HomeMy WebLinkAbout[05c] Legislative Priorities CITY MKT JOSEPH+ern Council Agenda Item 105c1
MEETING DATE: January 9, 2017
AGENDA ITEM: Legislative Priorities
SUBMITTED BY: Administration
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Annually the Area Cites prepare a list of priorities when
speaking to legislators. This year the Joint Resolution has been divided into three different categories.
The first is legislative policy and funding proposals, items which are top priorities for the area cities. The
second category includes State Bonding proposals. All projects listed under this category will also be
funded with Local Option Sales Tax,thereby have a regional significance. The last section is entitled
General Policy Statements which is a list of items that are of concern to at least one of the area cities and
are also statements that the League of MN Cities is pursuing as well.
It is understood that not all cities are impacted by the items on the Joint Resolution and each city is not
being requested to support and lobby for all items. Rather the cities are being asked to support a
Resolution that supports the efforts of one of the area cities. As of this date the City of St. Augusta has
already approved execution of the Joint Resolution; however,a draft was approved that did not include
the use of cameras for photo enforcement.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT:
ATTACHMENTS: Request for Council Action
Legislative Priorities
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Authorize execution of the 2017 Legislative Priorities.
Joint Resolution by
The Cities of St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, St. Joseph, and St.
Augusta
Advocating Support for Proposals and Policies of Common Interest to the
Central Minnesota
WHEREAS,the Central Minnesota-St. Cloud area has a strong history of collaboration
and coordination amongst its local units of government to facilitate well planned communities
that provide municipal services in the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible
manner possible; and
WHEREAS,to better assist our State legislative leaders, we have collectively identified
certain legislative proposals and general policy statements that are of specific impact and
interest to our communities to enable them to respond in a manner that strengthens the
partnership between our local units of government and the State in fostering the continuation
and enhancement of socially, economically and culturally vibrant cities.
NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Councils for the cities of St. Cloud, Sartell,
Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, St.Joseph, and St. Augusta, Minnesota that the following legislative
proposals and legislative policy statements are of common interest or concern to the Central
Minnesota Region and therefore we officially support and advocate for the following actions of
the MN State Legislature:
LEGISLATIVE POLICY AND FUNDING PROPOSALS:
Policy Proposals
1. Licensing& Regulation of Hotels/Motels: APPROVE Legislation allowing cities under
30,000 in population to adopt ordinances to license and regulate hotels and motels.
2. Mobile Home Relocation Act and Uniform Relocation Act: AMEND these
regulations to clarify to role the local government jurisdiction plays in a development
where relocation of mobile home residents is required and whereby the affected
property is privately owned but public assistance is provided. Require the Developer
to be solely responsible for the relocation and do not allow Uniform Relocation Act
benefits to be apply making the City solely responsible for the relocation and its
costs.
3. Right-of-Way Management: APPROVE Legislation to clarify cities' rights to control
the right-of-way on streets and highways lying in two jurisdictions and clarify
statutory authority on the municipality's rights to manage the public right-of-ways
that would be applicable to all public utilities.
4. Amend Citizens Personal Protection Act: SUPPORT legislation that would cities to
prohibit handguns firearms in city-owned buildings, facilities, and parks. Clarify the
Act to state that a permit holder, under the terms of a permit, is allowed to carry a
pistol-length firearm. We also support efforts by commercial property owners to
clarify that the prohibition on restricting possession by tenants and their guests
applies only to residential rental property.
5. Contract for DEED Properties: SUPPORT legislation that clarifies contract for DEED
properties from that of rental properties and clarify local government's ability to
regulate these properties under rental licensing.
6. Amendment to MN Statute 429. SUPPORT legislation to modify MN Statute 429 requiring
assessing 20%of the cost to utilize bonding without referendum; and SUPPORT
legislation that provides a meaningful method to address the issue when the costs
associated with replacing infrastructure exceeds the value added to the property. Local
jurisdictions need more flexibility with financing these projects to address the aging
infrastructure when the cost exceeds the benefit.
7. Tax Exempt Credit Program: SUPPORT legislation to assist Cities with disproportionately
high amounts of government and/or nonprofit business properties such as Colleges,
Universities, and Hospitals.
Funding Proposals
1. St. Cloud Regional Human Rights Office: APPROPRIATE funds to support outstate
offices of the State Department of Human Rights with a full-time office for the St.
Cloud Region ($180,000).
