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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Packet 06-08-1999 SpecialSPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING June 8, 1999 5:30 PM Public Safety Training Room Light Dinner Available) 1. Conduct Interviews of Applicants for Ward 3 City 5:30 pm Council Seat 2. Meet with representatives of lobbying organizations 7:00 pm League of Minnesota Cities Municipal Legislative Commission Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Suburban Transit Association 3. Year 2000 Celebration (requested by Mayor Tierney) 9:00 pm 4. Schedule Future Study Session and Topics 9:25 pm 5. Adjourn 9:30 pm Agenda Number: TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Laurie Ahrens, Assistant City ManagerA SUBJECT: Ward 3 City Council Applicants DATE: June 4, 1999, for Council Study Session of June 8, 1999 1. ACTION REQUESTED: Interview applicants for the Ward 3 City Council seat. 2. DISCUSSION: Three residents have submitted applications for appointment to the Ward 3 City Council seat. Attached are copies of their applications. The following interview schedule has been established: June 8 5:30 p.m. Bob Stein June 8 5:50 p.m. Brad Brown June 8 6:10 p.m. Paul Vincent Agenda Number: C;, . TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager FROM: Laurie Ahrens, Assistant City Managero---- SUBJECT: Discussion with Lobbying Organizations DATE: June 4, 1999, for Council Study Session of June 8, 1999 The City of Plymouth currently maintains membership in four organizations which conduct lobbying: League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC), Suburban Transit Association (STA), and Association of Metropolitan Municipalities (AMM). Each of these organizations will have a representative present at the June 8 Council study session for an informal discussion with the City Council. I have asked each organization to prepare a 10-15 minute presentation on the purpose and emphasis of their organization, who they represent, services provided, etc. Following these presentations, they have been asked to remain for about an hour to answer questions and to discuss legislative issues with the City Council. Attached is information on the organizations. Also, the City Council had previously asked for the following information: Organization Dues estimate Date by which the City can or 2000 withdraw ftom Membership League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) 19,900 January 1 -- no prior notice required. Association of Metropolitan January 1 -- no prior notice Municipalities (AMM) 10,000 required. Municipal Legislative Commission 11,000 Written notice to Board prior to Sept. 15 Suburban Transit Association 9,500 (not Written notice to Board prior to General Fund) Sept. 15 Note: Membership in the LMC is required to continue the City's insurance in the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. M DATE: March 19, 1999 TO: Kurt Hoffman, Sr. Clerk Typist FROM: John R. Sweeney, Assistant to Public Works Director SUBJECT: INFORMATION REGARDING THE SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION (STA) Following are responses to questions for information per your e-mail to me Thursday, March 18, 1999. Mission Statement/Purpose: The primary purpose of the association is to enable member municipalities and affiliate members such as transit commissions or associations previously created by a Joint Powers Agreement to jointly and cooperatively develop programs on matters of mutual concern and interest relating to transportation and transit issues as well as identify, review, and actively oppose proposals which may be in conflict with the interest of the members. Member Cities: In addition to the City of Plymouth/Plymouth Metrolink, the following other cities are represented on behalf of: Minnesota Valley Transit Association (MVTA): Burnsville Rosemount Prior Lake Eagan Savage Southwest Metro Transit Commission (SMTC) represented by: Chaska Chanhassen Eden Prairie F:\pw\Engineering\TRANSrnMEMOS\1999\STA Mem Kurt.doc SUBJECT: INFORMATION REGARDING THE SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION (STA) Page 2 and finally another stand alone community: Shakopee The only cities eligible to be members that are not at this time are: Apple Valley Maple Grove Lobbying/Lobbyist: Messerli and Kramer Attorneys at Law. The primary lobbyists are Bob Renner and Tom Poul. Dues: The annual dues for this membership are $9,500 for Plymouth Metrolink. These funds are actually paid by Transit property tax dollars and not money from the general fund. If you need any additional information, please contact me at your convenience. cc: Fred G. Moore F:NpwlEngineering%TRANSr MEMOS%1999=A Mem