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Administrative Section
ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION 1992 United Way Report, received on February 15, 1994. Correspondence from Tom Scott dated February 18, 1994. Correspondence from Tom Scott dated February 24, 1994. Riley- Purgatory -Bluff Creek Watershed District minutes dated February 2, 1994. Minnesota River Citizens' Advisory Committee Progress Report. History of Chanhassen Park and Recreation Department. Thank you note from Natalie Rossini dated March 2, 1994. Memo from Bob Generous dated March 4, 1994. Letter to J. Christopher Sones dated March 4, 1994. Letter to Clark Cummings dated March 4, 1994. Letter to Jane Meger dated March 4, 1994. Letter to Dave Huffman dated March 4, 1994. Letter from Anita Duckor, NSP dated March. 3, 1994. Letter from Richard Stehr, MnDOT dated March 3, 1994. Letter from David Mitchell, OSM dated March 7, 1994. Memo to Municipal Solid Waste Haulers dated March 15, 1994. Letter from Jerry & Claudia Carson dated March 5, 1994. HRA Accounts Payable dated March 14, 1994. pdon S<< AAL in CONCERNS MEETINGS UNITED WAY LISTENS - RECEIVED TO THE COMMUNITY FE 1 5 1994 CITY OF trnruvr�H�S I I F I j PAGE ' ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2 i PREFACE 3 ' 4. Nurturing the Young EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 INTRODUCTION 6 ' Purpose of Community Concerns Meetings Description and Format of Meetings Community Focus and Results , COMMUNITY CONCERNS FINDINGS: MEETING DISCUSSIONS 1. Respecting Diversity 9 2. Increasing Self- Sufficiency 3. Promoting Health and Healing ' 4. Nurturing the Young 5. Strengthening Families 6. Supporting Older People ' COMMUNITY CONCERNS FINDINGS: SURVEY RESPONSES 23 Affordable Housing ' Chemical Abuse Crime Education ' Poverty and Unemployment Transportation ' TO OTHER SURVEY FINDINGS COMPARISON NGS 26 APPENDIXES 27 , A. Methodology B. Problems, Issues and Services Identified at Community Concerns Meetings, 1992 C. Comparison of 1992 Community Concerns Participants with Census Population Counts D. 1992 Community Concerns Meeting Cosponsors E. 1992 Community Concerns Volunteers: Facilitators and Recorders ' F. 1992 Community Concerns Survey v 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Community Concerns Meetings were organized and staffed by the United Way Research and Planning Department. Susan Stein and Judy Tyler led the project team, organized most of the meetings, and recruited and trained the facilitators and '+ recorders. Considerable assistance was provided by Lori Bock, Barry Cohen, Kim Merriam, Michael O'Neal, Liz Peterson, Rebecca Shavlik, Lael Tryon and intern Tore ' Falck. Bev Ahlstrom, Elizabeth Bergman, Kitty Lucas, and Thomas Trull provided clerical and secretarial support. Karen Holzer, Barbara Nagle and Paul Wehrwein of the Marketing Division handled the creative services. Molly Davis keylined the final report, and Tom Noethe and Connie Stamm printed the report in the United Way Print Shop. Special thanks are extended to Linda Warson, who volunteered her time and expertise in contacting local businesses and corporations about this project, and then organized and facilitated meetings in corporate settings. We also thank all other United Way employees who assisted in this project. These people are acknowledged in the list of volunteer facilitators and recorders in Appendix E. 1 ' yX 2 r This report details the findings of United Way's 1992 Community Concerns Meetings. These ongoing meetings are convened to hear what community members have to say about the problems and issues affecting their lives. The views and observations of people attending Community Concerns Meetings help chart the future work of United Way. As United Way seeks to achieve specific results in the areas of self- sufficiency, children and youth, health, diversity, families, and older adults, the views of diverse constituencies from across communities are being incorporated into United Way's planning and priority setting process. The information in this report will also be of value to community planners and policy makers, and individuals concerned about health and human service issues. During 1992, 87 meetings were held throughout the five counties of the west metro area, involving 895 participants. Meeting participants came from all walks of life and mirrored the community's diversity. They were of different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds from across the five - county area. We thank everyone involved in organizing and conducting these meetings for their contributions. Numerous organizations assisted as meeting cosponsors; dozens of volunteers facilitated meetings and recorded minutes, and nearly 900 individuals shared their concerns. The project could not have succeeded without all of them. Sincerely, Michael W. Weber, Chair Planning and Research Committee r F r t EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ' United Way conducts Community Concerns Meetings each year to identify and analyze the needs ' within our community. In 1992, at 87 Community Concerns Meetings nearly 900 individuals discussed and identified community issues and potential solutions. These meetings were held ' throughout the five - county west metro area, and were cosponsored by community organizations, neighborhood groups, religious institutions, and businesses. United Way focuses its efforts and resources in six areas. These areas provide the organizing framework for analyzing the concerns participants mentioned in the 1992 meetings. The six areas 1 are: increasing self- sufficiency, promoting health and healing, respecting diversity, nurturing the young, supporting older adults and strengthening families. The first three focus on societal structures and systems while the remaining three focus on the individuals and family systems ' they affect. COMMUNITY CONCERNS: FINDINGS ' Affordable housing was the most commonly mentioned issue across meetings regardless of participants' demographic characteristics. Comparisons based on the demographic characteristics of age, income, sex, race, and place of residence reveal more consistency in participant concerns than ' any major differences. For example, both females and males expressed concerns about unemployment, crime, education and poverty. Differences between females and males were found in only two areas: Females were more likely to be concerned about transportation access while males ' were more likely to be concerned about aging. People of color and white participants also have common concerns, especially affordable housing and employment issues. The one major difference expressed by people of color was their personal experience with discrimination and how ' discrimination restricted their community participation. • People who are from different racial groups, who are gay or lesbian or disabled mentioned discrimination as a primary concern. They also had unmet service needs, in part, because of this discrimination, and many felt social services fail to meet their needs in a culturally sensitive manner. • Participants' concerns about self-sufficiency nclude restricted and complicated access to services Y p , the increasing cost of living, their own personal safety and neighborhood conditions, employment ' security, the quality of public education and job trainina,. d needs for various kinds of legal assistance. • Health and wellness concerns mentioned by participants include drugs and chemical abuse, health care for older adults, mental health issues, and the need for affordable and accessible health care. The larger societal concerns of discrimination, self- sufficiency, and health have an impact on children and youth, families, and older adults. Concerns about these population groups include: 4 :....-��:.. • Participants' specific concerns about children and youth focused on the quality and adequacy of today's education, the cost and availability of quality child care, the limited social activities and job opportunities for teenagers, and issues associated with teen sexuality— pregnancy, identity, STDs /AIDS, and teen - parenting skills. • Family concerns discussed in these meetings include issues of domestic violence and abuse, the j increasing costs of raising children and maintaining a household, and a general interest in family' preservation. • Issues concerning lder people include the ability to maintain independent living, access and g P P Y P g , availability of transportation, and general issues associated with aging. Meeting inutes and exit surveys completed b participants reveal general concerns. Listed g Y P YP P g ' alphabetically, these are: Affordable Housing Crime ' Drugs and Chemical Abuse Education Poverty and Unemployment ' Transportation Issues mentioned at the Community Concerns Meetings are similar to those most often mentioned by' respondents in regional and national surveys. However, the discussion group format used in United Way's meetings reveals that meeting participants see their concerns as interrelated issues requiring i I integrated solutions. d r y.: 5 1 INTRODUCTION ,. PURPOSE OF COMMUNITY CONCERNS MEETINGS United Way conducts Community Concerns Meetings throughout the five - county metro area to learn about the problems and concerns of residents, their families, and their communities. These concerns ' are reflected in the community results United Way is working to achieve. ' Over the last decade, the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area experienced some of the major changes occurring in other metropolitan areas. There have been changes in the community's demographic composition as the population ages, becomes increasingly suburban, and comprises more people of color. United Way in its community work is embracing the positive aspects of such change while continuing to support people who are negatively affected. DESCRIPTION AND FORMAT OF MEETINGS Community ncerns Meetings are small, face - to-face discussion groups of approximately h' g gr P PP Y 8 to 12 people, in which participants describe the issues about which they are most concerned. In 1992, 895 people participated in Community Concerns Meetings. A total of 87 different meetings were held by 74 cosponsoring organizations. United Way makes a special effort to reflect the diversity of the community, and 1992 meetings included participants who are people of color, gays and lesbians, corporate and small business employees, civic leaders, homeless men and women, teenagers, parents, older adults, and people with various disabilities. See Appendix A, Methodology, for additional information about how groups are convened and participants selected. Meetings provided both qualitative and quantitative information on people's ' concerns: qualitative information from meeting discussions and quantitative information from exit surveys. 1. Meeting Discussions Led by a trained volunteer facilitator, meetings begin with participants taking turns responding to the following question: "Based on your experience, what do you think is an important problem or issue facing yourself, your family, or people in your community ?" The list of concerns is narrowed down to two or three primary issues which are di _ sod in g reater detail. Often, the discussion includes participants' suggestions for improving the situation. People talk about traditional social programs as well as changes needed in society through public education, governmental change, or shifts in public values. The discussions generate qualitative information about people's concerns, which are reported in the section, "Community Concerns Findings: Meeting Discussions" (see page 9). Discussion comments are captured via handwritten meeting minutes. I 6 2. Exit Survey After the discussion, participants are asked to complete an anonymous exit survey, listing up to three problems or issues of importance to them. The survey also asks for demographic information and a brief evaluation of the meeting. This information is summarized in the section, "Community Concerns Findings: Survey Responses" (page 23). The reader should exercise caution in generalizing from these findings. The sample is not statistically' random. Differences between the findings of this and similar research — or in the three annual reports of this project — may reflect the specific views of people who attended the 1992 meetings. l This self - selected group, while quite diverse, may differ to an unknown extent from people who opt' not to attend. I COMMUNITY FOCUS AND RESULTS ' United Way faces the challenge of fulfilling its mission in a changing social and economic ' environment. United Way works for the community not only through program funding but also through public affairs advocacy, collaboration, linking people with services through First Call for ' Help, and volunteering through the Volunteer Center. Community Concerns Meetings are United Way's ear to the community. Information obtained in the meetings helps United Way identify and refine its community role. United Way will be supported by the community only if it achieves results. Toward this end, United Way is refocusing a significant portion of its staff, volunteer and financial resources around six ' visions of community life and measurable, attainable results that will help realize them. These six areas, developed in part from information obtained in the Community Concerns Meetings, are: Respecting Diversity: People of all backgrounds respectfully interact with one another without ' racism, hatred or prejudice. Policies and practices in all of our community's institutions are free j of barriers, and support access to power, participation, resources and services regardless of race, ' national origin, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and disability. Increasin Self-Sufficiency: All people have I Increasing cy p p e the opportunity to become self - sufficient by earning' an adequate income and to participate as responsible citizens in community life. Those unable to provide for themselves can obtain food, clothing and shelter with dignity and respect. Promoting ealth and Healing: All le en physical, mental and chemical well-being, ' g g Peo o P IYPY ; healthy life- styles, and fitness. Anyone experiencing an illness, injury or a disability has access to j timely and affordable care to enhance their level of functioning. i Nurturing the Young: All children and youth have opportunities to develop to their full potential. Our community places a high value upon them and provides them with safe, healthy , environments that promote learning. Strengthening Families: All persons and families enjoy secure, healthy and supportive ' relationships in households of which they are valued members. The community assists families in meeting their needs. Supporting Older People: All older adults enjoy"economic, physical and social well-being at � levels enabling them to remain secure, active and contributing members of our community. To realize these results, United Way will be working hand in hand with the community, doing 1 whatever it takes to make a difference. The visions require United Way to be proactive, set goals, and measure results. ,• Community Concerns Meetings are one method United Way uses to keep focused. Because United Way is restructuring to achieve results in these areas, information obtained from the Community Concerns Meetings was analyzed to assess whether United Way's six focus areas remain appropriate. What people have to say about each of the six areas will also help United Way refine the desired results in tune with the understandings and experiences of area residents. - 7 1 I 1 �f 1 8 r r MEETING DISCUSSIONS i7 United Way's six visions address complex, interrelated societal and economic issues. People's comments and the issues they discussed are also interrelated and defy neat compartmentalization by vision. For example, the cost of living emerges as a key concern across the areas of self- sufficiency, children and youth, health, diversity, families, and older people. Other key topics that cross more than one area include education, health care, diversity, family violence and crime. Figure 1 illustrate the interconnected nature of various issues and concerns across the six areas. In the following sections (1 -6) you will find these matters discussed repeatedly, but in different contexts. In each section, issues are discussed in descending order of frequency of mention. i Figure 1 1992 Community Concerns Respondents' Concerns by United Way Visions HEALTH *Accessibility • Drugs • Health care costs *Health care for older adults *Mental health L issues CHILDREN FAMILIES & YOUTH *Child abuse *Child abuse •Cost of living •Child care *Genera's of living concerns =Cost •Crime regarding •Diversity families • Drugs • Parenting • Education •lob opportunities •Parenting •Youth activities OLDER ADULTS *Cost of living *Crime *General concerns / regarding aging *Human service system •h. living i ?,00rtation SELF- SUFFICIE *Cost of living *Education and training *Employment issues *Human service system *Legal services / *Quality of life I IVERSITY ' Discrimination Human service system ,•.Service needs 9 1. RESPECTING DIVERSITY 1� ': , The following section presents the major issues about respecting diversity discussed at the 1992 Community Concerns Meetings. One or more people in most meetings mentioned concerns about discrimination. "There is racism in Los Angeles and in Minneapolis." People that experience discrimination and oppression, including ethnic /racial groups, teenagers, people with disabilities, gays /lesbians, people with low incomes and groups of women, conveyed an even stronger concern about discrimination and its respective impact on them. People who have experienced discrimination or oppression spoke about it from first -hand experiences. One person said, "Our [Native American] approach and culture are valid. I don't have to fit in to receive services. I prefer not to participate rather than use bad, degrading services." Other forms of discrimination— sexism, homophobia, ageism, ableism —are also a part of their everyday experiences. They experience both prejudicial behavior and institutional discrimination. "There is discrimination against Jews, Russians and non - whites. There is increased racial tension preying upon low - income workers." People in these oppressed population groups also spoke about their unique service needs. An elderly person stated, "People lack housing options in- between staying in their own homes and going to a nursing home." Accessibility is a common concern for people with disabilities: "There is not enough accessible housing, and often it's in 'bad' areas with long waiting lists." People of color talked about their limited employment and training opportunities. Gays and lesbians are concerned about the "lack of employment benefits for their partners and no recognition for their long -term relationships." Single parents said their financial burdens are "exhausting, and make it hard to be a good parent, since there is no time left over." Participants from these groups recognized that the general community shares many of their ' concerns. However, they perceive their needs are not being met, at least in part, because of their minority status. As one participant put it: "There is less money for minorities with AIDS." People in these oppressed population groups frequently said traditional services do not meet their needs. They also indicated that social services tend to perpetuate the discrimination they experience in the general community. They talked about a lack of programs sensitive to their culture, age, or ' other circumstances. As one person stated, "Because of racism within the military, I have to come to the white system (VA) for help, even though as an American Indian I have tribal recognition as a warrior." 2. INCREASING SELF - SUFFICIENCY Presented below are te major self- sufficiency issues discussed at the 1992 Community Concerns Meetings. A. Access to the S ce System Participants' concer•_ about getting help through health and human service organizations fall into four general cater (1) They wonder how eligibility is decided for various social services, and .� 10 r they are concerned about the lack of services in many suburban areas. (2) They want more public r information on services located within their community, and they want to know how to get this information when they need services. "People need to know what is available in the community. A central network is needed to get information to people." (3) Discussion participants who receive services said they want to be consulted when their service plans are being developed. They feel there are not enough options available. (4) Many people expressed a need for service system reform and ` less bureaucracy. One participant said, [The welfare] system is set up to keep people down. Welfare' and wages are too low to become independent." B. Cost of Living 1 The costs of child care, food, health care, and transportation are making it difficult for people "to make ends meet." I One participant said, "People have the wrong idea about what life is like on AFDC. There has been no increase since 1986. Food shelves have become a regular necessity. Housing costs too much; I pa l 70 percent of my income for housing." Another said, "Transportation limits people in many ways: elderly going to the doctors, low- income people going to work in and out of the city, and...access for the disabled." I C. Personal Safety and Neighborhood Conditions People are concerned about the safety of their neighborhoods, deteriorating conditions, and sustaining a positive image. They are also concerned about violence and their personal safety. 1 "Fridley's crime rate is going up, and there are deteriorating neighborhoods in Coon Rapids and Anoka." Participants also talked about the need for better community /police relations, and want the media to stop portraying their neighborhoods as "crime- ridden." According to one participant, "The race of ' criminal suspects, especially Black males, is always attached to the Northside. The community resents these negative images. The media is always labeling the Northside." Another person said their neighborhood is subject to dual standards: "There are so many liquor stores in our , } neighborhood. In a white man's neighborhood you have to drive a mile to a liquor store; here you just turn around and there's a store." D. Adequate, Affordable Housing Adequate, affordable housing was a major concern of many participants, regardless of where they live. A social worker stated, "The biggest demand is to help people find affordable housing." People` are also concerned about the homeless and talked about the need to resolve the persistent conditions that create homelessness. As one person in a shelter stated, "Its hard not to be in your own home, people talk to you like you're nothing ... I can't take it." Older adults talked about how hard it is to maintain their homes on fixed income and their preference for home -based services which enable them to stay in their own homes rather than nursing homes. Several low- income meeting participants said they have encountered waiting lists, i ranging from 3 to 5 years, for Section 8 housing subsidies and find it very frustrating: "I'm not , guaranteed to find an apartment to fit my family and income. I've got four children. I can't raise them just anywhere." 4 E. Employment Issues Participants are concerned about the stability of their:own employment and job security. "I've had two family members laid off after they've been at jobs for 10 years or more. This affects my whole family." Participants said the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area "needs jobs with living wages." Others discussed the relationship between social problems and employment: "Economic and job relations are causing loss of blue collar workers. Entry -level jobs are at a standstill. Crime is becoming an economic way of life." F. Education and Job Training Issues Participants said good public education is needed, and they are concerned about the adequacy of our education system: "Schools aren't training kids for jobs." They are also concerned that "teachers are asked to be surrogate parents" which distracts from teaching. Participants who do not speak English as their first language want "more adult classes for learning so we can do things without an interpreter." G. The Need for Legal Services Many people mentioned their need for various legal services. For example, women in shelter programs said they need legal assistance for "custody cases, obtaining child support, divorce.... Legal Aid is booked up for two years." People also discussed the need for legal services for tenants and crime victims: "People don't know their rights! Are there services for crime victims? Are there ' services to help people who have experienced loss ?" A few meeting participants had criminal records and talked about problems they experienced with ' legal services. One of these participants said, "You have no rights when you're arrested. If you don't have any money, you get a 'public pretender' and they act like a prosecutor." 