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2009-04-10 Friday News
N E W S Assistant Managers' Jake reported that he was treated to a great presentation this week — Jay Kiedrowski, a sen- ior fellow with the Hubert H Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs came to speak to the As- sistant Manager's Group on Thursday. Mr. Kiedrowski has been involved with economics and state budget with four different governors, as well as spending 17 years in the banking industry.. It is Mr. Kierdowski's opinion that the state budgeting philosophy of the past few years has created a structural debt, meaning that each budget cycle starts with a deficit. What this means to cities is that we should be preparing for less and less state aid, and more and more responsibilities, As for the current recession, Mr. Kiedrowski feels that it is the worst since 1982, but is unique in that it is a global recession. Indicators that he has studied point to recovery in the first part of 2010. Jake thought that Mr. Kiedrowski pro- vided a lot of insight, but was also very genuine and easy to talk to. Rogers Lake Update This Wednesday afternoon Council Member Vitelli held a meeting at Mendakota Country Club to meet with Representative Hansen to inform him about the Rogers Lake weeds problem and solicit any support from him. Representative Hansen got tied up in a Com- mittee meeting at the Capitol and was unable to make the meeting, but a MnDNR Repre- sentative, a Dakota County SWCD Representative, the St.. Thomas Academy Environ- mental class instructor, the Mendakota CC Maintenance Superintendant and several resi- dents were still able to discuss the issue and developed a good plan of attack. Task • 2009 Aquatic Weed Management • 2010 Storrnwater Management - Drainage Area Rain gardens - MnDOT Lake Management Plan Educational Program • Monitoring Responsibility City (Guy) Dakota County SWCD (Travis) John Mazzitello/MnDOT City/St. Thomas Academy St. Thomas Academy/Volunteers April 10, 2009 Dates to Remember in April Parks and Recreation Commission Mtg 4-14-09 6:30 pm. Airport Relations Commission 4-15-09 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting 4-21-09 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission Meeting 4-28-09 7:00 p..m,. Attachments Just the Facts, Pipeline, Airport Relations Commission Meeting Agenda, TwinCities.com Article "Dakota County officials plan traffic study for undeveloped acreage", Articles from South Metro Source ""Vegetation Issue in Roger's Lake Discussed", `Burglars Prey on Vacationers", "STA Students Help Others During Lent", "Roger's Lake to Get Chemical Treatment for Weeds" and Plans for Celebration of Schools Move Forward"., Upcoming Park/Recreation/Community Events and the Friday Fax. Five-day forecast Tomorrow Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Apr 11 Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Mostly Sunny Mostly Cloudy Hi: 580 Hi: 570 Lo: 350 Lo: 390 a,Jt r� Rain Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Hi: 500 Hi: 540 Hi: 580 Lo: 350 Lo: 370 Lo: 390 Have a great weekend!! April 10, 2009 Public Works The Parks Crew swept the pedways. They dragged all the ball fields. Water meters were hooked up to the out buildings at Mendakota Park and Kensington South Park. The tennis nets were put up and leaves were removed from the courts. Rich cleaned the sanitary sewer lines in known "bad spots". These are Callahan Place, Ridgewood Drive, Somerset, South Freeway Road, Dodd Road easement, Mendota Heights Road (down stream of Friendly Hills School - greasy), North Freeway Road and South Lane. The Streets Crew picked up the barricades and sand bags from the Mass Casualty drill. John Ambrose, John Boland, Tim Oster and Cliff Kirschner worked on the parks trailer cutting out the rusted floor and replacing it with a new metal floor. The area where trees were topped was cleaned up in the easement on Dodd Road and Marie Avenue. The wood was chipped up. John Ambrose welded a new door for the lift station on Mendota Heights Road for Rich. A light bulb was replaced for the green arrow in the traffic signal at southbound Mendota Heights Road. Engineering Dodd Road/Highway 110 Pedestrian Feasibility Study - Staff has received a preliminary draft of the Feasibility Report and is currently reviewing it. The Public Open House is scheduled for April 15th from 6:30 - 8:00 at The Village (750 Main Street, Suite 113 - Next to 3 Kittens). The Draft Report is scheduled for presentation before Council on April 21St. In addition, at the request of Dakota County, the consultant completed and submitted application for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly referred to as Economic Stimulus Money, for a pedestrian underpass (tunnel) to separate the North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) from Dodd Road. We anticipate the decision on the funding request to take at least one month. 