HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-10-2018Adopted Minutes
Regular City Council Meeting
April 10, 2018
Mayor Slavik called a Regular Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:10 p.m. in the
Council Chambers of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on April 10, 2018.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Prom, Johnson, Davis, Willis, Wosje,
and Carroll.
Council Absent: None.
Staff Present: City Manager Callister, Administrative Services Director Hokkanen, Economic
Development Manager Landhauser, Community Development Director Juetten, Park and
Recreation Director Evans, Public Works Director Thompson, Deputy Police Chief Plekkenpol,
Design Supervisor Payne, Water Resources Manager Asche, Deputy Fire Chief Dreelan, Finance
Manager Bursheim, Supervising Accountant McMackins, Housing Manager Barnes, City
Attorney Knutson, and City Clerk Engdahl.
Plymouth Forum
Tim Peterson, 3235 Wellington Lane, requested the City discontinue the use of private
contractors to plow cul-de-sacs. They have experienced repeated substandard performance
related to timing and quality of plowing. This is due to the lack of control over the contractors
and drivers by City staff. If the Council denies this request, he suggested contractors either be
rotated or have all cul-de-sacs be plowed by the same contractors, so residents are treated the
same. If the second request is denied, he will include the Council in all communications and
complaints he makes to City staff relating to future snow plowing issues.
Mayor Slavik stated the Council has requested the Public Works Department look into plowing
cul-de-sacs before the next snow plow season begins. She requested staff contact Mr. Peterson
when the Council schedules a study session to discuss this topic.
The Council requested this be part of a study session since there could be budgetary impacts.
Presentations and Public Information Announcements
There were no presentations or public information announcements.
Adopted Minutes Page 1 of 6 Regular Meeting of April 10, 2018
Approval of Agenda
By the request of the applicant, item No. 8.01 was removed from the agenda.
Motion was made by Councilmember Prom, and seconded by Councilmember Davis, to approve
the amended a eg nda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson and seconded by Councilmember Prom to adopt
the Consent Agenda that included the following items:
(6.01) Special and Regular Council Meeting minutes of March 27, 2018.
(6.02) Resolution Approving Disbursements ending March 31, 2018 (Res2018-142).
(6.03) Resolution Approving a Site Plan Amendment and Conditional Use Permit Amendment
for Wayne A. Jeske Associates, Inc., for a Building Addition and Parking Expansion at 15870
46th Avenue (2018008 - Res2018-143).
(6.04) Resolution Approving a Conditional Use Permit for Wesley Herold and Mike Korf for
Property located at 3580 Holly Lane (2018009 - Res2018-144).
(6.05) Resolution Approving the Purchase of a New Sewer Jet (Res2018-145).
(6.06) Resolution Accepting Utilities for Continual Maintenance for Ferndale Terrace (2014011
- Res2018-146)
(6.07) Resolution Supporting the Submission to Hennepin County's Environmental Response
Fund Grant on behalf of Trust Builders and Developers, LLC (Res2018-147).
(6.08) Resolution Amending Resolution No's. 2018-006, 2018-078, and 2018-122 relating to
Funding Sources for Equipment Purchases (Res2018-148).
With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
Public Hearings
There were no public hearings.
General Business
(8.01) This item was removed from the agenda.
Adopted Minutes Page 2 of 6 Regular Meeting of April 10, 2018
(8.02) Site Plan for New Wayzata Elementary School on Property located on County Road
101 North of Creekside Hills 2nd Addition (Wold Architects and Engineers - 2018004)
Community Development Director Juetten reported the proposed elementary school will be
located at the intersection of 54th Avenue and County Road 101. The site plan meets all Zoning
Ordinance requirements, and the design is identical to the existing Meadow Ridge Elementary
School. Items of concern discussed at the Planning Commission meeting was whether one
access point was sufficient as well as the internal traffic circulation of the site. After further
discussion with the bus company, it was determined that the proposed plan is what will work
best on the site. The Planning Commission recommends unanimous approval of this application.
In response to questions from the Council, Community Development Director Juetten and Public
Works Director Thompson provided the following information:
• The chance for expanding the property in the future will be limited.
• In working with the County, the City has a limited number of accesses onto County Road
101.
• The school district is required to contribute to the future construction of signals, and at
that time, additional turn lanes may need to be installed.
• Staff doesn't believe an additional turn lane will be needed turning onto the local road
due to the lower traffic volumes and speeds on the residential street.
• There will be a.m. and p.m. peak times when buses will be turning into the site, but no
issues were identified concerning bus traffic turning off County Road 101 into the site.
• Meadow Ridge Elementary School has an access for emergency vehicles that is closed
off by a chain link fence. The proposed plan can provide a similar access if needed.
Motion was made by Councilmember Wosje, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
adopt a Resolution Approving a Site Plan for Wold Architects and Engineers for a New
Elementary School on County Road 101 North of Creekside Hills 2nd Addition (2018004 —
Res2018-149). With all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
(8.03) Utility Rate Study and 2018 Rate Structure
Finance Manager Bursheim reported on the utility rate study and the proposed increases to utility
and franchise fees.
Water Resources Manager Asche reported in 2016, staff applied for funding from the
Metropolitan Council to assist in conservation efforts for both commercial and residential
customers. These funds were used to replace less efficient systems with more efficient practices.