Kurt.doc SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS BURNSVILLE CHANHASSEN CHASKA EAGAN EDEN PRAIRIE PLYMOUTH PRIOR LAKE ROSEMOUNT SAVAGE SHAKOPEE SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION LIST OF MEMBERS Minnesota Valley Transit Authority Burnsville Eagan Prior Lake Rosemount Savage Plymouth Metrolink Plymouth Shakopee Area Transit Shakopee Southwest Metro Transit Commission Chanhassen Chaska Eden Prairie SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS January 1999 Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor of Burnsville VICE CHAIR Mark Senn, Chanhassen City Council Chad Dokter, Chaska City Council Sandy Masin, Eagan City Council CHAIR Nancy Tyra Lukens, Eden Prairie City Council SECRETARYITREASURER Scott Harstad, Plymouth City Council Wes Mader, Prior Lake City Council Cathy Busho, Mayor of Rosemount Tom Brennan, Savage City Council Eldon Reinke, Shakopee Area Transit SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE January, 1999 Cathy Busho, Mayor of Rosemount Scott Harstad, Plymouth City Council Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor of Burnsville Michael Leek, Shakopee Area Transit Nancy Tyra Lukens, Eden Prairie City Council Sandy Masin, Eagan City Council Jack Provo, Southwest Metro Transit SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION MEMBER CITY POPULATIONS CITY POPULATION* Burnsville 57,578 Chanhassen 16,917 Chaska 14,817 Eagan 59,021 Eden Prairie 49,287 Plymouth 61,620 Prior Lake 13,519 Rosemount 12,772 Savage 16,002 Shakopee 15,311 TOTAL 316,844 Based upon April, 1997 Metropolitan Council population estimates SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION Lobbyists: Robert G. Renner, Jr., Esq. Ross E. Kramer, Esq. Sandra L. Neren, Esq. John F. Apitz, Esq. Thomas J. Poul, Esq. Eric J. Hyland Jill G. Sletten Legislative Assistant: Jennifer J. Peterson CONSULTANTS h) 651/481-0224 pager) 651/969-6370 e-mail) rrenner@mandklaw.com e-mail) rkramer@mandklaw.com e-mail) sneren@mandklaw.com e-mail) japitz@mandklaw.com e-mail) tpoul@mandklaw.com e-mail) ehyland@mandklaw.com e-mail) jsletten@mandklaw.com e-mail) jpeterson@mandklaw.com All Messed! & Kramer staff may be reached at 651/228-9757 (telephone) or 651/228-9787 (fax) Address for all Messerli & Kramer staff: Messed! & Kramer P.A. 145 University Avenue West Suite 450 St. Paul, MN 55103 OPT -OUT FACTS Opt -out" communities are communities that have opted out of the metro transit system and provide their own transit services. The Suburban Transit Association (STA) was established in 1995. It is a coalition of 10 opt -out communities that provide suburban transit services to their constituents. These cities include: Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Savage and Shakopee. They belong to the following transit service providers: Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Southwest Metro Transit Commission, Plymouth Metrolink, and Shakopee Area Transit. Opt -out communities provide flexible transit services through a variety of programs, including: express and reverse commute services, Bial- a -ride services, vanpools, carpooling programs, and elderly and disabled transportation services. Opt -out communities work as a partner with Metro Transit to improve access to transit services throughout the region. Opt -out communities receive funding from a variety of sources, including: A portion of property taxes levied within each opt -out community; 10 — 12 percent of opt -out community property taxes levied for transit go to the Met Council for regional transit services. A portion of Met Council bonding authority provides supplemental funding for opt -out service preservation needs i.e. vehicle replacement and facility improvement). Annual opt -out transit ridership has grown consistently since the inception of opt -out transit providers. Ridership within STA member communities during 1998 has been estimated as 2,331,327, ridership for 1999 is projected to be 2,668,572. The increase in ridership between 1996 and 1999 is projected to be 29 percent. SUBURBAN TRANSIT ASSOCIATION 1999 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA I. SUPPORTED ISSUES A. BONDING FOR TRANSIT Support the Met Council's bonding request for transit. The Met Council is asking that $52 million in bonding be authorized by the 1999 legislature. The STA supports this Met Council initiative. However, because 13 regional transit capital projects worth $6.6 million dollars are included for STA communities in this bonding request, the STA's support is contingent on full funding for these projects. B. STABLE AND PREDICTABLE BONDING AUTHORITY Support the Met Council in acquiring a stable and predictable bonding authority for transit. The Met Council is seeking the stable and predictable authority to bond through either a debt service levy limit mechanism or an outstanding debt limit mechanism. C. LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT INITIATIVES The STA supports implementation of the Hiawatha Avenue corridor and will actively participate in the debate relating to line expansion. II. ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES A. ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDS FOR OPT -OUTS The STA will work with the Met Council to maximize ability to acquire federal funds by combining opt -out and Metro Transit service statistics. This will generate federal funds that will be proportionally shared with the opt -out providers. B. REVERSE COMMUTE INCENTIVES Partner with the Met Council to capture TEA -21 discretionary reverse -commute funding earmarked as welfare -to -work. The STA will support Met Council's legislation that increases state appropriations to counties, known as "access to jobs funding." C. SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR EXPANSION OF TRANSIT SERVICE AREA Work with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to obtain federal funding through TEA -21 for the provision of transit services to residents outside the MUSA line and the current transit service area. III. DEFENSIVE ISSUES A. OPPOSE IMPOSITION OF LEVY LIMITS ON THE TRANSIT LEVY FOR OPT - OUT TRANSIT PROVIDERS Current law imposes levy limits on most political subdivisions. However, opt -out transit systems are not subject to this levy limit. The STA currently abides by the levy limit on a voluntary basis. The STA would oppose imposition of a mandatory levy limit. B. OPPOSE THE ELIMINATION OF THE OPT -OUT TRANSIT PROVIDER SYSTEM Opt -out or replacement transit systems have been functioning efficiently and cost-effectively for more than a decade. The STA would vehemently oppose any attempts to repeal this law that has dramatically improved transit service for suburban residents. C. OPPOSE AMENDMENTS TO TAX FEATHERING LEGISLATION TO INCLUDE PARATRANSIT" IN THE DEFINITION OF TRANSIT SERVICES WHICH TRIGGER VARIOUS PROPERTY TAX LEVELS Current law excludes paratransit when determining the level of transit service residents receive. This permits certain cities to reduce their property tax levy to transit. Paratransit should not be included in the definition of regular route service since its use is restricted to a certain ridership. Communities that provide paratransit should not be penalized by having their transit tax rate increase. D. REGIONAL FLEET The current practice of providing metro transit vehicles to the entire region has been beneficial to transit riders in opt -out communities. Since suburban residents are taxed for the purchase of their buses, fairness dictates that they receive some benefit in return. The STA will oppose any changes in the mechanism that assures transit vehicles for opt -out communities. IV. MONITOR ONLY A. TRANSIT ZONE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF LAW The 1998 Legislature passed a law that included opt -out transit zones under the law that provided for a 15 percent C-1 tax cut for development within the zone. However, retail development was excluded. The STA will monitor this legislation in 1999. B. ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUTER RAIL TRANSIT LINES IN THE METRO AREA The 1997 Legislature appropriated funding for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to provide an in-depth study of five corridors which will be completed and presented to legislators in 1998. The STA supports development of commuter rail corridors as part of a comprehensive metropolitan transit system. C. SALES TAXES FOR TRANSIT FUNDING A legislative proposal to fund transit with a one-half cent sales tax in the metropolitan area may be introduced. This source of funding would replace the current reliance on property taxes. If introduced, the STA will monitor this proposal to ensure fairness and adequate formulas for opt -out funding growth. D. GAS TAX INCREASE Legislation that would increase the current gas tax has been discussed as a potential source of revenue for transit funding. Although not a likely option in the House, the Senate may come forward with such a proposal, which would require a constitutional change. As with other funding proposals that might effect transit funding methods, the STA will monitor this proposal to ensure that the metropolitan transit system is adequately funded and that opt -out transit providers are treated fairly. E. CONSTITUTIONAL DEDICATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES A constitutionally dedicated multimodal fund from the proceeds of the sales tax