2009 Road Rehabilitation Project (Cherry Hills) - Staff will be holding the Neighborhood Meeting for the project on April 16th from 6:30 - 8:00 at City Hall. Public Hearing for the project is scheduled for the April 21St Council meeting. NEWS � LETTER The Pipeline Public Works Engineering ` Code Enforcement April 10, 2009 Page 2 Engineering cont. Rogers Lake - Staff has begun working on implementation of Council's decision from the April 7t" meeting. Staff met with area residents, DNR, Dakota County SWCD, Saint Thomas Academy, and Mendakota Country Club on April 8t" to outline a course of action for weed removal from the lake. State Representative Hansen's office is being kept informed of our actions and our plans. Mendota Mall Re -Development - Staff is continuing to refine the Developers agreement working with City Legal Staff and the development team. A staff recommended agreement will be presented at the April 21St Council meeting along with comments received from Council members. The Developers Agreement is scheduled to be on the agenda for approval at the April 21St Council meeting. Sanitary Sewer Maintenance - Staff is working with our contractor on this year's selection of sewer utility for inspection and cleaning. In addition, staff is working on the annual sanitary sewer utility repair (lining) contract. We hope to solicit quotes from contractors next week, and have a bid award for the sewer lining before Council in May. Visitation/Saint Thomas Roundabout - Staff has been working with both schools for the past several months to determine the best fix for the traffic issues at Mendota Heights Road and Visitation Drive. At the request of the schools the City made application for funding under the ARRA for a local transportation safety project. The Metropolitan Council is currently prioritizing the projects. The two schools have pledged matching funds of $45,000.00 combined to help increase the chances of receiving the Federal Funds. The City has pledged to match the $45,000.00 out of our State -Aid account. Highway 55 & Mendota Heights Road Intersection - Staff has received, and is currently reviewing a proposal from a consultant to design the intersection improvements. The City has received $424,821.00 of Fiscal Year 2010 money from MnDOT to assist in paying for the intersection reconstruction. Preliminary cost estimates have the project as costing nearly $800,000.00. The balance of the construction cost, as well as the engineering and administrative costs is scheduled to be paid out of our State -Aid account. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION AGENDA April 15, 2009 — Large Conference Room 1. Call to Order - 7:00 p.m. 2., Roll Call 3. Approval of the Minutes from the March 11, 2009 Airport Relations Commission Meeting, 4. Unfinished and New Business a. SFL Outreach Report — Gretchen Koenen b, NOC Updates — Chair Liz Petschel c, 2009 Plan of Action d. Updates for Introduction Book. 5 N 7. Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence: a. MSP Noise News b,. Washington N.O.I.S.E. Watch C. February 2009 NOC Technical Advisor's Report d. February 2009 Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis e. March 1.3, 2009 Airport Noise Report f. March 20, 2009 Airport Noise Report g. March 27, 2009 Airport Noise Report h April 3, 2009 Airport Noise Report Other Commissioner Comments or Concerns Upcoming Meetings City Council Meeting Planning Commission NOC Meeting 8. Public Comments 9. Adjourn 4-21-09 7:00 p.m. 4-28-09 7:00 p.m. 5-20-09 1:.30 p.m. Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance Ifa notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids. This may not, however, be possible on short notice Please contact City Administration at (651) 452-1850 with requests TwinnCitiesecom Dakota County officials plan traffic study for undeveloped acreage Commissioners OK study of traffic impact By Frederick Melo finelo@pioneerpress.com Updated: 04iO8/2009 12:15:07 AM CD I The 4,300 acres of undeveloped land linking northeast Eagan and northwest Inver Grove Heights pose an unrealized problem for drivers, Someday, those acres will be dotted with homes and businesses, and with them will come a crush of new commuters "It's going to generate a lot of traffic — 200,000 trips a day, when it's fully developed," said Brian Sorenson, an engineer with Dakota County's transportation program. Hoping to get a handle on the situation, the Dakota County commissioners on Tuesday approved a roadway "visioning study" for the acreage and surrounding parts of northern Dakota County, including corners of Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake The study, which will begin this month and wrap up in December, will develop and evaluate six major scenarios for lane additions, intersection changes and other roadway improvements throughout the area The most dramatic possibility is a new interchange onto Interstate 494 in Inver Grove Heights, in the vicinity of Argenta Trail. Interchanges already exist Advertisement to the east and west along