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8-3-92 agenda
CITY OF RICHFIELD CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 1992 7.00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER I. 7:00-7:30 P.M. RECEIVE. AND REVIEW METROPOLITAN COUNCIL VISION STUDY SESSION LETTER N0. 32 II. 7:30-8:00 P.M. DISCUSSION WITH FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE REGARDING FUTURE FUNDING FOR FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES STUDY SESSION LETTER N0. 33 III. 8:00-8:30 P.M. POLICY AND .STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 34 8:30 P.M. ADJOURNMENT AUXILIARY AIDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 96 HOURS IN ADVANCE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR AT 861-9702. -City of Richfield, Minnesota Study Session Letter No.34 Agenda, August 3, -1992 Issue Statement• Policy and strategy recommendations for airport related issues. Background• Recent developments regarding the airport include the following: • New Ford Town/Rich Acres Acquisition The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) hired a consulting firm, W.D. Schock Company, Inc. of Cincinnati, to prepare the preapplication forms and supporting documentation that will be submitted to the FAA for funding the buyout of the New Ford Town and Rich Acres neighborhoods. The MAC also hired HNTB to prepare and process an Environmental Assessment (EA), with the exception of the social impacts related to relocation/replacement housing which will be handled by W.D. Schock, Company, Inc. The assessment is required under FAA guidelines to determine whether or not a full environmental impact study is needed. MAC consultants met with City staff on July 16 to review relocation information required as part of the preapplication process. The preapplication will include a project description which conforms with a feasibility study of a land acquisition for noise abatement purposes. An airport layout plan, which will be part of the EA, will show the airport and its current condition (not including the north-south runway). The north-south runway (if that option is chosen at a later date) or any airport improvements will require an environmental impact statement (EIS). The preapplication and EA are expected to take approximately two to three months to complete. The EA will be published with a 45- day comment period, including a public hearing. If there is significant public controversy, an EIS may be required. The EIS will add four to six months to the process. Representatives from the New Ford Town-Rich Acres Neighbors Advisory Committee and City staff met with MAC staff on Wednesday, July 29 to review the schedule for the acquisition of the two neighborhoods. City staff continues to meet with legislators to discuss tax loss replacement for the buyout. • Part 150 Program Twenty-eight Richfield homes have been scheduled for soundproofing projects in 1992. The MAC retained the Center for Energy and the Urban Environment (CEUE) to administer the noise program in the five cities surrounding MSP airport. Consultants from CEUE took acoustical measurements of the homes to determine the soundproofing projects needed for each home. The construction bids CEUE received from the consultants were higher than expected ($25,000 per home). The MAC, CEUE and the Policy Advisory Committee reexamined the bid process at a meeting held on Tuesday, July 28. They considered more efficient construction techniques to lower the costs while staying within FAA Part 150 Program standards. As a result of this review and analysis, the soundproofing projects scheduled in 1992 will be delayed until mid- January 1993 to allow revision of specs and resubmission of bids. CEDE sent a letter to the 28 Richfield residents participating in the sound insulation program in 1992 to inform them of ,the situation and to invite them to a public information meeting scheduled on Thursday, August 6 at 7:OO p.m. in the Richfield City Hall Council Chambers. At the meeting, representatives from the City of Richfield, MAC and CEUE will update the residents of the current status of the program and changes that will need to be made. Attached is the copy of the letter mailed to the Richfield residents from CEUE. The MAC estimates that the City of Richfield will be allotted $1.2 million in Part 150 funds for the 1993 phase of the Sound Insulation Program. This will allow the insulation of approximately 80 homes in Richfield. Accordingly, City's Part 150 Advisory Committee established the following policies and priorities-for the 1993 program in Richfield: • Seventy percent of the funding will be applied towards single- family homes; thirty percent will go towards duplexes. • To be eligible, homes must be situated within the 65 Ldn noise contour; those closest to the centerline of the runway will receive priority. • Part 150 funds will be equally distributed between the northeast and southeast quadrants in Richfield. • The Sound Insulation Program is still in the implementation stages of its pilot year. Consequently, results have yet to be measured. Homeowners who are eligible for the 1993 phase will therefore be given the option of deferring participation for one year, when any necessary modifications to the insulation policies will have been made. Homeowners who request deferment will be chosen for second selection by the City on a case-by-case basis. • Draft EIS for Proposed Extension of Runway 4-22 On July 1~, 1992, City staff submitted comments to the Draft. Environmental Impact Study (EIS) of Runway 4-22 prepared by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The City's comments stated opposition to virtually every section of the Draft EIS -- from the statement of purpose and need, to the project description, to the analysis of impacts and alternatives. The City's response concludes that if the MAC is determined to proceed with the project, the Draft EIS must be revised to address the deficiencies outlined and then recirculated for public comment. The FAA received the comments submitted by the City regarding the Draft EIS on the proposed MAC runway project. In response, the director of the FAA's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago scheduled a meeting on Friday, August 21 with Jim Prosser and Steven Pflaum, legal counsel assisting the City in preparing the. comments. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the comments submitted by the City. • MSP Symposia The Richfield and Bloomington city staff and chamber of commerce representatives continue to develop plans for a seminar series on the future of MSP airport. The staff from both cities are currently identifying private funding sources for the project and will be contacting these sources for funds. Recommended Motion: With this background information, the following recommendations are provided to address these issues: • New Ford Town/Rich Acres Acquisition Staff will continue to inform the Council on the progress of the proposed acquisition of the New-Ford Town and Rich Acres neighborhoods. • FAA Part 150 Program Staff will continue to update the Council on the status of the Sound Insulation Program. • Draft EIS for Proposed Extension of Runway 4-22 Staff will inform the Council of the outcome of the meeting held with FAA staff on August 21 and further developments in the environmental review process for the proposed extension of runway 4-22. • MSP Symposia Staff will continue to keep the Council informed of the proposed plans for future seminars regarding MSP airport. Alternative Recommendation: A variety of alternative. recommendations may be discussed at the August 3, 1992 Study Session. Discussion/Decision Mode: These matters will be discussed at the August 3, 1992 Study Session. ly submitted, Ci . Prosser. JDP:ds Attachments Center for Energy and the Urban ~nvironmen# 5101St Avenue North, Suifie Q00 ^ Minneapoiis, Ntinnesota 55403-i 609 Sound /nsulation Protect Office ^ 63 ]4 Standish Ave, ^ Ricnferd, MN 55423. ^ f6 )2) 348-933 July 29, 1992 1}ear Homeowner, As a participant in the 1992 pilot year of the MSP Part 150 Sound Insulation Program, you have been cooperative and patient with us as we have developed the program, sorted aut design alternatives and established appropriate procedures. As might be expected with any new endeavor, we have had to make adjustments in our practices as we have progressed. We have received the construction bids for the first 58 homes in Bloomington and Richfield. Unfortunately these bids were considerably higher than expected. In ordez tv ensure that all homeowners in the eligible area receive maximum benefits from the available .funding, the Center for Energy & Urban Environment (CEUE), the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), and the Policy Advisory Committee {PAC) have re-examined the bid process, We are implementing more efficient construction details and procedures which will lower costs and still exceed FAA standards, As a result of this review, the program will delay construction until mid-January to allow a revision of construction specifications and resubmission of bids. You are invited to attend an informative meeting for all Richfield residents participating in the 1992 phase of the Sound Insulation Program. The meeting will be hetd: Thursday, August 6, 1992 at 7:00 PM Richfeld City Hall -Council Chambers 6700 Portland Avenue South Richfield, MN 55423 At this meeting, representatives from the City of Richfield and the Sound Insulation Consultant Team will inform you of the current status of the Sound Insulation Program. Although the meeting is not mandatary, we encourage you to attend since program modifications to be discussed will affect you and your property. A list of the most significant modifications to be discussed is attached. We regret any inconvenience and assure you that we will do our best to fsnd acceptable sound insulation solutions far your property that exceed the noise reduction criteria of the FAA while staying within the budget guidelines. Thank you again far your continued cooperation and patience. Sincerely, Colin Campbell I'rojcct Manager Center for Bner~y and Urban Environment Steve Vecchi Manager, Part 150 Programs Metropolitan Airports Commission 1 An Aff•'mCtiv@ Action Employer ^ A SUMMARY OF SOUND Il\SULATION PROGRAM MODIFICAT>(ONS AFFI~CT'Ilr~G ~ON1EbVVN~RS The acoustical designs for each home will undergo minor modifications that reflect the need to lower construction costs. These modifications will have only a minimal effect, on the acoustical benefits, which will still exceed FAA program standards. Program representatives will contact each homeowner individually to discuss the details of the modifications. The start of construction will be delayed until after January 1993, with construction to be completed no later than 3uly 11, 1993. (This is the construction window for the soand insulation work on all 1~3 homes, The construcdon time for -each individual home will be much shorter,} 0 ~, "Finish" work will be Limited to painting only walls that have been acoustically modified. 