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031297 CC WS Min .' (. .. . . . CITY OF SHOREWOOD CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1997 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD 7:30 P.M. MINUTES 1. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Mayor Dahlberg called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Mayor Dahlberg; Councilmembers McCarty, O'Neill and Garfunke1; Planning Commission Chair Pisula; Commissioners Borkon (arrived at 7:52 p.m.), Champa, Kolstad, Lizee; Administrator Hurm; Planning Director Brad Nielsen. Absent: Councilmember Stover; Commissioners Foust and Turgeon. B. Background on the Metropolitan Council Mayor Dahlberg inquired as to the authority the legislature gives the Metropolitan Council in imposing certain requirements upon a municipality. He further asked who would make the judgment a particular Comprehensive Plan satisfies the applicable requirements. Tom Caswell of the Metropolitan Council provided brief background information relative to the Metropolitan Council. He noted the passage of the Metropolitan Land Planning Act in 1976 began the process of Metropolitan Council reviewing municipal Comprehensive Plans. Mr. Caswell noted there are four principle areas of impact which are referred to as systems. These systems include sewers, airports, transportation and parks. The Metropolitan Council has established various boards to address the problems which arise in these areas. 2. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ISSUES A. NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR 1998 Mr. Caswell noted the cities have been informed they must review their Comprehensive Plans to ensure they conform with the plans and visions of the Council. An updated plan must be f11ed by December 31, 1998. Councilmember O'Neill inquired about the Metropolitan Council's view on a water plan. Mr. Caswell explained if there is municipal water service available, a water supply plan must be established and submitted. Councilmember Garfunkel questioned what would happen if the City were to submit their Comprehensive Plan and the Metropolitan Council were to reject the plan. Mr. Caswell stated the plan would be returned to the Council for modification and the new provisions of the Comprehensive Plan could not be utilized until such time as the Comprehensive Plan is approved by the Metropolitan Council. ." . . . . ... CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 12, 1997 - PAGE 2 B . GROWTH STRATEGIES Mr. Caswell commented in the year 2020, the metropolitan area will have an anticipated population growth of approximately 650,000 people and 330,000 houses. The City will receive an estimate of how much land it will take to accommodate the increased number of households. Mayor Dahlberg inquired if the density would be higher outside of the MUSA line. Mr. Caswell described on a diagram the area which is considered the ultimate sewer area. He explained the Metropolitan Council is not expecting much as far as density outside of the MUSA line. Mayor Dahlberg questioned how preserving the urban core would affect the Shorewood Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Caswell explained that to the extent more households are located in the area already served, this will take pressure off of the density in Shorewood and hopefully it will generate some economic growth back into Minneapolis. Mayor Dahlberg noted his understanding jobs are migrating from the urban core and out into the suburbs. Councilmember O'Neill commented rental office space will be increasing in Minneapolis due to the construction of two new towers. Councilmember Garfunkel understood the plan to be to concentrate the jobs within the 494/694 beltway. Mayor Dahlberg commented the problem seems to be defined as not enough jobs within the urban core. He questioned whether the Metropolitan Council's objective would be to keep them in and to also keep the jobs that are outside of that area and provide transportation to those suburban locations. Mr. Caswell felt the objective to be to keep the jobs inside the urban core in addition to accommodating the jobs which exist in the suburban areas by providing housing for those workers and at the same time reducing the traffic. Councilmember O'Neill remarked the Comprehensive Plan was approved in 1995 and inquired when it would need to be reviewed again. Mr. Caswell stated it would need to be reviewed for compliance and submitted for approval by December 1998. Nielsen noted a housing plan has not yet been completed. Nielsen stated the water supply plan has been submitted. The most recent amendment to the Comprehensive Plan was in 1989, therefore, the complete plan must be submitted for approval. Mr. Caswell reported there are grant and loan monies available relative to updating the Comprehensive Plan. Hurm noted there have been discussions with the surrounding communities relative to inter community cooperation relative to stormwater management as well as a housing needs analysis. Mayor Dahlberg inquired regarding the Watershed District and the jurisdiction relative to the issue of stormwater management. Don Bloom was present and explained when a city is part of a watershed district, the city is then required to establish a plan. That plan must acknowledge the watershed district's planning. Mr. Caswell explained the Metropolitan Council would be looking for a fairly complete water management plan. The Metropolitan Council would review the plan and make comment to the watershed district. Mr. Caswell commented the Metropolitan Council will be reviewing the Comprehensive Plan for things such as solar access protection, woodland protection, steep slopes and other areas for which there are not policies established. Mr. Caswell assured the Council that once the Metropolitan Council acts on the grant and loan funds, he will send the information to Administrator Hurm. . