-17) Fred Moore co2 7L�vw�ow���M!1cJ_'1L4.^��.---------------_._ _..._............ 1 t lk •._.... _.._ ........._.._ _.._......F�-c/�!� _ ...�i-� _.... S1!LA1�.� 1J�Qw.._.........Ow�'...:.._ L.�.�c�.GszJL.... 5 Oyw��.tyv,'� ..._._ _._ ._ .__.. . _...... ---.___ .__ .��C,-:.__.._.`=�ir�.. ....__tom.._-.. �o .....<9'v�� _.- '7�.4`�--__ ..SYb'v.1��o�J------Q�n�---• --- .. —••--------------- �S?'�•-----�.Vv:�-_—._.S�r��----._W?J.bti�..._'tJve/r\____��1'�w�_.a�C�t1y� •."'-- •-"�•^ —--•wZb---_ . SY�t'�ypW1� .._. pv�Y" .. _ . GU1� `�`Ga2�..... _-!'VC.._._ __....--- -- - 1NMAc \bcY-s (i�^�`�are w "fie .__ .. _ i!ww_- -..a C�,v✓�'2 S�oW �l VA Vtl✓' -f l lok..�. � .: �, :� ©mss ;,try- wn1 r, �+:-s`....- �w yr J .. . __-_..... . �; vwc,-1vc•,- 3�x 1-H S -lc, pv bl cD,%ce— z T J. \- 1 e. cue c b.l, A4, ev` ,......... . 1 - ��vc...-__._swowQi�,ae�:�_.__._�w►gYovc.. ......,��� '�,bc�.��r--._..... . _ �. i zn� �+������ _ i _ ._ j, _...., _ _.. .. ._ . _. __ . _.. ---r _.__.__._ .�_-----.._-----------___,. �___.-----.____.___ ...._�_...._.�.. _... .._ a Rve VIRGINIA LEE AND THOMAS PATRICK MALONE 13125 Basswood Lane Rogers, Minnesota 55374' Writer's Direct Line: (612) 783-5 April 23, 1996 The Honorable Joy Tierney Mayor of the City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 5547 Dear Ms. Mayor: I have received and thank you for letters Administrator and Mr.;Eric Blank. I also telephone message left on my voice mail. However, none of the recent correspondence reality the central question posed by your the needless deaths of many baby birds. APR from the Assistant City acknowledge your recent address what is in proposed development: These young and helpless birds will die when the trees in which they nest are cut down. While none of the material I received from Plymouth told me when the project is scheduled to commence, I understand it will start in May. Ms. Mayor, a worse time could hardly have been chosen. The mortality will be high. The young may be in the nests. I know full well that none of the people involved in this project would ever consider bashing a baby bird to the ground. Yet, that is exactly what their fate will be when the nesting trees are cut. Why can't cities plan for these things? Why is it seemingly necessary to maximize the death toll simply because it is convenient for us to start building in this month?. I am sorry, but I cannot accept the "spin" that I received. I know full well the laudable environmental record Plymouth has earned, but spending $100,000.00 to replace mature trees that are cut in the height of the bird nesting season just makes no sense. It is simply a shame that orioles, robins, cardinals and such cannot vote. Respectf ny, as . " Nta one TPM:nh April 17, 1996 Thomas Malone 13125 Basswood Lane Rogers, MN 55374 Dear Mr. Malone: CITY OF PLYMOUTF+ COO Mayor Tierney has forwarded your letter of April 9 to me for review and comment. The City of Plymouth purchased the property for the ice arena approximately ten years ago from a developer in the downtown area. The original plan for this piece of property was to. be a retail shopping center, much like you see in the Ridgedale area. The City purchased the property, so that we could build some recreational facilities and help draw more residents to the downtown area. Real estate studies show that the development of a recreational facility in this area was very important to spurring the development of the rest of downtown. Finally, this location happens to be the geographic center of the city's 36 square miles. Locating it strategically here was important, so that all residents would have equal access to the facility. For your information, Plymouth residents did approve a bond referendum a year ago which has allowed us to purchase four, very beautiful open space sites, both wooded and wetland, which will be preserved in their natural state, for future habitat for deer and wildlife. The City of Plymouth currently has the most restrictive wetland ordinance in the state. And we have a very restrictive tree preservation policy which the City is imposing on itself on this site. I can assure you that neither the members of the City Council, the Park Commission, or staff enjoy seeing trees removed, but in this particular case, unfortunately, we need to build on the property that the City owns. Also, we have budgeted over $100,000 to plant trees and shrubbery on the sports complex site. Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Sincerely, Eric J. Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np cc' CityManaaer. _ PLYMOUTH ABeauti%u[Pface?vLive T- 5e, VIRGINIA LEE AND THOMAS PATRICK MALONE 13125 Basswood Lane Rogers, Minnesota 55374 Writer's Direct line: (612) 783-5134 April 9, 1996 The Honorable Joy Tierney Mayor of the City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Blvd. Plymouth, MN 55447 Dear Ms. Mayor: I saw on the news the other night a story about the partnership arrangement between the City of Plymouth and a health club which will result in the construction of a giant facility within the City of Plymouth. The news story also contained an aerial shot of the site; it appeared to be a large wooded area. Why a wooded area? Isn't there a suitable cornfield left in the City of Plymouth for this construction? Also, while I do not know your construction schedule, I will tell you that if you proceed with this construction in the months of May, June or July, you will cause the deaths of hundreds or thousands of baby birds. That wooded area will be densely populated with nesting species and tearing down the trees will be hugely destructive to those species. Just thought you would like to know..... Very respectfully, �n Thomas P. alone TPM:nh cc: Audubon Chapter of Minneapolis Kare 11 TV "o N N N N N M� 00 N N „may 'may N tM N M (M M M �t N N M��� --� N N •--� � N�� � N N M� �+ N N N N N N M M M d� M N \.O M M V) w \O N N M N en N N N •--� •--� ••� N en \0 \0 \0 \,o 'o "0'o �--� •--� N N M N N N d o y a y o a F, zzxuloxV H. —M co