the interstate, at Minnesota 3 in Inver Grove Heights and Minnesota 149 in Eagan "We'll see which of those scenarios handle future traffic the best," said Tom Link, community development director with Inver Grove Heights. Sorenson said the Federal Highway Administration, the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation have partnered with the cities and the county in the study "Does modifying connections to 494 help the overall roadway system?" he asked, "That's something MnDOT and (the Federal Highway Administration) are going to want to see before we even talk about new interchanges " Inver Grove Heights and Dakota County also would like to see a new interchange at Minnesota 55 and Argenta Trail; the study will examine what design would be most appropriate, Other potential projects include intersection improvements along highways 55 and 149 in Eagan and lane additions along busy streets in Inver Grove Heights. "There's questions what the future of Robert Trail would be," Link said. "Right now, it's two lanes . . Similar questions exist for Argenta Trail, which runs north -south. It's a two-lane road, and it's a matter of, will additional lanes be necessary? It goes through some curves. Should it be realigned?" What the study won't do is identify construction timetables or specific funding plans The study, with an estimated price tag of $220,000, will be administered by the county, which is picking up one-third of the cost. €print Pouv r c Eby r r ; , HEDyn�.ar ii ° .. Twinutiesecom Eagan and Inver Grove Heights are sharing another third, and MnDOT will pay the final third. The chosen consultants, SRF Consulting Group of Plymouth, completed a previous forecast in 2007 estimating traffic growth in the area through the year 2030 The North-South Corridor Travel Demand Study is available on the county's Web site at wwwco dakota.mn.us / EnvironmentRoads/Reports/Road/NorthSouth Corrido- r TravelDemand.htm Frederick Melo can be reached at 651-228-2172 Advertisement Print Powered By 1 7' O egetation Issue in Roger's Lake Discussed By BI lir Reynolds R�-s 1 den ts o4 He Alts Con.C.-r-ned \-N-itll tile. oi-ovvlh ofLv;.-,---;ds in Rooer's L,-ike came befoi,e tile ("Itv C,O�uncil oil) Mmch 17 to ask the city's help. The i-esidents. led by Pat Hickev, want the clity to e\plore ways to elImInabo, the excess ol'1,vc�eds and - ,, cmt,alils oil the lake. Back in 200,� the itsidents came to the citY .1, Eiji ansvers ,ibout unustially looking Cat j!egCta.t'oIl ,�lt flle SlIrfilCe ()4* flle 1,11� I t -t it r'equc-st the city used grant -n I 1 0 �ks pat of til the I - I. on'es arid a matching aniount fiom tile iesldent,,; to conduct -a -water quality test In ()7 . e City leadels told lesidents that such an eff'oft Is not in the city budoel im 2009, but they would he op�en to listc-ming i.ind I'lirth-Orling the CIISCUSSions amongeS T'idems ,mid other interested pailles, "This Isn't something Z7 zl�ll that inay happen ill the next year-, all at oniCe. bta it Is �,vonlh looking. into." said Mayor John Huber "We mre- !Ile. mr,onnati . oil oatilienng stage, 11111,s plocess will Pro -vide us 'A`ith Out' final options still 1 4:1 -- T fic-Rey told 11he C.Ouncil he and ,lie itsident-s would like to see 11he mallei niove ibi waid at the Tie:u ineetirT 01.11, A 1.pr;I 7 "This Iale is a c1tv IT.-e'Isme and it I'mist Ni• he sal(t "Ri,.-,ht nov,.; it is unusable due to t1letbellsi ty of' tile weeds" We �,valit to bring It back to its once Immitifilil state While no official aCtion. on 'Ile Imattel, tile ("ouncill directed staff to x-Wrk vvith tile rersidents ,ind meet �,Nltlh Department of Natural ResOUr-ce.s officials DrIOr to th.-.ne-a council i-neeting "You have our attentIOT), t.13 ,md vve %vill %vor,k with you to put, a 1 -flan togetheLll S<'Bd f luber. "We first need a II)TIetabit- kind a plan io MOIJ,e It rK1.j)I)eI'1 Burglars Prey on Vacationers The Mendota Heights Police Department, in conjunction with the West St. Paul Police Department, is asking for the public's help in connection with several forced entry burglaries that have occurred over the past several weeks in both communities Most of these burglaries have been occurring during daytime hours and suspects are entering homes by breaking windows or kicking in an exterior door The most popular item of value taken during these burglaries appears to be flat screen TV's. It appears the suspects are looking for indications that no one has been home for several days which includes homes with unplowed or unshoveled driveways or sidewalks, several newspapers laying on the front step, or mail that is overflowing from the mailbox Please contact your local police department by dialing 911 if you see anyone suspicious or any suspicious vehicles in your neighborhood, include a detailed description and a license plate, if possible. A reward is being offered through The Mendota Heights Community Criminal Apprehension Fund (MHCCAF) for the arrest and conviction of these suspects. STA