2. Expansion of 1-94 to St. Cloud: Continue to FUND lane expansions of 1-94 from St.
Michael to the St. Cloud area.
3. City of Sartell,4th/50th Avenue South Project (West Metro Corridor): APPROPRIATE
funds to support the completion of the West Metro Corridor transportation project,
otherwise known as 4th Avenue South Project.
4. City of St. Cloud, Heatherwood Road: APPROPRIATE funds to construct Heatherwood
Road connecting the 1-94 Business Park to the new Coborns & Marco Business Park
($6,000,000).
STATE BONDING APPLICATIONS:
1. Waite Park,Amphitheater Regional Park: APPROVE $5 million for the events and
regional park construction.
2. City of St.Cloud,George Friedrich Regional Park: APPROVE $6 million for planning,
land acquisition, and park construction.
3. City of St. Cloud, Downtown Accessibility Program: APPROVE $2 million for planning
and private and public projects to improve accessibility of St. Cloud's historic downtown.
4. City of St.Joseph, Pedestrian Bridge over CR#75: APPROVE $1.25 million for planning,
design, land acquisition, and construction of a pedestrian bridge over CR#75 in central
St.Joseph.
5. Stearns County, Lake Wobegon Trail Extension from St.Joseph to Waite Park:
APPROVE $1 million to extend the Lake Wobegon Trail from St.Joseph to Waite Park.
GENERAL POLICY STATEMENTS:
1. Franchise Authority and Right of Way: SUPPORT legislation that continues to
preserve local government's authority in right-of-ways that is owned by the local
government entities to manage this property and the utilities that are allowed to
locate in these areas. OPPOSE any legislation that takes the local jurisdictions
rights away for managing their rights. Encourage utilities to work with local
governments through franchise agreements.
2. Water Standards, Regulations,and Permitting: SUPPORT legislation that
advocates for a more comprehensive clean water framework which focuses its
efforts to address water pollution in the state in an efficient and fair manner and
one that is supported by science. Require independent scientific peer review of
regulations that will impost excessive costs on communities, allow cities more time
to evaluate waste water permits, and provide funding for any additional
requirements that are adopted.
3. Publication Requirements: SUPPORT legislation that would allow municipalities to
utilize alternative publication methods for legal notices.
4. Regional Collaboration: SUPPORT legislation and funding for a program to encourage
locally initiated regional efforts of local government jurisdictions to encourage these
types of efforts.
5. Sales Tax Exemption for all public purchases: SUPPORT legislation that would clarify
the local government sales tax exemption approved in 2013 to define exemption for all
purchases made by local units of government.
6. North Star Commuter Rail: SUPPORT extension of North Star Commuter Rail service
northward to the St. Cloud area in a manner that serves the needs of public, business and
commercial travels,that is highly expandable, and is priced affordably to optimize use.
7. Street Improvement District Authority: SUPPORT legislation that would give
municipalities the authority to establish street improvement districts to collect fees from
property owners within a district to fund municipal street maintenance, construction,
reconstruction, and facility upgrades.
8. Local Government Aid: SUPPORT legislation that reduces pressure on the property tax
system and equalizes property tax bases with LGA appropriations.
9. Levy Limits: SUPPORT facilitating local accountability by allowing local authorities to
formulate and adopt budgets without state restrictions.
10. State Mandate Relief: SUPPORT legislation that reduces or eliminates unfunded and/or
onerous mandates to local governments. Further, Support legislation that sunsets any
unfunded mandates for evaluation.
11. State Fee Increases: SUPPORT measures that preclude State agencies and operations
from shifting funding reductions and/or cost increases on to municipalities in the
form of fee increases.
12. Administrative Authority: SUPPORT the expansion of authority of Statutory and Home
Rule Charter cities ability to impose and collect administrative penalties to include
enforcement and traffic infractions.
13. Private Well Installation: SUPPORT retention of local control of private water well
installations.
14. Traffic Enforcement—Cameras: SUPPORT legislation which allows law enforcement
agencies to have authority to use photo enforcement technology to enforce traffic laws.
Specifically allow law enforcement officers to issue citations for traffic violations by mail
where the violation is detected with photographic evidence.
Adopted by the Cities of St. Cloud, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, St.Joseph, and St. Augusta
prior to the 2017 Legislative Session.
Mayor Dave Kleis Mayor Sarah Jane Nicoll Mayor Kurt Hunstiger
Mayor Rick Miller Mayor Rick Schultz Mayor Bob Kroll