on motor vehicles (MVET) may again be a viable transportation funding option. In 1998, the Minnesota Senate passed a 25 percent MVET dedication on a vote of 65 — 0. The STA will monitor this legislation closely if introduced in 1999 to ensure opt -out transit providers are treated fairly. F. ALLOW ADDITIONAL COMMUNITIES TO BE ADDED TO THE OPT -OUT TRANSIT SYSTEM Although the STA will not be initiating legislation that would add new communities to the opt -out system, it would support such legislation if it were introduced. G. SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING TRANSIT SYSTEM, I.E. BUILDING ADDITIONAL HOV LANES Support for increased funding to the transportation infrastructure will be a big issue at the legislature this session. Senator Flynn has expressed numerous alternative funding initiatives that would increase the State's investment in its ailing infrastructure such as: (a) one-half cent metro area sales tax; (b) MVET proposals; (c) increase in gas tax and registration; and (d) increase in general fund investments. H. ENLARGED TRANSIT TAXING DISTRICT Many transit riders live outside the current transit taxing district. They enjoy the benefits of the subsidized system without having to pay for its full cost. The STA will monitor legislation that would enlarge the geographical boundaries of the current transit taxing district. I. REDEFINE FEATHERING TO PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF Monitor Met Council's request for a statutory change regarding property tax feathering. The Met Council is asking that a statutory change be made to include partial feathering from 60 to 30 minute midday frequency. This proposal would be revenue neutral for the Met Council, although it would have a $2.1 million impact on the State General Fund. A w U) a a P4 z O F a a U w 0 W A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 0 o C i o m c6 oE., OC° of q o g rn m E-4 ai ai Ni c i c+ m vi Ni c W F,, A A O E., F U a Ci Ci Ci Ci Ci Ci Ci 0 x a0 E- N t- o N W g o c' N o cc m C oc rn a Lo o 4 xz wx 0 0 4.3 D 4 pq w bo o o CD a Cd P, 4) 0 W s O U as 0 w Fi a 0 0 a m w U cs U U cdHE-1 F H H FPL4 c'/11 a) a) U) O Q U U) C0 z z m m U) co to o NQ oo r o 0 0 0 0 •r dfA Occoo O ma coo W) CV r to ol co v " too N a° W L LL Go tT N m Ch m J m T- N co oo co dfA W) CV r eq w m w1IV D U) N LL W L LL Go tT N mm J Ud T- N U N N dfA D U) C LL L LL tT N J Ud N 3 Wc N C d U x m d d C d N W Q U x m a nm c m r -w m m w a w y LL F- O O F- c J m U) Q N O F- O F- v2 . AMM Committees AMM Member Cities ASSO(Iat1011 Of Metropolitan Municipalities AMM Board of Directors AMM Staff AMM omeaye AMM Organization The AMM is a service and lobby organization for cities in the metropolitan area. Membership is opento cities in the seven county metropolitan area that are members of the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC). Current membership includes about half of the eligible cities, but these cities contain about ninety percent of the metropolitan population. The AMM is governed by a Board of Directors of local officials from member cities. It includes President, Vice President, Past President and 16 directors serving staggered two-year terms. Board members are elected at the general membership annual meeting in May. Each class of city must be represented on the Board and the distribution of directors is consistent geographically with city membership. Each member city has one vote in matters of administration, organization and general operation. The Board of Directors meets monthly to guide the general organization operations and to direct staff. The staff consists of an Executive Director, Director of Legislative Affairs, Communications and Research Director, and an Administrative Assistant. The AMM is affiliated with the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) but neither duplicates nor competes with the LMC. The AMM has a separate, distinct mission. The primary difference between the LMC and the AMM is the AMM's involvement with the Metropolitan Council and metropolitan issues. The LMC has no involvement with metropolitan type issues; the AMM constantly monitors the Council and its activities, alerts member cities of pending decisions or actions, and reacts as appropriate to protect the metropolitan cities' interests. The AMM is the only organization for cities that monitors the Metropolitan Council and other metropolitan agencies such as the Regional Parks and Open Space Commission and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The AMM has been successful through the years in influencing Metropolitan Council policy decisions. Metropolitan agencies leaders look first to the AMM for city input. ASSOCiation of AMMMISSION: To serve