Students Help During the week of March 2, Saint Thomas Academy students picked up packs of 10 grocer} bags that they distributed to their neighbors while telling them about food shelf needs in the community.. Neighbors were then asked if they would fill the bags with food.. Students picked up the bags by March 5, and the Neighborhood House picked up the collected food from the Academy on March 9. According to a Neighborhood House representative, the Saint Thomas Academy food collection resulted in more food than any other organization associated with the facility had gathered in a single collection. On Monday, April 6 from 5:30-7:30 pm., the Saint Thomas Academy community will host a soup dinner and pottery sale to raise fund for Sharing and Caring Hwids, another nonprofit organization that feeds the hungry and homeless. Guests can purchase bowls made by students and parents for $15 (which includes soup, bread and drink) or a soup dinner for $5. Roger's Lake to Get Chemical Treatment for Weeds Users of Roger's Lake in Mendota. Heights will soon find the waters a little less weedy. At its April 7 meeting, the City Council approved a plan to use chemical treatment of the lake to kill weeds that have made boating and other recreational activities difficult The plan calls for the city to pick up the $15,000 tab for the treatment in 2009. In future years, the costs will be shared by residents of the affected area and the city. After the 2009 treatment, results will be analyzed and future plans will be discusser) prior to the 2010 lake season. "This is a long-term situation," said Mayor John Huber„ "We won't get anything accomplished in ,just one year. It will take three or four years to get the cumulative effect of our efforts„” A plan to use a weed harvester, on the lake was scrubbed by the council due to the cost of $1,000 a day it takes to use that type of machinery,. "When you do an experiment like this, it is good to have just one variable," said Council member Sandra Krebsbach. "We will try this chemical option and evaluate next year and move forward." Plans for Celebration of Schools Move Forward Plans are in place to celebrate 150 years of education in School District 197. The district, which serves students in the communities of Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake and parts of Inver Grove Heights and Eagan, will conduct a day of festivities slated for June 6. A volunteer committee headed by Mendota Heights City Council member Ultan Duggan and resident Ralph Dumond, are working to gain volunteer and financial support for the event, At the event, participants will be able to trace the history of the district at displays at Mendakota Park and revel in a picnic and parade at Henry Sibley High School. "We are moving forward to get more people involved," said Duggan. "We will be asking for the support of the communities in the district and from the business communities. Our budget is rather slim and it will take the support of many to put on a proper event." Among the hopes of the committee is to raise enough money to cap the festivities with a fireworks display at dusk. "It's going to be an old fashioned family event," said Duggan. "We really need people to step and support this." Upcoming Park /Recreation / Com munity Events: Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course April 1 " - Scheduled to open for season - 651..454-9822 MH Parks & Recreation Fro rams Registration Required @ 651.452-1850 Saturday, June 6th All Day "Annual Parks Celebration" @ Mendakota Park & other locations Saturday, June 6 9:00 Start Time 5K Run / Walk @ Village Center - call City Hall 651.452-1850 For information regarding "Summer 2009 Parks & Recreation Programs" Tennis - Golf Leagues / Lessons - Fishing Derby - Safety Camp - Skateboard Camp - Youth Trips - Youth Nature/Fun/Group Activities - Adult softball leagues - call 651.452-1850 or www.mendota-heiclhts.com Mendota Heights Athletic Association www.mendotaheightsathletics.com or Amelia 1957 aol.com Sunday, April 19 11:15am to 12:30pm "Softball Clinic" @ Henry Sibley HS Gym Sunday, April 19th 12:30pm to 4:15 pm "In -House Baseball Clinic" @ Henry Sibley HS Gym Monday, May 11th (Week of) "In -House Season Begins" Sat„ / Sun„ June 6th /7 th K-6 grade baseball -"Mid-Year In -House Tournament" @ Mendakota Park Fri / Sat / Sun, July 10, 11 & 12 "Super Weekend" (season end: baseball & T -ball games) Community Events: Wednesday, April 22" 1:OOpm to 4:OOpm Saturday, April 251h Saturday, May 2"d 8:30am to 12:30pm 8:OOam to 2:OOpm ** *NEW TIME *** Thursday, June 25t 11:30 am - Speakers - Light refreshments Pilot Knob - Corporate Earth Day Event - 25 volunteers -brush hauling and general site maintenance - volunteers welcome Pilot Knob -"Spring 2009 Restoration Event" - 50 + volunteers Pre -registration required volunteer(a)greatrivergreeningorg or Call 651.665-9500 ext. 11.. Mendota Heights Annual "Spring Clean Up" @ Mendota Plaza 8:OOam to 2:00 pm - Call City Offices