7'he program will not replace wall paper or paneling on any walls, Wood moldzng and trim replacement will be limited to a variety of available standard profiles. Homeowners who have non-standard moldings and do not want them replaced with standard moldings may either (1) remove and re-install the moldings themselves ar {2) opt not to authorize work that would affect the moldings. Homeowners will be responsible fur moving furniture and personal belongings from walls and window areas under construction. (In special hardship cases, contractors will move heavy furniture provided that the homeowner has removed belongings from that furniture.) HOLMES & GRAVEN CHARTERED Attorneys at Law ROBERT A. ALSOP LD H. BATTY ;. dEN J. BUBUL JOHN B. DEAN MARY G. DOBBINS STEFANIE N. GALEY CORRINE A. HEINE JAMES S. HOLMES DAVID J. KENNEDY JOHN R.LARSON WELLINGTON H. LAW CHARLES L. LEFEVERE !70 Pilhbury Center, Minneapolis,. Minnesota 55402 (612)337-9300 Facsimile (612) 337-9310 WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL 337-9215 July 27, 1992 Mr. Floyd Olson Assistant City Attorney A-1700 Government Center 300 South 6th Street Minneapolis, MN 55487 JOHN M. LEFEVRE. JR. ROBERT J. LINDALL LAURA K. MOLLET BARBARA L.PORTWOOD JAMES M. STROMMEN JAMES J. THOMSON, JR. LARRY M. WERTHEIM BONNIE L. WILKINS GARY P. WINTER DAVID L. GRAVEN (1939-1991) OF COUNSEL ROBERT C. CARLSON ROBERT L. DAVIDSON RE: Legal Challenge to Acquisition of Richfield Neighborhoods by the Metropolitan Airports Commission The Minneapolis City Council has authorized the city attorney to commence litigation to prevent the proposed acquisition of the New Ford Town and Rich Acres neighborhoods in the city of Richfield by the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the City of Richfield. The City is appreciative of the action by the City Council in deciding not to commence litigation until the matter is first discussed with the city. As a follow up to our meeting, the purpose of this letter is to urge you to advise the city council to await later developments before finally deciding whether to commence such an action. There are two principal reasons why it seems to me that it is reasonable to delay commencing litigation to a later date. One is that it is premature to challenge actions which have not yet occurred. The other is that the courts are an inappropriate forum for resolving such issues . As to the first reason, there a number of actions which must be taken by MAC, and the City before commencing acquisition of properties in these neighborhoods . I believe that you have been provided with a copy of the feasibility report for the acquisition of these neighborhoods prepared jointly by the City and MAC . Some of the steps which must be taken prior to acquisition are identified in that report. One is the environmental review process . We have determined that at least an environmental assessment must be prepared for the proposed acquisition. The results of the environmental assessment may dictate that an EIS also be prepared. No challenge based on the environmental review process can be undertaken until that process has occurred. Likewise, no decisions by governmental authorities based on the information adduced in the environmental review process can be challenged until the decision is made . Additionally, before a final. decision is made to proceed with the acquisition, a number of decisions are identified in the feasibility report which must be made by various governmental authorities. In most cases, these decisions must be preceded Mr. Floyd Olson Page 2 July 27, 1992 by public hearings or other opportunity for public input. Minneapolis will therefore have an opportunity to attempt to influence those decisions if the proposal is unadvisable for political or public policy reasons . Before the decisions are made, it is premature to challenge them, both as a practical matter and because of judicial doctrines based on the fact that the process has not yet been completed, such as: ripeness, case or controversy, standing, and exhaustion of administrative remedies . Among these necessary procedural steps are: approval of a redevelopment plan by the Richfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority under Minnesota Statutes Section 46.9.028 (page 13 of the Feasibility Report); approval by the Metropolitan Council of an amendment to its long range comprehensive plan under Minnesota Statutes Section 473.146 (page 13 of the Feasibility Report); and approval of the plan by the Metropolitan Council under Minnesota Statutes Section 4?~ ~ 621 !page 13 of the Feasibility Report). To date, the efforts of the city and MAC have concentrated on exploring possible sources of funding for the acquisition. None of the steps described above have even been started. Neither MAC nor Richfield have retained consultants to begin the environmental review process, have begun the process of preparing for submission of the plan to the Metropolitan Council, or have even established a time table for undertaking these tasks. Therefore there is little reason to rush to litigation on the proposal . On a related point, we may disagree whether the proposal is subject to Metropolitan Significance Review. However, if the purpose is to delay the project, and if in fact the proposal is subject to such review, the longer Minneapolis waits to begin the process, the later :the date when it will be completed. As noted above, one reason to defer litigation is that the courts are an inappropriate forum for certain of the possible legal challenges . One of the issues which we discussed was whether the acquisition of these neighborhoods was consistent with the dual track process mandated by the legislature. These issues seem particularly inappropriate for resolution in the courts . I have no doubt that no matter what the outcome of a legal challenge which is somehow based on legislative intent, the losing party would seek a legislative reversal. If litigation can be delayed without prejudice to Minneapolis until the legislature can definitively address the question, all of the governmental units involved will save a great deal of unnecessary legal expense. The proposal to acquire these neighborhoods is in a very preliminary stage. It is entirely possible that any one of a number of occurrences could render a challenge to the proposal moot. It may be that no adequate and acceptable sources of funding will be found, that before acquisition is commenced the legislature will abandon the dual track process or settle on one track or the other, or that developments in the airline industry will dramatically affect the need for a new airport one way or the other. Given all of these factors, I hope that Minneapolis will reconsider the advisability of litigation, at least until a substantially later date, in the interest of intergovernmental comity and conservation of the tax payers' dollars, if not of efficiency . Mr. Floyd Olson Page 3 July 27, 1992 Thank you for your consideration of our input. Please feel free to give me a call if you have any further questions . Very truly yours, Charles L. LeFevere CLL: ekr ec : Jim Prop Ger ~~ CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Memorandum DATE: July 30, 1992 TO: .James Prosser, City Manager Robert Collette, Consultant Krystal Stokes, Richfield City Council Byron Wallace, Community Development Director FROM: Bill.Weaver, City Planner ~- SUBJECT: 1993 Part 150 Sound Insulation Projects Attached is a list of eligible homes for the 1993 sound proofing program. The homes are prioritized based on anticipated funding and proximity to the runway center line. Approximately 20$ of the 71 homes slated for sound proofing in 1993, will be duplexes representing 63$ of the total 19 eligible duplexes. The maps attached to the list illustrate home locations by priority and year of eligibility. BW:dkh " ai ~ >> Q ~d 4 , ~.es, ~`~, o ~ aJ ,~ oo°,r° O r ~ Ot ^ o ~ ~ E ^ 0 0 0 ~ ~ ~ •NN 'NtA 0 0 ° o o o ~ 0 0 0 0 ~~ ~- ~u ~t1Na~~~ ~ , N to >>Q > Q~ 4 ~. ,~. 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w uw ui ui a; a a ~; > ~; a ~; ~; a; ~; ~; a ~ W x x x x x x x x~ HF-HF-F-~ o~ o" o~ o o~ o o~ ~ ~ F-~ H E-y H E"'' H H E-' V ~ 00 00 00 00 ~ ~ ~' ~ V r-+ r' ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~'' O d~-+ r~+ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ^ .- ~ ~ r- N M ~ Lf'] ~ M rl ~ N N M M ~ ~ O e~}+ eN~ ~ eM~ M M ~ O O ~ N N N O~ M M O ~ ~ tt'f r-1 ~ Q~ tlti M to ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~' ~ ~ 'd" ef+ ~ ~ ~ eM O ~ r-I N N N M N ~ ~~ t0 l0 t0 c0 n h n t~ n n n n n n n n ~ N N N N N N N N O N N N N N ~~~~~~~~~~~ CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Study Session Letter No. 33 Agenda August 3, 1992 Issue Statement• Discussion with•Fourth of July Committee regarding future funding for Fourth of July activities. Background: Approximately 13 years ago, a nonprofit Fourth of July Committee was established for the purpose of conducting a community celebration within Richfield on the Fourth of July. On December 28, 1984, the Richfield Fourth of July Committee incorporated as an independent organization. In 1984, the City funded the celebration so that donations raised by the Committee that year could be used to fund their part of the 1985 celebration. In other words, donations. raised "this" year would be used to fund the "next". In addition, since that time, the City has provided continued funding for a portion of the event. The Fourth of July Committee raises approximately 50$ of the out- of-pocket expense cost to conduct the event. The City generally has paid for the cost of fireworks and entertainment and has provided staff assistance in event planning, security, clean-up, entertainment coordination and logistics. This staff time is provided at little or no cost to .the celebration. The Fourth of July Committee has provided funding for the parade and provided volunteers for event coordination. The event has become a highly recognized and positive community celebration within the City. However, the reduction of revenues received from the State has provided a significant challenge in providing basic City services. City staff will be recommending the elimination of funding of fireworks (511,000) for the Fourth of July for the year 1993 .and has communicated that recommendation to the Fourth of July Committee. The Fourth of July Committee has expressed concern that without adequate funding, it will not be possible for the event to continue and reiterated the importance and popularity of the event. An invitation to attend this meeting and discuss the alternatives to funding has been extended to the Committee. Recommended Motion: Discuss Fourth of July funding with the Fourth of July Committee. Basis for Recommendation: 1. The City has experienced loss of funding to the extent that basic services have been curtailed. Continued funding for the Fourth of July activities is extremely problematic. 