as the primary representative of the collective interests of all metropolitan cities on Metropolitan metropolitan and statewide issues with unique metropolitan significance. Municipalities a to ews of the Dm Association of Metropolitan Municipalities 145 University Avenue West Saint Paul, Minnesota 55103-2044 Telephone: (651) 215-4000 Fax: (651) 281-1299 C Association of Metropolitan Municipalities, 1999 This web site was developed in cooperation with the Computer Science Department of Metropolitan State University. Team leader. Ron Grimm assisted by Rebecca Wheeler. AWKWAVA WN W AMM Home Page Assodatlon of AMM Organization Page Metropolitan mpn lines AMM COMMITTEES Five standing committees develop policy based on input from member city representatives: Municipal Revenues, Metropolitan Agencies, Transportation, General Legislation, and Housing & Economic Development. Officials of any member city may serve on a committee of their choice. Each committee annually submits policy recommendations to the Board of Directors for review, modification and distribution to the general membership. The general membership meets in November before each legislative session to debate and adopt the official AMM policy for that session. In matters of legislative policy, each member city has one vote, plus one additional vote for each 50,000 population or major fraction thereof above the initial 50,000. Legislative policy requires a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting to be adopted. on AMM Home Pajze Assodation of AMM organization Page Metropolitan NOW {sties Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Staff Executive Director: Gene Ranieri Phone: 215-4001 Director of Legislative Affairs: Roger Peterson Phone: 215-4002 Director of Communications and Research: Cheryl BudewitzPhone: 215-4003 Laurie Jennings Administrative Assistant: Phone: 215-4004 AMM Home Page Association of Metro olitanp AMM Organization Page AMM's Bill Tracking Index 1999 Legislative Contacts Minnesota Legislature nited StatesOongress The Governor's Office Legislative Terms Meeting with Your LegislatorsLobbying TipsMunicipalities AMM's Legislative Contact System The AMM board developed the legislative contact system for two primary reasons: 1. to keep AMM members involved in the legislative process and 2. to improve the overall AMM lobbying effort. A city elected official or staff member is chosen by each municipality to serve as a legislative contact between the AMM, the municipality and its local legislators. The legislative contacts help make legislators aware of the strong metropolitan interest regarding certain issues. The contacts primarily interact with the AMM and the municipality's senators and representatives during the early stages of the legislative session to promote AMM policy priorities, and during the later stages when bills and legislation are finalized. The AMM will ask the contacts to discuss specific issues with legislators. The contacts will receive a broadcast fax from the AMM contact coordinator, Cheryl Budewitz. The contacts then call or meet with the municipality's senators and representatives to express the AMM's concerns. Contact with the legislators usually occurs over the telephone, but the AMM encourages one-to-one contact. In addition to talking with legislators, the contacts brief their respective city councils on AMM priority policies and solicit official endorsements. The contacts should update the AMM on the positions of the cities and legislators. Contacts may wish to develop a sub -contact system by teaming with council or staff members who have expertise in a particular area or have a special relationship with a legislator. This could be developed on an issue -by -issue basis. Building a rapport with legislators is essential to the AMM lobbying efforts. Direct participation magnifies interest and gets results. The responsibilities of the contacts are not time-consuming. However, their work is invaluable — the contacts are essential to an effective AMM lobbying effort. Association of Metropolitan Municipalities Membership List 1. Anoka 20. Edina 39. New Brighton 58. St. Paul Park 2. Apple Valley 21. Excelsior 40. New Hope 59. Savage 3. Arden Hills 22. Falcon Heights 41. Newport 60. Shakopee 4. Bayport 23. Fridley 42. North St. Paul 61. Shorewood 5. Blaine 24. Golden Valley 43. Oak Park Hts. 62. South St. Paul 6. Bloomington 25. Hastings 44. Oakdale 63. Spring Lake Park 7. Brooklyn Center 26. Hopkins 45. Orono 64. Spring Park 8. Brooklyn Park 27. Independence 46. Osseo 65. Stillwater 9. Burnsville 28. Inver Grove Hts. 47. Plymouth 66. Sunfish Lake 10. Champlin 29. Lakeville 48. Prior Lake 67. Victoria 11. Chanhassen 30. Long Lake 49. Ramsey 68. Watertown 