3. PROMOTING HEALTH AND HEALING ' Presented below are the major issues about health and wellness discussed at the 1992 Community Concerns Meetings. A. Drugs and Alcohol and Chemical Abuse There is a pervasive concern about drugs. These concerns fell into three general categories: (1) drugs as a social or criminal issue; (2) drugs as a health issue; and (3) concern about drugs in general, without specifying what about drugs or why drugs are a concern. People often related drugs and drug use to social consequences, such as crime, violence, child abuse, and prostitution. "Alcohol and *ug abuse is certainly up there, and probably causes a lot of the crime. It doesn seem anyone cK es for one another any more, it's all for me." Many people commented on the pervasiveness of drugs —among specific population groups, such as athletes, parents, and youth —or in specific settings, such as in schools or at work. Several people said that young people get involved with-t because they don't have anything else to do. People of color, particularly African American m;sles, cited drugs as a form of oppression —a tool or strategy used "by the white man" to keep Afr= n Americans down. People are concerned about drs- as a health issue, particularly in terms of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and chemical depende - ''Drugs and drug abuse are a burden on our society. Social ' �� :__ .._, 12 services have to move faster. We're waiting until it's too late." People also discussed the need for education about drugs and drug abuse, including "continuing to build self- esteem [so kids] know they don't need drugs. Kids also need exposure to good ways to earn money." In referencing drugs as a problem or concern, many meeting participants simply said the single , word, "drugs." It cannot be inferred from this general comment what their specific concerns are, or why they think drugs are a problem. B. Health Care for Older Adults People talked about the importance of health care for older adults, especially helping old people maintain their independent living status. Many commented that more assistance of various types is needed, such as home health care, other elder care (e.g., help with household chores), and assisted living. As one person put it, "People lack housing options in between staying in their own homes and going to a nursing home. There are very few options in assisted living unless you are very poor YP � or have income of more than $2,000 a month. Moderate income people can't get assistance." Man adults with aging parents said the need information about services available for the elderly Y Y y There was also a general concern about aging and the need to prepare for it, on an individual as well as a broader, social level. "We need to make aging a topic to talk about and plan for. It's a hush -hush' issue." C. Mental Health ' People's concerns about mental health issues were extremely diverse. A few people mentioned a general concern for the mentally ill, such as: "We need to help those who have mental illness —help them in transition back to society." I More commonly, though, people were concerned about quite specific issues and named particular populations or services of concern to them. For example, various individuals mentioned the mental' health needs of adolescents, children, children of gays and lesbians, gay and lesbian youth, homeless people, people who have lost their spouses, parents, the elderly, and people in prisons. Many of the comments about these specific populations were linked to the need for additional or more affordable services for these groups. For example, "We need more counselors here [in prison] —one for men, one for women, and one for work release." ' D. Health Care Costs and Accessibility People are concerned about the high cost of health care, and many mentioned the need for affordable,' nationalized, or free health care, available and accessible to all: "We need affordable health insurance for all." People also discussed the rising costs of prescription and nonprescription drugs and the need for insurance coverage to include these costs: "Nonprescription drugs are far too expensive." One person wondered, "Do you eat, or buy medication? Many people mentioned the health care needs of specific groups, again stressing the need for health , care to be affordable and accessible to all people. "Part -time employees are not eligible for health insurance. It's hard to find doctors to care for people on medical assistance or without health insurance." Other examples of specific groups mentioned include children, single parents, seniors, people of color, and people who are unemployed. 13 --� E. Teen Sexuality, Including Pregnancy and Parenting Teen sexuality and related issues were about -as often as concerns about health care costs and accessibility. Comments in this area were more varied, however, and included teen pregnancy, teen parenting, sex education, and birth control. Teens as well as adults discussed these issues, although they stressed different aspects and presented different views. i Adults evinced a high level of concern about teen pregnancy: They discussed its prevalence as well as the "need [for] more prevention programs for teen pregnancy." Teen comments about pregnancy tended to be much more specific, discussing options, choices, and the need for more education: "Becoming pregnant when you are too young, and not wanting to be a parent, or being forced to have an abortion, or the other way around. Teens should be able to make the decision." Both teens and adults discussed the need for parenting classes for pregnant teens and teen parents, as well as the need for resources for teen parents: "[Teen parents] need more places to go. There's no place to leave the baby the first six weeks. At North High, if you're out for six weeks, you would be out of school." Teens cited the need for "more sex education in the schools and at a younger age." Teens also frequently mentioned the need for access to birth control: "Birth control should be more available, condoms should be allowed to be purchased under age 16, and it shouldn't be embarrassing." F. Disability Issues The primary disability concern mentioned is the importance of access: the need for accessible ' transportation, ramps, wider curb cuts, accessible housing, and more stringent enforcement of parking rules. "The most popular places are far too crowded for safe navigation (like a concert or a fair). Ramps are built incorrectly. For example, a quarter-inch 'curb' is allowable (and navigable), but many actually have a one -inch curb. They are also built too narrow so the wheels of a chair are forced to go up the sides, leaving feet suspended in the center. There are also too few ramps." People also discussed the need to educate the public about disabled persons, including the discrimination disabled persons experience. "People must think the disabled are stupid and can't talk for themselves. We're spoken about in the third person rather than talked to directly." Participants also talked about specific needs of disabled persons, such as training needs and the special needs of disabled children. 'i t G. AIDS Many people mentioned AIDS as an issue of concern. Some participants stressed the need for AIDS education: "You don't get clear messages about how you can get AIDS. The messages are not accurate." Others expressed concern.over t spread of AIDS, stating that people need to be more careful in both sexual and drug activities. �ople out there are not taking precautions —birth control, sharing needles; people are going to use drugs anyway, so they should at least be safe about it. A number of people also said that people affected by AIDS need more support. "We need support for individuals with AIDS and part- 2rs who care for partners with AIDS, like benefits from employers." J 14 4. NURTURING THE YOUNG r This section of the report is divided into two major subsections. The first general section discusses concerns about children and youth which emerged across the 87 Community Concerns Meetings held in 1992. The second section details the concerns of young people, based on 10 meetings that were held with groups primarily in their teens. NURTURING THE YOUNG: GENERAL A. Education and the Schools Meeting participants expressed a great deal of concern about schools and the educational system, often implying that the schools are failing ur children. "The entire educations stem is why kids arp g Y Y dropping out — structural problems with the schools, staffing, and policies." People made numerous sug for i For exampl p gg p p e, increase the length of the school day "; "use more elderly and nonworking parents for help in the classrooms "; and provide "more programs in schools, mandatory, like programs on racism, sexuality, and being able to act responsibly." I People are also concerned about racism, sexism, and homophobia in the schools. One person suggested that "the whole school climate needs to be changed, so that gay and lesbian youth are not 1 ridiculed by others, and so that teachers stop giving out messages that it's not acceptable to be gay. Another participant said, "We need more Black teachers." Participants also commented on the prevalence of sexual harassment in the schools, the lack of Spanish- speaking resources, and the need for education that increases understanding about various groups such as racial and ethnic I 1 populations, gays and lesbians, and disabled persons. Many participants complained about educational funding cuts and the consequences of these cuts: no more summer school, no after school activity buses, fewer school activities, cutting back on sport programs, and requiring parents to shoulder more of the costs for school supplies. On a more positive note, education was also frequently mentioned as the solution to a variety f Y � problems. "Education is the key. Focus on kindergarten and early intervention. Lifelong education is important." B. Youth, Crime and the Police j Many participants are concerned about youth involvement in crime and violence. "Youth crime is I what I'm concerned about." Several people mentioned the need for more youth activities to keep I young people occupied and off the streets. A few people mentioned the poor, often hostile, relations between youth and the police — "We need something to help youth have positive experiences with police. People are also concerned about, and often afraid of, gangs. In citing gangs as a problem or concern,', many meeting participants simply said the single word, "gangs." It cannot b:. inferred from this one- word comment what their specific concerns are, or why they think gangs are a problem. Others werl more specific, saying they are concerned about gangs and violence, or gangs znd drug- related activities. Still other participants offered suggestions for dealing with the problems associated with gangs: "Start making clubs to get gangs off the streets, with supervision by volunteers." L] C. Parenting People are concerned about parenting,.and discussedtheydifficulty of parenting in this day and age. More specifically, many commiserate with the plight of single parents: "Single- parent families only have half the time and that causes stress." People also want something done about the lack of enforcement of court - ordered child support payments. 1 Many people mentioned family or parental stress in one way or another; for example, "There's a lack of access to stress - related day care. Sometimes I just can't handle the kids." Other people discussed ' the need for parenting education. According to one participant, "Single parents need programs for parent skills. I'm worried for the large number of children using emergency services." A few people talked about parenting in special circumstances, such as with children who are disabled, gay or lesbian, or who have other special needs. "There is isolation of the gay person from their parents." ' D. Child Care People's two major concerns about child care are that it be affordable and that it be accessible. "Child care is a problem, for both availability and financing. It's very restrictive on exactly what ages are served, a lot of places are full, it's expensive, there's too much red tape, and there aren't enough slots." ' People are also concerned about children left at home without adult supervision and discussed the need for child care programs after school. This is a concern across income levels, as reflected in the statement, "There are latchkey children in upscale neighborhoods." A few people offered suggestions on how to make child care more accessible or affordable. One participant suggested "elders caring for kids while parents work. Make these opportunities available or knowledge of the opportunities." Another person suggested setting up "a network of single moms in a neighborhood for a baby - sitting co-op. This might work, but no one knows how to set it up." E. Children and Youth in Society Concerns about children and youth in society and youth social issues were mentioned about as often as concerns about child care. Generally, people are concerned about the kind of world in which young people are growing up, and often pointed to youth needs which are unmet. According to one participant, "Youth have no place to go to be nurtured," while another stated, "Every child deserves to have a role model, whether it's a parent or teacher." People also discussed the current culture and its imp, c` - )n Mouth. As one person put it: "This culture says everything is OK. Parents must set limits, but it's impossible in this culture of affluence, cars, spending at proms, etc. Kids have all the privilege.; and none of the responsibilities." People are also concerned about children's exposure to Vence, drugs, and other safety hazards. One participant informed the group that "there are eve, bugs on the elementary level. My third- grade daughter has been approached many times." j-.: - .':her suggested, "teach kids mediation skills —how to resolve conflicts and settle differences v lout using violence." 1' F Child Abuse Many people mentioned the prevalence of child abuse and the need to do something about it. Several people commented on the need for more programs, services, and facilities for abused I children and youth. According to one participant, "We need a hot line and programs to help childrei deal with abuse." Someone else suggested "child care programs for runaways and other child victims of abuse. There's no place for them to stay." I f Many recognized that current child abusers were often victims of abuse themselves as children, and stressed the need to intervene and stop the cycle of abuse. "We need more parenting education classes to stop the cycle of abuse." G. Teen Sexuality, Including Pregnancy and Parenting I This topic is discussed under "Promoting Health and Healing." (See page 14.) NURTURING THE YOUNG: CONCERNS OF YOUTH I Discussed below are the concerns of youth, based on the 10 Community Concerns Meetings held primarily with young people. The majority of the youth in these meetings were males and youth of color. Many were participants in programs designed for "at- risk" youth. A. Crime, Violence, Gangs, and Police -Youth Relations I Crime, violence, gangs, and relations with police were by far the most common concerns of young , people at the Community Concerns Meetings. They mentioned or discussed these topics nearly twice as often as the next most commonly mentioned issue (drugs). Youth frequently mentioned specific crimes, such as theft, robbery, or vandalism. Many discussed crime and violence together, and are concerned about the prevalence and easy availability of guns. As one participant said, "There's nowhere you can go without somebody getting shot [among teenagers]. There's much violence among our peers." Youth were just as likely to mention the positive as the negative aspects of gangs. While some youth view gangs as hotbeds of violence, others view them "like a substitute family." Several youth discussed why young people join gangs. One participant said, "The reason for gangs is because kids, are told they're worthless, so they want to prove they aren't "; while another said, "Why do gangs happen? Friends are loyal." I i Youth are also concerned about the hostile relations between themselves n mse es a d the police. Young African American men, in particular, discussed the discrimination and harassment they experience a the hands of the police. As one youth put it, "They get in everything: When you walk down the street, if you are Black, you get harassed for nothing .... The police : pow your name and you are stopped every time you walk down the street, especially since the :-iaaf killing." i Many youth offered suggestions for improving youth - police relations. One participant suggested that "The best cops would be those that were arrested when they were young. You need trust. Cops with community and community with cops. Don't arrest kids and young people for small things— . talk with them." B. Drugs, Including Alcohol �. Youth are very concerned about the pervasiveness of drugs. As or young person put it, "When ��. t �. you're a teenager, it's easier to get drugs than it is to get alcohol. I can sit outside of a liquor store for three hours before someone will buy a &irik me. To get drugs, all I need to do is make a few ' phone calls, and within ten minutes I will have any drug I want." Several youth discussed why people take drugs and why they sell them. Reasons put forward for taking drugs include "Lots of peer pressure "; "Songs that glamorize [drug] use "; "There's nothing for kids between 11 and 17 to do, so they get into drugs "; and "Many people use drugs to escape reality." Statements conveying why youth sell drugs include: "The only reason that we sell drugs is that the white people have all the jobs "; and "Drugs are easy money." C. Diversity Youth are concerned about a wide range of diversity issues. While some youth talked about diversity and discrimination in fairly general terms, for example saying they are concerned about "racism," or "You learn prejudice from your parents," more often they were quite specific, frequently talking about their own experiences. One participant said, "It would be nice to walk outside at night without feeling afraid of rape, assault, sexual molestation, or sexual harassment." ' Youth talked about ageism, homophobia, racism, and sexism. One young person said we need to "make it easier to be Black." Another commented on "ageism: They discount the value of teenagers' views." Several talked about the difficulties of being young and gay: "People make fun of things that are different, like sexual identity." D. Teen Sexuality, Including Pregnancy and Parenting This topic is discussed under "Promoting Health and Healing." (See page 14.) E. Family Problems Youth are concerned about family problems, particularly family violence, including child abuse and neglect. Many youth who have been abused feel they have no safe place to go, and they are often hesitant to talk to anybody about the abuse because in their experience authority figures usually ' ignore them. "What can be done to stop abuse? If the police would listen to the kids. Nobody follows through." Consequently, they feel they have no choice but to run away: "No one listens to kids when they talk about abuse. You either stay in your home when things are bad, or you have to run away. There is no in- between." Many of the young people talked about the pervasiveness of abuse: "Sexual abuse, emotional abuse, } psychological abuse; you name it, it's out there." Several youth mentioned the need for more safe places to go, including foster homes, group homes, and places like The Bridge for Runaway Youth. As one young person suggested, "Kids need a place to go when they know things are hot at home." F. Activities and job Opportunities for Youth Youth want more social and recreational activities, and they also want a variety of job opportunities. Many of these young people discussed the positive outcomes of providing more activities for youth; for example, "Maybe kids would stay off the streets if they had more things to do. They don't advertise much of anything for Blacks. They should pass stuff out at school." Other comments were more general: "We need more stuff to do in the community." . Youth are also seeking jobs, apprenticeships, and related employme..tt opportunities. One participant commented on "summer employment jobs: They shouldn't be ; r the summer. What are you going to do the other nine months? Jobs keep you off the streets, and you make money. Plus, you get* experience, and you can use each job as a reference." Several young people said job opportunities should be available "for kids who are 14." Another said, "More jobs for youth means fewer kids on the street and fewer kids selling drugs." G. Societal Issues Youth share the concerns of adults about a variety of broad social issues, including affordable g economy, housing, homelessness, hunger, the , affordable day care, unemployment, self- sufficiency, conditions of neighborhoods, and the environment. One young participant commented, "The economy is making it hard for people to get jobs. It's difficult to find housing. People need more ' opportunities to work. A separation of the classes is happening." Another said, "If I could change things, I would give people nice houses, places to stay, and jobs for people; Black people and people on the streets." 5. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES d Presented below are the major family issues discussed at the 1992 Community Concerns Meetings. 1 A. Domestic Violence People are very concerned about victims of domestic violence, including battered women, abused or ; neglected children, and abused or neglected old people. Many people talked about child abuse in fairly general terms: "Child abuse is a real, but hidden problem." A few people suggested actions that could be taken in response to child abuse, such as training school personnel to identify signs of child abuse, or a hot line to help abused children deal with their experiences. Adolescents who have experienced abuse often feel they are not taken seriously, as reflected in the comment, "If a kid is abused and reports it, the police ask the parents about it, who then lie about it." le talked about the abuse of women b souses and partners: "Battered women and men Many people y p p who beat up their wives need help. How do you help women who don't want to go to the police ?" Some participants talked about the factors which contribute to abuse, such as an increasing tendency' by people to resolve problems violently, stress because of job lay -offs, or stress from child rearing. "Why is abuse a problem? Lack of opportunities, lack of self- esteem, easy access to drugs, a sense of hopelessness, mental illness, peer pressure, isolation, and boredom." Some participants offered suggestions for addressing abuse, such as intervening more quickly, providing more battered women's shelters, advertising existing shelters more extensively, providing education and referral, and improving peon' -5' ,conflict resolution skills. B. Parenting Parenting is discussed under "Nurturing the Young." (See page 16.) C. Child Care Child care is discussed under "Nurturing the Young." ;See page 16.) D. Economic Problems Faced By Families Many people talked about the economic problems fa ' ies face, especially low- income families. t 1. People talked about the difficulty of finding rental housing for families with children, and about needing more subsidized housing units ` f& female headed-families. Some comments concerned homeless families, including those offered by members of homeless families themselves: "In the Work Readiness program, I had to get a job in five months. I didn't get one and lost my apartment. So. I am here [in a shelter] now and it costs the county a lot more. There's not enough affordable housing for families with kids, or singles. The waiting lists to get into public housing are more than a year long." Several participants talked about the ramifications of economic stress on families. "With an increase in poverty, there's stress on the family. Family violence and crime are up." E. General Concerns About Families People are also concerned about the family in general, and the family as a social institution. They mentioned the "disintegration of the family" and the need for "help for the family." A few people mentioned family values, as reflected in the following comments: "Family values need reinforcement "; and "Some family values don't fit anymore." ' A few participants spoke about the family as a social institution, typically noting the decline of the family. "There's less support for the family." There is a corresponding sentiment that other traditional institutions are also facing problems: "The traditional organizations — church, family and ' school — which help provide support, are breaking down." 6. SUPPORTING OLDER PEOPLE Presented below are the major issues about aging and older adults which were raised in the 1992 Community Concerns Meetings. A. General Concerns About Aging Participants often talked about aging in a general manner, mentioning the increasing number of older people and their overall needs, planning for old age, intergenerational concerns, and concerns common to old age, such as dealing with grief over the loss of friends and loved ones. People talked about the increasing incidence of recently retired people attempting to care for their older parents. "A lot of the 'kids' are 65 years old and retiring ... and taking care of an old -old mother." Some participants are worried about people not planning adequately for their older years: "There's a big wall of denial about planning for old age. Also, the old -old never planned to live as long as they have." Others thought they had planned for retirement, but said that changes in society have affected their plans. "There's a generation of older people who have the expectation of being taken care of by family and of having enough money. But that reality is changing; the rules of the game have changed. They didn't plan to have their daughters in the work place." People also discussed concerns across generations and the need to link people across age groups. They are worried about the well-being of today's younger generation, and wonder how they will work with and look after the older people; "In the future, aging will be better, f -cause people retire later and are healthier, but we will be looking to the troubled youth of today to ;.rovide for an ever larger group of seniors." 