y 'b ~r t9 y a 04 w pq C7�C7x�xC7C7xrn��x� ����x a� a 140 a, 4`6 COLLK-a-C Association of Medicine Lake Area Citizens April 15, 1996 Mr. Eric J. Blank Director of Parks & Recreation City'of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 Re: Medicine Lake Trail System - East Side Dear Eric: on behalf of myself , 'and the Board of Directors of AMLAC I would like to thank you for the work you have put into developing a walking / biking trail along the East Medicine Lake Boulevard and Southshore Drive. Some type of walking / biking path is long overdue. With all of the increased walking and biking traffic along Medicine Lake it is only a matter of time before there will be some type of accidental encounter between motorists and pedestrians. It is .inevitable that no trail system designed will be without some objections or criticisms. However, I do believe that there are individuals who live around Medicine Lake believe that such a trail system is both needed and desirable. I would also like to compliment you on the fine trail system you constructed along West Medicine Lake Drive. I have compiled the following list of concerns which hopefully will be taken into account in developing your proposed trail system along East Medicine Lake Boulevard and Southshore Drive: a. Residents who live along the lake are concerned that they will be able to continue using their beach areas and docks. They, would need some reassurance that this would still be possible. b. Some people are concerned that the trail system will be so wide that it will actually cause an increase in walking / biking traffic. These concerns may be fueled T --Ga Letter to Mr. Blank Page 2 by the fact that there was indication the trail system should be twelve feet wide. In that regard, you may wish to consider scaling back the trail system to some extent so as to accommodate the existing traffic - separating that traffic from the motorist traffic - but at the same time not making a walking / biking freeway. C. There have been some discussions of making East Medicine Lake Boulevard one way traffic in certain areas. We believe that this is a good suggestion - depending on the affected areas and the direction of travel. d. Property owners are concerned that if there is to be a loss of any of their personal driveways, etc. that there would be compensation for that. I believe that that is the case but again but would like to receive some reassurances. e. It is my understanding that for the trail system there will be no individual assessments to homeowners. People need to receive that reassurance. I do, however, understand that there may be reassessments if the streets are improved in front of their houses - including curbs and gutters. I would like to compliment you on the fine job you have done thus far and encourage you to move forward with the project. Very truly yours, , 1 Bruce W. Larson Treasurer of AMLAC 3905 IDS Center 80 South Eighth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 BWL/wjr cc: General Membership of AMLAC E CITY OF April 25, 1996 PLYMOUTH+ Mona Domaas 15910 46th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55446 RE: Elim Care Proposal Dear Ms. Domaas: You recently contacted the City about.the Elim Care housing proposal. Anne Hurlburt, the City's Community Development Director asked me to respond to your specific questions related to this matter. Staff has researched the guiding for the Elim site as far back as the 1965 Comprehensive Plan. At that time, nearly all of the land in the vicinity was guided for single family homes. The 1973 and 1984 Plans showed a change to a combination of LA -2 and LA -3 guiding for low -medium and medium-high density residential use, respectively. In 1989, the City undertook a major update of its Comprehensive Plan. Changes made to the plan at that time occurred only after an extensive public notification and review process. As part of this update, the City reguided the Elim and other adjacent property to industrial. The City upheld this change in 1993, when it reviewed a request to reguide a portion of this land to residential use. The City found that 1) the proposed residential guiding did not meet the locational criteria in the Comprehensive Plan, 2) the change would reduce the opportunity for new campus -like industrial development and 3) the change would potentially require additional school facilities in the vicinity. Through this entire period, the land has been zoned FRD (Future Restricted Development). Elim has owned the eastern portion of the land for a long period of time. They purchased the western portion from Hans Hagen during the past year. As referred to above, the City was required to notify them about the reguiding in 1989. When the City Council made the decision to reguide this area, it did so based on a number of planning principles and objectives for the City of Plymouth as a whole. These included identifying sufficient and appropriate area to build a solid tax and employment base for the City. PLYMOUTH :1 Be-:,4ulPlace?o Live 3400 PLYMOUTH K�ULE%'ARD 9 PLYMOUTH. MINNESOTA 55447-1482 9 TELEPHONE (612) 509-5000 Although the State's Fiscal Disparities Law does provide for redistribution of 40 percent of the taxes that industrial properties generate, generally speaking, industrial properties still net roughly double the taxes that residential properties generate. In addition, in the case of the Elim proposal, taxes were not the principal consideration. that staff or the Planning Commission considered, nor will they be the principal consideration for the City Council. The Council must weigh many factors, including land use balance and compatibility issues, infrastructure investment and compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan. I hope this answers your questions. If you have any additional questions about this matter, please contact me at 509-5452. Sincerely, T11, 0� Barbara G. Senness, AICP Planning Supervisor cc: Anne Hurlburt Mayor and City Council members