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 12, 1997 - PAGE 3 C. LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT/HOUSING ELEMENT .' . Mr. Caswell noted the Livable Communities Act is a voluntary program. There are fund accounts available for work in various areas related to livable community projects. This is a long term program and there are goals which communities can utilize. Mr. Caswell stated that many goals which are set by the City are things the Metropolitan Council can assist with. Administrator Hurm noted the major issues in Shorewood include transit for which the property owners pay a large sum of money with extremely inadequate transit service available. He also noted Shorewood has about the highest sewer charges of any of the municipalities. Mr. Caswell felt these to be issues with which the Metropolitan Council could lend some assistance. 3. SUMMARY OF THE REGIONAL GROWTH STRATEGY . Mr. Caswell commented it has been forecast there will be approximately 400 new households in Shorewood between now and the year 2010. He stated the Metropolitan Council will bring back some forecasts in an attempt to negotiate with the City in arriving at an acceptable plan. Commissioner Champa questioned the jurisdiction the Metropolitan Council would have if the City were to decide to purchase all of the developable land in an attempt to maintain Shorewood as it is today. Mr. Caswell was unsure of any action which would be taken by the Metropolitan Council. Councilmember O'Neill stated in considering the sewer rates, lack of bus lines, number of cottage type homes, and the price of land in Shorewood, the Metropolitan Council puts high prices on the seniors in these houses and this will cause those houses to disappear. He expressed his belief the City is working to provide a livable community, however, the excessive fees imposed by the Metropolitan Council work against this effort by the City. Commission Lizee questioned whether a senior housing plan would be acceptable. Nielsen noted this to be a goal of the City. Mr. Caswell stated affordable and life cycle housing would be acceptable. Mr. Caswell commented it will take three units per acre in achieving the desired densities. Commissioner Lizee asked about the average density at the present time. Nielsen stated the density in Shorewood to be approximately 1.5 units per acre. Councilmember McCarty left the meeting at 8:56 p.m. 4. TRANSIT SERVICE Brian Lamb, Director of Service Development, MCTO, which is a part of the Metropolitan Council, addressed the Council and Commission. He stated Transit Redesign recognizes the metropolitan area consists of four distinct market areas. These areas have very different needs. Over the past nine months, the MCTO has been working with a series of communities in the western suburban and lake area communities in identifying where there is a mismatch situation. . Transit service has decreased approximately 12 to 14 percent in the past two years. The service is working on a deficiency. There are two distinct types of transit service which are appropriate. There is a need for express service during the rush hour time period. This is the major need for the western suburban area. Currently there are two express routes which serve the Shorewood area. In off peak hours, particularly in the middle of the day, service is insufficient. . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 12, 1997 - PAGE 4 A service plan has been developed and the MCTO proposes combining two different transit services and ultimately serve the community better than in the past. It is expected the plan will be implemented in June. A Dial-a-Ride service is proposed which will go door-to-door in addition to the fixed route service. Mr. Lamb provided a handout portraying the proposed route. Two vehicles will operate between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. One vehicle will link with the transit system at Ridgedale Center. It will travel a fixed route through Excelsior and ultimately arrive at the Southshore Senior Community Center where it will meet another vehicle which has been operating in the Dial-A-Ride area. The buses will have a unique service area. There will be an opportunity to transfer at the Senior Center to the bus going to Ridgedale Center. The existing Southshore bus, which is currently funded two days per week, will be funded five days per week by the MCTO. Part of the time it will support the fixed route and the remainder of the time it will be in a Senior Center support function. The Dial-A-Ride service would be available to any Shorewood resident calling and making a reservation. Mayor Dahlberg would like to see statistics on the level of usage. He noted the Shorewood property owners are paying approximately $309,000 in property taxes for public transportation. He