20 �� r Participants also mentioned feelings often experienced by older people, such as loneliness and grief., "A problem is men who lost their wives. A lot of people coming to the [senior] center are admitting grief and depression." I B. The Human Service System Many participants talked generally about older adults and the human service system. They ' commented on barriers older people face in. seeking services, particularly the difficulty of completing necessary paperwork. "Make easier medical forms for seniors. Public programs or private insurance companies could have volunteers to help with the forms." People also discussed the need to ! advocate for older adults' services in light of funding cuts, gaps and overlaps in service availability, and availability of services in outlying areas. Many older adults' services are delivered through case managers, and several participants talked about the need for good case management, and the importance of coordinating multiple case management services: "There are too many case managers for seniors. It's confusing for them." ` People frequently mentioned the ongoing need for public information about service availability, and discussed how to best convey this information. For example, a few people mentioned specific in- home services such as health care, which they believe need more publicity. However, most of the , comments centered on how people could be better informed. Some participants proposed establishing a centralized information and referral service for addressing older people's concerns; one participant noted a need to inform the children of older adult clients about services; others noted that other sectors should be able to offer suitable referrals to older adults: "Seniors trust doctors and ministers the most, but they know the least about services. Medical personnel need to know how to help seniors, because they are the first ones to see the seniors." C. Independent Living and Assisted Living Many people discussed independent living, particularly what older adults need to continue living independently in their homes. Others focused on various services older people may need to draw on to continue living independently, such as help in dressing, showering, marketing, or housework. "People need cleaning help, but the agencies don't have enough workers for this." Many people—older adults as well as employees of senior service agencies — talked about care givers. People discussed who should provide care, including older adults' grown children, case managers, extended family, visiting nurses, and various professional services. Some older people discussed receiving care from their own adult children: "Seniors' kids have moved away and aren't taking care of them. They want their kids living down the street, but don't want to live with them. That's what people mean when they say they don't want to be a burden to their children." Many raised the need for services which would enable the elderly to stay in their homes. "We need more home care: visiting nurses, domestic heln..xleals programs and transportation." s . Other participants evaluated the adequacy of care givers and in -home services, and discussed the difficulty of locating services with which they are satisfied. "Often home health aides don't work out because they don't speak English very weF. Or the agency sends a different person each time, and the seniors don't know if they can trust then." I Discussions also touched on care received h assisted - living settings and nursing homes. Many people said there should be more assisted ,ring apartments. Others focused on how entry into a nursing home might be forestalled: "Adn airla can help convince people that accepting services I doesn't bring them closer to needing a nursing home. That is what they fear, but accepting services 1 can help prevent [the need for] the nuns g home "� Q made specific observations about the quality of nursing homes: "Hospital and nursing home `residences are mostly taken care of by lower workers. There are not enough nursing assistants." D. Financial Needs People are also concerned about older people's financial needs, including the cost of housing and health care, and income adequacy. General comments about income include public assistance programs for older adults with low income, the adequacy of Social Security and preretirement wages, the limited potential for employment income, and poverty among older women. "There is little employment for seniors, and many lack retirement plans." Comments about health care mentioned more need for preventive medicine, and concern about the high costs of medical care: "Medical expenses are high and billings are hard to figure out. We need help in figuring out bills." Finally, people are concerned about the cost of housing and the inadequate supply of subsidized Y P P g q PP Y housing units for older people. A variety of concerns were also raised about senior high -rise apartment buildings, including safety, unhappiness about the presence of non - elderly people, and the desire by older adults to control or manage the buildings: "If the high -rises are run for older people, we should keep them for older people." F L r COMMUNITY CONCERNS FINDINGS SURVEY RESPONSES This section summarizes participants' responses to a survey administered at the conclusion of each meeting. Participants were asked to list their three. most important concerns. A total of 2,332 responses were provided on 744 completed surveys. The survey also asks for basic demographic data about participants, so United Way can determine whether people with different characteristics have different concerns. Listed below are the concerns people most frequently listed on their surveys in 1992, in alphabetical order: Affordable Housing: The cost and availability of adequate, affordable housing. Crime: General concerns about crime and comments about specific crimes, excluding comments about violence and comments about violent crimes such as murder. i Also Drugs and Chemical Abuse: Use and abuse of drugs and other substances, such as alcohol. includes comments about treatment for chemical abuse. r r Education: Concerns about education in general, including comments about the public school system. Poverty and Unemployment: Comments about poverty and low income in general, and comments about unemployment and the availability or lack of employment opportunities. Transportation: General comments about the need for better transportation systems, plus comments about specific systems such as the MTC and Metro Mobility. The issues of affordable housing and drugs also appeared among the top five concerns identified in both 1990 and 1991 Community Concerns surveys. Despite a few differences by demographic characteristics, people mostly agree about which issues are most important. Figures 2 through 4 illustrate similarities and differences in concerns by sex, race, and area of residence. Figure 2, which lists issues of concern by sex of respondent, has a core of given issues about which both males ?. females are concerned. Males and fema -s differed in their concern about two topi: =: Females were more likely to list "transpL, ration" as a concern, and males were mc* kely to list "aging" as a concern. 23 Figure 2 1992 Community Concerns Respondents' Concerns by Sex* fordable .,ing (9E Crime •Transportation rugs mployment ;sues P Poverty o Youth issue �i I � i ri *Exit Survey Respoi -Z �:- ., 1 Figure 3 lists concerns by race. Whites and people of color expressed common concern ' about five core issues. Differences arose in four general areas: People of color were more likely to list "discrimination" and I ` "violence" as concerns, and whites were more likely to list "crime" and "transportation" as concerns. s Respondents' concerns by place of residence are illustrated in Figure 4. Once again, there are several common core issues across all the residential areas. Concerns listed more frequently by Minneapolis residents include "discrimination" and "employment issues." Participants residing outside of Hennepin County were more likely to list "youth issues" as an area of concern. Hennepin County residents were more likely to list "crime" as a concern, and non- Minneapolis residents were more ' likely to list "transportation" as a concern. Figure 3 1992 Community Concerns Respondents' Concerns by Race* • •Crime *Transportation •Affordable housing • Drugs • Education • Employment issues • Poverty •Youth issues / *Discrimination *Violence *Exit Survey Responses Figure 4 1992 Community Concerns Respondents' Concerns by Place of Residence* *Exit Survey Responses �. 24 Core issues which are repeatedly listed on surveys, regardless of respondents' sex, race, or area of residence, include "affordable housing," "drugs," "education," and "poverty." Below is additional information, derived from the *Discrimination *Crime ' demographic data, about the top six concerns listed as survey responses. *Employment issues •Affordable Despite the commonality of most concerns housing across groups, there was some • Drugs • Education demographic variation. • Poverty Affordable Housing �• Affordable housing is an issue of concern for all segments of the community across •Transportation geographic areas, income levels, and racial /ethnic: � ,o.ps. The cost of housing and people's ability to maintain their Youth issues current homes were the predominant issues. This issue was of concern to every demographic group that attended meetings. ANOKA, CARVER, DAKOTA *Exit Survey Responses �. 24 I F] Crime Older adults were over 10 times as likely as young people to list crime as a concern. Persons age 17 and younger, on the other hand, were the least likely td list crime as a concern. Among other ' demographic groups, people with income of $20,000 to $35,000, and those living in inner -tier suburbs more frequently reported concern about crime. There is a small relationship between income and concern about crime, with people in the $20,000- $35,000 income level almost twice as likely as others to list crime as a survey response. Concerns about crime were similar across racial /ethnic groups. Drugs and Chemical Abuse Young people who attended these meetings frequently listed drugs (including alcohol) as a concern, accounting for one -third of their survey responses. Concern about drugs tends to decline with age. Males and people of color were more likely to list drugs or chemical abuse as a concern to them. f Respondents from Dakota County were more likely than other respondents to list drugs or chemical' abuse as a concern. Respondents from the city of Minneapolis and the outer -tier suburbs of Hennepin County also specified a concern with drugs and chemical abuse, but not as frequently as Dakota County respondents. Education ' Persons between the ages of 18 and 44 were more likely than younger or older persons to list education as one of their concerns, particularly people in the 25 to 34 age range. Frequency of concern about education was similar across lines of race /ethnicity, geographic area, and sex. Poverty and Unemployment Poverty is a more common concern for females (who, with their children; bear the brunt of poverty), residents of Minneapolis, and people with income below $20,000, but is consistent across racial and ethnic groups. Concerns about unemployment are similar, with the exception that African American males (who experience inordinately high unemployment rates) also frequently listed this as a concern. People in the middle income categories ($20,000 - $50,000) also mentioned unemployment as a concern, regardless of race /ethnicity. Transportation Transportation is a more frequent concern for people who are more likely to be dependent on public transit, such as older adults, low- income people (who often do not have cars), and people residing �. outside Minneapolis. Among the non - Minneapolis residents, respondents from the inner -tier suburbs were more likely to list transportation as a high concern, as were the Scott County respondents. Women in general more frequently listed transportation as a concern. Many of the older women wh participated in thes: meetings live in the inner -tier suburbs, and they overwhelmingly listed transportation as a - oncern on their surveys. Race /ethnicity is not a factor in respondents' listing of transportation as at issue of concern. 25 . - i i, 1 1 How do the issues identified in the 1992 Community Concerns Meetings compare with those identified by other surveys? Table 1 compares the responses to three surveys, including the Community Concerns Survey conducted by United Way. Table 1 Issues of Highest Importance, Comparison of Three studies Gallup Poll Metropolitan Community Concerns News Service (1993) Council Survey (1990) Meetings (1992) Economy in general Unemployment Health care Poverty /Homelessness Federal budget deficit Crime Education Other economic problems Ethics /moral decline Drugs Crime Social Concerns* Taxes Economy Transportation Environment Education Affordable housing Drugs /chemical abuse Affordable housing Education Poverty Unemployment Transportation * The term "social concerns" consists of these survey answers, in descending order of frequency: drugs, poverty, homelessness, discrimination, social issues, lack of social programs, abuse of welfare system, abortion, morality, religion /cults, family, and day care. The Gallup Poll News Service lists top concerns of people in 1993 as the economy (35 %), unemployment (22 %), health care (18 %), poverty /homelessness (15 %), and the federal budget deficit (13 %). These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,000 adults, conducted in January, 1993. The Annual Twin Cities Area Survey, conducted by the Metropolitan Council, lists issues identified by area residents as the most important problem they believe the area faces. Greatest concern was expressed about the issues of crime (26 %) and social concerns (23 %). ( "Social concerns" consists of the following survey responses, in descending order of frequency: drugs, poverty, homelessness, discrimination, social issues, lack of social programs, abuse of the welfare system, abortion, morality, religion and cults, family, and day care.) Eleven percent of the responder atified taxes as the most important problem, and another 11 percent identified the economy as the most important problem. This survey polled 805 adults who resided in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, in the last quarter of 1990. Although the survey formats and coding conventions differ, they consistently register as concerns issues of economic well-being (the economy, unemployment, poverty) and concerns about such social problems as crime, drugs, poverty and homelessness. _ ._;� 26 APPENDIXES Appendix A I METHODOLOGY I United Way Community Concerns Meetings use a focus group format. Each meeting is scheduled in ` cooperation with an organizational cosponsor, who gives United Way access to a specific audience , I and invites potential participants through whatever means are most appropriate (e.g., newsletter, newspaper advertisement, verbal invitation, letter). A meeting size of 8 to 12 people is optimal; if i more than 12 people wish to participate, two or more discussions are conducted simultaneously. , A. Meeting Procedure Groups are facilitated by trained volunteers who adhere to the following guidelines: Remain neutral' and unbiased; give all participants an equal opportunity to share their opinions; and assure I participants that all points of view are welcome and that there are no "wrong" responses. At the outset of the meeting, individuals introduce themselves in turn (first name only) and respond to the following question: "Based on your experience, what do you think is an important problem or issue facing yourself, your family, or people in your community. Participants are also asked to give examples of that problem or issue. The facilitator then asks participants to narrow their list of concerns to two or three problems or issues they feel are most important, and these issues are discussed in greater detail. Discussions frequently include suggestions about what could be done to improve a situation. A second volunteer takes handwritten minutes of the discussion and records comments, attempting to capture participants' exact words. Some comments are captured verbatim; others are paraphrased. At the end of the meeting, participants are asked to complete an anonymous exit survey, listing up to three problems or issues they feel are most important (a copy of the survey is located in Appendix F). Participants are also asked for basic demographic data about themselves, including place of residence, age, sex, income, and racial or ethnic background, as well as a brief evaluation of the ' meeting. B. Data Analysis Each individual comment recorded in the meeting is coded, using the same coding scheme for meeting comments and survey responses. All together, the information obtained in 1992 comprised'; 2,405 distinct comments from the meetings and 2,332 survey responses (from 744 completed surveys). Survey responses and comments are keyed into an electronic data base, ASKSAM, which is an off -the -shelf text management software package. ' The portion of this report in which participant comments are discussed in relation to United Way's six focus areas (pages 9 — 22) are drawn from an interval sample of every fourth comment (25 %), for a�- 27 total sample size of 601 comments. A sample of this size is robust and representative of the comments made. Survey data is organized and analyzed using SPSS, a comprehensive statistical analysis software package. Problems and issues listed as concerns are ranked by how frequently they are repeated in the exit surveys. In addition, problems and issues are cross - tabulated with demographic variables to identify variation in issues of concern based on the demographic characteristics of age, race, income, sex, and place of residence. �Ic�r 28 Appendix B PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND SERVICES The following list of problems, issues, and services were identified by participants in 1992 Community Concerns Meetings, both on exit surveys and in group discussions. Access to Services Accessibility Accessible/ Affordable Health Care Acculturation, Language Addressing/ Meeting People's Needs Adult Day Care Affordable Housing Agencies AIDS Alcohol Abuse Alternative Families Apathy/ Hopelessness Awareness of Problems/ Public Education Barriers to Service Chemical Abuse Child Abuse Child Care Children and Youth Children's Issues Community Centers Community Involvement Community Organization Community and Society Condition of Neighborhoods Coordination/ Partnerships Among Agencies Counseling Services Crime Crime Prevention /Safety Criminal Justice /Legal Systems Economic Development Economy /Government Education Elder Care Arrangements Emergency Funds Employment /Unemployment Employment Services Environment Families Family Breakdown /Stability Family and Individual Counseling Family and Individual Support Family Planning Family Problems Family Violence Financial Services Food and Hunger Funding in Human Services Gangs Gaps in Service General Information Health Homelessness/ Emergency Shelter Housing Human Service Agency Issues Human Services System In -Home Services Elderly /Disabled In -House Volunteer Services Job Training Jobs for Youth Mental Health /Illness Multi - Cultural Sensitivity Older Adult Issues a i i I Parenting/ Raising Children Personal Feelings ' Personal Needs Physical Disability Police ' Poverty /Low Income Racism Refugee & Immigrant Concerns Role Models /Youth Developme Schools ` Self- Esteem ' Self- Sufficiency Sense of Community or Neighborhood Services for Elderly and Disable Services for the Poor Shelters for Children and Youth' Single - Parenting Suburban Service Delivery Support Groups ) Teen Sexuality /Pregnancy/ Parenting ` Transitional Housing Transportation ' Treatment for Chemical Abuse I Understanding/ Respect I United Way Deterioration /Condition of Housing ')etoxification Developmental Disability Disability Discrimination Disease Do Not Know How to Find Service Drugs Dysfunctional Families Farly Childhood Lack of Activities/ Programs for Youth Lack of Health Care/ Insurance Lack of Job Opportunities Lack of Services for Older People Legal Assistance Legal Services Literacy Living Wage /Cost of Living Loneliness /Isolation Mediation Medical Care Mental Health Crisis Intervention Values Victims and Offenders Services Violence Volunteer Services Weapons Welfare Cycle Welfare System Women's Issues ' Women's Shelters Working Poor ' Youth Issues 29 . r j L� �I Appendix C COMPARISON OF 1992 COMMUNITY CONCERNS PARTICIPANTS WITH CENSUS POPULATION COUNTS Race /Ethnicity African American Asian /Pacific Islander Hispanic /Latino /Chicano Native American White Other Age Under 18 18 -24 25 -34 35 -44 45 -54 55 -64 65+ Household Income Under $10,000 $10,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $34,999 $35,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $74,999 $75,000 and above Employment Employed Not Employed I '. Residence Minneapolis Suburban Hennepin Anoka Carver Dakota Scott 11.4 1992 Meeting General Population Demographic Participants 1990 Census* Characteristics Percent Number Percent Sex 18,144 1.1 Female 62.0 811,089 49.8% Male 38.0 845,971 50.2 Race /Ethnicity African American Asian /Pacific Islander Hispanic /Latino /Chicano Native American White Other Age Under 18 18 -24 25 -34 35 -44 45 -54 55 -64 65+ Household Income Under $10,000 $10,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $34,999 $35,000 - $49,999 $50,000 - $74,999 $75,000 and above Employment Employed Not Employed I '. Residence Minneapolis Suburban Hennepin Anoka Carver Dakota Scott 11.4 65,184 3.9 1.7 38,143 2.3 1.1 20,931 1.3 2.2 18,144 1.1 81.4 1,527,716 92.2 2.2 7,873 0.5 7.1 427,$32 25.8 6.0 167,434 10.1 21.4 346,230 20.9 28.6 275,980 16.7 18.6 166,381 10.0 9.3 116,951 7.1 9.0 156,252 9.4 16.2 60,280 9.5 11.4 83,853 13.2 21.4 146,943 23.1 18.8 138,013 21.7 18.8 129,337 20.3 13.4 77,362 12.2 76.1 959,133 75.6 23.9 309,817 24.4 34.4 368,383 '' ?.2 40.9 664,048 4U.0 9.9 243,641 14.7 1.0 47,915 2.9 9.9 ** 275,227 16.6 3.9 57,846 3.5 *Population figures include residents of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, and Scott Counties. "Although United Way services are available to all Dakota County residents, United Way fund raising only takes place in Burnsville, with a population of 51,288. 30 �J Appendix D 1992 COMMUNITY CONCERNS MEETING COSPONSORS 410 Homeless Shelter African American Men Against Narcotics (AAMAN) Alliance of the Streets Anoka County Community Action Head Start Anoka County Community Action Program (ACCAP) Anoka County Housing Coalition Apogee Enterprises B. Robert Lewis House Barrett Moving and Storage Bloomington Police Department Bridge for Runaway Youth Campaign Coordinators Roundtable /United Way of Minneapolis Carson Pirie Scott Charaka Chicanos Latinos Unisoa en Servicios (CLUES) Chrysalis City of Chanhassen City of Chaska City of Crystal City of Golden Valley City of Maple Grove City of New Hope City of Plymouth City of Richfield City of Savage City of St. Louis Park Community Services Advisory Committee /Unite(.' "* ' , , y of Minneapolis Coon Rapids Senior Center Dayton - Hudson Corporation Disabled Citizens Club DOVIA /United Way of Minneapolis Volunteer Center Eastside Neighborhood Services Forest Lake Early Family Education First Call For Help Network Forum Friendship Center Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council (GLCAC) General Mills, Inc. General Mills Technical Center Harrison Neighborhood Association Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility Hiawatha Towers Honeywell IDS - Employee Network Council Jewish Community Center, Greater Minneapolis- Early Childhood Center Jewish Community Center, Greater Minneapolis- Senior Citizens Program Kemps Marigold Labor Participation Committee Lioness Club Minneapolis Senior Workers Assn. Magnetic Data Minneapolis Seniors Workers Assn. Minneapolis Urban League - After Today Group Home Minneapolis Urban League - Juvenile Advocacy Minneapolis Urban League - Street Academy MN Indian Affairs Council Northeast Jr. High School Northern States Power Northside Residents Redevelopment Council Northside Residents Redevelopment Council- Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program Northwest Community Support Program Northwestern National Life Insurance Company Osseo Senior Center Parents and Friends of Gays & Lesbians (P -FLAG) 1 . t Perspectives East , Pillsbury House Piper Jaffray Inc. f Rochester Telephone Company Scott County Department of Human Services Southeast Asian ' Community Council Staff Builders Health Care Service ' Target Stores i ToughLove 1 Union Counselors Group ' University Gay Community Urban Communities I Association of Mpls. ' Veterans Incentive Project Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People ' Westinghouse Electric Supply Company ' Youth Transition Program I . 31 � Appendix E 1992 COMMUNITY CONCERNS VOLUNTEERS: FACILITATORS AND RECORDERS Adan Acosta* Kirsten Gerber Nancy Murphy Debra Bergstrand* Ted Gleckner Iry Nudell* Darius Bockus Kevin Johnson* Mike Ofjord* , Barb Brenner Sharon Johnson* Mathew Ramadan Vicky Brock* Brent Korengold Darlene Sam* Ronald Cin* Jean Larson* Scott Schuck ' Doris Cummings Florence Llewellen* Barry Schwabe* Ann DeGroot Jim Long* Ron Vargas Linda Diehleman* Tina Louis Linda Warson Lynn Duffy Esther Maki Keith Weismann Beth Fischer Jim Mara* Arlene White* Joe Fizel Suzanne Gaines* Jeanne Massey Herman Milligan Mary Zagaros ' UNITED WAY STAFF: Roger Banks Tore Falck Penny Ream Terri Barreiro Jenna Hodges Joanne Robillard John Blahna Joanna Lees Bill Schaeffler Lori Bock Allan Malkis Rebecca Shavlik ' Barbara Bue Bill Marsella Susan Stein Pam Carlson Larry Mazzitello Lael Tryon Angela Carter Kim Merriam Judy Tyler Amy Clark Mary Neumann Sue Walker Barry Cohen Kathy O'Connor David Wheaton ' Bob Cohen Geno Dulski Michael O'Neal Liz Peterson Robert Woods Mary Ystesund '' * Volunteers involved in Community oncerns Meetings on an ongoing basis. tY g g g ' 32 Appendix F United Way of Minneapolis Area 404 South Eighth Sava Minneapolis, Minnem- 55404 -1084 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Meeting Number: Survey Number: COMMUNITY CONCERNS SURVEY Thank you for coming to this meeting. we are interested in your opinions. Please list the concerns that are most important to you. f 1. which problem or issue 2. What are two other problems do you think is most you think are very ' important? important? I We are interested in knowing something about the people who attend , these meetings. Information you provide will help ensure these meetings include a mix of people of different backgrounds. j Your answers are private and confidential. , 3. what is our Zip Code? S. How would you describe our Y P Y Y ' race or ethnic background? [Please check all that apply] I African American 4. In what year were you born? American Indian Caucasian Asian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic Other (Please identify: 5. Are you employed? 1 Yes No 9. What was the combined (total) income of everyone living with you in 1991? (Include earnings,, 6. what kind of work do you do? social security, pensions, (What is your job called ?) welfare, unemployment benefits, child support, etc.) $10,000 or less ' 7. Are you female or male? $10,001 - $20,000 $20,001 - $35,000 Female Male $35,001 - $50,000 , $50,001 - $75,000 $75,000 or more 33 Meeting Evaluation what is your opinion of this meeting? Circle the number of the answer which is closest to your opinion. Additional Comments: Thank you for your help CCMSURVY. Very Somewhat Not at Much All Did you feel comfortable expressing your opinion at this meeting? 1 2 3 Are you interested in coming to another meeting like this next year? 1 2 3 Did the meeting leader make sure everyone had a chance to give their opinion? 1 2 3 Was the leader good at running this meeting? Please explain why or why not. 1 2 3 Additional Comments: Thank you for your help CCMSURVY. CAIMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUCHS, P.A.