for info: 651.452-1850 Pilot Knob Dedication Ceremony 1. Two Historical signs funded by Mn Historical Society Z. City Purchase of 15 acre Phase 2 site from Acacia Cem 3. Recognition of new funding sources, grants, volunteer efforts June 2006 to June 2009 Scheduled Use of City Hall Meeting Rooms Monday, ApAl 13t4 thru Thursday, April 16t4 - 8:OOam to 4:30pm 2010 Census Training in Council Chambers Monday, April 13th @ 7:30-11:00pm Mendota Heights Garden Club meets in the Council Chambers Monday, April 13th @ 8:30-10:30pm Mendota Heights Athletic Association monthly board meeting in large conf Wednesday, April 15th @ 6:30-9:OOpm Kensington Carriage Homeowners Association meets in Council Chambers Thursday, April 16th @ 7:00-9:OOpm Thursday, April 16th 7:30-10:OOpm 2009 Street Project in Cherry Hills - Open House for residents - Chambers @ District 197 School Board meets in Large Conference room Sunday, April 19th @ 4:00-7:00 pm M H A A Baseball meets in Council Chambers Sunday, April 19th @ 7:30-9:OOpm Ivy Falls Homeowners Association will meet in Council Chambers Monday, April 201h @ 7:00-10:OOpm Kensington Manor Homes will meet in the Large Conference room Sunday, April 26th @ 4:00-7:OOpm M H A A Baseball will meet in the Council Chambers April 10th, 2009 Friday News - gk Apr 83 2889 17:12:89 Via Fax -> 6514528948 Administrator page 881 Of 81z (� 0 j EAGUE oe MWNESOTA CITIES --ErichYFax- ) A 1NC'ekIV leghylative gj)dCl/t< f-wIY thel.,L'ogme q MP.T..1'tesola ('bees No FridayFax next week .I'.he League will not produce a Fd dayFax next week due to the legislative recess. We will include information on the week's legislative events in the April 9 edition of the C'ilies Rullefin, We will resume the FridayFax on April 17 Administrative tine compromise bill advances in Senate An a<dinill istrGative fines bill representing, an agreement: between city, COLIllty Viand law enforcement organizations advanced with littler opposititari Wednesd.ta.y in they Se'alitf;e St<,a:t:e taaid ;Local Gover nm&,.r„at t:�f.2. r �wtmions,and C on�I litcc _ 5l 1824, {( lark;., DFL -'St. Cloud), as amended during the hearing, would callow local unit.s of government and. the State patrol to issue administrative citations fibra limited list of traffic offe ekes. Key components of the compromise include the fallowing. • A local emit of government may, by ordinances, authorizes its police officers to issue; administrative citations_ • The ordinance rrlu.st contain as proce .t for 4a violato.i to appeal the citation, and the process must involve 21 neutral third party such as an aa.dminismative hearing off -icer, • The violations eligible for tan administrative citation are d) speeding less than 'l() miles per hour above; the posted limit; 2) stop line violations; and 3) equipment violations such as <a cracked windshield. • The: amount of the adn-r.inistrative fine is $60, • When a local unit o:f'goverrlment issues the citation, two-thirds of the Bane is retaiaaed by April 3, 2000 page l the assaaing authority and one: third must he given to the state. W.he.n tine State :Patrol issues the citation, two-thirds of the fine is retained by the state, and OTIC third is turned over to the local Jurisdiction where the citation was i;,sued_ Noticeaa.bly absent. in the bill is local control over which violations are eligible for tacfaninistrative citations and the amount of the fine.. The League sought flexibility In these areas. In the end, however, provisions requiring 6aai ormit'y across the, state' neut:.ra,hzed opposition. Additionally, the league and either proponents of administrative fine authority reSiste d the requirement that as portion of the fins be remitted to the nitrate. Unfort u.nately, the alternative presented by key legislators, was to place a $25 state surcharge on administrative tickets. Since: the Legislature has routinely increased SLtrcllaarge 4ar'Y aunts in order to fill holds in the ge'tleral fund, stakeholders oj,.)posed this option. The current <anl4a. m of the. state 5urchtlrge cars tlae urlifOrin traffrc ticket is $75.. In order to meet committee d.eacll.irae:s, the bill must pass through both the Senate Lcdic,ia,, t`.:ar.71131.ltCe arld the Se n..�atc '.L"x:ans��ort� t, on (....0111111it;tee by the: eild of the day oil Tuesday, April 7. Whether this happens i5 dependent upon the com.naittce chairs' willingness to be accommodating during what is they busiest trrne of the legislative session for policy committees, If the bill advances, it may have to be reconciled with a conflicting measure, SC? 2018 Mc.j tq, DF.I.-St, Paul), a bill that contains a provision that would prohibit use of 1: acdministvative fines for traffic offenses. l: iii" more bAcyrimilion Gil city lq�isaativc is'SUCS.. CODUM'Iny n w3ilbel o1ilte Leagie of Mii'ine-- (Ito C"ilit», Inieigovajiliie ntal Reltaiion-s' team.. 655281,1200 or 800,925A 122 t.uid www,liiie..org Apr 03 2009 17;13;09 Via Fax —> 6514520940 Administrator Page 002 Of 012 0 j,EAGUE of MINNESOTA CITIES -Fxida F ax- A LVeekl'1) 1C'tYl1'lC{LJi'Ce gpClC1(L' fl"p(T2 (lie League t)/ A*1'7.17.C$v)lcl � lttGS The House companion to SF 1894, Ij,.1_„„1517 ( w: cyscwl_t. DFL -St. Joseph), met the policy committee deadline in the .Howse and i:y awaiting a hearing in till lf.oti.