pointed out this is 20 percent of the municipal budget. Mr. Lamb stated it is very difficult to take counts on the pick up and drop off areas and determine the extent of service actually utilized by residents in the City. He explained there are Park and Rides throughout 394 and a license plate check has not been done to determine what portion of the vehicles at the Park and Ride lots belong to Shorewood residents. Mr. Lamb commented one of the issues being considered is whether property tax is the appropriate form of funding for transit. He noted the legislature is looking for alternatives to funding. He noted there are not many other revenue options which can produce the revenue flow to fund this type of system. Mayor Dahlberg remarked regardless of how the system is funded, it is totally inefficient and that there are certain other types of service that on a prorated basis, the City pays less. He stated he would like studies completed showing the number of Shorewood residents utilizing the transit system. Mayor Dahlberg stated from a business point of view, rather than paying the $309,000, the City could make direct transfer payments to any Shorewood resident or senior on a fixed income to support their transportation needs and the City could potentially come out ahead. Councilmember Garfunkel stated he is not opposed to paying for the service which is utilized, however, he does not want to pay in excess of that service and ultimately be paying for other parts of the system. Mr. Lamb stated he could use a sample day basis and research license plate numbers at the Park and Ride lots to determine whether Shorewood residents are utilizing the transit service from other points. Mayor Dahlberg felt there is a reasonable rate of subsidy which goes out into the transit system, however, the important factor is to know at what level this subsidy is taking place. Hurm stated the point is that the City has not been receiving service and inquired whether the service into Minneapolis could be improved. Commissioner Borkon questioned if figures showed additional service was necessary in order to have additional riders to decrease the amount of subsidy, would the MCTO be willing to look at such a plan. Mr. Lamb confirmed this would be considered. .( . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 12, 1997 - PAGE 5 Mayor Dahlberg expressed appreciation for the work, concern and interest which has been expressed relative to this issue. Mr. Lamb stated other ways of raising funds for the transit service are being considered by way of MVET (Minnesota Vehicle Excise Tax) funds, auto licensing funds, gas tax, and sales tax. There are pros and cons to utilizing these types of funds. Mr. Lamb feels marketing needs to be more localized. He suggested promoting public transit by offering incentives such as reduced or free rides for a certain period of time. Mr. Lamb explained the new service will begin as a demonstration route and will be in operation for 12 to 18 months prior to a change being implemented. Mayor Dahlberg asked about the Southwest Transit System. Mr. Lamb stated Southwest consists of a large group of communities which have joined together to provide transit service. They manage it themselves and buy services from the MCTO. Mr. Lamb suggested reporting back to Council in the fall to update them on how the plan is working at that time. Commissioner Lizee questioned where light rail stands relative to transportation. Mr. Lamb explained the strategy is to build transitways. The philosophy is it may start out as a bus, but may be ultimately converted to rail without a high infrastructure cost. He pointed out tremendous strides are being made on electrifying buses. 5. SEWER SERVICE Don Bloom, Waste Water Services of the Metropolitan Council, addressed the Council and Commission. Mr. Bloom provided a packet of materials which he reviewed in detail. Mr. Bloom described the monitoring system which is utilized to measure inflow and infIltration in the City. He explained Shorewood has more unmetered points than other cities, however, there are cities which have no metering. Inflow and infiltration are measured through lift station data which is monitored on a daily basis. The flow in the City in 1996 was approximately 306 million gallons total. The flow entering and leaving the City through unmetered locations was approximately 85 million gallons flowing out and approximately 106 million gallons flowing in. There are 104 cities on the system with approximately 90 percent being monitored. Mr. Bloom explained it costs the metropolitan area approximately $65,000 to construct a meter site and an additional $15,000 per year for operation of the site. Mayor Dahlberg questioned how often the pipes are upgraded. Mr. Bloom explained that generally they are not. When a problem arises, a foam substance is injected which sets up and creates a new joint. Commissioner Champa asked if there are maps of all of the piping throughout the City. Nielsen indicated the maps are available. He further inquired how many monitoring systems are in the City. Mr. Bloom stated there are approximately four locations which are being metered and four or five which inflow but are not monitored other than through lift stations. He further explained to measure flow, three sites are set up simultaneously. An attempt will be made to vary the periods of time with which this is accomplished. The sites must be visited daily during the monitoring process to ensure the flow is coming through. Mayor Dahlberg questioned whether historically there had been a problem with the methods or formula used and if there are concerns relative to the accuracy of the work. Hurm stated in the past there have been some concerns. Nielsen commented that wet communities are penalized due to the amount of inflow and infIltration which results from being a wet community. 