Irrigation controllers proved to be a beneficial device in water conservation. Staff plans to
promote the same practices and begin a new program that will focus on irrigation controllers for
commercial properties.
In response to questions from the Council, Water Resources Manager Asche provided the
following information:
Adopted Minutes Page 3 of 6 Regular Meeting of April 10, 2018
• It is possible staff may recommend incorporating irrigation controllers into the building
code for new developments.
• He believes the participation with irrigation controllers was about 75 percent residential
and 25 percent commercial. However, the bulk of the gallons of water conserved ends up
being commercial.
• The cost to change out a commercial irrigation system will depend on the size of the site.
The larger the site, the more labor intensive it is, and more controllers are needed.
However, the actual cost of the device is $200 to $400. The estimated water use savings
ranges from 30 to 60 percent and the payback on the investment would depend on many
different variables.
• If this program continues to be successful, staff will have the opportunity to propose real
changes in the system to the Council. They are only a couple of years into this and they
have an interest in understanding the impact of it on commercial properties.
• The City has not yet retrofitted its irrigation system but is in the process of doing so.
• This City is in the third year of this program. It was previously funded through a grant
from the Metropolitan Council, but they are on their own this year. It is included in the
water resources fund as an educational component.
The Council expressed support for this program and inquired if $12,000 was sufficient, if they
should designate money toward commercial incentives, and if this should be incorporated as a
requirement into the building code. One member of the Council inquired if they are trying to
suppress water usage or collect additional revenue. They need to find the balance of suppressing
water usage and still fund a system that is aging and in need of these revenues.
A discussion was held on the proposed irrigation rates for 2018. Councilmember Willis
proposed different rates that would be reflected in a single tier system. This would provide more
funds for conservation incentives and moderate the increase of overall water rate increases. It
would apply only to outside irrigation that is separately metered.
The Council discussed the pros and cons of the proposed water rate systems. One member of the
Council expressed concern with having commercial businesses pay more for water. It is used to
keep the grass green and the City looking nice and they should not discourage this. Water
consumption rates remain stable and there is no need to force people when they can encourage
them to naturally conserve.
Another member of the Council noted the water fund cash balances are stable through 2026 and
they should look at ways to encourage conservation. Peak usage takes place June through
September and only 14 percent of residents fall into the third tier during this time. The tier 2 and
tier 3 residential blended rate comes out to $2.33 and commercial is paying $2.26. The Council
should consider aligning those numbers for a better rate.
Finance Manager Bursheim explained the DNR mandates that the City can establish the base
rate, the second tier must be 25 percent higher than it, and the third tier must be 50 percent
higher. The City's rates reflect a 72 percent increase from the base rate to the third tier.
Adopted Minutes Page 4 of 6 Regular Meeting of April 10, 2018
Motion was made by Councilmember Prom, and seconded by Councilmember Johnson to adopt
an Ordinance Amending Section 1015.33 of the City Code Concerning Utility Fees (Ord2018-
07), Ordinance Amending Section 1015.19 of the City Code Concerning Water and Sanitary
Sewer Permits and Utility Fees (Ord2018-08), Ordinance Amending a Gas Energy Franchise Fee
on Centerpoint Energy Minnesota Gas ("Centerpoint Energy") for Providing Gas Energy Service
within the City of Plymouth, Minnesota (Ord2018-09), Ordinance Amending Franchise Fee for
Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota Corporation D/B/A Xcel Energy, its Successors
and Assigns, for Providing Electric Service within the City of Plymouth Minnesota (Ord2018-
10), Ordinance Amending Franchise Fee for Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
its Successors and Assigns, for Providing Electric Service within the City f Plymouth
Minnesota (Ord2018-11), and a Resolution Approving Summary Publication of Ordinance No's.
2018-07, 2018-08, 2018-09, 2018-10, 2018-11 (Res2018-150).
The Council discussed raising the franchise fee an additional $.06 over what is being
recommended as the City would receive $67,000 in additional revenue after one year. These
funds would be allocated towards the street reconstruction fund.
In response to a question from the Council, Water Resource Manager Asche explained the water
rebate program guidelines can be decided by the City. There are many items that could be
eligible, but ultimately staff found that irrigation should be the focus. They intend to move
forward with the program that promotes irrigation improvement.
The Council expressed support for this program and allocating additional money towards it.
They discussed having both a residential and commercial category for the program.
The Council voted on the motion and with all members voting in favor but Willis, the motion
carried.
Motion was made by Councilmember Carroll, and seconded by Councilmember Prom, to
increase the funding in the water conservation program up to $50,000.
City Manager Callister noted there is currently $12,000 allocated in the water conservation
program. If the Council approves the motion, staff will come back where the additional $38,000
in funding would come from.
The Council voted on the motion and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried.
The Council directed staff to look into whether they can require new construction to install water
conserving devices.
Public Works Director Thompson reported on April 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. there will be
an open house held in the Medicine Lake Room to discuss the County Road 9/I-494 interchange.
Adopted Minutes Page 5 of 6 Regular Meeting of April 10, 2018
Reports and Staff Recommendations
There were no reports and staff recommendations.
Adiournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m.
LtAv�&�
andra R. Engdahl, Ci Clerk
Adopted Minutes Page 6 of 6 Regular Meeting of April 10, 2018