�� Attorneys at Law Th,nna> I. Uimhllcll R _cr N. Knut,on Thonua \I. Scott Darr Cy. Fuch> hlne< R. Walston Elliott B. Knctsch Eli:ahrrh A. Lun_cr An.Irca McDowell Puehler VIA FACSIMILE AND MAIL Mr. Lawrence A. Moloney Doherty, Rumble & Butler, P.A. 3500 Fifth Street Towers 150 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 -4235 February 18, 1994 Re: Frank Beddor, Jr., et al. vs. City of Chanhassen, et al. Court File No. C9 -93 -1111 Our File No. 12668/310 Dear Mr. Moloney: (612)452. Fax (612) 452.5550 Enclosed herewith and served upon you by U.S. Mail relative to the above matter please find the following: 1. Defendants' Answer to Plaintiffs' Expert Interrogatory. 2. Defendants' Exhibit List. TMS:slc Enclosures cc: Don Ashworth Mr. Paul Krauss r Suite 317 • Eagandale Office Center • 13'0 Corporate Center Curve • Eagan, MN 55121 - Best regards, CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUCHS, P.A. By: ✓�_ Thomas M. Scott FRI E 1G9 r I 11 ' Defendants. ------------------------------- TO.: PLAINTIFFS and their attorney, LAWRENCE A. MOLONEY, DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER, P.A., 3500 Fifth Street Towers, 150 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402 -4235. Defendant Chanhassen, for its Answer to Plaintiffs' Expert Interrogatory, states as follows: ' INTERROGATORY NO. 1 State each expert you expect to call at trial, the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, the substance of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify and a summary of the grounds for each opinion, including references to any documents relied upon by each expert. ANSWER TO INTERROGATORY NO. 1 nPf.-�ndants object to the part of the interrogatory which request..> documents relied upon by each expert as being outside the scopes of Rule 26.02(d). Defendants expect to call the ' following expert witnesses at trial: ' 12576 _ STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF CARVER FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: Other Civil ------------------------- - - - - -- Civil No. C9 -93 -1111 ' Frank Beddor, Jr. Todd Novacz k Y and Sherry Novaczyk, and Robert L. ' Post and Sandra J. Post, Plaintiffs, DEFENDANTSI ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS' ' VS. EXPERT INTERROGATORY City of Chanhassen, its Mayor Don Chmiel and City Council Members, ' Defendants. ------------------------------- TO.: PLAINTIFFS and their attorney, LAWRENCE A. MOLONEY, DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER, P.A., 3500 Fifth Street Towers, 150 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402 -4235. Defendant Chanhassen, for its Answer to Plaintiffs' Expert Interrogatory, states as follows: ' INTERROGATORY NO. 1 State each expert you expect to call at trial, the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify, the substance of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected to testify and a summary of the grounds for each opinion, including references to any documents relied upon by each expert. ANSWER TO INTERROGATORY NO. 1 nPf.-�ndants object to the part of the interrogatory which request..> documents relied upon by each expert as being outside the scopes of Rule 26.02(d). Defendants expect to call the ' following expert witnesses at trial: ' 12576 _ r 12576 1. Paul Krauss City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive ' Chanhassen, MN 55317 Mr. Krauss is the Director of Planning at the City of Chanhassen. In addition to his testimony as a fact witness, , Mr. Krauss will testify as to the methodology for classifying different types of wetlands in the context of the City's handling of the so- called "Beddor pond ". , 2. Cecilio Olivier, P.E. Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates 2335 West Highway 36 ' St. Paul, MN 55113 Mr. Olivier will testify as to the preparation of the Draft Surface Water Management Plan for the City of Chanhassen and will specifically describe the analysis that was done in connection with the drainage district involved in this , litigation. The substance of the facts and opinions to which he will testify are contained in the Draft Surface Water Management Plan. Based on the standards and designs in the Plan, there will be no increase in nutrient input to ' Christmas Lake as a result of the Tower Heights development and extension of Nez Perce Road. ' 3. Steven McComas, P.E. Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates 2335 West Highway 36 St. Paul, MN 55113 ' Mr. McComas will testify essentially as a rebuttal witness ' in response to Plaintiffs' expert, Richard Osgood. He will testify that there is no possibility of any significant increase in nutrient input to Christmas Lake as a result of the proposed extension of.Nez Perce Drive and the road ' construction in connection with the Tower Heights Plat. His opinions are based upon the data developed in connection with the Draft Surface Water Management Plan for the City of ' Chanhassen dated October of 1993, his own expertise and his review of the proposed development which is the subject matter of these proceedings. 4. Dennis R. Eyler, P.A. Strgar- Roscoe- Fausch, Inc. Suite 150 ' One Carlson Parkway North Minneapolis, MN 55447 7. Danny Nadeau Danny Tree Company 6615 Highway 12 Independence, MN 55359 ' 12576 -3- Mr. Eyler will testify in rebdtial to Plaintiffs' traffic expert as to the methodology used by Plaintiffs' expert in forecasting 300 additional car trips per day on Pleasant ' View Road. Mr. Eyler's testimony will be based upon the facts and opinions expressed by Plaintiffs' expert in his previous affidavit and at trial. Mr. Eyler will also testify to the fact that an additional 300 car trips per day would result in one additional vehicle every two minutes during the peak hour, which additional traffic would not be ' perceptible to most adjacent residents. 5. Jeffrey R. Bednar Strgar- Roscoe - Fausch, Inc. Suite 150 One Carlson Parkway North Minneapolis, MN 55447 Mr. Bednar will testify in rebuttal to Plaintiffs' traffic expert as to the methodology used by Plaintiffs' expert in forecasting 300 additional car trips per day on Pleasant View Road. Mr. Bednar's testimony will be based upon the facts and opinions expressed by Plaintiffs' expert in his previous affidavit and at trial. Mr. Bednar will also ' testify to the fact that an additional 300 car trips per day would result in one additional vehicle every two minutes during the peak hour, which additional traffic would not be ' perceptible to most adjacent residents. 6. James Kranig Strgar- Roscoe - Fausch, Inc. Suite 150 One Carlson Parkway North Minneapolis, MN 55447 ' Mr. Kranig will testify in rebuttal to the testimony offered by Plaintiffs' acoustical expert, Richard Van Doeren. Mr. Van Doeren testimony will be based upon the facts testified to by Plaintiffs' expert at trial. Additionally, Mr. Kranig will testify that an estimated 300 additional daily trips, from a traffic base of 1000 vehicles per day, represent an ' increase in the noise level of approximately 1 to 1 1/4 decibels. The noise increase assumes that the average speed and mix of the type of vehicles would not change from the base condition. An increase in traffic noise level of less than 3 decibels is. - . , perceptible to the average person. 7. Danny Nadeau Danny Tree Company 6615 Highway 12 Independence, MN 55359 ' 12576 -3- Mr. Nadeau will testify as to the size, type and other characteristics of the trees impacted by the proposed Tower Heights Drive. Dated: February 18, 1994. CAMPBPLL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUCHS, P.A. By. Thomas M. Scott, #98498 Attorneys for Defendants 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, MN 55121 Telephone: (612) 452 -5000 12576 -4- I I STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF CARVER � I DISTRICT COURT FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: Other Civil Civil No. C9 -93 -1111 �1 Frank Beddor, Jr., Todd Novaczyk and Sherry Novaczyk, and Robert L. Post and Sandra J. Post, Plaintiffs, DEFENDANTS EXHIBIT ' vs. City of LIST Chanhassen, its Mayor Don Chmiel and City Council Members, ' Defendants. --------------------------------- DEF.NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS 1. Memo from Paul Krauss to Don Ashworth dated September ' 8, 1989. Re: Alternative access concept for Vineland Forest 2. Memo from Krauss to Ashworth dated September 20, 1989 Re: Preliminary Plat review for Vineland Forest t 3. Letter dated September 8, 1989 from Beddor to Pleasant View Homeowners 4. September 11, 1989 City Council Meeting Transcript ' 5. Staff report for the Troendle Addition dated November 5, 1990 ' 6. Transcript of October 17, 1990 Planning Commission Meeting 1 7. Letter dated November 11, 1990 from Lake Lucy Road Neighborhood Residents to City Council Members 8. Letter Dated November 12, 1990 from..Al -Jaff 9. Transcript of the November 19, 1990 City Council Meeting ' 10. Memo to Ashworth from Krauss dated January 9, 1991 Re: Updated report on Troendle Addition Plat ' 11. Transcript of January 14, 1991 City Council Meeting ' 12543 �1 12. Memo to Ashworth form Al -Jaff dated August 7, 1991 Re: Amendments to addition of approval of Troendle Addition 13. Transcript of August 12, 1991 City Council Meeting 14. Troendle Addition Development Contract dated August 12, 1991 15. Troendle Addition Plat 16. Building Permit file for 1060 Lake Lucy Road 17. Building Permit file for 1080 Lake Lucy Road 18. Letter dated February 25, 1992 from Fortier to Hempel 19. Memo from Krauss to Charles Folch dated April 7, 1992 Re: Feasibility Study 20. Partial Transcript dated April 13, 1992 City Council Meeting 21. Resolution authorizing preparation of Feasibility Study dated April 13, 1992 22. Petition for street vacation dated April 28, 1992 23. Transcript of May 6, 1992 Planning Commission Meeting 24. Staff report dated June 8, 1992 Re: Earth Work Permit 25. Memo from Hempel to Folch dated June 17, 1992 Re: Vacation of a portion of Nez Perce Drive 26. Partial Transcript of June 22, 1992 City Council Meeting 27. Memo from Folch to Ashworth dated July 7, 1992 Re: Feasibility Study 28. Feasibility Study for Nez Perce Drive Extended dated July 8, 1992 29. Partial Transcript of July 12, 1992 City Council Meeting 30. Letter dated July 17, 1992 from Fortier to Hempel Re: Owens - Troendle Pond 31. Memo from Folch to Ashworth dated August 3, 1992 Re: Feasibility Study 12543 1 12543 -3- I� 32. Grading Permit No. 92-2 dated September 4, 1992 33. Easement dated December 28, 1992 from Beddor to ' Chanhassen 34. Grading Plan prepared by Fortier & Associates dated April 4, 1992, revised September 3, 1992 35. Memo from Krauss to Ashworth dated May 18, 1993 Re: Official Mapping ' 36. Transcript of May 24, 1993 City Council Meeting 37. Transcript of July 12, 1993 City Council Meeting 38. Transcript of July 21, 1993 Planning Commission Meeting ' 39. Staff report Re: Tower Heights dated August 9, 1993 40. Traffic count records dated July of 1993 41. Memo from Al -Jaff to Planning Commission dated August 13, 1993 Re: Tower Heights Plat 42. Transcript of August 18, 1993 Planning Commission Meeting 43. Memo from Krauss to Ashworth dated August 18, 1993 Re: EAW 44. Memo from Krauss to Ashworth dated August 20, 1993 Re: EAW 45. Transcript of August 13, 1993 City Council Meeting 46. Tree Inventory for Tower Heights Addition, dated August 14, 1993 ' 47. Memo dated August 30, 1993 from Hempel to Ashworth Re: Finding of Fact 48. Finding of Fact and Decision Re: EAW dated August 30, 1993 49. Transcript of September 13, 1993 City Council Meeting 50. Letter from Al Jaff to Schoenewetter, dated September. 24, 1993 Re: Condition of Tower Heights Plat approval 51. Report of Engelhardt dated October 5, 1993 Re: Alternative road alignments 1 12543 -3- I� 52. Memo from Krauss to Ashworth dated October 7, 1993 Re: Alternative to Nez Perce Extend 53. Transcript of October 11, 1993 City Council Meeting 54. Letter dated August 12, 1991 from Fortier to Lawrence Carlson 55. Letter dated October 8, 1991 from Fortier to Beddor Re: Troendle Addition 56. Letter dated October 16, 1991 from Fortier to Beddor Re: Owens Property 57. Letter dated June 22, 1993 from Beddor to Owens 58. Letter dated August 5, 1993 from Fortier to Beddor 59. Letter dated August 23, 1993 from Fortier to Beddor Re: Owens Property 60. 1989 Aerial photograph showing proposed Troendle Addition 61. 1993 Aerial photographs of Subject Area 62. Tree Impact Plan for Tower Heights Plat Revised August 25, 1993 63. Draft Surface Water Management Plan, October 1993 64 Storm water quality layout maps 65. Storm Drainage District & Subdistrict maps 66. Storm Sewer layout maps 67. Wetland Observation records of Ponds in Subject Area 68. Wetland observation record sheets (with draft reclassification) 69. November 22, 1993 proposed alignment of Nez Perce Drive S - Vey 70. ..,�.-, .iminary Plat of Tower Heights Addition 71. Aerial photograph with delineation of the proposed extension of the Crosstown highway prepared by Mr. Fortier. 12543 -4- 72. Various photographs of t1ie- subject area taken by David Hempel in late Fall of 1993. 73. Photograph of Carver Beach Estates Outlot " A " area Defendants reserve the right to add additional exhibits for rebuttal purposes. Defendants reserve the right to offer exhibits identified in depositions. Defendants reserve the right to offer any exhibits listed by Plaintiffs. Defendants reserve the right to amend their exhibit list by withdrawing or adding exhibits upon advance notice to Plaintiffs. 12543 -5- .� IL CAN I PF)ELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT &- FLI P.A. e- Attol'110'1; It Lim. k 61 4 N (61 4i- Limxr February 24, 1994 VIA FACSIMILE AND MAIL Mr. Lawrence A. Moloney Doherty, Rumble & Butler, P.A. 3500 Fifth Street Towers 150 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-4235 Re: Frank Beddor, Jr., et al. vs. City of Chanhassen, et al. Court File No. C9-93-1111 Our File No. 12668/310 Dear Mr. Moloney: Enclosed herewith and served upon you relative to the above matter please find the following: 1. Notice of Motion and Motion in Limine. 2. Memorandum in Support of Motion in Limine. Best regards, CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUbCHS, —A.. By: Thomas M. Scott TMS: slc Enclosures cc:k-dr. Don Ashworth Mr. Paul Krauss I I 0 I I I D I I I I Suite 317 • Eac-andale Office Center • 1380 Corporate Center Curve • Eagan, MN 55121 1 I STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF CARVER Frank Beddor, Jr., Todd Novaczyk and Sherry Novaczyk, and Robert L. Post and Sandra J. Post, Plaintiffs, VS. City of Chanhassen, its Mayor Don Chmiel and City Council Members, Defendants. DISTRICT COURT FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: Other Civil Civil No. C9 -93 -1111 NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION IN LIMINE TO: PLAINTIFFS FRANK BEDDOR, JR., ET AL., and their attorney, LAWRENCE A. MOLONEY OF DOHERTY, RUMBLE & BUTLER, P.A., 3500 Fifth Street Towers, 150 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402 -4235. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that prior to the commencement of the trial on February 28, 1994, at 9:00 o'clock a.m., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, at the Carver County Courthouse, 600 East Fourth Street, Chaska, Minnesota, Defendants City of Chanhassen, et al., will make the following motion in limine: 1. The evidence relating to the claim in Count Two of the Amended Complaint that the City acted arbitrarily and capriciously in exercising its discretion not to prepare an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is limited to a review of the record before the Council at the time it made the decision. 1 12695 E 2. The evidence relating to the claim in Count Three of Plaintiff's Amended Complaint that the City acted arbitrarily and capriciously in exercising its broad legislative discretion to condemn property for the Nez Perce Street extension is limited to a review of the record before the City Council at the time it made the decision. 3. There is a clear and complete record of the proceedings relating to Plaintiffs' claims in Count II and III of its Amended Complaint. 4. Evidence relating to traffic should be excluded from the trial of this matter because there is no protectable natural resource of quietude that exists in this case. 5. Evidence relating to the potential traffic impact resulting from the extension of the Crosstown Highway should be excluded from the trial of this matter. 6. Evidence relating to tree removal within the Tower Heights plat should be excluded from trial under Minn. Stat. §116B.03. This Motion is based upon all the files and proceedings herein, together with the accompanying Memorandum of Law. Dated: February 24, 1994. CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUO , P.A. By: �- T omas M. Sc ;v 49849 Attorneys for Defendants 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, MN 55121 Telephone: (612) 452 -5000 I� 7 12695 -2- 1 STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF CARVER Frank Beddor, Jr., Todd Novaczyk and Sherry Novaczyk, and Robert L. Post and Sandra J. Post, Plaintiffs, VS. City of Chanhassen, its Mayor Don Chmiel and City Council Members, Defendants. DISTRICT COURT FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: Other Civil Civil No. C9 -93 -1111 MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF MOTION IN LIMINE ARGUMENT 1. The evidence relating to the claim in Count Two of the Amended Complaint that the City acted arbitrarily and ' capriciously in exercising its discretion not to prepare an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is limited to a review of the record before the Council at the.time it made the decision The EAW Petition was filed with the Minnesota Environmental ' Quality Board (MEQB) on July 21, 1993. It was received by the City on July 30, 1993. Under MEQB rules, the City is required to make a determination within thirty (30) days. On August 23, 1993, the City Council considered the EAW Petition, and on August 30, 1993, the Council met and adopted its Findings of Fact and Decision determining that an EAW was not - c C - �, c needed and would not be prepared. The EQB was notified of the City's decision. On September 27, 1993, the EQB acknowledged the City's notification and in 12629 r accordance with Minn. Rule, part 4410.3100, lifted any prohibition on governmental approval of the project. Once a valid EAW petition is received, the City is required , to evaluate the petition and accompanying evidence to determine whether the project has the "potential for significant , environmental effects Carl Bolander & Sons Co. v. Minneapolis ' 488 N.W.2d 804, 809 (Minn. Ct. App. 1992). The City's decision is not disturbed unless it is unreasonable, arbitrary or ' capricious. Id. at 810. The Court's review of the City's EAW decision in Bolander ' was based upon the City's record of its proceedings. This ' "record" review is pursuant to the Minnesota Supreme Court's holding in Swanson v. City of Bloomington 421 N.W.2d 307, 313 ' (Minn. 1988) in which the Court stated: Where the municipal proceedings was fair and the record ' clear and complete, review should be on the record. Where the municipal body has proposed formal findings contemporaneous with its decision and there is an accurate ' verbatim transcript of the proceedings, the record is likely to be clear and complete. This rule mandating a record review is based upon the duty ' of the judiciary, except in those rare cases in which the City's decision has no rational basis, to "exercise restraint and accord ' appropriate deference to civil authorities in performing their ' duties." White Bear Docking and Storage. Inc. v. City of White Bear Lake 324 N.W.2d 174, 175 (Minn. 1982). The Court's ' authority to interfere in the management of municipal affairs is, and should be, limited and sparingly invoked. Id. at 311. ' 2. The evidence relating to the claim in Count Three of , Plaintiff's Amended Complaint that the City acted 12629 - 2 1 1 1 arbitrarily and capriciously in exercising its broad legislative discretion to condemn property for the Nez Perce Street exte'nsion.is limited to a review of the record before the Citv Council at the time it made th e decision Defendants' position is that there is no legal basis for challenging this decision on the basis that it is arbitrary and capricious. This position will be argued at the conclusion of Plaintiffs' case and in post trial memoranda if necessary. For trial purposes, this issue is clearly limited to record review. Swanson v. City of Bloomington supra. 3. There is a clear and complete record of the proceedings relating to Plaintiffs' claims in Count II and III of its Amended Complaint There is a full and complete record of the proceedings involving the City's handling of the EAW petition and City's decision to proceed with condemnation proceedings involving the Nez Perce Street extension. The record consists of the following Exhibits 1 - 16 of Defendants' revised exhibit list: 1. Council packet re preparation of feasibility report for Nez Perce. 2. Transcript of April 13, 1992 City Council meeting. 3. Council packet re receipt of feasibiliy study for Nez Perce. 4. Transcript of July 13, 1992 City Council meeting. 5. Council packet re public hearing on feasibility report for Nez Perce. 6. Transcript of August 10, 1992 City Council meeting. 7. Council packet re discussion of potential mapping of Nez Perce. 8. Transcript of May 24, 1993 City Council meeting. 12629 -3- 9. Council packet re visitor presentation - extension of Nez Perce by Mr. Frank Beddor. 10. Transcript of July 12, 1993 City Council meeting. ' 11. Council packet re Nez Perce EAW. 12. Transcript of August 23, 1993 City Council meeting re ' EAW petition. 13. Transcript of August 23, 1993 City Council meeting re Dave Donna visitor presentation. 14. Memorandum of David Hempel, dated August 30, 1993 submitted at the August 30, 1993 City Council meeting. ' 15. Transcript of August 30, 1993 City Council meeting. 16. Findings of Fact and Decision re EAW, dated August 30, ' 1993. 4. Evidence relating to traffic should be excluded from the trial of this matter because there is no protectable natural resource of quietude that exists in this case ' There is no authority for the proposition that traffic generated by the extension of a residential street in a nearly ' fully - developed suburban area constitutes the impairment of ' natural resources located within the state. There will probably be some additional traffic on Pleasant ' View Drive to the north as well as Lake Lucy Road to the south when Nez Perce extension is built and the 13 -lot Tower Heights ' Subdivision is developed. Under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (MERA), in ' order to have a cause of action there must be the impairment or ' destruction of a protectable natural resource. There is no basis for a claim that the increase in the number of vehicles using a ' street in a fully - developed suburban area constitutes a material adverse impact on the environment, enjoinable under MERA. 12629 -4- t] In M.P.I.R.G. v. White Bear R. & G. Club 257 N.W.2d 762 (1977), the court address ed` "quietude" as a natural resource ' under MERA. Plaintiffs alleged that noise from a proposed gun club operation would substantially disturb the quietude of the area, and that lead shot would have a toxic effect on wildlife in a wetlands. Id. 257 N.W.2d at 770. ' The court found that the evidence clearly established that the marshland area in which the gun club was to be located was a quiet, natural oasis remote from any freeways, the immediate developed urban area, and with relatively little development of any sort around the area. Id. at 770. As to the noise resulting from the gun club, the evidence showed that the sharp, impulsive sounds of gunfire can be a health threat when heard repeatedly, and that tests showed the decibel levels from the shooting were far in excess of that considered permissible to avoid health threats and degradation of the environment. Id. at 771. This situation is clearly distinct from the remote, undeveloped nature area in the White Bear R. & G. Club case which was being invaded by continuous volleys of gunfire at health threatening levels. This area of Chanhassen is an urban residential area with city water and sewer and other urban services. It is platted and zoned for residential development. Pleasant View Road, where the purported traffic increase will occur, is dvjignated a minor collector street by planners. If traffic from development is directed away from Pleasant View Road as Plaintiffs desire, it will cause increases elsewhere. 12629 -5- In order to have a MERA claim, Plaintiffs must have a protectable natural resource which is being impaired or destroyed. There is simply no quietude resource which exists in ' this case. 5. Evidence relating to the potential traffic impact ' resulting from the extension of the Crosstown Highway should be excluded from trial of this matter ' The project that is being challenged by Plaintiffs in this matter involves the approximately 800 -foot extension of Nez Perce ' Drive to Pleasant View Road, together with the realignment of Peaceful Lane to access the 13 -lot Tower Heights plat. ' Plaintiffs intend to introduce evidence at trial in some impacts that i fashion relating to possible traffic may result on Pleasant View Road from the planned 1995 extension of the Crosstown Highway to a terminus at Highway 101, which is approximately 2 1/2 miles from the location of the project that , is involved in this lawsuit. The planned Crosstown extension is located outside of the ' City limits of Chanhassen. It is a project by the Minnesota ' Department of Transportation over which the City of Chanhassen has no control or authority. , In sum, Plaintiffs in this action are challenging the City's decision to construct a local street under the Minnesota ' Environmental Rights Act based upon the street's impact on water quality, trees and traffic in the location of the street project. Plaintiffs cannot support a claim against Chanhassen for this ' local project based upon the possible traffic impact of a future 12629 1 I 77 u 1 project by a different governmental authority outside of the City of Chanhassen. 