�;e� :l�r.:ll�lii Spy Fin.<aai.ce? Divi4.io.11, uesl ons? ( ” clued Ar'ar(e l -zr n at (i51,281,1203 w- .1 - Pension. C.olmmissi©n releases omnibus bill The 1,egistawive (:ong;nissior.1 on 1-len,sic: ns and lZ l;R,it�kblL?it1 (LC PR.) on Wednesday released the lraara:id..;7i«Retiremert Bill, The measure contains provisions 1'i"oin more t.ltan 25 pension related bills. The bill represents the: recoillmendwions of'the 1,.(`l>k�, a group consisting of'five me n3bers of the Senate and five nle7aalbers of the House?, The hill contains a ilun'aber ofprovisions that COOld impact local oveninient employees and enrployers, including legislation. involvilog the flublic lsiar )Ic) c�e.w 1.��:1a,3_�ya�i,ent.,, ;4cici.ation ERA) as well as ;lire relict cassociaations.. Below are provisions that tile League is tmc:king,. * Article I contains language that a a.ccon`in"iodaates the requirement that the Mialalesota. Post Retirement. 111vestment Fund be dissolved. arn.d merged with active funds. ]'his is required because adjustments made to the furid last year were. not Sufficient to aiddress a n estimated $2.4 billion deficit iia the fond- 'Dile proposal inlplerments at failsafe merger that dissolves the t'o5t Fund and. divides the assets proportionally among the three active funds, Under the plaix, an annual increase of 2.5 percent will be applied to all retirees April 3, 2009 Page 2 regardless of inflation or investment returns. Article 5 coaltains a League hiitiaative that provides a local goverMilent, phased rotirerne.ilt {: pt'1C' ni The 1.1lea.st re, which was introduced as I l..T' 435(1 (,lv 3fl_rt��lya l M, DFL.. learnlailtc)wi1)/51 749 (.13etzold, DPI., - Fridley), pe:rn-iit.s employees covered by the General f,tnployee .Retiretalent Plan of PERA (P1_sR.A-General) who are at least 62 years of age and are eligil)le to draw a 1 E.RA retirelnent annuity, to terniffiate employment and be immediately rebired in at position which is at least a 25 percei"at reduc:tioia fi°oni previous hours aaracl is no more than half -lime. "l'he prograill expires J ri.rie 10, 201 1.. • Article 10 establishes a voluntary statewide lx.a.rlip-Sili11 volunteer firefighter redi-enlent plan.. I„Jnder the provisions, the'pla.n would be ad.nlinistered by PERA, and invested by the State Board of lnvestnlent. The statewide plan would also have an advisory board drawn frolll local 8overnilien associations, including the League, and firefighting 01 -gall iZati OTIS, The idea behind the legislation is to provide an alternative to local units of goverrnnent that inlay Fill(] it challenging or ineff"icient to manage a standalone ]-ire: reliefplan Article 1 I contains rniscellarieous vc:alti.nteer• tires re.li.ef association c.11allges. The provisions inclt:ide'.d in this article are the recornmend.aations Of tile Voltarateer liire Working; Grotap convened by the `it,�atc Ar.i.c.lit. )r- To view the recommendations, go 11t:tl..) //www.C: sa,tit.aa.to,J11.n,1.is/0t.l,.e..i/st tie iv oi il'lgL;me.af2/'>f.� `L1:3a11Zh-J11-text b df foi li'loie; illk!!7i' alioii oil city lcgisialivo cQi)WAA any meiiibe'l ol.111v l.oa€lie of Mitwo),ot1 01i vs Itwleltioi1N twill, 651 281,1200 t)i, 800,925.1.122 aitid wwwAnic..orgy Apr 83 2889 17:14:06 Via Fax -> 6514528940 Administrator Page 003 Of 01Z �J LEAGUE or' Ma�NzsoTn -FridayFax- A weeiiil' iegyi,yladve trpdateftvnx the League ()f (Minne.sola (Ttrlel The language reconiniended by the L.CPR oil Wednesday will be a.rnend.ed into an existing pension -related hitt for the purpose of having it assigpied a hill number and moving it through the legislative process, It is conimon for as sm all, icon—controversial bill to serve as the "vehicle" for an omnibus bill. According to the LC PR website, the cairn pus pension bill will be arnendecl into jt�F''7'2_3. (Murphy,.M.)/—SF' 1.91_ (Betzold), a bill authored by LC PR Chair Don Betzold and ranking House kneiaabe:t Representative Mary M"LITPhy, that cktrif O,,; state trooper disability benefits. The bill is w., hednled for a hearing in the Seflte State 1t1,4c..a...l ...C...j..o...v...etr 1.i.., lt%"d9;d ............. veva`si. t %:.`ria_atra►i.t:t:e'e On Monday of next week, "t."he: House companion is sched:tiled fora hearing on -I" uesday in the House State and Local Cr(rve:t.rir:licr:at.0t,)e.1-. atioars R.070rra3. jl:;,t clata(L. toy r wind Elections- The bill is expected to meet the Tuesday gpp.ptpittee deadline. Questions? Contact Anne Ei.`nn (11 651,28L 1263 OT' r.:r zrapz rr?lrrrcT0LIX, 07Cic:zr-'r? 0.71-1,Fwr ell 65.1.281,1 ?55 oi- gc-gLi,scrr'i ttli79c:; c.ir , Or, visit the LC'IV i'f%eb sih? at State Auditor releases report on volunteer fire relief associations On 'Wednesday, S1tate.rl.tici.itj)r..1'%ej. ), cKaa C)tto released the Fi.m.