2. It is appropriate to discuss and consider alternative funding arrangements for the Fourth of July. 3. The Fourth of July activities are an extremely important and valuable community event. It is critical that efforts be made immediately to identify potential alternative funding. Alternative Recommendation: The Council may decide to defer this discussion to a later date. Discussion/Decision Mode: This matter will be presented for discussion at the Study Session on August 3. Resp t lly submitted, Ja s Prosser Ci anager JDP:cak CITY OF RICHFIELD RECREATION DIVISION - 4755 FOURTH QF JULY CELEBRATION City Expenditures (Line Item 1134) Year Adopted Budget Revised Budget Actual Expense 1981 5 0 $10,000 $ 9,119 1982 510,000 $10,000 511,997 1983 510,139 $15,000 $15,097 1984 $15,000. 518,000 $17,268 1985 510,000 511,000 S 9,821 1986 $11,000 $11,000 $11,267 1987 511,000 515,870 $14,890 1988 $15,000 $15,000 $17,241 1989 $15,000 $15,000 $18,942 1990 $15,000 $15,000 $19,243 1991 $15,000 $15,000 $18,328 1992 $15,000 $15,000 July 30, 1992 CITY OF RICHFIELD Memorandum DATE: July 29, 1992 TO: Jim Prosser, City Manager FROM: Don Fondrick, Community Services Director SUBJECT: Fireworks- COMMUNITY Burnsville Edina Bloomington Eden Prairie Plymouth New Hope- Crystal Robbinsdale Apple Valley Brooklyn Center CITY FUNDED OUTSIDE FUNDED COMBINED $ 9,000 S 7,000 $10,000 to 15,000 $ 8,500 $15,000 $ 5, 000 $ 5,000 10,000 $ 5,000 $10,000 $ 2,000 $12,000 $ 6,000 $ 2,000 8,000 Several of these cities are not sure of funding from year to year from either the city or the contributors. Edina cut fireworks for a couple of years but the community was so angry .that each year the council covers that expense. One community said that they are going to remove fireworks from the recreation budget so they will be protected from cuts. J 6700 Portland Avenue • Richfield, Minnesota 55423-2599 City Manager Mayor Council James D. Prosser Martin Kirsch William Bullock Michael Sandahl Ivan Ludeman Kristai Stokes June 9, 1992 Paul Kaiser, President Fourth of July Committee 7233 Sheridan Avenue Richfield, MN 55423 Subject: 1993 Fireworks Dear Mr. Kaiser: At the June 8 City Council meeting, approved payment of the purchase of At that meeting, the Mayor and City Fourth of July Committee be advised position to provide support for the years. the Mayor and City Council the 1992 fireworks display. Council requested that the that the City may not be in a fireworks display in future As you know,, the State has significantly reduced the amount of local government aid provided to cities. The City has responded by reducing a variety of services. Given these facts, it is unlikely that support for fireworks can continue. The City Council requested that advance warning be provided in order that the Fourth of July Committee can consider potential fund raising efforts during this year's event. Obviously other options are available including the potential for seeking corporate sponsors of the fireworks display itself. We realize that adequate lead time is necessary if this funding is to be identified. Should you have any questions on this matter, please feel free to contact me. Sincerel , ~~~[~~. Ja~tes D. Prosser Czty Manager JDP:cak Copy: Mayor City Council /c ~j The Urban Hometown Telephone (612) 861-9700 Fax 861-9749 An Equal Opportunity Employer /~~ ...; ~M~T TEF, ~ O ti ~ ., .;~C ;RECEIV~p JUL 0 7 T992 /~~ '1 ~~ ~~~ .~ ~;~tay:or c)•.' _ • July 6, 1992 James D. ,Prosser, City Manager City of Richfield 6700 Portland .Ave. South Richfield, MN 55423 Dear Mr. Prosser, Council Atty. 0+~~ CM ~ Cierk -=-- A.dm. Svc. Comm. ~~ Dev. --- Comm. Svc. ----- tiq. Dir. _ ""'_- Pub. Safety ._,,;.,_~,. In response to your .letter dated June 9, .1992, the Fourth of July Committee, Inc. voted unanimously to adopt resolution 92-6. The resolution is attached. Should you have any questions on this matter, please feel free to contact me. rely, , CGt~ ~ G~~ Paul ~ M. Kaiser, resident Fourth of July Celebration Committee 7233 Sheridan Ave. South Richfield, MN 55423 CC: Mayor City Council State Rep. Garcia RESOLUTION 92-6 Whereas, The City of Richfield, hereinafter known as the City, has notified the Richfield Fourth of July Celebration Committee, hereinafter known as the Committee, that funding of fire works beyond 1992 is in jeopardy; and Whereas, The fireworks is considered the main attraction of the July 4th celebration; and Whereas, The Committee has determined that loss of the fireworks display would lead to the cessation of all July 4th activities; and Whereas, The City and the Committee have presented the citizens of Richfield a family-oriented, fun- filled, patriotic day for 13 years; and Whereas, The success of the celebration continues to grow; and. Whereas, The 4th of July celebration has become a tradition; and Whereas, The Committee is a totally volunteer committee that contributes an enormous amount of time to this annual event; and Whereas, The Committee contributes many hours in fund- .. raising events; and Whereas, The potential of the Committee to raise additional funds is limited; and Whereas, The City has funded the fireworks since 1980; and Whereas, The City has demonstrated in the past its ability to find outside funding of the fireworks; Therefore, be it Resolved; That the Committee respectfully requests the City to reprioritize its budget or help the Committee find funding for the fireworks from other sources; Resolved; That this resolution be presented to the City and to urge them prompt attention on this matter. Edwina Garcia State Reiuesentative District 40,4 Hennepin County RECE1~tu JuN t 5 iiyyy(c v =. u Minnesota. House of Representatives Robert Vanasek, Speaker COMMITTEES: TRANSPORTATION; REDISTRICTING; LOCAL GOVERNMENT & METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS; VICE CHAIR, AIRPORT SUBCOMMITTEE; CHAIR, TRANSIT SUBCOMMITTEE; EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION DIVISION; CHAIR, JOINT COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES P;9., TO: Richfield 4th of July Committee "'~"'"~ ~'~:~.r_ ~~; ~~ ~~~~, FROM: Edwina Garcia ~ C:~1 . -r °- Li~+- dir. DATE: June 23, 1992 t;lerh °°-~°- ----- Fub. ~af~~y _r I understand that the 4th of July Committee, like. almost every .other organization these days, is going through some severe belt tightening. L offer for your consideration the following suggestions: 1) During the festivities, pass bucket(s) soliciting funds to pay for the fireworks and place buckets at local businesses. 2) Consider parade participant entry fees. 3) Aggressively seek corporate funding, i.e., Champps, ChiChis, SuperAmerica, Target, K Mart, and, of course, Southdale. 4) Seek increased funding from the VFW and American Legion. 5) Conduct fundraising efforts throughout the year. These are just some suggestions. We all want to see the long- standing tradition of the July 4th celebration in Richfield continue. We owe it to our community to all pull together. ' .,~ ~~ cc: Mayor Martin Kirsch ~ Jim Prosser ~/~ jI„ ~, „~1 G~-,~ ~ ~~''J ~ ~~ ~~a~. 6732 18th Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota 55423 (612) 861-6140 State Office Building, St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 House Fax (612) 296-1563 (612) 296-5375 ~~ ~ f. CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Study Session Letter No. 32 Agenda August 3, 1992 Issue Statement• Receive and review Metropolitan Council Vision. Background• Sondra Simonson, Richfield/Bloomington .Representative to the Metropolitan Council, has requested an opportunity to address the Richfield City Council. Ms. Simonson will be presenting the Metropolitan Council Vision. A visioning process for the Metropolitan Council has been initiated. The first step in the process has been to develop a general vision statement. The purpose of the presentation is to receive. comments regarding the vision prior to proceeding with establishing strategies for accomplishing the vision. Recommended Motion: Receive and comment on the vision. Basis for Recommendation: The Metropolitan Council is responsible for long-range regional planning for-the seven-county area including Hennepin County. Alternative Recommendation: None. Discussion/Decision Mode: This matter will be presented at the Study Session on August 3, 1992. Respect~jully submitted, Jame Prosser City M nager JDP:ds Attachment: Copy of Draft Vision Metro 2015 Vision anal Goals Draft for Discussion Metropolitan Council Mears Park Centre, 230 E. Fifth st. St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 612 291-6359 TDD 2910904 Publication No. 640-92-076B June 26, 1992 Introduction This document is part of an effort by the Metropolitan Council to develop a "vision" or picture of what the Twin Cities Region should be in the year 2015. Why a Vision? • In its first 25 years, the Council has looked ahead to plan solutions for important problems facing the region. Now it is looking ahead to the next. 25 years. What does this region want to be, to look like and to offer its citizens in 2015? The Council is responsible for making long=range plans today to help ensure the region's health and vitality in the 21st century. Setting goals for the region is a first step. • As the Council begins to update its keystone regional plan, the Metropolitan Development and Investment Framework, it needs to examine the problems and opportunities the region will face over the next two decades. The policies in the framework will help guide our growth and development, but we need to know where we want to be in 2015--we need a vision. • The Council is specifically charged by statute to prepare goals and plans for the orderly and~~. economic development of the region. In addition, the Council is being challenged and encouraged to provide leadership in long-range planning for the region. Creating a vision can help in that effort. Cornerstone Ideas At the beginning of this effort, the Council set a basic assumption in establishing a vision; To achieve the highest quality living in a community setting with the flexibility to accommodate the changing population and compete in a world economy. To pursue the region's future with a sensitivity and respect for our environment in our development and redevelopment practices. The Council decided, after hearing from several nationally recognized strategic thinkers, that there are, really a handful of forces or factors driving the decisions needed to make this region successful in the 21st century. Six major factors or categories emerged: • Economics • Governance • Transportation • Telecommunications • Education • Quality of life Goals as a Starting Point The goals developed in the six categories describe where we want to be, rather than ways to get there. At a later stage, it will be necessary to identify strategies to accomplish the goals and the appropriate actors to implement them. Before that, however, the Council wants to share this vision with the regional community to see if the goals are on target--whether these are the right goals the region should be pursuing. The goals are intended to spark awide-ranging community discussion about where this region is going in the next quarter century. Some kind of measures are needed to determine whether the region is meeting its goals. This document includes examples of possible measures for each of the six categories of goals. Like the goals, they are only a starting point for discussion. The Process The goals were drafted by small discussion groups made up of Council members, staff and members of the Council's Minority Issues Advisory Committee. The groups benefitted from ideas of national. and local experts who spoke to them, including educators,. economists, academicians, planners, representatives of the telecommunications industry and others. Over the next two months, the .Council will be asking for ideas and comments on .these goals. Many organizations and individuals will be participating. The Council is making a special effort to discuss the goals with some of the young people who will be adults when the year 2015 arrives. The Council will then revise the goals based on what it heard in the public .dialogue. After a set of goals is adopted by the Council, the Council will move forvvard to develop strategies to accomplish the vision. 