41 I CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 12, 1997 - PAGE 6 . Mr. Bloom noted $10,000 had been contributed to assist the City in funding a study to identify problems within the system. Mayor Dahlberg asked if it would be possible there are several major problem areas which could produce 50 percent of the problem. Mr. Bloom stated that would be possible there are several major sources of infIltration and that the object of the study was to determine this. Mr. Bloom did not feel this was the case with the City of Shorewood. Nielsen stated during the televising program, the engineers suggested areas which may be more likely to be problem areas such as older areas and wetter areas. Some more significant leaks were identified and addressed. Councilmember O'Neill questioned whether the Metropolitan Council would contribute toward this project of inflow and infIltration. Mr. Bloom explained a $10,000 grant was produced in 1992 or 1993 with an additional $10,000 this year. The City has been given top priority in the 1&1 study due to the major problem this is for the City. Mr. Bloom noted the City has not applied for a grant for repairs. The Metropolitan Council gave eight $40,000 grants in 1996 to assist the cities with matching repair grants. Hurm pointed out the problems need to be identified prior to requesting funds for repairs. It was also noted the grants for repairs are matching fund type grants. Councilmember Garfunkel felt this will be a recurring problem given Shorewood's geographical location. Mr. Bloom stated the Land Planning Act allows until 1998 for the problem to be addressed through the Comprehensive Plan. The City has been asked to review the plan and arrive at a program to address this issue. If the City's goals are met, the Metropolitan Council will not be requesting a surcharge be imposed. . Hurm noted $75,000 has been budgeted and grant monies received. Hurm noted there are approximately 15 wet communities which happen to be quite small communities. He stated the other communities which are considered dry communities do not share the City's concern. Mr. Bloom explained the members of the task force felt if the City is contributing the flow to the system, it should be responsible for paying for it. However, the task force saw some benefit to saving some costs which would be shared by the dry communities. The task force recommended $1 million per year for five years. They recommended consideration of a grant program, without specifying a specific dollar amount. As a result of this recommendation, the Metropolitan Council had $400,000 in grant funds in 1996 and $500,000 proposed for 1998 and another $500,000 proposed for 2000. Mr. Bloom commented on the sump pump disconnection program. He stated this has decreased the flow over the past years. Mr. Bloom noted the Metropolitan Council is in a rate program with a goal to keep the rates constant over the next five years. Commissioner Borkon questioned whether the City will be penalized for a situation over which the City has no control. Mr. Bloom noted Shorewood is not the biggest problem in the system, but Shorewood in conjunction with everyone else adds to the problem. Commissioner Borkon inquired what would be a realistic goal for the City. Mr. Bloom felt a realistic goal had been set by the Metropolitan Council which is reflected in the System Statement. Commissioner Champa asked what type of increase will be reflected in the next five years. Mr. Bloom explained he was projecting into the future, however, the rates are expected to remain . constant for the next five years. . . . . " .. .- CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 12, 1997 - PAGE 7 Mr. Bloom noted some projects will be cut back. The Metropolitan Council is attempting to do things more efficiently in an effort to save money. In addition, at this point in time, the bond payments are flattening out. Commissioners Borkon and Lizee left at 10:36 p.m. Commissioners Champa, Kolstad and Chair Pisula left at 10:41 p.m. Mayor Dahlberg stated he would need to see a detailed plan on a spreadsheet reflecting a management assessment as well as risk assessment opportunities. He stated the plan would need to be based on firm numbers and include strategies for what will be done beyond televising. Mr. Bloom stated the City is approaching a time period when the total costs and rates are decreasing. He estimated that in 1996 and 1998, the City of Shorewood will receive a substantial credit. The resulting funds could be put aside for the next wet season or used on inflow and infiltration work. 6. ADJOURNMENT O'Neill moved, Garfunkel seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:57 p.m. Motion passed 3/0. RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED, Cheryl WaIlat, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial ATTEST: () .J~ /JI ! ;~))t/l-. T M DAHLBERG, YOR