12. Chaska 31. Mahtomedi 50. Richfield 69. Wayzata 13. Circle Pines 32. Maple Grove 51. Robbinsdale 70. West St. Paul 14. Coon Rapids 33. Maplewood 52. Rosemount 71. White Bear Lake 15. Cottage Grove 34. Mendota Heights 53. Roseville 72. Woodbury 16. Crystal 35. Minneapolis 54. St. Anthony 73. Woodland 17. Deephaven 36. Minnetonka 55. St. Francis 18. Eagan 37. Mound 56. St. Louis Park 19. Eden Prairie 38. Mounds View 57. St. Paul IAMM Home PUej4M Organization Page Agenda Number: TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager p FROM: Laurie Ahrens, Assistant City Manager i SUBJECT: Millennium Celebration / DATE: June 4, 1999, for Council Study Session of June 8, 1999 1. ACTION REQUESTED: Discuss a possible millennium celebration or project and direct staff to proceed with planning. 2. DISCUSSION: Mayor Tierney has suggested that the City consider a special millennium project or celebration. At the June 8 study session, Park Director Eric Blank will describe a proposal for a Millennium Garden Project to be located at the new Plymouth Creek Center. As a related issue, the Plymouth Human Rights Commission has requested that the City submit an application to be named a "Millennium Community." The attached letter from Human Rights Commissioner Becky Wheeler describes the program. The National League of Cities is one the program partners, and there would be no cost to the City to request this designation. The theme of this program is "Honor the Past — Imagine the Future." The program purpose is to bring citizens together to celebrate the millennium by paying tribute to the ideals and creativity that have shaped the past and by preparing citizens for the 21' century. The Human Rights Commission is proposing a joint project with the Plymouth Historical Society to collect histories, personal stories, and artifacts of Plymouth residents to add to the Historical Society's collection. The Human Rights Commission views this project as an opportunity for its members to be of service to the community and a means of becoming visible in the community. The Commission is also interested in ensuring that the richness and diversity of Plymouth's history is documented. Councihnembers may wish to propose additional ideas for a millennium project or celebration. 3. RECONMIVIENDATION: Authorize staff to begin planning the Millennium Garden Project and authorize the Human Rights Commission to submit an application for Plymouth to be named a "Millennium Community." MEMORANDUM Date: May 26th 1999 Ta Mayor Tierney and Plymouth City Council Members From: Becky Wheeler at Large Commissioner Plymouth Human Rights Commission Re: Submission to White House for "Millennium Community" Status The Human Rights Commission made a commitment to maintain involvement in the Community by offering volunteer assistance to on-going community activities. Whenever possible, we make an effort to include issues regarding human rights and diversity. In conjunction with the Plymouth Historical Society, we have organized a program to collect histories and personal stories of the residents of Plymouth. Preserving the history of our ethnic diversity is not only important, but should be interesting and invaluable as our community changes and grows. We intend for this project to continue on a permanent basis and expand as additional ideas are explored. When I heard about the "Millennium Project" being started by the White House in January, I felt that our project met the criteria for becoming a Millennium Community". After talking to the White House and obtaining the application, it opened a lot of other possibilities for additional activities Plymouth could get involved in. In addition to the basic social and civic activities that could be organized, there are many other items in President Clinton"s "Millennium Program" that are somewhat already being addressed by the Human Rights Commission, the City, and Police Department. Some examples are the 'Hate Crimes Prevention Act', Civil Rights Enforcement' and having a 'Livability Agenda'. We could expand the work currently being done in these areas, and maybe incorporate some of the others. One of the advantages of being designated a "Millennium Community" is that we are allowed to use the White House's "Millennium Council" logo in our press releases, literature, and announcements. The Plymouth Human Rights Commission requests that you consider applying for status as a "Millennium Community". On a personal level, not only do I request you apply for the project with the Plymouth Historical Society that I am working on, but find all the possibilities very exciting and I would like to be part of planning other activities. If you have any questions regarding our project, or