2 A Vision It's now the year 2015. The Twin Cities Metropolitan Area has achieved the goals proposed by the Metro Council a quarter century ago. What kind of a region do we live in? Key Themes We've become more adaptive and proactive in shaping change. We have found that in the school of change, the lesson is never over.. We have developed our economy, our educational system and our governmental functions to meet changing demands.. and expectations. We've sought technological advances that are crucial to the region's economy and quality of life. We used technology as a tool to achieve our goals--for example, in transportation, telecommunications, education and business. We've opened the doors wider to opportunities and resources. All residents have better access to jobs, governmental decision-making, education, recreational opportunities, health care, housing and information resources. We've gained spin-off benefits from the decisions we've made. For example, our e telecommunication system has bolstered the economy while giving telecommuters. an alternative to traffic congestion and enriching learning opportunities. Our education system has equipped students with basic academic, social and personal skills to earn a living and function well as citizens, workers and parents. And it has helped young people shape their hopes and potential. We have successfully resolved important but competing priorities. For example, we have grown economically, but we have preserved and improved our natural environment. We have a larger population that is more diverse, but we have strengthened our sense of community. Government has finally .learned to do more with less. A Closer Look Looking more closely, we see a region that is a strong, well-established player in the global marketplace. We realized many years ago that metropolitan areas, not nations, would be the key economic competitors in the international playing field. We realized we had to be more organized in the way we bolstered the region's economy. Our young people are achieving their full potential in school; our regional quality of life has attracted talented people and dollar investments; and we've adequately invested in our essential infrastructure to support economic activity anal the basic needs of our urban society. The result has been an improved regional standard of living, supported by substantial job growth and a diverse economy. Greater Minnesota has prospered from spin-off companies and jobs located in the region. Communities in the region have willingly cooperated in seeking business, jobs and revenues based on regional interests rather than the interests of individual communities. This cooperation enables the region to compete as one economic unit in national and international markets. 3 We've made the region a leader in the use of technological advances in transportation and telecommunications, which support both our economy and quality of life. Our telecommunications system uses leading-edge technology to link our voices, video- images and data with destinations within the region, and around the state, nation and the globe. Telecommunications is now considered as essential an infrastructure as transportation, sewers and education. The region leads in using technological advances in transportation like "intelligent" vehicle and highway systems. At the same time, we've made better use of the facilities we have by managing travel demand and charging users a variety of transportation "prices," like congestion fees and parking surcharges. Our transit system, -now very consumer-oriented, has more passengers each year..0ur major airport is an international hub, with direct flights to .cities around the country and the world. Government at all levels has become more innovative and cost-efficient in delivering services and solving problems. Government roles are clearly defined so that services are delivered at the most effective and efficient level. People have responded with renewed interest in governmental affairs and higher voting rates show it. People feel a stronger sense of belonging to their communities within the region, and they participate and feel comfortable in their community. At the same time, people feel that they belong to one metropolitan region. They think about and work for ~~ the Metro Area. We still have a strong environmental awareness. But we think less now about mitigating negative effects on the environment, and more about designing urban development and its support facilities with nature and people in mind. Our air and water are cleaner; our waste is less toxic . and we're producing less of it per capita. We can swim and fish in our three major rivers and in our lakes that have the greatest potential for recreation or water supply. The region has an abundance of accessible recreation, cultural and information opportunities. Health care is accessible to everyone who needs it, but most people take responsibility for pursuing a healthful lifestyle. Families of all types get the support they need to care for their family members, including children and elderly. The percentage of all residents living in poverty has declined. Housing is affordable for more of the region's residents, and it is designed to suit people at various stages of their lives and people with special needs. More employment opportunities are located near affordable housing and more affordable housing near new jobs. Our aging neighborhoods have been rehabilitated and a sense of community strengthened there. Our streets are safer and crime rates lower. We've planned the region's growth into a pattern that has reduced traffic congestion, the cost of public services, energy consumption, air pollution, and more of the negative effects on the environment. Urban design concepts have helped create a sense of place, with open spaces, natural features, public buildings and transportation facilities. We have come a long way in 25 years. We're already looking ahead to the next quarter century. 4 Goals The Regional Economy For many years the region has been a good place to live, work and establish businesses. Its economy has experienced steady employment growth of 2:7 percent annually and relatively low unemployment rates (4.5 percent in 1991)--well below Minnesota and U.S. rates of S.1 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively. Manufacturing industries gained some jobs, while service industries gained the most. The region is home to 15 firms on the Fortune 500 list of industrial firms. Its poverty rate (8.1 percent) is well below the national average (13.1 percent). In per capita personal income, the region ranked sixth among the 251argest metro areas in 1989 (8 percent higher than the average of the 25 metro areas and 15 percent higher than the U.S. average). This success has largely been credited to the region's skilled labor force and to our diverse economy. But in recent years a number of clouds have appeared on the economic horizon. There are questions about how well we are educating our labor force; the computer industry in the region is in decline; some major businesses are no longer under family or local control; the Minnesota business climate has been soundly criticized by the private sector; global competition is increasing and world markets are changing. In addition, there are concerns about the problem of low income burdening a significant number of people, inadequate productivity growth, our ability _ to maintain competitive advantages in computers and medical equipment, and the demand for government services versus the willingness to pay for those services. E Looking to the year 2015 raises a major question: Is the region prepared to compete and thrive in this changing environment? For example, no longer is the region's business competition the other cities in the U.S.; it is other cities around the world. Can we afford to sit back and let "the market" respond to these and other changes, or are there some roles government can or should play to keep this region competitive in the emerging world markets? What roles should the business community play? Are there opportunities for public/private cooperation? Before these questions can be answered, it is important to have a vision of what we want the regional economy to look like. Below are goals that can help shape that vision for the 2015 economy. Goals 1. The region is recognized as a major player in the global economy, based on the following: The region has a highly educated workforce with skills important to the regional economy, and with the ability to learn new skills as the economy changes in response to the national and international economies. These would include a wide range of skills--for example, in design and manufacturing as well as in management and finance. The region has a quality of life that attracts and keeps both businesses and a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. Infrastructure developed by regional and local governments and by the private sector supports regional economic activity and encourages job growth that meets the needs of the population. .Infrastructure financing--using cooperative arrangements, where possible--reflects the full costs of facilities through their life cycle--including costs of capital, operation, maintenance and replacement. S 2. The region's economy experiences steady growth in .the gross regional product per capita (increasing the regional standard of living), based on the following: Job growth provides employment at liveable wages for alt residents, raising low and middle per capita income levels. The region's economy is diverse and flexible in terms of using regional strengths and resources (labor market, investment capital, infrastructure, natural resources, etc.) to adapt to changing regional and world markets and to attract and retain industries serving those markets. 