6. Evidence relating to tree removal within the Tower Heights plat should be excluded from trial under Minn. Stat. 9116B.03 Minn. Stat. §116B.03 provides that no action shall be allowable under the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act for acts taken by a person on land leased or owned by said person which cannot reasonably be expected to pollute, impair, or destroy any other air, water, land or other natural resources. Here, Plaintiffs intend to introduce evidence concerning the potential removal of approximately ten trees within the Tower Heights plat. Minn. Stat. §116B.03 clearly exempts any claim based upon actions taken by an owner of property on his own land which does not pollute, impair or destroy other natural resources not located on the land itself. Here, the trees located on the Tower Heights property clearly fall within this exception. The removal of these trees, which the developer is free to do at any time, does not pollute any natural resource outside the boundaries of the property. Any scenic or aesthetic value the trees might have to the surrounding area is not considered a natural resource on privately owned land. Minn. Stat. §116B.02, Subd. 4 (scenic and aesthetic resources shall be considered natural resources when owned by any governmental unit or agency.) MERA permits an individual to remove trees on his own f property. Clearly, the tree removal on the privately owned 12620 -7- property within the Tower Heights plat cannot be considered as a basis for this MERA action. CONCLUSION Defendants request that the Court grant their motion in limine excluding from trial evidence on the above - referenced matters. Dated: February 24, 1994. Respectfully submitted, CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT _ & FUCHS, P.A. -� ay. Thomas M. Scott, ,#98498 Attorneys for Defendants 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, MN 55121 Telephone: (612) 452 -5000 12629 -8- 1 Inc ��' 4", 1 }�- �.h t"►'� � •"7,� L1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE RILEY- PURGATORY -BLUFF CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT I February 2, 1994 The regular meeting of the Board of Managers of the Riley- Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District was called to order at 7:00 p.m., on January 12, 1994, by Chairman Fiskness at the Eden Prairie City-Offices, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Managers present: Peterson, Scribner, Fiskness, Rahr and Forster Absent: None Also present: Board Advisors, Robert Obermeyer and Raymond Haik. The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 12, 1994 were reviewed. Following discussion, it was moved by Rahr, seconded by Scribner, that the Minutes be approved with the following correction: Page 5, 1 3, 2nd line: the word "meeting" should be stricken. Upon vote, the Minutes were approved as corrected. CORRESPONDENCE • A communication from the County of Hennepin requesting a certification on bond indebtedness as of December 31, 1993. • A communication from the County of Carver requesting a certification on bond i:.d.ebtedness of the District as of December 31, 1993. • A communication from Business Agency, Inc. outlining alternatives for public official bond coverage. • A communication from the City of Eden Prairie regarding Watershed District participation in the Earth Day Environmental Fair scheduled for April 23, 1994. • A communication from James R. Hill, Inc., the Engineers for the Bearpath project, with accompanying correspondence from Summit Envirosolutions and Braun Intertec describing 002118033370 2 I94 !" :. ' ' � '► r the procedures for inspection and monitoring of construction in the vicinity of the Cranberry Bog. PAS A. B. A 10 Permit #94 -03: Bent Creek Woods - Site Grading; Grading and land alternation permit: Eden Prairie The Engineer reviewed the plans, recommended permit conditions, wetland act compliance measures, erosion control, and covenant conditions. Following discussion, it was moved by Peterson, seconded by Rahr, that the site grading permit be issued in accordance with the Engineer's recommendations. Upon vote, the motion carried. Permit #94 -04: Summerfield; Site Grading; Grading and land alteration permit: Eden Prairie The Engineer reviewed the plans including compliance with the Wetland Conservation Act. Following discussion of the notice and procedural requirements of the Wetland Act permanent rules, it was moved by Rahr, seconded by Forster, do defer action on the permit application pending receipt of additional information. Upon vote, the motion carried. Permit #94 -05: Chanhassen Elementary School; Grading and land alteration permit: Chanhassen The Engineer reported on the revisions to the plan. Following discussion, it was moved by Rahr, seconded by Forster, do defer action on the permit application pending receipt of additional information. Upon vote, the motion carried. Permit #94 -06: Yuma Drive /Canterbury Circle Storm Sewer Improvements; Grading and land alteration permit: Chanhassen The Engineer reviewed the plan and recommended permit conditions. Diane Desotclle of the City of Chanhassen reported on the delay in obtaining :hr Corp of Army Engineers permit. The Managers reviewed the permit extension procedures. Following discussion, it was moved by Scribner, seconded by Rahr, that the permit be issued in accordance with the Engineer's recommendation. Upon vote, the motion carried. 7 L 002/18033370 24/94 2 E. MDNR Chapter 105 Work in Protected Waters Permit Installation of Rip -rap on ' Red Rock Lake at 8621 Red Oak;.Drive:,- Eden Prairie The Engineer reviewed the bank protection work and proposed recommendations to the DNR. Following discussion, it was moved by Rahr, seconded by Forster, that the Engineer's recommendations be received and forwarded to the Department of Natural ' Resources. Upon vote, the motion carried. ' TREASURER'S REPORT The Treasurer's Report was submitted, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part ' of the Minutes by reference. Following review, it was moved by Scribner, seconded by Rahr, to receive the report and pay the bills. Upon vote, the motion carried. The Treasurer discussed the Business Agency, Inc. recommendations for public official bond coverage. Following review of the present position schedule b, nd and a proposed public official blanket bond alternative, it was moved by Peterson, seconded by Rahr, to accept the 1 recommendation of the insurance agency and secure additional public official blanket bond coverage in the amount of $25,000 coverage per Manager, with an additional $25,000 coverage on the Treasurer. Upon vote, the motion carried. The Managers inquired of the Attorney regarding additional insurance coverage to deal with violations of the Public Open Meeting law. The Attorney was requested to obtain additional information for consideration by the Managers. ENGINEER'S REPORT Plans Submitted to the District for Preliminary Review None. Project Submitted to the District that do not Require Permits None. BeMath Proiect The Engineer reviewed the .procedures. for supervision of the sanitary sewer construction in the vicinity of the Cranberry Bog. He discussed the permit conditions that require an on -site inspection. John Vogelbacher was present on behalf of the Sienna Corporation. There followed a discussion of the procedures and the importance of inspection during the construction to ensure correction of problems and the protection of the Cranberry Bog. Following review of the procedures, it was moved by Rahr, seconded by Forster, to direct the Engineer to respond to the Bearpath project plan for supervision of the sanitary sewer construction and that notice be given to the City of Eden Prairie, that the District Engineer of any water problems encountered and the proposed action to insure that the sanitary sewer construction does not impact the Cranberry Bog water level. Upon vote, the motion carried. 002/18033370 2A/94 3 u Staring Lake Outlet/Purgatory Creek Recreation Area Basic Water Management Project The Engineer reported on the meetings with city and state officials and the completion of final plans. The present schedule of the Minnesota Department of Highways calls for construction of Technology Drive in February 1995, with Highway 212 construction scheduled in 1996. The Engineer reviewed a procedure whereby a comprehensive plan and combined permit applications would be submitted to the permitting agencies identifying the projects of the State Highway Department, the City and the Watershed District. The MDOT staff is coordinating the mapping and plan preparation. The Attorney stated that ownership and other examinations of the properties impacted would be deferred pending completion of the permit applications. Bluff Creek Property Purchase from Control Credit. Inc. The Attorney reported on the negotiations of the Purchase Agreement with Steve Rowland. It appeared that Mr. Rowland is not the owner but the property was held by Credit Control, Inc. and Raymond E. Dana, President. The Attorney reviewed the changes in the draft purchase agreement, including the representations as to placement of fill on the property. He discussed the filling of the area by the State of Minnesota, County of Carver or the City of Chanhassen, terms regarding payment, environmental audits and certifications. Following review, it was moved by Scribner, seconded by Rahr, to authorize the President and Secretary to execute an agreement for the purchase of 5.07 acres of Bluff Creek lands from Credit Control, Inc., with an initial down payment of $5,000, and $20,000 payable at closing on April 1, 1994, with the balance of $50,000 payable over two years with interest at the rate of 8% per annum. Paul Krauss, the Director of Planning for the City of Chanhassen, and Diane Desotelle, Chanhassen's Water Resources Coordinator, stated the desire of Chanhassen City Council and Officials to work with the Watershed District on the acquisition of the properties. There followed a discussion concerning the importance of protecting critical corridor areas and valley lands of the Bluff Creek Watershed District. The Managers repeated their desire to work with the City in developing a comprehensive plan for the Bluff Creek Watershed. Following discussion, upon vote, the motion was carried. Status of Construction Projects No problems were reported. ATTORNEY'S REPORT The Attorney reviewed the Wetland Conservation Act and permit procedures required by the permanent rules. He discussed the Attorney General's Opinion to the Board of Water and Soil Resources and reviewed the costs involved in administering the Wetland Conservation Act as the responsible local governmental unit. The Managers discusses' the ongoing 509 Plan preparation. Following discussion, it was agreed that these issues would be on the agenda for the annual planning meeting scheduled for Saturday, February 12, at 8:00 am., at the office of the Engineer. 00VI8033370 24/94 4 1 C LI UNFINISHED BUSINESS =;. w ;•ir Carver County Boundary Adjustment The Attorney reported on the revised boundary description to reflect adjustments following the subdivision of the undeveloped properties. The Attorney was to determine whether the boundary could be administratively adjusted without the necessity of a petition public hearing and findings. State Legislative Matters Manager Peterson discussed the Hennepin County legislative program calling County handling of water management. He discussed the Minnesota Association of ' Watershed District's video entitled "Once and Future Waters" to illustrate the work and programs of the Watershed Districts and the possibility of securing sponsors to enable the video to be ' shown on all the cable networks. NEW BUSINESS The Managers discussed the State's Association Legislative Breakfast scheduled for March 9. The Chairman was requested to extend a personal letter of invitation to District legislators. Manager Rahr inquired concerning the heavy metals analysis by the Watershed District and the Lake Riley measurements by the Department of Natural Resources. The Engineer reported on the replacement of signs of identifying the Creeks. The Engineer was directed to arrange for the replacement of the signs with the assistance of the City of Eden Prairie. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Managers, it was moved by Rahr, seconded by Scribner, that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote, the motion carried. Respectfully submitted, ' Frederick Acting Secretary 002118033370 2B/94 5 �J diver Reach News from the Minnesota River Restoration Project Winter 94, No. 5 "Floating the rivers takes you through the land, not merely over its surface particular form of intimacy ...can only be had on the rivers. It flows through your memory and leaves behind a ripple of emotion: reverence." — Stephen Trimble Minnesota River Assessment Project and Citizens Advisory Committee Reports to be released in January The final reports from the Minnesota River Assessment Project (MRAP) and the Minnesota River Citizens Advisory Committee's Progress Report will be released in January 1994. The Minnesota River Assessment Project is a four -year study (1989 -93) intended to evaluate water quality in the Minnesota River and its tributaries. A large number of cooperating organizations from all levels of government were involved in the study. The MRAP report consists of a number of large separate reports and an executive summary, which provides an overview of the findings from all portions of the study. Copies of the executive summary will be available to all interested parties. For those interested in reading the complete report, copies will be placed in libraries around the river basin. Additional copies can be read at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's offices. The Citizens Advisory Committee for the Minnesota River completed a Progress Report this fall and will release it when the MI AP Report is made available to the public in January. Information from the assessment project was used to develop the mid -term report. The Progress Report describes water quality problems in the river basin and the political, social and cultural hurdles we will face if we are to see an improvement throughout the river's watershed. The Citizens Advisory Committee will spend the remaining months of its planning procesq developing a package of ideas for improving water quality in the river. A final report of thi,: committee's recommendations will be available to the public during late summer 1994. These recommendations will be considered by agencies, the legislature, and local units of government as they begin to tackle the challenge of addressing land management, water quality and quantity issues within this river basin. For more information about how you can obtain a copy of the Minnesota River Assessment Project Report and the Citizens Advisory Committee's Progress Report, call Pat Engelking or Lynne Kolze at 1- 800 - 657 -3864. TDD users can also call the same phone number. 7 1 River Reach 2 i £= MRAP findings indicate a river in trouble The Minnesota River Assessment Project (MRAP) has provided additional evidence that the Minnesota River is one of the state's most highly polluted river systems. Most of this pollution is caused by nonpoint sources of pollution, or polluted runoff. Some common sources of pollution in the Minnesota River basin include runoff from roads, parking lots, agricultural fields, lawns, construction sites and feedlots and septic tank discharges. MRAP found that the Minnesota River suffers from the cumulative effects of many small sources of pollution. Although some of the tributaries have higher concentrations of some pollutants, no single tributary is controlling water quality in the river. The major pollutants in the river are bacteria, sediments, nutrients, and toxics. Bacteria L I ' High fecal coliform bacteria counts are found throughout the river basin, making the water unsafe for swimming, wading and other body contact. High bacteria counts are found during both low and high flow periods, indicating that some bacteria sources are constant, such as faulty septic systems, municipal treatment plants or feedlots discharging directly to the river. Feedlot runoff and improperly applied manure are other intermittent sources that also contribute to the river's problems. Large numbers of individual home septic systems are directly linked to surface waters through the lines and ditches, with an estimated 45 -70 percent of all septic systems not in conformance with state standards. Sediment Large amounts of sediment are carried into the Minnesota River when it rains and when snow melts in the spring. These sediments are mostly fine particles of silt and clay. Fine sediments, which can be transported long distances, are the major cause for the river's brown, cloudy appearance. Fine sediments also reduce the amount of good habitat for aquatic creatures by smothering important spawning and feeding places. Nutients, specifically phosphorus, often attach to soil particles and contribute to the degradation of water quality and low dissolved oxygen levels in the river. Nutrients i. OA Soils throughout most of the Minnesotaverasin are naturally rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients. Annual applications of commercial fertilizer and manure add soil nutrients. Nutrients enter streams dissolved in surface and ground waters and in association with fine sediments and other eroded particles. High phosphorus concentrations contribute to poor water quality by stimulating excessive algal growth. High nitrate levels in drinking water are of particular concern because nitrate is toxic to newborn infants. 1 River Reach 3 Levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Minnesota River basin are high enough to produce excessive amounts of algal growth. When algae die and decompose, they rob the water of oxygen that is needed by aquatic life. Excessive algal growth causes wide swings in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, which may harm fish and other small aquatic creatures. Algae is especially abundant during the summer when water levels are low. Toxics MRAP included tests of surface waters and river bottom sediments. None of the surface water samples tested in the MRAP study were toxic to organisms at the bottom of the food chain. Water extracted from bottom sediments was toxic to some organisms, especially at Fort Snelling, Henderson and Lac Qui Parle sampling sites. Fish consumption advisories in the Minnesota River for PCBs and mercury are a troubling conern. Higher levels of toxics occur in some locations but no specific sources or hot spots were found. The diversity of biological communities throughout the Minnesota River and its tributaries is negatively affected by pollution. Siltation and excessive amounts of organic matter (manure, septic system runoff, antifreeze) are affecting the health and stability of fish and invertebrate communities. Habitat quality is poor in most of the river and its tributaries. Habitat degradation is largely due to channelization and ditching activities. Sedimentation of habitats also has a serious negative impact on fish communities in the river system. Mercury finds its way to the Minnesota River by Mike Meyer, Metropolitan Waste Control Commission Fish consumption advisories due to mercury contamination have been issued for the Minnesota River from Lac Qui Parle Reservoir to its confluence with the Mississippi. The advisories also extend to various tributaries of the Minnesota River, including the Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Redwood and Yellow Medicine Rivers. These watersheds are highly agricultural, with few industrial dischargers present that may be implicated as possible sources of mercury. n n ,7 F B I 7 L..' Inorganic mercury in the river water and sediment is converted to methylmercury by bacteria and other chemical processes. Methylmercury is biomagnified through the food chain or bioconcentrated directly by fish, resulting in tissue contamination. ' Recent studies of the St. Louis River Estuary indicate that high concentrations of mercury in sediment are related to human activities. A historical chronology of mercury in estuary sediment ' indicates that concentrations have generally been increasing since 1895. Before 1895, mercury concentrations were less than 30 parts per billion. In more recent years, however, with man -made 1000 parts per billion. Other studies have indicated that: Soils accumulate mercury from atmospheric input, retaining up to 90 percent of the mercury currently deposited to our landscapes. • Dry deposition of mercury may be a sigificant source of mercury to the landscape. ' • In east - central Minnesota, mercury concentrations are greater in the upper four inches of soil than in the soil below. Mercury concentrations in upper soil layers may be three to 15 times greater than that mercury found naturally occurring in deeper soils. n I The Metropolitan Waste Control Commission has been conducting preliminary studies of mercury and total suspended solids concentrations in water samples from the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Suspended solids in the river can include clay and soil particles, organic matter, algae, and other materials and are responsible for the river's murky, brown appearance. A very significant, direct relationship exists between total mercury and total suspended solids concentrations. In addition, it appears that as the amount of water moving through the river systems increases, so do mercury concentrations. This information suggests that nonpoint source (surface runoff) contributions to the Minnesota River may also transport very significant amounts of mercury from the landscape to the river. This, in turn, may create the need for fish consumption advisories. Additional research will be needed to better understand the fate of mercury in the Minnesota River, especially with respect to the distribution , transport, and bioaccumulation mechanisms. It may then be possible to determine whether implementation of erosion control practices (such as conservation tillage) and other best management practices would result in a substantially decreased mercury input to the Minnesota River and tributaries. Ultimately, decreased loadings of mercury to the river could help to achieve a more "fishable" condition as is required by the Clean Water Act. For more information contact Mike Meyer, Metropolitan Waste Control Commission at 612 -772 -7382. Minnesota Department of Agriculture and farm producer organizations share information on Minnesota River activities In an effort to keep agricultural producers within the Minnesota River abreast of information related to the Minnesota River, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has established the Minnesota River Agriculture Team. This committee's objective - " •ar.�ude, informing producers of the activities of state and federal agencies related to the Minnesota f. &Land to provide avenues for them to be involved in related policy decisions. . , The team hopes to develop and implement a communications strategy using the expertise and information networks of producers. Finally, the group hopes to identify opportunities for cooperation among producers and agencies. For more information, contact Darla Ewert, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, at 612 -282- 5140. River Reach 5 Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge proposes expansion I by Terri Shopa, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Just a few miles from Minnesota's busiest airport and largest indoor shopping mall lies a unique ' wildlife sanctuary. This important nature preserve provides habitat and green space in an otherwise urban/suburban landscape. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is one of only a handful of urban national wildlife refuges. It stretches 42 miles along the lower reaches of , the river, from Jordan to Fort Snelling State Park. The refuge was established as a result of the actions of concerned citizens who recognized the ' unique value and aesthetic beauty of the lower Minnesota Valley. As a result of their efforts, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Recreation Area and State Trail was established by Congress in 1976 and currently covers 8,000 acres in several large, separate blocks. Although ' state, local and private entities share responsibility for the recreation area and state trail, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service serves as the lead federal agency charged with maintaining the refuge. The principal management goal of the U.S. Fish and.Wildlife Service is to protect the ' valley's habitats and wildlife from the stresses presented by the urban environment which surrounds the refuge and to preserve the diversity of wildlife and native plant communities. The refuge currently consists mostly of land immediately adjacent to the river such as floodplain, , shallow lakes and wetlands. There are also a few blufftop , upland or forested areas included in the refuge; however, they are often not contigous with other important habitats in the refuge. In addition to habitat issues, refuge managers must also deal with water quality problems ' affecting the Minnesota River, many of which stem from land use practices upstream. Point and nonpoint source pollution from residential, agricultural, industrial and urban areas have seriously ' degraded water quality throughout the river's watershed. The lower Minnesota River often violates state water quality standards and cannot support diverse aquatic life. However, water quality in refuge wetlands is generally very good. ' To better protect the riverine environment in the lower Minnesota, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed an addition of 6,445 acres to the refuge that would help connect all of the ' existing units and help provide improved protection of habitats and management of land uses along the river cooridor. Studies have shown that fragmented blocks of land do not provide the kind of habitat preferred by wildlife. Large patches of land connected by green cooridors offer ' better habitat quality. The additions would provide better connections between existing parcels while also providing a panoramic view of healthy native habitats such as prairie potholes, oak savanna, hillside forests, floodplain marshes, lakes and the Minnesota River. ' The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has already spent approximately $13 million to buy the existing lands within the refuge. Future additions to the refuge could run an additional $8 -10 million. It ' could take 20 -30 years to acquire the lands for the refuge. Much of the land proposed for acquisition is private property, requiring the purchase of fee title or ' perpetual easements. Publicly owned land could be federally managed through .cooperative agreements. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will not attempt to condemn any land in order to expand the refuge. For more information on the planned refuge expansion, contact Tom Larson at 612 - 854 -5900. ' Organic Buyers and Growers to hold Redefining Quality Conference Redefining quality is the theme of the annual conference of Organic Growers and Buyers ' Association (OGBA). The conference will be held on February 19, 1994 and will feature Jennifer Greene, director of the Water Research Institute of Blue Hill, Maine. ' Topics of the conference's workshops include: observation of water movement and its relationship to quality; the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990: how does it affect producers, handlers and what it will mean to consumers; crop rotation —an ancient practice with practical implications; and livestock —a vital element for the sustainability of the soil. If you are interested in this event, contact Hugo Skoppek at (612) 636 -7922. 0 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road r St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 7 L P 1 Minnesota River Open Houses 1 The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is sponsoring a series of four open houses in the 1 Minnesota River basin in February and March. The open houses are designed to inform the public about the findings of the Minnesota River Assessment Project and to gather public input from people who live in the river basin. Members of the Minnesota River Citizens Advisory Committee will be there to hear your opinions about strategies to clean up the river. The dates and general locations for the open houses are shown below. Watch your local newspapers for more information about the specific locations for the meetings. Lamberton Agricultural Experiment Station Mankato Ha Chef 1 g Pe PPY Friday, February 18 6:30 -9:30 p.m. Friday, March 11 6:30 -9:30 p.m. ' Saturday, February 19 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Eden Prairie City Center Montevideo Best Western ' Friday, March 4 6:30 -9:30 p.m. Friday, March 25 6:30 -9:30 p.m. ' Saturday, March 5 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. ror more tntonnanon aoout mts repon, please cau Lynne noize at <oiz) or 1 toll -free at 1 -800- 657 -3864, People with speech or hearing impairments, call (612) 282 -5332 or 1 -800- 627 -3529. 1 This material may be made available in other formats, such as Braille, large type or I audio tape, upon request. r 4 ft Printed on recycled paper with at least 10 percent fibers %it from paper recycled by consumers I 1 C ` 32, L cr) Minnesota Rive ;Oo r �. r �.. Citizens' Advisory Committee Progress Report Ave"am A river belongs to no one. And it belongs to every one. And no one has the right to contribute to the desecration of a river by irresponsible and abusive acts, at the expense of his neighbors and fellow American citizens, near or far removed from the stream itself. Richard J. Dorer 1968 January 1994 COMMENTS As we enter the second and most important year of our planning process, we would like to take the opportunity to hear from concerned citizens and organizations in the river basin. Your thoughts and concerns are important to us as we decide on what to recommend to the state agencies, the Governor and legislators in 1994. We welcome your input and any comments you may have about this report. Please ' take a few minutes to write to us and let us know how you feel about the Minne- sota River. ' 1. Do you have any specific comments on this report? ' 1 2. Do you have any specific ideas or recommendations that you would like to share regarding how to improve water quality in the Minnesota River? 1 3. Is there anything else you would like to tell to the Citizens' Advisory Commit- tee as we begin to develop recommendations for improving this river? 1 Please fold this page and return to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (Address is on the back of page.) 1 18 � 1 The Minnesota River Citizens' Advisory Committee was established by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in May 1992 with the charge of collaborating on the development of recommenda- tions for cleanup and protection of the Minnesota River. ' Our membership was nominated by individuals and organizations across the river basin. We represent many different occupations, affiliations and geographical areas of the Minnesota River Valley. We prepared this report to share information and to raise some questions about the Minnesota River with those who use and enjoy the river. We want to encourage discussion about how to ' improve water quality in the Minnesota River. As we enter the second and most important year of our planning process, we would like to take the ' opportunity to hear from concerned citizens and organizations in the river basin. Your thoughts and concerns are important to us as we decide on what to recommend to the state agencies, the Governor and legislators in 1994. We welcome your input and any comments you may have about this report. Please take a few minutes to write to us and let us know how you feel about the Minnesota River. ' Please send your responses to: Minnesota River Citizens' Advisory Committee, c/o Lynne Kolze, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155. 1 Minnesota River Citizens' Advisory Committee INTRODUCTION Pollution in the Minnesota River and its tributaries has significantly diminished the value of these waters for recreation, fish and wildlife habitat and scenic beauty. The lower roaches of the Minnesota River, from Shakopee to its confluence with the Mississippi River, no longer provide water of sufficient quality to support ' recreational activities such as fishing and swimming. In many areas of the river basin, pollution has degraded water quality below what is needed to support healthy fish and invertebrate populations. In some tributaries of the river, water The Minnesota quality has been so degraded that very little aquatic life can survive. River's average discharge increases the flow The condition of the Minnesota River is a reflection of the ways in which we are of the Mississippi managing the land within its drainage area or watershed. It is important to by 47 percent and acknowledge that the Minnesota River basin has generated wealth and prosperity contributes as a result of these land management activities. However, the negative impacts of disproportionately that prosperity are often not acknowledged. Data recently collected through the to its pollutant Minnesota River Assessment Project (MRAP) makes a compelling case that the , load. Minnesota River is in trouble and that its problems are largely caused by the cumulative impact of individual activities on the land. These activities include knowing violations of the law, as well as day - today actions that are assumed ' harmless. Members of society have held firmly to the belief that each individual has a right to engage in private actions on private land. While some activities have No single tributary been restricted by a variety of laws and regulations, other activities have directly or ' is controlling the indirectly caused degradation of the river. water quality of ' the river. Public policies have also played a role in the river's decline. Since the early part of this century, a variety of government policies related to development, agriculture, and flood control have actually contributed to both water quality and quantity ' problems by providing incentives to drain wetlands, to farm in marginal areas, to remove important buffer zones along tributaries, to build dams and levees along the river, etc. Thera have been a variety of mixed messages given to landowners ' regarding what are the appropriate practices and technologies to apply on their land. ' The impacts of a degraded Minnesota River spill over into waters f another e p grad p rs o gre at river — the Mississippi. The Minnesota River is the largest single source of pollution to the Mississippi River. When the two rivers converge at Fort Snelling, , water quality in the Mississippi is degraded sigaif: flatly, As a state which serves as the headwaters for the Mi. - issippi River, Minnesota has an obligation to deliver ' clean water to its downstream neighbors. The responsibility for maintaining clean water in these rivers and for our downstream neighbors rests with each individual and each community within their watershed boundari-Is. There are very real public costs that we will bear if we allow the Minnesota River to remain in its present state. These costs include the loss of plants and animals, , fish for eating, increased drinking water treatment rcr,` . poor recreational 1 ' 1 0 F1 potential, increased public health risks, loss of�topsoil for g cultural production, reduced visual appeal, dredging costs, and payments for flood damages. In addition, there is lost economic potential for communities when recreation and tourism industries cannot succeed due to poor water quality and limited aesthetic appeal of the river. We are at a critical juncture in defining a future for the Minnesota River. We can no longer accept the river as it is now, with its limited uses, diminished economic potential, and the heavy costs associated with doing nothing to improve it. Instead, we must find ways to improve the river in a way that will improve economic stability for those who live in the river basin. As we develop ideas regarding what can be accomplished, we must ensure that responsibility for change is shared fairly among those who live in the river basin. For example, a better balance is needed between harshly regulating point sources of pollution, such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities and doing little to nothing to address rural and urban runoff problems. The purpose of this report is to share information and to raise some questions about the Minnesota River and the general quality of life in the river basin. What is the Minnesota River Citizens' Advisory Committee? In May 1992, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency convened the Minnesota River Citizens' Advisory Committee. The committee was brought together to assist the Minnesota River Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in defining reasonable and effective ways in which to reach water quality goals that have been established for the lower Minnesota River. The Citizens' Advisory Committee is comprised of a diverse group of 30 individuals. Members of this Committee were nominated by individuals and organizations across the river basin. They represent various occupations, affiliations and geographical areas of the river basin (see Appendix A for a list of committee members). ' What has the committee accomplished? To date, the Committee has accomplished several important things. First, the Citizens' Advisory Committee developed a mission statement and goals to serve as a framework for this process. The mission statement reads: The Citizens' Advisory Committee shall develop a set of recommendations for improving water quality, biodiversity and the natural beauty of the Minnesota River. It is estimated that every ton of soil that leaves a farm field due to ero- sion creates offsite damages that cost society $5. 1 Goals include the following: • encourage local units of government, other entities and individuals to play a major role in implementing solutions to Minnesota River problems • encourage improved intergovernmental cooperation • encourage equity between what will be expected of rural and metropolitan ' areas in solving problems • significantly improve public involvement and awareness t • ensure viable farms, rural and urban communities in the river basin How is the Minnesota River Assessment Project related to ' the work of this committee? Data and information that have been gathered through the Minnesota River Assessment Project (MRAP) will continue to play a significant role in this planning process. The Minnesota River Assessment Project is a four -year, intensive study of the water quality in the Minnesota River basin. The study has involved numerous federal, state and local government agencies and will be completed in January 1994. What has been learned from this study willbe important to the work of the Citizens' Advisory Committee over the coming year. For the past year, this committee has heard testimony from a variety of environmental professionals who have been involved in studying the river. These ' presentations led to the identification of several issues that the committee was interested in learning about in greater detail. The key issues were first, the impact of land use on the quality and the quantity of water in the Minnesota River, and second, how drainage specifically might be affecting the river. ' The committee has also heard from landowners, businesspeople, academic experts, agency representatives, and others interested parties who wished to share their views on water quality in the Minnesota River. Over the coming months, the ' Citizens' Advisory Committee will continue to gather information, solicit public input and consider specific recommendations for improving the river. By the summer of 1994, recommendations will be distributed widely to the broader public , for review and comment. 1 ' This report focuses on broader issues that Minnesotans must address in order to see a measurable improvement in water quality in the river. This report does not constitute a definitive set of issues or facts concerning land use, drainage or contamination in the Minnesota River basin. The Minnesota River is an impressive state resource stretching 335 miles from the western border of Minnesota to its confluence with the Mississippi at Fort Snelling. The Minnesota River drains a 16,770 square-mile area, which includes all or part of 37 counties in Minnesota. Several counties in Iowa and South Dakota are also part of this expansive watershed The Minnesota River flows through some of the richest agricultural land in Minnesota. Approximately 92% of the land ' area within the river basin is agricultural (1). A serious deterioration in the river's water quality has resulted from both agricultural practices and urban development within the river basin. As prairie soils have been exposed to the ravages of wind and water, erosion occurred throughout the contributing watersheds. Wetlands that once purified water, were important homes for fish and wildlife, and which stored flood waters throughout the basin were drained and farmed Large -scale use of agricultural chemicals (fertilizers and pesticides) contributed to the decline in water quality. Land which once captured and stored rain and snow melt was paved over in favor of cities, suburban development, and roads. As a result of these activities, soil, pesticides, animal wastes, fertilizers, paints, litter, oil, grease and other chemicals have been transported to the river through storm sewers, tiles, ditches, and overland flow. Inadequate sanitary sewer systems from towns and cities (often referred to as point ' sources) have also historically plagued this river. Most of these systems have been improved or replaced by effective treatment systems, however, some smaller communities and most rural households continue to discharge untreated or ' inadequately treated wastewater directly to surface waters throughout the basin (2). The United States Environmental Protection Agency has given the MPCA until 1996 to reduce nonpoint source pollution (caa�jjjWed runoff from the land) in the lower Minnesota River by 40 percent Sc entific models have shown that if nonpoint sources of pollution can be reduced by this amount, the lower reaches of the Minnesota (between Shakopee and the mouth of the river) will sustain aquatic life, even during summer, low -flow conditions (.3). The State of Minnesota is mandated by the Clean Water Act to ensure that water o standards in the river i are maintained Approximately one -half of the 67,500 household septic tanks in the Minnesota River basin are discharging wastes directly into file lines, ditches and creeks. Sources of bacteria to the river are home septic systems, feedlots and faulty wastewater treatment plants. y.y... :v .f.. �•. vv .••,vv... : v :. :v: v ? • iY ••� v \ \!n\ vvi�L.hv.�Kvwrti w�»vvwwiiiiiiJiv'�.iP What are the principal factors affecting the quality of the Minnesota River? In order to fully understand the effects of human activity on the Minnesota River, ' we must take a broader view of the entire system, recognizing the interactions between land, water, and people. All have some influence over the quality of the Concentrations of river environment and its surroundings. Because these three elements so strongly phosphorus in the influence water quality in the Minnesota River, each will be discussed separately, Minnesota River recognizing that in reality, they are inseparable. increase two- to five -fold during Water runoff. ' Finding: The Minnesota River is being degraded by high levels of nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorus), bacteria and sediment. These pollutants cause the river to have low levels of dissolved oxygen, be unsafe for swimming, and have ' During periods of poor aesthetic qualities due to high turbidity. Sedimentation and habitat degrada- stable flow (no lion are major forces in impacting biological communities in the Minnesota River. runoff), turbidity is Recreational opportunities, fishing, and other domestic and industrial uses of the ' primarily caused by abundant algal river are also significantly diminished as a result of degraded water quality. growth with a lesser contribution a. Water quality ' from silt and clay. Nutrients Nutrients are being delivered to the Minnesota River largely from agricultural areas. The Minnesota River environment is currently being degraded by nutrient enrichment — or excessive levels of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus. The sources of these pollutants include commercial fertilizers and animal wastes. In On average, just most cases, nutrients are noted for the positive influences they have on improving under one million crop yields and helping plants to grow. In water environments, however, high tons of sediment levels of nutrients create an imbalance in water chemistry, and in plant and animal are carried past life. When plants and algae die, the decomposition process removes oxygen from , Mankato each This is the the water. Without proper levels of dissolved oxygen, the entire biological com- year. equivalent of one munity in the river can be affected (4). ' dumptruck load every five -and- Suspended solids /sedimentation one -half minutes. The Minnesota River regularly carries heavy loads of sediment and organic matter. These suspended solids give the river its turbid or muddy appearance. As the water in the river rises, the amount of suspended material in the water also rises. ' As the river level drops off, the amount of material in suspension also falls. In the river, silts and clays represent a large proportion of the suspended material. Silts and clays are very fine particles which, once in suspension, do not settle out easily. ' Finer material has a greater impact because it is easily transported long distances in the river (5). Reduced water clarity in the river significantly reduces amount of sunlight that penetrates the water. Without proper light conditions, photosynthesis is reduced in rooted aquatic vegetation and microscopic algae. Aquatic plants and algae are critical to providing proper levels of oxygen, habitat and food for aquatic insects and fish. High levels of suspended solids are also harmful to fish species by making sight- feeding difficult and by smothering important fish nest sites and their eggs. In addition, toxic substances and phosphorus attach to sediment particles and are then carried to the reservoirs and wetlands along the river. Finally, suspended solids greatly afrect our ability to use the water for things like swimming, boating, drink- the percent of the sediment ing, industry, fishing, etc. carried by the Bacteria Minnesota River is silt size or smaller. Particles of this The Minnesota River often carries high levels of bacteria. High bacteria counts size are often occurred under both low and high flow suggesting that some bacterial inputs are carried long constrant, such as inadequate municipal treatment plants, septic systems or directly distances in the discharging feedlots. (6). A constant source of bacteria enters the river and is river before evident at both low flow and during runoff. These bacteria levels are often found settling. wherever human and/or animal wastes are present. Infectious diseases which are often associated with these bacteria may also be present. Recreational activities, such as swimming or canoeing, that involve body contact with the water are no longer possible if bacteria levels are too high. b. Biological diversity The combined effects of human settlement in rural and urban areas within the Minnesota River basin have resulted in significant changes in the physical environ- S rt bass, ment. The health of plant and animal life in the river is an indicator of the quality oncce e reported to be common in of the physical environment in which they live. several tributaries and reaches of the Within the Minnesota River and its tributaries many impacts to life forms in the river, have de- river are a result of habitat alterations (such as channelization, diking, and drain- elined over the age activities) and sedimentation from agricultural lands. last 50 years. Smaller, headwater streams in the Minnesota River basin appear to be.mQre seri- ously affected by habitat iteration than the larger streams and main sWwof the river. This becomes an important issue when one considers that these headwater areas are often the spawning and nursery areas for a number of fish species. Im- pacts to fish communities in the river and tributaries due to chemicals in the river are difficult to evaluate in light of habitat degradation and due to the limited water chemistry monitoring that is available (7). The desirable condition for aquatic organisms is for rivers to have a combination of pools, riffles, rock and rubble river beds, and woody debris for habitat (8). The D large amounts of silts, clays and sand on the river bottom means that many of the rock and gravel habitats have been destroyed This greatly reduces the amount of habitat for invertebrates, algal communities and fish. The tributaries of the Minnesota River generally have fewer problems with sediments settling on their ' river bottom than the main channel of the river. The bottoms of the river's reservoirs are covered with sand and heavier soil particles that settle out of water more easily. (9). , Land Use /Urbanization ' Finding: Conversion of the natural landscape to agriculture and urban development has resulted in'a serious degradation of water quality, biodiversity , and the natural beauty of the Minnesota River Valley. . fJVf e�ife 'oAiJO '"n'a�r'i6il6oiA7ik« a. Drainage ' Tourists from the eastern United The landscape of the Minnesota River valley has changed significantly since States toured the settlers first planned towns and cities along the river. The journals of the early ' Minnesota River European explorers described a river and valley which were beautiful and Valley during the inspiring. The river upstream of Mankato was described in many areas as mid -1800s by ' steamboat. exceedingly clear, with white sand bottoms in many places (10). In upland areas, prairie and wetlands expanded as far as the eye could see. As late as the mid- 1800s, the landscape remained more or less unchanged. ' Surveyor's notes and maps generated during the 1850s showed that a significant portion of the river basin was dominated by wetlands and wet prairie. The landscape was peppered with small, isolated lakes and wetlands. Most of these ' small basins had no permanent surface water outlet. In other words, they did not drain directly to the Minnesota River and its tributaries. These lakes and wetlands ' An estimated two had small drainage areas. Most of precipitation that fell within these small sub - to three million watersheds was retained within the watershed and either evaporated to the acres of historic atmosphere or percolated through the soils to recharge shallow groundwater ' prairie wetland aquifers (11). have been drained in the Minnesota Since the turn of the century, however, the landscape has been drastically altered. River basin. Wetland drainage became a standard practice. A vast and efficient network of drainage tiles and ditches has changed the ways in which water moves through the river basin and the quality of that water. As a result of expanding drainage tile ' lines and ditches, large, previously isolated wetland basins were artificially connected to the Minnesota River. Artificial drainage has created a vast network which can move water and pollutants great distances at a much faster rate than would have occurred under natural conditions. Rain water or snow melt moves quickly through this system, ' increasing the potential for bank erosion and flooding. ;;.r / /?<! /!f,�,. i. fNC /,..a� y , ! L,'a.{o,.,,, k£ , �'��";"o£? 7 : h While the conversion of wet areas to agricultural fields has. created rich, productive Important wetland ecosystems have also been lost due to drainage activities. It has been estimated that between 2 -3 million acres of historic prairie wetlands have been eliminated in the Minnesota River basin due to drainage practices. Wetland ' destruction can result in a loss of flood storage capacity, nutrient entrapment and assimilation potential, reduced ground water recharge areas, and elimination of critical habitats for fish and wildlife (14). agricultural lands, there have been disadvantages as well. Along with water, some ' drainage systems can cagy sediments, nutrients, pesticides, and animal and human wastes to surface water. The delivery of these pollutants causes degradation of water quality as well as changes in the plant and animal life in the river and ' extinction of some species (12). i Treating the quality of the water in the river and ignoring the physical habitat for Fish communities fish and wildlife will not move us toward attaining our goals for the river. were found to be Channelization and upland erosion, for example, have a multitude of impacts on especially de- plants and animals, both at the site of the activity as well as downstream. graded in Blue ' Within the stream where habitat alteration occurs, the following impacts can be Earth tributaries identified: due to habitat degradation. This • increased suspended materials in the water, degradation is increased flow velocity believed to be due • (how fast water moves through the system), to poor cover, ' greater extremes of flow (both how much and how often), siltation of the reduced amount of habitat area such as stream bottom • ( pools, riffles and raceways) due to and ditiching ' shortened channels, activities. • less stable stream banks and greater potential for erosion, ' decreased instream and streamside cover, • shifts in aquatic invertebrate (small, spineless animals) and fish populations, A small stream that looks very clean in dry • shifts in the kinds of species present, • changes in habitat and food availability, and weather may carry a significant amount of pollu- bon into the main stem of the Minne- sota River during an intense rainfall of short duration. 