-iaci al and Investment.,R rt. On Volkila.te:er- . it -s: the year ended December :31, 2007. The report scniniarizes and evaluates the finances, basic benefit structure, a:atacl investraaent Pea:formaance of°Minnesota's volunteer fire relief ,associations. During 2007, 717 relief associations were in existence in Minnesota, This report includes April 3, 2000 Page 3 itafornaation on 708 of'the 717 relief associations, which is an increase of eight associations fron-i the 2006 report.. The report also provides investmerit inf'orn-lation on three salaried police relief associations and me salaried fire relief association, According to ra. st,ai:te n.ie;nt released by the Office of the State Auditor, highlights fron-i the report include: Current Trends • Relief associations held more tb an $456 million in net assets at the end of`2007, representing accrued benefits for 20,672 firefighters_ • `fatal revenues for, relief associations in 2007 were $56.3 million, a 21.5 percent decreta.5e from 2006 revenues.. • Fire shite aid received by relief aasso(.jations in 2007 totaled $21..1 ra"aillion, an 1 1 percent decrease frorn the 'san'r)a.a,nt Tf:Ce'.ave(.1 (111.1-ing 2006- • to 2007, relief associations received $6.8 million ill laaaanicipal contributions, which was a 3 percent increase over the $6..6 million received in 2006. Of the $6..8 riail.lion received in municipal contributions, only S .5 nvllion was statutorily regalired to be contributed, which was aciughly the same citaaount that was required for 2006, • While investment earnings continued to be: the largest source of relief association revenue, total earnings in 2007 decreased by 31.9 percent fron-i the prior ye:ar.. • In 2007, relief aassociatlons had an average rate of return of 5_S percent. This was as decrease from the 2006 average rate of retttrri of 9,:3 percent, Investments for 2007 produced fairly stable returns prior to the, decline of the firraaaiciaal )u a.rleets iii they last cl uaatter.. r-i)i )))(r)v ii)(blination o)) wily It !lslative Cci))laiA tanV mellIN;1 of (lie League oNVIli)))ewta Cities 1nEe) f i.�venr)r).eiita3 Rclatk ll, M11n. 651.281, 1200 or i>00,`)25..1122 ,:arid www,iiiie..org Apr 03 2009 17:15:04 Via Fax 00 LEAGUE of MINNESOTA CITIES -> 6514528940 Administrator Page 084 0£ 012 -Frida Fax- A weeky legykYladve 1.l17Llcitu fi-o) n the rL'agave ql MJYj12esola C ifie$ On average., relief associations held 36.3 percent of their- assets ir) doni.estic stock, 1 Q Percent iii intel-nationtal stock„ 14.6 percent in bonds, 38.3 perceIlt in cash, and 0.8 perceI)t in "other" investments,, Marring 2007, "74 relief associations, or 100 percent, were invested solely in czash. Long -Term Tremis • The average mate of return for relief associations over the Fast 1 I years was 5.:3 percent, which just exceeded the statutory interest rate assumption of 5 percent_ There were 298 relief associations, or 43_:3 Percent, that over the last I I years had average rates ofreturn below 5 percerit.. Over 93 percent of relief associations would have had higher rates of return had they invested in the State Board of Investment's Income Share Account for the I 1 -year period. To view the complete report„ go to; (lues/arms',) C'milac't Anne kinn (,i 651, 281,1263 vr, c:r irlr't ri7.lra�i Will legal and accounting services be taxed? Un wedriesdGay, t;lae I tris'° l r t�rr,ir)i t considered l,�I~F 2263, a bill introduced by Rep. Ann .L.en.czewskj (l:)R.,,-:Bloomington) that. would adopt rrra.ny of the recornrnendations of Governor Pawlenty's 21st Century Tax Commission. Although most of the provisions in the hill address corporate income and. personal income taxes, some of the recommendations would have: an iuipract on cities.. April 3, 2009 Page 4 Most notably, the bill would extend the state stiles tax to services, including car repair services, general repairservice,, legal services, accounting services as 'well as, f'inaticita,l planning at d brokerage services. T)ue to tht: fact that cities are subject to the statesales tax, this "brise broadening" would potentially increase the costs for cities that purchase these Ser. V7C°e5. 'The bill iricludes a "business..to•-business" exeniption frorn the sales tax that woold exen)pt business purchases of these services to avoid "stacking" taxes, °l°ax stacking occurs when an i111' Ut to the production of:"a widget, for example, is taxed whiles the :final stale of"the widget is also taxed. Unfortunately, the exemption language used in the bill does not appear to exempt purchases by government of these same services. 