3. Communities in the region are more willing to cooperate in seeking business, jobs and. revenues based on regional interests rather than on the interests of individual communities. Such cooperation--assisted by a more equitable tax structure,-amore equitable provision of needed services and more appropriate use of public investments in private undertakings--helps enable the region to compete as one economic unit in national and international markets. 4. The region has more corporate headquarters of large public and private firms. Banks, insurance companies, venture capital companies and other sources of investment capital in the region provide adequate funds to invest in start-up and expansion of local firms and to nurture entrepreneurial efforts. F 5. The tax burden of the region's residents and businesses ranks lower than in 1992 as compared to other metropolitan areas. Examples of Possible Measures Unemployment rate compared to other urban areas Per capita personal income in region compared to other urban areas (per capita gross regional product compared to other urban areas) Percent of population below the poverty level compared to other urban areas (percent of population above 150 percent of poverty rate) Employment growth rate compared with previous years and comparable regions (employment growth rate in specific industries) Mix of industries in region compared to mix in the nation (diversity) Composite measures of tax burden on individuals (rankings) and on businesses (rankings) • 6 Governance Government in the early 1990s has fallen on hard times. Regional and local government has experienced declining federal support; political leadership has been criticized or challenged; and many citizens feel a strong disaffection from government, becoming active mainly when their self- interest is threatened. The challenge to government is to bring new people into the process both as participants and in leadership positions, particularly minorities and women whose participation in the past had been limited; to develop a renewed sense of confidence in government's ability to solve problems by allowing decision-making at the neighborhood or community levels where innovation and flexibility can be encouraged; to act decisively and in the broader regional interest at the regional level for those problems that need a central focus. A renewed emphasis on governance--acting collectively to solve problems--is essential People and governmental units need to think of themselves as being part of one .region. The region cannot be a collection of cities all competing against one another. The region now competes with the world. In governance, there is often a need to balance competing priorities--for example, the desire for--~ government to be "close to the people," on one hand, and, on the other, expectations, for government services to be efficient and economical, often requiring centralization. The Metro Council also has a vision for its own role in governance. It includes strong leadership on regional issues, bolstered by additional authority to decide how state funds are spent in the Metropolitan Area for public infrastructure and to determine where and when public subsidies will be used for facilities of region-wide importance. Goals 1. All segments of the public have opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives and the future of their communities. Citizen decision-making takes place at the neighborhood and community level, whenever possible. Citizen decision-making is also fostered in our larger governmental units. 2. People have confidence in their elected and appointed government officials. The region has a high level of political participation (such as voting and the number of persons running for office). Participants and leaders are more representative of the diversity of the region. 3. Government roles and responsibilities are appropriately and clearly defined, including roles involving education, so that regional and local policymaking and service delivery occur at the most effective and efficient level, and gaps in services are closed. 4. Governmental units achieve the results people want by redesigning the service delivery system and using other innovative approaches, public or private, to deliver public services. 5. The Metropolitan Council is the region's leader for policy planning, which provides direction, integration and coordination of regional services. The Council decides how federal and state funds allocated to the Metropolitan Area for public infrastructure will be spent. It decides on major direct and indirect public investments that support facilities of region-wide importance located within the Metropolitan Area. 7 Eacamples of Possible Measures Opinion poll measures on people's confidence in local government Voter participation rates Number of service redesign projects completed Level of Metro Council participation in public decisions regarding facilities of region-wide importance sited in the region • 8 Transportation The transportation problems the region faces today and in the future stem from our need and desire for personal mobility. Our life style involves pursuing many activities in many locations. And to meet those needs, the automobile--specifically the automobile with a sole occupant--has been the mode of choice for the vast majority of people. However, using our cars as vehicles to carry just one person has been a major factor in causing our transportation problems. For example, it is primarily responsible for the growing problem of congestion during peak travel periods. Between 1972 and 1984, the number of severely congested freeway miles rose from 24 to 72 miles. That total could increase to 200 miles by the year 2010, according to estimates of the Metropolitan Council and the- Minnesota Department of Transportation. With many cars having only a solo driver, our extensive highway system has not been used efficiently. For example, during peak periods, average auto occupancy dropped nine percent between 1980 and 1990. At the same time, people have been traveling more. On an average weekday, the number of trips taken per person rose by a third between 1970 and 1990. Heavy use of the single-occupant auto is also a major factor in causing the negative environmental effects caused by the building and operation of our transportation system. It is an expensive ways to move people. And it has promoted aspread-out land use pattern that makes it difficult to serve many parts of our region with economical transit service. Ridesharing and transit use, on the other hand, can increase the efficiency of the transportation system. But bus ridership declined 24 percent from 1980 to 1990. The challenge facing the region is to make these modes more attractive while making use of single-occupant vehicles less attractive and convenient. Airport capacity is another major issue. The region risks forgoing substantial economic gains if adequate airport capacity is not available as needed in a timely fashion over the next 25 years. Goals 1. The transportation system moves people and goods within the region and to the state, nation and world efficiently and cost-effectively. The transportation system is developed in ways that preserve the integrity of the environment, allow for economic growth and development, and support other regional goals. The system also reflects the region's leadership in the use of advanced transportation technology (for example, "intelligent" vehicle and highway systems, high-speed rail, hover craft) that maximizes the system's capacity and efficiency. 2. The regional transportation system balances demand and capacity so that resources are used most efficiently and the environment is least affected. This is achieved by managing how existing facilities are used--for example by reducing use of single-occupant vehicles, changing the time that people make trips, reducing the frequency of trips and changing trip destinations. The system also balances local, state and national mobility needs. 3. Transit is the preferred choice over the single-occupant automobile for many more people. An adequately funded and improved transit system makes regular-route transit, paratransit and ridesharing more attractive for all users. With improved safety, comfort and convenience 9 of riders and drivers, the transit system increases the people-carrying capacity of the transportation system as much as possible, serves the needs of transit-dependent people, supplements the metropolitan highway system, maintains and enhances the economic vitality of the central cities and allows for intensified development in other economic centers. Land development and redevelopment create an environment that promotes and encourages increased use of all forms of transit. 4. The efficiency of the transportation system is improved, and use of the system reflects the environmental, social and financial costs to society. For example, the region is a national leader in using a variety of transportation pricing, including "congestion pricing," "peak-period. pricing," parking surcharges and single-occupant vehicle taxes. 5. The region has an air transportation system with the capability to meet the demand from businesses and people in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest for air connections to the nation and the world. The region's major airport enjoys the presence of "home base" commercial airline facilities, international hubbing and a competitive airline market, with a the sizable presence of several national commercial airlines. Direct passenger and air freight services are available to the ~_ world's major cities. The region's major airport, and its satellite airports, provide convenient and safe air travel, and cause the least amount of disruption to the environment. Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time) Miles of congested freeways Vehicle occupancy Transit ridership Air quality measures Application of "intelligent" vehicle technology in transit service Airline takeoffs and landings .Number of international airline flights from Twin Cities Area Number of nonstop airline flights 10 Telecommunications Telecommunications--and access to it--will become increasingly vital to the fundamental economic health of the Twin Cities Region in the years ahead. That's a lesson history can teach us. This region grew to national economic prominence because the railroads, then the highways, then today's jet airplanes gave the region's businesses good connections to the national market. These facilities gave the region a way to overcome .its remote inland location to .sell and ship its ideas and products to the nation, and more recently, to the world. Now, telecommunications is increasingly being viewed as the next key infrastructure, as important to the. region as the railroads and highways were in the region's economic history. The region's businesses need the same access--or better--to advanced telecommunications -as~businesses in other regions .enjoy in order to compete in a world marketplace. In addition, the region needs modem, high-capacity telecommunications services because people need access to information and because telecommunications offers seemingly boundless opportunities for people to learn, earn a living and enjoy a higher quality of life. Unequal opportunities, experts argue, will lead to a society of "information rich" and "information poor." Telecommunications could help solve other problems. It could aid in solving central city problems, where, for example, the presence of advanced telecommunications facilities could help offset the disadvantage of high redevelopment costs. Telecommuting could also reduce peak-period travel or travel in congested corridors. However, private providers of advanced telecommunications capabilities have not upgraded their equipment here as rapidly as they have in other regions. High-capacity fiber optic transmission lines are not available throughout the region. If the transmission of voice, data and video experiences a boom as some predict, the existing infrastructure may not be adequate to do the job. By and large, governmental units in the region have their own networks to move data or communicate with their police and fire departments. Telecommunications--and facility-sharing-- may give them a way to provide more effective services more efficiently. But there is no coordinated approach, or public sector planning, in telecommunications. Each unit of government has made its own arrangements with telecommunications vendors to get its needs met. Goals 1. The region has "leading-edge" telecommunications services readily available to all businesses and homes. High-capacity telecommunication transmission facilities and networks move information within the region and state, and to national and worldwide destinations. The region's telecommunications infrastructure gives businesses a competitive advantage in producing and selling products and services to the nation and the world. 11 2. Telecommunications infrastructure is considered as fundamental to the effective functioning of the region as are roads and sewers. The region uses telecommunications technology to its fullest extent to provide cost-efficient access to information and services for all its residents. The region uses telecommunications as a tool to implement regional policies. Government agencies throughout the region use telecommunications technology to improve the quality, effectiveness and coordination of their services. Examples of Possible Measures (comparison with previous years) Miles of fiber optic cable in place Region's telecommunications ranking nationally and internationally Public-access points to data and information Use of telecommunications in development and redevelopment activities Percent of population .that is "computer literate" Percent of population with access to a personal computer 12 Education Observers of the K-through-12 education system--from education, business and government--have said that our schools are a little better than the rest of the nation's--but not good enough for our future. They offer some criticisms: • .Schools aren't focused on helping students learn; they are organized and run for adults, not students. • Expectations are low and there are not many incentives for students or teachers to do well. • Athletic achievement and "having things" are valued; but academic achievement is not. • The region's high school graduation rate is high (at 91 percent), it may be because the standards are low. For example, Minnesota is one of only eight states that require less than 175 instructional days per year; 90 percent of Minnesota high school students are allowed to spend as little as five hours in class; and only 13 percent attend districts that have established formal homework policies. • The education system has a dismal record of meeting the educational needs of our growing --~ racial and ethnic minority populations. For example, 30 percent of the 6,000-plus students ins the seven-county region who dropped out of school in 1991 were from racial or ethnic minority groups. By contrast, minorities make up only 16 percent of the total student population in the region. • School boards have been criticized for focusing on financial and administrative matters at the expense of students. School boards have also been called monopoly systems with exclusive franchises that are reluctant to allow others to create schools. In addition, businesses find an increasing number of high school graduates ill-equipped to perform work that requires even basic language and math skills. But, at most, one-third of Minnesota's high school districts have established minimum standards for graduates' reading and mathematics skills. Approximately 555,000 Minnesotans between the ages of 18 and 64 are unable to read, write, compute, problem-solve or cope with changing conditions sufficiently well to meet the requirements of adult life in our society. If this region is to compete with the world, high school students must be better trained. On average, Minnesota spends more for education than most states (17 percent more per capita), and has increased its financial commitment steadily over the past 20 years. In 1992-93 Minnesota will spend 30 percent of its $15.4 billion budget on elementary and secondary school education. But recognized measures show that performance has in fact declined. While Minnesota still ranks high in American College Test scores, the results have been dropping more than the national average. Scholastic Aptitude Test and Advance Placement scores have continued to steadily decline. The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test Scores have actually dipped below the national average. The question arises: What kind of education are our young people getting for the money we spend? 13 Goals 1. Education is valued and supported. The regional community places a high value on educating its children and youth. It is a top priority to provide financial and other resources so that students can develop the capabilities they need to reach their full potential. 2. Education is focused on students, and helping. them learn is the highest priority of education. Students are interested in learning and know how to learn--they can use information, solve problems and work in teams. Being "educated" means being equipped with the academic, social and personal skills to earn a living and function well as a citizen, worker and parent in a rapidly changing society. The community sets high expectations for students. It stresses students' efforts and honors their academic achievements. Students understand the community's expectations and know they have to demonstrate mastery of specific skills in order to graduate. 3. The community encourages innovation and excellence in teaching that improves the way students learn. It supports and rewards these efforts. Schools and teachers are rewarded based primarily on results. The teaching profession is sought after by people who have a passion for teaching and F learning. People with diverse backgrounds obtain certification using their education, practical and professional experiences. The profession attracts and retains the best educators. 4. The governance-of public education is broadly based, involving parents, students, educators • and many others in the community. 5. A restructured school system that provides learning opportunities from early childhood on has replaced the conventional K-12 public school structure of the 20th century. Parents and students choose among a broad range of school organizations, settings and schedules. Students progress based on demonstrated competency of the material. Often, they are grouped across ages to learn from each other. Much of their learning takes place in the community at business, government and other sites. Learning is enhanced by extensive use of technology. 6. The entire community--in a cooperative, coordinated effort- joins teachers in working to nurture, support and applaud students in their educational efforts. It provides a safe, healthy environment that promotes learning. Parents are actively involved in their children's education and create a home environment that encourages learning. Schools are "community centers" where citizens interact with students to help them learn. Businesses, civic organizations, social-service agencies, and secular and religious organizations provide learning opportunities and recognize academic achievement. 7. Cultural differences are celebrated and shared. Students learn about and respect the practices, beliefs and historical contributions of different cultures. In order to share more fully in the global society, students can speak languages of the world in addition to English. 14 8. Higher education in the region is available to all students based on ability to learn and choice, rather than on ability to pay. The region's higher education institutions foster research and development as part of their mission to educate students and generate discoveries of new knowledge. 9. People assume that they will continue to learn throughout their lives. The community provides affordable educational opportunities that are flexible enough to meet the people's needs for job training, citizenship and other learning in a rapidly changing world. 