1 • changes in spawning and nursery areas for fish. Downstream of areas where drainage or flood control projects have been completed, additional impacts can include flooding and low flow extremes, filling of backwater areas with sediment, changes in the amount of nutrients being ' delivered to the stream, and shifts in biological communiti J 1 8 es (13). J 1 8 Pollution concentrations in receiving streams may exceed recommended guidelines ' for good water quality. Fish and wildlife can also be seriously impacted. In addition, physical alterations take place in the receiving stream due to increased volumes of runoff. This can lead to channel scour, devegetation of stream banks, ' flooding, habitat destruction, and debris deposition (16). d. Loss of corridors and pathways for wildlife I The way we have settled and cultivated the land has resulted in the loss of a sig- nificant amount of habitat in and around the river and its tributaries. Specifically, ' we have lost or degraded many of the green corridors that are pathways and thor- oughfares for the movement of many species of plants and wildlife. In addition, there remain very few of the large tracts of undisturbed land necessary for the , successful reproduction and rearing of many wildlife species (17). Riparian corridors are especially critical to the health of the river system. Riparian i zones we the transition zones between rivers and upland areas. Riparian zones form important corridors for the movement of living things within larger land- scapes. In their natural state, they include a rich assortment of organisms and vegetation. For example, their trees and vegetation stabilize stream banks and shade the water, thereby regulating light and temperature conditions. I b. Impacts of various land use activities i While drainage practices have significantly altered the way water moves through the river system, other land management practices have also drastically changed ' the landscape. Intensive cropping activities and development of feedlots have Of 22 sampling resulted in certain economic benefits; however, in many cases they have resulted in sites throughout negative impacts to water and wildlife. The use of most land for row crop and ' the basin, all but monoculture agriculture has reduced the diversity of plant and animal habitats in three of the sites the basin (15). The number, size, and management of some feedlots in the river violated the basin have created problems related to the collection, storage and disposal of ' bacteria ztandard� manure at least once and many violated the ' standard c. Development patterns frequently. In the metropolitan area and in small cities in the Minnesota River basin, develop- ' ment patterns have created another set of problems. With the thousands of acres of pavement and other impermeable surfaces in our cities and towns, rain water and melted snow move swiftly to the Minnesota River and are deposited untreated ' through storm sewers. A host of pollutants are carried by storm water, including dust and dirt, atmospheric fallout, animal waste, sediment from construction sites, matter, and chemicals from , plant a variety of sources. Pollution concentrations in receiving streams may exceed recommended guidelines ' for good water quality. Fish and wildlife can also be seriously impacted. In addition, physical alterations take place in the receiving stream due to increased volumes of runoff. This can lead to channel scour, devegetation of stream banks, ' flooding, habitat destruction, and debris deposition (16). d. Loss of corridors and pathways for wildlife I The way we have settled and cultivated the land has resulted in the loss of a sig- nificant amount of habitat in and around the river and its tributaries. Specifically, ' we have lost or degraded many of the green corridors that are pathways and thor- oughfares for the movement of many species of plants and wildlife. In addition, there remain very few of the large tracts of undisturbed land necessary for the , successful reproduction and rearing of many wildlife species (17). Riparian corridors are especially critical to the health of the river system. Riparian i zones we the transition zones between rivers and upland areas. Riparian zones form important corridors for the movement of living things within larger land- scapes. In their natural state, they include a rich assortment of organisms and vegetation. For example, their trees and vegetation stabilize stream banks and shade the water, thereby regulating light and temperature conditions. I The importance of these areas is even greater than their total land mass would seem to suggest, since they serve such a- wide:variety of important functions (18). For example, riparian areas capture and retain surface water runoff that comes from upland areas, holding some of the nutrients and soil that might have other- wise reached rivers and streams. People Finding: Cultural factors involving the attitudes, behaviors and perceptions of rural and urban landowners in the Minnesota River basin add to the complexity of addressii.g environmental problems facing the river. The Minnesota River is currently more affected by the cumulative impacts of many small abuses than by extreme or flagrant acts of environmental abuse. The river's deterioration has occurred slowly and almost imperceptibly over many decades. The public has, for the most part, come to accept its limited value. With this acceptance comes a belief that its polluted status is not a "big problem ". As a ' result, there are very different degrees of perceived urgency regarding when a cleanup should begin and how it should proceed. ' There is a perception among a portion of the agricultural community that the elimination of water pollution in the Minnesota River can only adversely affect the economic status of farmers. A companion perception is that there are no viable ' alternative methods of farming that will both eliminate pollution and be economi- cally successful. These perceptions encourage an unwillingness to closely evaluate the costs and benefits of changing land use and agricultural practi ces. In urban areas, many residents remain unaware or are not focused on water-issues. For the majority of citizens, once water is "down the drain ", it is no longer of ' concern to them. Even less awareness exists among homeowners regarding how they may be contributing to urban runoff problems in nearby rivers and streams. There is a common misconception that once water has traveled to a storm sewer, it is routed to a wastewater plant for treatment. This misconception leads to the dumping of many harmful wastes into our city storm sewers each year. t Ultimately, state and local politics will play a significant role in the health and quality of the Minnesota River. State and local politics can result in less -than- ' vigorous enforcement of state and local regulations related to land use practices and water quality. Areas where enforcement has traditionally been weak include feedlot management, drainage, construction runoff management, illegal dumping, home septic system maintenance, protection of wetlands, etc. Minnesotans will have to develop a culture of cooperation and joint stewardship of natural resources, one that looks beyond individual benefit to significantly improve water quality in the Minnesota River. 10 The effects of pollution from municipal and industrial treat- ment facilities - as well as pollution from septic tanks and feedlots with direct discharges are more pro- nounced during low flow condi- tions where there is less dilution. REFERENCES 1. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota River Assessment Project Summary, 1994, p. 1 -11 2. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Wastewater Treatment Needs in Unsewered Areas: A Report to the Legislature, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1993, p. 2. 3. Hamilton, J.D., Strategies for Documenting Progress in Reaching the Nonpoint Source Reduction Goal for the Minnesota River, Metropolitan Coun- cil, St. Paul, MN, 1992, p. 2. 4. Wetzel, Robert G., Limnology, Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co. 1975, pp. 518 -520. 5. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota River Assessment Project Summary, 1994, p. 6-2. 6 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota River Assessment Project Summary, 1994, p. 6-3. 7. Bailey, Patricia A. et. al., A Fish Community Analysis off the Minnesota River Basin, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 1993. 8. Caduto, Michael J., Pond and Brook, University Press of New England, 1985, p. 156. 9. John W. Arthur, Jo A. Thompson, Charles T. Wallbridge and Harry W. Read, Ambient Toxicity Assessment in the Minnesota River Basin, Minnesota River Assessment Project Level III Biological and Toxicological Assessment, Appen- dix Table 2. 10. Featherstonhaugh, George, A Canoe Voyage Up the Minnay Sotor, (Reprint), Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, 1970. 11. Magner, J.A., G. D. Job and T. J. Johnson, "The Minnesota River Basin: Environmental Impact: 'n -Wide Drainage," Y. Eckstine and A. Zaporozec (eds) Industrial and Agricultural Impacts of the Hydrologic Envi- ronment, Volume 5, Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA. 12. Karr, J.R., L.A. Toth, and G.D. Garman, Habitat Preservation for Midwest Stream Fishes: Principles and Guidelines, EPA - 600/3 -83 -006, 1983, p. 8. 11 13. Karr, J.R., L.A. Toth, and G.D. Garman, Habitat Preservation for Midwest Stream Fishes: Principles and Guidglines,_EPA-600/3 1983, p. 6-7. 14. White House Office on Environmental Policy, Protecting America's Wet- ' lands: A Fair, Flexible, and Effective Approach, Washington, D.C., August 24, 1993, p. 2. ' 15. Nelson, Sharon, Heritage Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Re- sources, Personal Communication, February 18, 1993, Presentation to the ' Minnesota River Citizens Advisory Committee. 16.Oberts, Gary L., Magnitude and Problems of Nonpoint Pollution from Urban ' and Urbanizing Areas, St. Paul, MN, 1985, p. 4. 17. Johnson, Lucinda, Natural Resources Research Institute, Importance and Role ' of Riparian Zones, Presentation to the Citizens Advisory Committee, February 18,1993. 18. Ibid. j 12 MINNESOTA RIVER CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMTTEE Facilitator Ronald Nargang Deputy Commissioner Minnesota DNR 500 Lafayette Rd. St. Paul, MN Coordinator Lynne Kolze Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155 Members Lou Clark Chair Metropolitan Waste Control Commission Mears Park Centre 230 E. Fifth Street St. Paul, MN 55101 Joe Dugan/Dave Namsen Pheasants Forever P.O. Box 75473 St. Paul, MN 55175 Garfield Eckberg Farm Bureau Board of Directors Route 2, Box 129 Nicollet, MN 56074 Jon Albinson Valley Green Business Park South 5240 Valley Industrial Boulevard, S. Shakopee, MN 55379 Ken Albrecht Nicollet County Commissioner Route 2 Box 161 North Mankato, MN 56001 John Bach Sibley County Commissioner Route 1, Box 189 Henderson, MN 56044 George Boody Director Land Stewardship Project 14758 Osdund Trail North Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047 John Boulton Yellow Medicine Watershed District Route 1, Box 18 Porter, MN 56280 Robert Finley Redwood- Cottonwood River Control Area P.O. Box 69 Redwood Falls, MN 56283 Larry Granger 10817 Johnson Ave., S. Bloomington, MN 55437 Richard Halterman Montevideo Highschool Route 4, Box 279B Montevideo, MN 56265 Rick Hanna Blue Earth County Environmental specialist Box 3566 410 E. Jackson, Suite 202 Mankato, MN 56002 Wilfred Hanson Upper Minnesota River Watershed Dist. 324 Park Avenue East Ortonville, ice? 56278 13 r i ' John Hickman Friends of the Minnesota Valley ' 2450 W. 105th Street Bloomington, MN 55431 ' Paul Krause City of Chanhassen P.O. Box 147 ' Chanhassen, MN 55317 Marcie McLaughlin ' Renville County Commissioner Rt. 1, Box 18 Morton, MN 56270 Orville Meints Chippewa County Commissioner P.O. Box 703 Clara City, MN 56222 Greg Mikkelson Corn Research and Promotion Council Route 1, Box 1210 Lake Crystal, MN 56055 Andrea Myhre Clean Up Our River Environment Box 1253 Hamline University 1536 Hewitt Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104 Sondra Simonson Metropolitan Council 230 E. 5th St. Mears Park Centre St. Paul, MN 55107 Brett Smith Sierra Club 5300 Irving Ave., South Minneapolis, MN 55419 Scott Sparlin Sportsmans Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River P.O. Box 488 New Ulm, MN 56073 Steven Taff Department of Applied Economics University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108 Del Wehrspann Clean Up Our River Environment RL 3, Box 50 Montevideo, MN 56265 Gary Wehrenberg Faribault County SWCD RL 2, Box 230 Blue Earth 56013 Jeff Nielsen Gene White Board of Water and Soil Resources Association of Metropolitan South Central Region Municipalities Box 756, Highway 15 S. 4680 Tower Street Southeast #209 New Ulm, MN 56073 Prior lake, MN 55372 Orville Pioske Sibley County farme Route 2, Box 146 LeSueur, MN 56058 14 James Weninger Plant Services Director Augsburg College 2591 Spring Lake Road Shakopee, MN 55379 Jan Willette Faribault County farmer 326 W. 6th Street Blue Earth, MN 56013 INDIVIDUALS WHO MADE PRESENTATIONS- TO THE MINNESOTA RIVEN CITIZENS' ADVISORY COMMITTEE (In alphabetical order) Patricia Bailey, Biologist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Carrie Bartz, GIS Coordinator, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Skip Baron, National Wildlife Federation Curt Deter, Attorney, Rinke- Noonan Law Firm, St. Cloud John Dotollo, SCS Conservationist Ladd Erickson, National Wildlife Federation Loren Evenson, Sibley County SWCD Robert Finley, Coordinator, Redwood - Cottonwood River Control Area Tibor Gallo, Attorney, Minnesota Attorney General's Office Larry Gunderson/Bonnie Holz, Brown - Nicollet County Health Department Mike Hartmann, Farmer, Gibbon Lowell Jaeger, Minnesota Valley Task Force Lucinda Johnson, Natural Resources Research Institute Chris Kavanaugh, Fisheries Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Hutchinson Darcy Kroelles, farmer, Sibley County Tim Larson, Minnesota River Assessment Project Coordinator, MPCA James Leach, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Timothy Koehler, USDA - Soil Conservation Service Mike Meyer, Principal Environmental Scientist, Metropolitan Waste Control Commission Mary Mueller, Board of Water and Soil Resources Joan Nassauer, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota Wally Nelson, University of Minnesota, Lamberton Research Station Sharon Nelson, Heritage Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Joann Olson, City of Chanhassen Greg Payne, Hydrologist, US Geological Survey John Peterson, Water Planning Coordinator, Sibley County Kevin Pioske, Sibley County Soil and Water Conservation District Jodi Polzin, Engineer H, Department of Public Works, Minneapolis Bill Rois, Farmer, Bensen Rik Rudeen, Farmer, Bird Island Carl Schenk, Senior Planner, Metropolitan Council Norbert Schroeer, Farmer, Renville Denny Simon, Swan Lake Wildlife Management Area Gordon Wegwart, Asst. Commissioner, MPCA Chuck Wingert, Consultant, Mankato o � 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Y.7 !a Kc+,Qy,G MINNESOTA RIVER CITIZENS!,ADVI COMMITTEE PROCESS JANUARY 1994- JULY 1994 January 1994 Committee develops a set of initial ideas/recommendations to take to the public as part of the Minnesota River open houses February/ Committee participates in a series of four open houses held March 1994 throughout the river basin April 1994 Committee discusses public input and comments received at open houses May 1994 Committee begins to select recommendations and to add definition to them Committee begins to identify individuals or institutions who need to receive committee's recommendations June 1994 Recommendations are finalized by the committee July 1994 Committee distributes recommendations and delivers advice to appropriate parties 16 s CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE CHANHASSEN, MN 55317 (612)937 -1900 MISSION STATEMENT The primary mission of the Park and Recreation Commission is to provide quality recreational opportunities for all citizens of Chanhassen in a financially responsible manner while preserving natural amenities. HISTORY OF THE CHANHASSEN PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT Formed in 1977 Fran Callahan -- First Park and Recreation Coordinator -- April 1, 1977 1977 Park and Recreation Budget Park and Recreation Commission 510.00 Recreation Administration 15,890.00 Park Maintenance 31,360.00 Recreation Programs 13.000.00 Total $60,760.00 1994 Park and Recreati Budget Park and Recreation Commission 1,740.00 Recreation Administration 47,875.00 Park Maintenance 208,700.00 Recreation Programs 129,650.00 Senior Center 25,405.00 Self- Supporting Programs 79.790.00 Total $503,160.00 0 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSIONERS Jim Andrews, Chairperson Jan Lash, Vice- Chairperson Fred Berg Jim Manders Ron Roeser Jane Meger PARK MAINTENANCE STAFF Dale Gregory, Park Superintendent Dean Schmieg, Park Equipment Operator Charlie Eiler, Park Equipment Operator/Downtown Keith McKinley, Park Equipment Operator PARK & RECREATION STAFF Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director Jerry Ruegemer, Recreation Supervisor Dawn Lemme, Recreation Supervisor /Senior Citizen Coordinator ORGANIZATIONAL CHART PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT. CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER II COMMISSIONS II ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER PARK SUPERINTENDENT II PARK EQUIP. OPERATORS- -3 II PARK i RECREATION DIR 7 SUPPORT SERVICES RECREATION SUPERVISORS - -1 SEASONAL STAFF I , SEASONAL LABORERS 1i r CHANHASSEN PARKS PARK FACILITIES PARK NAME LAKE ANN LAKE SUSAN HILLS WEST BANDIMERE RICE MARSH LAKE LAKE SUSAN BLUFF CREEK MEADOW GREEN NORTH LOTUS LAKE POWER HILL CHANHASSEN POND HERMAN FIELD PHEASANT HILL CITY CENTER SUNSET RIDGE CARVER BEACH CHANHASSEN HILLS SOUTH LOTUS LAKE CURRY FARMS GREENWOOD SHORES PRAIRIE KNOLL BANDIMERE HEIGHTS CARVER BEACH PLAYGROUND CATHCART MINNEWASHTA HEIGHTS CHANHASSEN ESTATES MINI PARK w to s w W~ Q 0 Q O WQJ.iWm J= 2 cc >- a }u 2? mZZw a W� Q Z_ Z_ W W W Z V V a J W S J 0 W WSJY ~ SSVCLW¢ZZ }QDu §z< -Ojx -O a N2QaO0 TO 00aa�?�?gx=1 3woc-j wO � cn ammaou.wssOaaaacncncncni -� >333 �� ■0 ■�00 ■00000■ ■0 000 ■ ■ � 0 ® ®■oo■■■■■vvo■vv■o■v■■■e■ ©o■a■■■■■■000■v■■■■■oo■o■ 1 1 J I� I I I � C - Community Park N - Neighborhood Park M - Mini Park [l ■� 10 1 I 'J 1 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) INFORMATION The Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission prepared recommendations for the 1994 Park Acquisition and Development CIP in August of 1993. The CIP was then presented to the city council for approval as a part of the 1994 Budget. The 1994 CIP contains $120,600 to fund the park improvements listed below. Reserves are maintained in the following categories: General ($100,000), land purchase west of Lake Minnewashta ($150,000), Chanhassen Elementary School/City Center Park play equipment ($8,000), Highway 101 trail ($15,000), and site furnishing for the new elementary school ($15,000). All monies accumulated in this fund are derived from park and trail dedication fees assessed against new construction. At present, no general tax dollars are invested in "hard" capital for improving the city's park and trail systems. SCHOOL DISTRICT The City of Chanhassen is unique in that it has two school districts within its city boundaries. Having Chaska School District 112 and Minnetonka School District 276 located in Chanhassen creates unique opportunities for social programming and also for bringing residents together from both school districts. THE PRACTICUM PROGRAM It is the belief of the staff of the Chanhassen Park and Recreation Department that the practicum experience for each student should be comprehensive, including all aspects of parks and recreation, and to gear to each individual student's needs and areas of interest, i.e. programming, park maintenance, administration. We believe this type of approach will not only benefit the student in terms of practical education, but also aid our department by continuing to provide the necessary services to the community. RECREATION INTERNSHIP OBJECTIVES Possible topics /nroiects for which internship objective might be obtained: Budgeting Program Planning for Youth and Adult Special Events Athletics City Park Operations Senior Citizens Publicity/Marketing Council/Commission Meetings Sponsorships /Grants Facilities a. JOB DESCRIPTION PARK AND RECREATION INTERN Under the supervision of the administrative staff, the student will assist with the administration, supervision and leadership of all recreation and leisure- oriented activities. A. Qualifications: 1. Must be at least a senior in Parks and Recreation studies. 2. Have completed the necessary requirements with their respective college or university. 3. Possess strong communication and organizational skills. B. Duties and Responsibilities: 1. To follow the regulations and policies of the City of Chanhassen. 2. To perform all given work assignments. 3. To be a good example and positive representative of the Chanhassen Park and Recreation Department. 4. Perform any other duties related to the field work experience as required by the agency supervisor. C. Hours and Wage: 1. As an intern with the Chanhassen Park and Recreation Department, you will be considered to be on duty during regular office hours and/or scheduled and approved by your agency supervisor. 2. Compensation is based upon individual university requirements and strengths and weaknesses of the practicum student. A salary of approximately $150 to $175 per week can be offered. 3. Weekend and/or evening hours may be required of the intern. 3 To uM aao �w Cr -� Cou G�'l "tQ wt log v s. allow i n J vK- -Fo 06 c uu�w , voa.q-h Cornmlssim. e �' d s vv i vl my Y YKC ` y R YA& Is �P �� Yo a , � -Fi 11i ✓�� m posi�i ov<. , 4ssivu. ' 1 CITY OF CHA 690 COULTER DRIVE o P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 TO: Paul Krauss, Planning Director FROM: Bob Generous, Planner II DATE: March 4, 1994 SUBJ: Review of proposed Multifamily Housing in Eden Prairie PROJECT Summerfield ' DEVELOPER LOCATION I BACKGROUND The Rottlund Company Northeast corner of Highway 5 and Dell Road The site was previously approved for a church facility and a commercial center, neither of which were built. The property is currently designated for public, neighborhood commercial, and office development by the Eden Prairie comprehensive plan. PROPOSAL SUMMARY ' The Rottlund Company is proposing a 188 unit townhouse development. The proposal requires a Comprehensive Guide Plan amendment from Public to Medium Density Residential on 19.59 acres, from Neighborhood Commercial to Medium Density Residential on 3.03 ' acres, and from Office to Medium Density Residential on 2.5 acres. A PUD Concept Review and PUD District Review with waivers on 38.14 acres is requested. Rezoning from Rural to RM -6.5 on 5.53 acres and from Public to RM -6.5 on 19.59 acres is also part of the request ' (RM -6.5 zoning permits 6.7 units per acre). Finally, a Preliminary Plat review of 38.14 acres creating 59 lots and one outlot (consisting of a wetland) for 188 multi- family units is proposed. The development will commence in the summer of 1994 with completion by the summer of 1996. The development is targeting first time home buyers and empty nesters, primarily single individuals with approximately ten percent being older (over 55). The development will have two access points off of Dell Road. All stormwater will be directed to ' NURP ponds located on the edge of the wetland prior to discharging into the wetland located Mr. Paul Krauss March 4, 1994 Page 2 , in the northeastern half of the development. The site will be mass graded in preparation for development. ANALYSIS The proposal attempts to intensively use the developable portions of the site for residential , units. Based on our review, the net density (excluding wetlands and right -of -way) of the project is 7.48 units per acre, which exceeds the 6.7 units per acre allowed by their standards. ' However, this development is less intensive than the strip commercial development that was approved previously for the site. The proposed development is more harmonious with the adjacent single - family residential development, than either the commercial or church ' development would have been. The majority of the developable portion of the site is open with only two stands of significant , trees on the site. The northern stand is being preserved while the southern stand is being removed as part of the site grading. This southern stand appears to be salvageable with the relocation of building pads of the structures in this area. A large wetland area exists in the northeast corner of the site which extends onto adjacent property. Parts of this wetland are to , be filled as part of the development of the site. NURP ponds are proposed to provide pretreatment of stormwater runoff prior to discharge into the wetland system. The , landscaping plan appears to provide adequate interior landscaping as well as adequate landscaping along Highway 101, but does not provide sufficient buffering to the south along Highway 5. The placement of the buildings along Highway 5 appears to crowd the roadway ' and presents some aesthetic and noise concerns. A similar development exists south of Highway 5, but that development is buffered along its entire border on Highway 5 with a massive berm as well as having an area of undisturbed trees left at the corner of the project ' where Dell Road and Highway 5 intersect. Future residents of the project can be anticipated to use City of Chanhassen infrastructure, park facilities and commercial enterprises. This area serves as a gateway for each community and as such should provide buffering and ' landscaping to help define the area as a transition point for the communities. STATUS The city of Eden Prairie granted preliminary approval to the proposed development. The developer has not applied, as yet, for final approval. LI CITY OF C8ANI3A0 0 EN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 March 4, 1994 J. Christopher Sones 8756 Flamingo Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Mr. Sones: The city