the "Millennium Community" status, please feel free to contact me at (612) 577-0481. FACT SHEET PROGRAM The Millennium Communities Program is a national, noncompetitive DESCRIPTION initiative designed by the White House Millennium Council, in collaboration with major national intergovernmental organizations and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to recognize communities across the country which are bringing citizens together to celebrate the millennium by paying tribute to the ideals and creativity that have shaped the past and by preparing their citizens -- especially children -- for the 21st century. Criteria for designation as a Millennium Community include: Formation of a committee to plan and organize community -enhancing millennium celebration events and programs Inclusion in the planning process of people and organizations that are broadly representative of the community Consistency of programs and events with the national millennium theme, Honor the Past -- Imagine the Future" Application submission and approval through one of the program's organizational partners MILLENNIUM The White House Millennium Council COMMUNITIES U.S. Conference of Mayors PARTNERS National League of Cities National Association of Counties National Association of Towns and Townships Bureau of Indian Affairs APPLICATION Applications can be obtained from any of the Millennium Communities PROCESS partners, or from the White House Millennium Communities website at http://www.millenniumcommunities.org>. Applications can be filled out and electronically submitted through this website. Any individual or group can be the catalyst for a community application. Simply design a project in keeping with the criteria above and contact your local elected official -- your mayor, county commission, selectman or tribal leader -- to encourage them to apply. 3 Applications must be signed and endorsed by the chief local elected official representing the community, and should be sent to the appropriate partner organization for review. Applications from governors will be reviewed by the White House Millennium Council. TIMELINE Communities will be eligible for the program throughout 1999 and 2000. RECOGNITION Cities, towns, counties, states, and tribal reservations which are designated BENEFITS Millennium Communities will receive the following: Award of the official designation "Millennium Community" Use of and identification with the national millennium logo and motto:"Honor the Past -- Imagine the Future" Registry of local projects on the national Millennium Communities website Certificate of recognition signed by the President and First Lady Invitation to participate in recognition events hosted by the President and First Lady WEBSITE Designated Millennium Communities will be registered on the Millennium Communities website at <http://www.millenniumcommunities.org>. The website will profile each community's millennium projects and events. HANDBOOKThe Millennium Communities Handbook describes the program in greater detail and offers sample projects which are consistent with the national millennium theme. The handbook is available by writing to any of the Millennium Community Partners, or on the Internet at the Millennium Communities website at http://www.millenniumcommunities.org>. WHITE HOUSE The Millennium Communities Program is one of several initiatives MILLENNIUM developed by the White House Millennium Council to unite the nation COUNCIL as it celebrates the next millennium. Other programs include: PROGRAM Save America's Treasures Millennium Evenings at the White House Millennium Trails Mars Millennium Project My History is America's History International Projects Agenda Number: 4 TO: Dwight Johnson, City Manager FROM: Laurie Ahrens, Assistant City Manage----- SUBJECT: Schedule Next Council Study Session DATE: June 4, 1999, for Council Study Session of June 8, 1999 1. ACTION REQUESTED: Establish the date and select topics for the next City Council Study Session. A possible date for the next study session is Tuesday, July 13, and the pending list of study session topics is attached. Pending Study Session Topics Police Operations Overview (Tim Bildsoe) I-494 Corridor Commission (Joy Tierney) Quarterly check-in meeting with City Manager (Tim Bildsoe) Drainage Ditches (Ginny Black) Water Treatment Facility Tour (Tim Bildsoe) Water Rate Study (staff) Water Resource Management Plan -funding issues (Scott Harstad) Capital Improvement Program public process (Ginny Black) City -Owned Open Space Management Practices (staff) City Council Salaries (Judy Johnson) Pending Regular Meeting Topics Pro -Plymouth Pledge Pending Comp. Plan Topics Zachary Playground Funding - PRAC policy (Joy Tierney)