10. The region's educational system produces ahighly-skilled and motivated work force that fuels our businesses'- efforts- to-grow and compete in-the global economy: Examples of Possible Measures School readiness--an indicator that the student has the health, nutrition, developmental skills and family support necessary for success in school, compared over time Average state score on school achievement tests as a ratio to the national average, or, as an alternative, the proposed competency-based graduation requirement of the Minnesota State Board of Education (1992) - -_ Schools with drop-out rates over 10 percent ("drop-out" is defined as a student absent from school fora 12 month period, a definition used nationally) Percentage of high-school graduates who are pursuing advanced education or training one year after high-school, compared over time Percentage of recent high-school graduates rated average or better in work skills by their employers, compared over time 15 Quality of Life Quality of life is made up of all the things we expect, that we value, and are committed to maintain through payments of time, energy or money. Quality of life is all the reasons people like to live in the Twin Cities Area--personal well-being, living conditions, opportunities to be part of a community, work life, physical surroundings and leisure time activities. Quality of life is all the things that we would miss if they were gone, the things that make this region special and "better" than many other areas. Many people believe that the region has a high quality of life, that there are many unique and good things here. All citizens do not necessarily share those feelings, especially those who believe that they do not have equal access to opportunities in the community: There is danger in-assuming that everyone participates in a high quality of life. And we risk complacency if we do not recognize and preserve the quality of life that we have, even as we seek ways to improve it. We need to be aware that focusing on the long-term quality of life may also mean forgoing some short-term gains, or even sacrifices, for some long-term efforts. The dimensions of our quality of life are diverse and growing more so, and will change over time. We need to be flexible to respond to changes desired by future generations. ~. A. INDIVIDUAL WELL-BEING, THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY A decent, affordable place to live and the safety and security of person and property are basic needs that must be °met before many other quality-of--life aspects can be considered. As important . as they are, however, our region has a ways to go toward meeting those needs. The crime rate, for example, has continued to go up. Between 1980 and 1989, incidents of reported violent crime went up 42 percent in Minneapolis and 22 percent in St. Paul. The lack of affordable housing continues to plague the region despite decades of efforts to deal with the problem. In 1990, for example, 40 percent of all renter households in the region (113,000 people) paid more than 30 percent of their income for rent, a standard measure of housing affordability. And nearly one- fourth of renter households had annual incomes below $10,000. Another essential ingredient of individual well-being is access to a basic level of goods and services, especially health care. Access to health care, however, remains a problem. In 1988, six percent of the population was not covered by health insurance for all or part of the year. Moreover, the infant mortality rate--often linked to a lack of prenatal care--has increased for people of ethnic and racial minorities. In 1985, for example, the infant mortality rate for African Americans. was 16.38 per 1,000 live births; in 1988 it jumped to 20.46. For Asian Americans, the rate rose from 5.65 in 1985 to 8.54 in 1988. Parents should be able to expect that they can raise their children in the best possible environment and that they and -their family will not be trapped in poverty or hindered by discrimination. But in 1990, 11 percent of all children in the region lived in poverty; and 36 percent of families headed by women had incomes below the poverty level, an increase from 30 percent in 1980. For people of racial and ethnic minorities, the percent living in poverty was much higher: 37 percent of African Americans, 41 percent of American Indians, 32 percent of Asian Americans, 19 percent of persons of Hispanic origin and 24 percent of other races. We must provide opportunities to people for education and work that enable them to earn a living and provide for their basic needs. 16 As these and other issues. are addressed, the region needs to foster a sense in its people that they have a personal stake in their local communities and in other communities in the region. The weaknesses of some communities can affect the future of others. People who have the means should be willing to give of their time and money to make the region a better place to live-- viable, progressive and constantly striving for improvement. This spirit of contributing and caring has been strong here and is an essential ingredient for building a better area in the future. Goals 1. The region has a comprehensive, cost-effective system to deliver high-quality health care and related services with choices in treatment alternatives for physical and mental illnesses. All the region's residents have access to health care services. The region has a highly rated emergency response system. The region's health care system emphasizes preventing health problems and promoting health and wellness. The region has improved the health status of its residents based on a wide range of indicators--for example, reduced deaths and injuries of children from family abuse and neglect, a reduced death rate from cardiovascular disease, increased levels of physical activity of the population, and increased immunization for infections diseases. 2. All residents of the region feel safe and secure in their homes, neighborhoods streets, sidewalks, schools and parks. They have confidence that public safety personnel will respond- quickly and appropriately, regardless of where they live or their minority or economic status. - The region's ranking compared to the rates of violent and property crimes in other metropolitan areas, both in the central cities and suburbs, are lower than the region's rank in population size. Sales and use of illegal drugs have substantially decreased. 3. All types of family structures are supported so parents can carry out their responsibilities and their children can develop into adults who take responsibility for themselves and their community. Elderly and disabled people have every opportunity to live independently as much and as long as possible. Extended families have more support to care for their members and do not need to rely on institutions. 4. The basic needs of all of the area's population for shelter, food, water, clothing and energy .are met. The percentage of the region's population living in poverty has decreased. Everyone has equal opportunities for education, employment, housing, leisure or social activities regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, status with regard to public assistance or sexual orientation. Cultural values and religious beliefs are recognized and celebrated. 5. Residents of the region have a sense of pride in and belonging to their community, and a concern for its long-range future. The region continues to be an example to other metropolitan areas for its recognition of and participation in volunteerism, corporate leadership and contributions to nonprofit charitable and cultural organizations. 17 6. Housing is affordable and available for all income groups throughout the urban area of the ;region. An increased percentage of households in the region own their homes. Appropriate housing is available for persons at all stages of their lives as well as for persons with special housing needs--people with disabilities, children, elderly and others. Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time) Percent of population, especially children, living below the poverty line Number of reported cases of child abuse or neglect Number of teen pregnancies Infant.mortaliry rate _ Drug and alcohol-related death rate Number of homeless people Percent of households below the median income spending more than 30 percent of income on .housing Ranking of region among other metro areas in health care Rates of violent crime and domestic violence DWI arrest and conviction rates Rates of sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS Percent of pretax revenue contributed by major businesses to social programs, the arts and other activities B. EMPLOYMENT The region's quality of life depends upon its economic base. Its future success is dependent upon increasing the pool of highly skilled jobs filled by highly skilled labor, both professional and technical. An individual's quality of life also depends on the economic base, and the ability to qualify for, find and hold a job that can support a family. Trends in the 1980s raise serious questions about whether it is possible to greatly expand the number of "sustainable" jobs. For example, the biggest increase in employment during the decade was in the service and retail sectors (65 percent of new jobs), which pay the lowest average weekly wages. Employment is expected to continue moving away from the central cities and into the suburbs over the next 25 years. The Metro Council forecasts that the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul will see little or no growth in employment between 1990 and 2020. On the other hand, suburban job growth continues. For example, between 1980 and 1989, 67 percent of all net new jobs were created in the region's developing suburbs. And suburban job growth will increase substantially in the future, particularly in the southern and southwestern suburbs. The increases, if they occur, will mean that people will be travelling to the job-rich suburbs in far greater numbers for service and retail work. But their incomes may not permit them to live in the higher-priced suburban housing near available jobs. Goals 1. An increased proportion of jobs pay a wage that can support a family. Employment opportunities, rates and wages of Metropolitan Area women and minorities are equal to those of white males. 18 2. Employment opportunities are maintained and increased in areas with existing, affordable housing. More affordable housing opportunities are available in areas with growing employment. Residents have a wide range of employment opportunities within a 30-minute commute by public transit within the urban area. 3. Everyone has opportunities for retraining and reemployment. Each student graduating from high school, technical or vocational colleges has the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain an entry level job, and over the long run, to compete and survive in the employment market. 4. Large businesses in the region have on-site child care available. Smaller employers have cooperative child care arrangements. Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time) Per capita income for women and racial and ethnic minorities Ratio of workers in manufacturing to service and retail sectors Number of persons unemployed more than 26 weeks Percent real growth in average wages per worker Ratio of the region's average wages per worker to the national average Number of businesses with child care available to employees C. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT The physical environment encompasses both the natural resources of the area--water, air, soils, minerals, vegetation and animal life--and the developed landscape that consists of the facilities and services required by a large urban population. If the Metropolitan Area of 2015 is to be a better place to live in than it is today, there will have to be a closer relationship between the natural and the human-built environment. Past abuses of the natural environment will need to be corrected, and urban development will be fully integrated into the environment. New development will put greater emphasis on good urban design and functional efficiency. The end result will be a metropolitan area that is an attractive, well-functioning and exciting place to live for all of its residents. The region faces major challenges in pursuing these goals: • We need to continue improving water quality through better wastewater treatment as our population increases, effluent standards become more strict, and costs go up. • The amount of pollution from "nonpoint" sources (for example, from farms and paved parking .lots) must substantially decrease. It will require changes in the personal, household and business practices of people in the region, as well as those upstream of the region. • We need to maintain the region's competitive advantage in water resources by managing them wisely. • We need to reduce the amount of waste we generate and find productive reuses for it rather than burying it in landfills. • We need to make better choices in the way we develop our land, to minimize the impacts on the environment and consider the full range of physical, economic and social consequences. 