council acted on Monday, February 28, 1994 to appoint Dave Huffman to the vacant position on the Park and Recreation Commission. As you are aware, this appointment took longer than usual, a reflection of the high level of competence among the candidates. I would like to thank you for your understanding throughout this three month process, and encourage you to apply again in the future. Thank you for your interest in serving your community as a Park and Recreation Commission member. Sincerely, 7 Todd Hoffman Park and Recreation Director PC: Mayor and City Council Park and Recreation Commission Don Ashworth, City Manager March 4, 1994 Mr. Clark Cummings 8019 Dakota Avenue Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Mr. Cummings: CITY OF CHAW 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 The city council acted on Monday, February 28, 1994 to appoint Dave Huffman to the vacant position on the Park and Recreation Commission. As you are aware, this was a contentious decision for the council, which reflects the high level of competence among the candidates. I would like to thank you for your understanding throughout this three month process. I cannot tell you if your third application would be a charm, or if it would be three strikes and you're out. However, I encourage you to remain optimistic and to apply again at a future date. Again, thank you for your interest in serving your community as a Park and Recreation Commission member. Sincerely, Todd Hoffman Park and Recreation Director PC: Mayor and City Council Park and Recreation Commission Don Ashworth, City Manager ri ll L CITY OF C8AN8ASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 March 4, 1994 Ms. Jane S. Meger 405 Highland Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Jane: Congratulations! The city council officially acted on your reappointment to the Park and Recreation Commission on February 28th. Thank you for your patience throughout this process. I look forward to your next three years of service on the commission. Sincerely, Todd Hoffman Park and Recreation Director PC: Mayor and City Council Park and Recreation Commission Don Ashworth, City Manager March 4, 1994 Mr. Dave Huffman 8127 Dakota Lane Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Dave: CITY OF CHANHASSEN 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 Congratulations! The Chanhassen City Council acted on Monday, February 28 to appoint you to the vacant position on the Park and Recreation Commission. I would like to welcome you to the commission and thank you for your patience throughout the three month interview process. The commission is excited about reaching full strength again and is looking forward to the future. I know you will find this time in the development of the city's park and recreation systems exciting —there is much to accomplish. The commission is holding a work session next Tuesday, March 8; however, I feel it is appropriate for you to begin your term at the next regular meeting on Tuesday, March 22. As we have discussed, please call me to schedule some time to get together to talk over the business of the commission. I would also be happy to attempt to answer any additional questions you have during this meeting. As promised, I will provide you with a variety of support documents, i.e. Comprehensive Plan, Park Inventory, etc. during this orientation. Again, welcome to the commission. We look forward to your contributions during your tenure. Sincerely, Todd Hoffman Park and Recreation Director PC: Mayor and City Council Park and Recreation Commission Don Ashworth, City Manager r 1 1 March 3, 1994 1 Mr. Todd Gearhart Assistant City Manager City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Mr. Gearhart, Economic Development Director 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, 'Minnesota ? �4 r 1 612 330 -6446 612 330-58 fax Economic growth in Minnesota communities served by Northern States Power Company (NSP) could be significantly impacted by the Minnesota Legislature in 1994. NSP's request for temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel rods at its Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant will be decided during the upcoming session. If the proposal is approved, NSP will continue to provide low cost, reliable electricity to its customers. ' An early shutdown of Prairie Island would be very costly to NSP customers. Present value of replacement power costs and early recovery of Prairie Island in 1993 dollars is $1.8 billion. The share of this total cost to an average retail department store is $600,000. The share of the cost to a large manufacturer is $20,000,000. NSP's proposed plan for temporary dry cask storage has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and other state agencies. Their recommendations speak clearly to the safety and practicality of the proposal. It is, however, left to the legislature to grant final approval. Prairie Island provides 20 percent of the electricity demanded by NSP customers. It produces electricity so cleanly and so affordably that Prairie Island is a 24 -hour "baseload plant." As such, ' conservation measures and renewable resources like wind are not realistic alternatives for the generating capacity at Prairie Island, although both will continue to be important components in future energy resource planning. One or more of your colleagues may have already been contacted by NSP. If you believe that NSP's ability to provide low cost and reliable energy is a critical factor in the continued economic strength and employment in our region, please make your feelings known to your legislative members. Please refer to House File No. 2140 and Senate File No. 1706. Sincerely, t Anita S. Duckor Director, Community and Economic Development P.S. The state would also lose some 450 full -time NSP jobs, most of which are professional or highly skilled positions. Prairie Island provides over $22 million a year in tax revenues to the City of Red Wing, the local school district and Goodhue County. i 1 - a� ""Ole Minnesota Department of Transportation Metropolitan Division - Waters Edge Building ti 1500 West Count• Road B2 r oF TP Rose%ille, Minnesota 55113 ,.. _ / t March 3 1994 Mr. Don Ashworth, City Manager r .. City of Chanhassen �' f 690 Coulter Drive P.O. Box 147 Chanhassen, MN 55317 Re: Trunk Highway 5 and Arboretum Boulevard Roadway Project Dear Mr. Ashworth: This letter shall serve as an update to the January 25, 1993, Letter of Understanding (copy attached) between the City of Chanhassen and the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the captioned project. As you are aware, due to federal and state funding constraints, the programmed bid letting date for the TH 5 reconstruction project (SP 1002 -61) from Powers Boulevard (CSAH 17) to TH 41 has been changed from February 1996 to January 1998. All other statements in the Letter of Understanding remain valid. In addition, Mn/DOT continues to consider the construction of Arboretum Boulevard integral to the proper function and operation of reconstructed TH 5. Following is a brief summary (provided by Barton - Aschman Associates, Inc.) of project milestones since the Letter of Understanding: March 10, 1993 -- Preliminary design layout for TH 5 and Arboretum Boulevard (referred to as access boulevard) from Powers Boulevard to TH 41 submitted to Mn/DOT. The layout incorporated the following elements: • A shift of the TH 5 alignment to the north into Lake Ann Park between Powers Boulevard and Audubon Road. This change was made to eliminate extensive right - of -way takings from the recently developed land on the south side of TH 5. • One (1) access boulevard alignment alternative between Powers Boulevard and Audubon Road. ' • Two (2) access boulevard alignment alternatives between Audubon Road and TH 41. The northerly "detached" access boulevard was referred to as Alternative 1; the southerly "attached" access boulevard was referred to as Alternative 2. Are Equal Opportunih• Employer - ' • Four (4) access boulevard "crossover" options at Galpin Boulevard to allow for various combinations of Alternatives 1 and 2 east and west of Galpin Boulevard. • Upgrading of TH 41 and Galpin Boulevard between the access boulevard and TH 5. ' • New connections at West City Street and Audubon Road between the access boulevard and TH 5. i r Mn/DOT Metro Division staff have reviewed and concur with the preliminary design layout. June 2, 1993• -Draft Arboretum Boulevard Environmental Assessment (EA) submitted to City of Chanhassen. July 8, 1993 - - Draft Arboretum Boulevard EA submitted to Mn/DOT and FHWA. July 30, 1993 -- Preliminary TH 5 construction plan set submitted to Mn/DOT. August 5, 1993 - - TH 5 Reconstruction Project bid letting delayed to January 1998. December 28, 1993 - - Final Geotechnical report for TH 5 Reconstruction completed. Following is a critical path timeline for the scheduled January 23, 1998, bid letting for the TH 5 reconstruction project. It is assumed for the timeline that the Arboretum Boulevard project will be incorporated into the TH 5 construction plan set and will be constructed concurrently with TH 5. April 1, 1994 -- Application deadline for possible federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) Funds for TH 5 /Audubon Road intersection safety improvements. April 1994 -- Selection of preferred access boulevard alternative by City of Chanhassen. April 1994 to June 1994- -Issue EA for agency review. June 1994 to September 1994 -- Preparation, review, and approval of final geometric layout for TH 5 and Arboretum Boulevard. (Alignment changes for Arboretum Boulevard between the various crossroads could be made until final design commences.) September 1994 -- Issuance of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). September 1994 -- Construction of TH 5 /Audubon Road intersection safety improvements and construction of Arboretum Boulevard from Powers Boulevard to Audubon Road. September 1994 -- Pavement type selection request submitted; "staff- approved" geometric layout required. March 3, 1994 Page 3 November 1994 to June 1995 -- Preparation of final design plans to point where final construction limits for TH 5 and Arboretum Boulevard can be established. Pavement type determination and travel lane panel width required for this phase of final design. June 1995 - - Final construction limits established and submitted for right -of -way (R/W) acquisition. A 24- to 30 -month period is typically required for R/W acquisition. However, , with the added complexities and coordination efforts associated with trunk highway frontage roads, Mn/DOT is anticipating a 30 -month R/W period for this project. September 1997 - - Final construction plans submitted for FHWA and Mn/DOT approval ' and preparation of cooperative agreements. January 23, 1998 - - Bid letting. ' A review of the foregoing sequence of events /milestones and proposed project schedule indicates that it becomes imperative that the City's selection of a preferred access boulevard alternative be made as expeditiously as possible. Although funding of Mn/DOT projects, including TH 5 reconstruction for fiscal 1998 bid letting is not guaranteed, funding priority will be given to those projects that are progressing in accordance with their respective critical path timelines. Please inform us as to any additional information you may need from Mn/DOT in order to , make a selection of a preferred alternative. We are available to attend a meeting to discuss these issues if that would be helpful. , Sincerely, Richard A. Elasky Assistant Division Engineer RAE:dmv Attachment , cc: Bill Crawford, Barton- Aschman rI' ,OrNESO, Minnesota -0 d Department of Transportation Transportation Building o� 395 John Ireland Boulevard �yrOF D " : Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155 ' Janua ry 25 1993 Mr. Don Ashworth City of Chanhassen 690 Coulter Drive Post Office Box 147 Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 Dear Mr. Ashworth: This letter shall serve as a letter of understanding between the City of Chanhassen, hereafter referred to as the "City ", and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, hereafter referred to as the "Mn /DOT', concerning the construction of the North frontage road along Trunk Highway (T.H.) 5 between C.S.A.H. 17 and T.H. 41. Although this is not a binding contract on either party, I believe it accurately reflects the intentions of Mn /DOT and the City. 1 1 The City has a master plan in the project vicinity which calls for remote frontage roads along T.H. 5 which are viewed as beneficial for Mn /DOT because they reduce the amount of local trips on T.H. 5. Mn /DOT prefers to adjust its alignment north in the vicinity of Ann Park to avoid excessive right -of -way cost on the south side. This change results in an impact on the 4f and 6f lands of the park. The City and Mn /DOT therefore agree that: 1. To avoid excessive right -of -way cost on the south side of T.H. 5 between C.A.S.H. 17 and Audubon, widening of T.H. 5 will be switched to the north side. Mn /DOT will pay the City for Lake Ann Park land required to accommodate this mainline relocation. This taking would be in addition to the Notermann farm property. It is our understanding that the net acreage that Mn /DOT will pay for is 1.75 acres. RECEIVED JAN 2 7 1993 An Equal Opportunity Emplovcr C!TY C: Mr. Don Ashworth January 25, 1993 Page Two 2. A continuous north frontage road will be incorporated into the T.H. 5 ' Design Project which is programmed for fiscal year 1996 construction ' (C.A.S.H. 17 to T.H. 41). The City understands that the frontage road will intersections. be a two -lane facility with turn lanes as necessary at major ' The City will prepare and pay for the necessary preliminary engineering, environmental assessment, and 4(f) and 6(f) statements (due to impact on Lake Ann Park by the frontage road and T.H. 5) at a total cost of , ap $135,000. The City will also pay for the final design cost for the north frontage road ($120,000). mapping 3. Mn /DOT will provide the available design pp g J adjacent to T.H. 5 completed as of Oct. 19, 1992. Mn /DOT also will provide project overview, and sponsorship of the environmental and design documents. 4. Mn /DOT will support the project for federal participation in the ' construction cost of the north frontage road. If approved by Met Council ' this will provide eighty percent of the construction cost of the north frontage road. Mn /DOT will contribute twenty percent of the remaining twenty percent based on the original proposed frontage road length that had been required for access to properties. in 5. The City will purchase the right -of -way for the frontage road excess of that which was originally required to provide local access. Further discussion between the City and Mn /DOT is necessary to work out which parcels will be the responsibility of the City. 6. Mn /DOT has already hired a consultant to do the geotechnical surveys ' based on the current plan. Mn /DOT will supplement the existing contract to add the necessary studies needed for the frontage road however there is an administrative limit on how much work can be added to a consultant contract. Mn /DOT and the City need to meet and discuss the needs in the near future. City may need to participate in some of the cost. 7. Mn /DOT will incorporate a pedestrian underpass within t he T.H. 5 design project adjacent to Bluff Creek based on the master plan of the City. This pedestrian underpass will be an arch type of culvert and the City will pay fifty percent of the local share costs for this improvement. Mr. Don Ashworth January 25, 1993 Page Three 8. Mn /DOT will provide a bikeway along the north side based on the need shown for this in the Mn /DOT Bikeways System Plan. The location of this bikeway is to be determined. ' 9. Mn /DOT will hold right -of -way taking in the vicinity of the new public school site located in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of County Road 117 and T.H. 5 to a. minimum. This site was selected after all preliminary studies were completed. 10. Mn /DOT will meet and discuss landscaping needs for this roadway segment so that the design is compatible to the City's goals. Mn /DOT will follow the Metro Division's guidelines on landscaping and if the City desires to add additional landscaping to the contract it can be done at the City's expense. The City of Chanhassen hereby agrees that the terms and conditions set forth in this letter of understanding accurately document the intentions of Mn /DOT and the City. The City of CHANHASSEN BY: Date: - I/ Sincerely, v ec A. Stehr Director, Office of Planning, Development and Traffic March 7, 1994 CA%S)t SSchelen Mayeron & Associates, Lake Riley Boulevard Residents Chanhassen, MN 4 E Inc. 300 Park Place Center 5775 Wayzata Boulevard Minneapolis, MN 55416 -1228 612- 595 -5775 1- 800 - 753 -5775 FAX 595 -5774 Re: City Water Service Survey Feasibility Study for Lyman Boulevard and Lake Riley Area Trunk Utility Improvements - City Project No. 93 -32 OSM Project No. 5183.00 Dear Resident: Engineers Architects Planners Surveyors As you may be aware, the City of Chanhassen has ordered a feasibility study for Lyman Boulevard and Lake Riley Area Trunk Utility Improvements. As part of this study, a trunk watermain is proposed along Lyman Boulevard, which is within the vicinity of Lake Riley Boulevard. The City has requested that we contact the residents along Lake Riley Boulevard area for their input about receiving city water. The City would like to hear from you, the residents of the Lake Riley Boulevard area, to assist in determining whether we should include water service to your homes with this project. I have attached a brief questionnaire as to your thoughts and ideas regarding city water service to your area. Please fill out the brief survey and return by mail or deliver in person to City Hall by March 25, 1994. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Sincerely, ORR- SCHELEN -MA YERON & ASSOCIATES, INC. Qwv))QNi� David D. Mitchell, P.E. , Project Manager Attachment: Survey c: Don Ashworth, City Manager Charles Folch, Director Public Works /City Engineer David Hempel, Assistant City Engineer rim N:\51VA\CT%1L\C0RR S\G3MJt0 Eq , Opportunity Employer Y Engineers Architects Planners Surveyors As you may be aware, the City of Chanhassen has ordered a feasibility study for Lyman Boulevard and Lake Riley Area Trunk Utility Improvements. As part of this study, a trunk watermain is proposed along Lyman Boulevard, which is within the vicinity of Lake Riley Boulevard. The City has requested that we contact the residents along Lake Riley Boulevard area for their input about receiving city water. The City would like to hear from you, the residents of the Lake Riley Boulevard area, to assist in determining whether we should include water service to your homes with this project. I have attached a brief questionnaire as to your thoughts and ideas regarding city water service to your area. Please fill out the brief survey and return by mail or deliver in person to City Hall by March 25, 1994. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Sincerely, ORR- SCHELEN -MA YERON & ASSOCIATES, INC. Qwv))QNi� David D. Mitchell, P.E. , Project Manager Attachment: Survey c: Don Ashworth, City Manager Charles Folch, Director Public Works /City Engineer David Hempel, Assistant City Engineer rim N:\51VA\CT%1L\C0RR S\G3MJt0 Eq , Opportunity Employer 1 1 1 1 LAKE RILEY BOULEVARD AREA WATER SERVICE °SURVEY CHANHASSEN, MN Based on the information provided in a letter from Orr - Schelen - Mayeron & Associates, Inc. dated March 3, 1994, I offer the following opinion regarding water service to residences along Lake Riley Boulevard. ❑ I would recommend that the City include the Lake Riley Boulevard area water _ service as part of the Lyman Boulevard and Lake Riley Area Trunk Utility feasibility study. The study would identify the primary elements, costs, and potential special assessments associated with installing water services along Lake Riley Boulevard area. (This does not mean that I necessarily support the project, I only support conducting the feasibility study at this time to find out more information.) ❑ I would recommend that the City of Chanhassen include the Lake Riley Boulevard area water service as part of a detailed feasibility study as stated above. I would support a project that includes the construction of water service to the area if it is found to be feasible. ❑ I do not wish for the City of Chanhassen to pursue the idea of connecting the residences along Lake Riley Boulevard with the City of Chanhassen's water system. The current status of my existing well and pump is: ❑ In good condition • In poor condition • Don't know the condition ❑ Other Opinions: Please return questionnaire to: City Engineer City of Chanhassen P. O. Box 147 690 Coulter Drive Chanhassen, MN 55317 H: \5187- 0 \CML \CORRFS \SURVEY.RFS MEMORANDUM CC CITY OF UH,&xHA559x 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317 (612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 TO: Municipal Solid Waste/Recyclable License Holders FROM: Don Ashworth, City Manager DATE: March 15, 1994 SUBJ: City Code Amendment, Modification to Hours of Operation from 6:30 am. to 7:00 am. Attached please find a copy of a proposed code amendment modifying the hours of collection from a starting time of 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 am. The proposed code amendment was requested by the city council and a public hearing to discuss the proposed amendment has been set for March 28 at 7:30 p.m. City council procedures require two readings of all ordinance amendments. Accordingly, should the city council act to approve first reading on March 28, second and final reading would then be scheduled for April 11. N final reading is approved, the ordinance would become effective following the publication. Typically publications occur within two weeks of final adoption. 1 1 1. - t NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY OF CHANHASSEN CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 16 OF CITY CODE CONCERNING HOURS OF COLLECTION FOR MIXED MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE Notice is hereby given that the Chanhassen City Council will hold a public hearing on March 28, 1994, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers to consider amending Section 16 of City Code regarding the hours of collection for mixed municipal solid waste. The proposed amendment will change the hours that haulers are allowed to collect solid waste and recyclables to between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Operations during these hours may also be conducted on Saturday to accommodate recognized national holidays or a special pickup. The current ordinance allows collection between the hours of 6:30 am. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and allows for Saturday pickups as described above. All interested persons may appear and be heard at said time and place. Bob Generous, Planner H Phone: 937 -1900 ext. 144 (Publish in the Chanhassen Villager on March 17, 1994) a .tee CAMPBELL, KNUTSON, SCOTT & FUCHS, P.A. Attorneys at Law Ti: I.c:. I.nnk • 1:. \\ ..i m Elliott R. Kno EIr.rh,th A. Lun_rr An,lrra rix -filer Much 4, 1994 Mr. Don Ashworth Chanhassen City Hall 690 Coulter Drive, Box 147 Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317 Dear Don: (612) 452- 5�'��0 Fax (6121452.5550 At the request of the City Council, enclosed please find proposed ordinance amending Chapter 16 of the City Code concerning hours of collection for mixed municipal solid waste. Very truly yours, CAl\ KNUTSON, SCOTT F CHS, P.A. Roger N. Knutson RNK: srn Enclosure Suite 317 ;andale Office Center • 1380 Corporate Center Curve ! Eagan, MN 55121 CITY OF CHANHASSEN CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 16 OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE CONCERNING HOURS OF COLLECTION FOR AEDIED MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE I THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN ORDAINS: Section 1 . Section 16 -33(2) of the Chanhassen City Code is amended to read: Hours of collection. No collection of mixed municipal solid waste or recyclable materials shall be made except between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Operations during these hours may also be conducted on Saturday, to accommodate recognized national holidays or a special pickup. No collection of yard waste shall be made except between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Customers shall be reasonably notified of the specific day and hours for collection of their yard waste, mixed municipal solid waste, and /or recyclables and the licensee shall collect the materials within those time periods. 1 Sect ion 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication. PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of ,1994, by the City Council of the City of Chanhassen. ATTEST: Don Ashworth, Clerk/Manager Donald J. Chmiel, Mayor (Published in the Chanhassen Villager on 9 1994). 12953 oaros/aa ,4& S. 4 _ I ee ��11 war March 5, 1994 Charles Folch City Engineer Chanhassen City Hall Chanhassen, MN 55317 Dear Mr. Folch, Since we will be unable to attend the meeting of March 7, 1994, I thought I should write you a letter. This is in regard to putting in new water mains, widening streets, cutting trees, etc. We are not in favor of this project. When the letter was sent out asking if we'd like new streets or keep patching them, it did not give anymore specifics (dollar amounts). Had it said, would you like new streets at a cost of $4000 or should we keep patching them, I would vote for patching. If not patching the potholes, hopefully a little more effort would be put in by the working crew, not just hit and miss, why wouldn't putting an overlay on, unless the cost would be comparable to putting in new streets. I didn't want to make this letter long but wanted you to know how we felt. Th k you, 6-t� Jerry & Claudia Carson 8039 Erie Ave. Chanhassen, MN 55317 cc: Mayor & City Council t 1 1 1 t s CHANHASSEN H.R.A. A C C 0 U N 1 S P A Y A B L E 03 -14 -94 PAGE 1 CHECK ♦t A M O U N T C L A I M Fl N T P U R P O S E 048952 1,645.13 JOHN PRZYMi.iS REFUNDS /REIMBURSEMENTS 1 1,645.13 NECESSARY EXPF'ND1fi1RES SINCE LAST COUNCIL MEETING 1 C_HANHASSEN H.R.A. A C C 0 U N r S P r: Y A B L E 03 -14 -94 PAGE 2 CHECK # A M O U N T C L A I M A N T P U R P O S E 054428 0544 ?_9 O',4430 054431 4 TOTAL OF 4,485.45 HOLMES g GRAVEN FEES, SERVICE 254.55 J E A ARCF-I T TE(.T • FEES, SERVICE 'O i . JULEE OUAR'VE —Pr" I ER '011 FEES, SERVICE rt 311,48 SW SUBURBAN PURI Ic•IITNG PRINTING AND PUBLISHING -.335.52 CHECKS I.,IRI T Tr*N 5 CHECKS TOTAL