19 • The region needs. o develop in a manner that allows us to economically and efficiently provide the full range of urban facilities and services. . • We need to retain the historic, central role of the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul, even as the region continues to developed outward. • We need to increase the concentration of development in the major suburban business centers so they can become additional hubs of activity. • We need to arrest the physical deterioration of houses and businesses, and bring deteriorated areas into productive use. • We need to develop and retain a sense of place and a local sense of distinctiveness within the urbanized area. Goals _ - L All large tracts of land with high-quality or unique natural resource and scenic values will be available for public use. All public waters have public access. All natural watercourses, including wetlands, channels, floodplains and shorelands are sufficiently protected to allow them to function naturally. The region continues to be "water rich," and with careful management of this valuable resource, meets the multiple demands on groundwater and surface water. The region's soil and mineral resources are carefully managed. 2. There is swimmable and fishable water quality in the region's three major rivers and some 10® lakes with major potential for recreation or for domestic water supply. Levels of nonpoint- source pollution generated locally are as low as possible under existing technology and within economic constraints. Levels of such pollution generated outside the region are substantially below those of,1992. Regional sanitary sewer service is of high quality, affordable, and • available when and where needed within the urban service area. All residual materials from wastewater treatment plants are put to beneficial uses. The region has reduced the per capita amounts and toxicity of waste generated compared with 1992 conditions. Reuse and recycling are at the highest level that is technologically achievable and economically feasible. There is little landfilling of wastes. There are no more major pollution sites to be cleaned up, and all previously contaminated sites have been put back into beneficial uses. The region attains or exceeds all federal and state ambient air quality standards. 3. The physical development pattern of the region is directed toward reducing traffic congestion, energy consumption, air pollution and negative effects on the natural environment. All decisions about physical development consider all the direct and indirect impacts of development or siting of facilities, such as noise, visual impacts, land use conflicts, traffic and congestion, environmental disruption and consequences- for the social fabric of neighborhoods. At the same time, essential facilities for the region are accommodated. 4. The region has an urban service. area with a compact, contiguous development pattern and densities high enough to make delivering services effcient, yet balanced with open space and the natural environment. In the rural area, productive farm lands and open spaces are preserved and development limited to be consistent with a rural level of public services. 20 The two downtowns continue to be viable commercial centers, with increased emphasis on large-scale, unique facilities and events. Major retail and office concentrations, such as those around regional shopping centers, are secondary focal points and hubs of activity. These areas are more densely developed than in 1992, offer a wider variety of goods and services, contain a mix of commercial and residential uses, and are highly accessible via the transportation system. Community and neighborhood centers continue to provide essential goods and services for nearby residents. The freestanding growth centers are maintained as distinct and separate concentrations of development. 5. Aging areas--have been rehabilitated so -they can continue to be viable neighborhoods. Priority is given to maintaining the existing housing stock and making it useful for the future, instead of demolishing and replacing it. Supporting infrastructure has been updated or renewed as needed. Maintenance and rehabilitation have focused equally on residential as well as commercial and industrial components so these areas -can continue to provide both housing and jobs. 6. Regional and local governments make substantial use of a variety of urban design concepts in developing and redeveloping the urban area. Open spaces and natural features, as well as the 'built" features like transportation facilities and public buildings are used to enhance the environment. A "sense of place" has been created within the urban fabric through the use of• aesthetics and good design. Historic areas and structures are preserved when new development and redevelopment occurs. All urban design recognizes that the region is a "winter city" that .functions and is attractive in all four seasons. A healthy "urban forest" is being maintained and expanded. Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time) Land area in natural resource-related public ownership at all levels Water quality reports of the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission Number of violations of pollution discharge permits River miles. that do not meet standards of being "fishable and swimmable" Amount of wetland acres filled Quantity of water used Percentage of water supply systems meeting state drinking water standards Quantity of solid waste not recycled Quantity of hazardous wastes generated Toxic chemicals release or transferred (millions of pounds per year) Number of days per year that air quality standards are violated Tons of soil lost (per acre of cropland) Number of "Super Fund" sites identified and the number cleaned up Number of petroleum release sites and the number cleaned up Amount of prime agricultural land lost to development Acres of land enrolled in Metropolitan Agricultural Preserves Program Acres of land added to the metropolitan urban service area, defined by the Metropolitan Council Number of jobs by location, downtowns and suburban activity concentrations Retail sales and sales tax data Annual issuance of building permits Demolition permits 21 Trip generation/traffic data for highways and transit users Transit ridership and level of transit service, Average annual energy use (average BTUs per person) Percentage of urban tree cover D. LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT The leisure and entertainment opportunities available in the region are good indicators of our high quality of life. Though not necessities--like shelter, a job, security or transportation, for example--leisure and entertainment opportunities are nonetheless important. They challenge us, stimulate us, excite us and enrich. our lives. Our participatory and spectator sports, outdoor activities, ..cultural institutions.. and community. events..increase the pleasure of~ living in the region. They help attract businesses and skilled workers to our area. Some of the major challenges in achieving these goals: • We need to maintain the high level of cultural and recreational opportunities available in the region today, in light of competing demands for public and private resources. • We currently do not have the financial resources to implement the regional parks system currently envisioned. The current estimate is that $300 million will be needed to complete the development and. redevelopment of the system. • As communities develop,. they will be challenged to keep up with the changing recreational needs of their population, and to establish local park systems early in their development. • Concerns about access to activities and information will continue to grow as technology increases and if dispersed growth patterns continue. • Goals 1. The region offers a rich range of cultural opportunities in music, art and theater. Citizens have more opportunities to take part as active participants as well as to view, watch and listen. 2. Everyone has access to key information sources, including the information and entertainment media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television or any new media that may develop. Libraries are more accessible and use the latest technology. All private, public, governmental agency, school and university libraries are linked electronically. 3. A park system composed of local, regional and state parks provides a wide range of activities. The regional park system envisioned in 1992 is now completed. Local parks are located within walking distance of urban residents' homes. A trail system for walking, hiking and biking is in place throughout the region, within walking distance from urban residents' homes. Park facilities respond to users needs: they provide recreational opportunities for all residents irrespective of age, income or mobility status. The region has sufficient athletic fields, golf courses, hockey rinks or other recreational facilities (indoor and outdoor) to meet the standards of the National Recreation and Park Association. Facilities provide for year-round activities. The number of available activities and facilities is increasing at least as fast as the population growth rate. The region is home to major professional sports, and there are sufficient facilities to accommodate the teams and the fans. 22 Opportunities are available for game fishing in lakes and rivers within the region. Habitat is maintained so that there is access to hunting opportunities within a day's trip from the region. 4. All major leisure and entertainment facilities in the urban area are accessible by public transit. Examples of Possible Measures (comparison over time) Attendance at arts performances Number of amateur sports participants Number of participants attending professional sporting events Percent of homes with telephone service Percent of homes with access to cable television Miles of public recreational trails Library circulation data Acres of remaining regional parks to be acquired Number of public access facilities on lakes and rivers Park user counts Attainment of National Recreation and Park Association standards *** 23