'Me trigger for the sales tax exemption is whether the purchase of the ,,ervice clr_ralifies as an " ordinarV and necessary" btisiness expense that is deductible by a business under the Internal Revenue Code or, may be deducted lander the Internal Revenue Service (RS) depreciation or amortization rules.. The Lenczewski bill would also extend the sales tax to residential sewer services, which would have an impact on the operations of cities and increase the cost of sewer services. In a separate bill, I..214, authored by Sen, Ann Rest. (DFL -New Elope), the stales tax is also extei-ided I'o legal and accounting ;e*.rviee*s. However, reader Iter bill the trigger- for abusiness-to-business exemption is whother- the service is used in a "trade or bushiess" rather than refere:ncinS .IRS rules, which creatzys ambiguity about the application of the: sales tax r'o1"'mo£u C£'l(ci[1'IIiStIl7Yl o11 city itii!Lsizalive itwjt.ti, co£'llac=t any tuw1nb,;7 £" of the r,oague 06Q., i£'£lulj:;o'Ve£'Sl£llut11r11 l2.ela io ,a team., 651,281,1200 oi• 800,925.1122 ,,nicl wwwlinc.org Apr B3 2889 17:16:81 Via Fax —> 6514528948 Administrator Page 005 Of 012 CO) cr LEAGUE of MzNNEsorA CI`T'IES -Frid.a F ax- A vveeky leg'isla/1111' 1.1j)Cjl.'1 U f1"f)(12 f1W Jeaygu.e f)f .[✓[./1Z12C.$p�C'1 Cilie') to local units of"governmetnt. During testimony the League raised the issue, and Sara, Rest stated that it was not her intent to apply the sales tax to government purchases of legal and a.ccourntrrn.g services, She agreed to work with the L vague to clarify her irntetnt. The Rest bill also makes a raunnbe.r of elntarnges to thestates corporate income tax, personal incortne tax, sales and rase taxes, including the immediate repeal of levy limits for cities and Counties, the phase-out of the corporate iri(:orne. tax in f'av'or of an increase in the business property tax and the extension of the sales wx to clothing. Overall the bill is intended to be reventae rneut:ral to the state but, in the process, would reduce the overall s«ales tax mate, which would benefit all cities_ For cities with to local stiles tax, Mac: exparnsiorn of'the sales tax base in both of these bills would generate additional local revenue, but neither committee received information on the local impacts. Both bills were laid over for possible inclusion in the respective House and Senate orninibus tax bills. Q-ueslions? ("oulact Gan., at 651.281.1255 r.»°,Lc'c: '%„ss)n6,41n7c'.r. House ,Property'fax Division approves property tax article On Wednesday, the !:°.Louse Property and .l,.c,ga.l S<a.l.es TI ax 1,.Xvi.sioan, C.::lttai:t .p aul Mart ri<a;t`t (1;,7m- Dilwonti), considered and forwarded a division report Haat includes aid and credit reirinbu.rse:nlent cut i to cities, the in-inieditate repeal of city levy litanit5, modifications to the mark, et value hmneste•a-d credit and Ra. variety of property tax reforms, The division report is currently contained in ITFF 2020., April 3, 2009 Page 5 For cities, the bill significantly reduces the overall casts iia state aids and credit reirnbursen-ients compared to the oats proposed by the governor, Under the bill, cities would have a `550 tnnillio n cert in 2009 local government raid (11: CYA) and nuirket value hornestead credit (MVFIC) reimbursements, which is about carne-h.al.fof the $99 nailliorn Cut proposed by the governor. The carts under the Flonase proposal were nal.7clated to reflect new c:law and would be computed. as 1.21 1 percent. of each city's auiji..sted net tax capacity, and. would first be taken from LGA and thein - to the extent necessary- From a city's M V IAC reirnnbursetnent_ Actiusted net tax capacity is essentially a city's tax brise "ac1~justed" by the state -corns stales rtatio for differences in local assess'nlernt practice$. According to updated calculadoris released at the hear'itig, approximately $29.5 t'nnillion of the 2000 city cart would comae from LGA reductions and $20.5 million from MVHC" reductions, The governor's Proposal was computed as roughly 5 percent of each city's "revenue base" or ptoperty tax levy plus LOA, For 2010, the city cart would increases to roughly $78.7 million c`,onipsared to current law.. Of"that amount, the first x+10.5 tan'ill.ion is from the clirninta.tion of the 1.•,C3A appropriation increase that was included in last yefar'S tax bill and scheduled to be effective beginning in 2010, The balance o:rthe cuts !'roam cities would be computed as a 1.889 percent of each city's ta,cljusted net tax capacity, which would reduce LCiA from the certified 2009 level by $45.1 million and .MWIC by $23.1 million, For the: 2011 distribution and beyond, citi.e:s would lose an estimated $31.9 tnailliotn in 1,GA from the elimination ol'the growth factor fo, Inore hi ormalion c71] W#ly issues, col ael. any mcall€wl of ow t,eapo of Milmesoul C11jQa Relatkilt, WWII, 1151281,1200 or 800 925.1122 wid www,tnnc.org Apr 03 2009 17:16:53 Via Fax -> 6514SZB940 Administrator Paye 006 Of 01Z Old j,EAGU E aF jujCINNESOTA I'CIES -Frid.a Fax- A vveCk/V lei;islauve tApG ate fl-oen the LL•'a{j eve q/Min%le:,)Olrl ('ifi s enacted last year but the mase reduction to LGA (ftom they original 2009 level) would be reduced by only $9..7 million, compared to the 2010 reduction of $46 million. Cities that CECT net ba:ve sufficient J -GA to cover their computed cut in 2009 and 2010 would have their 2010 MV:FIC'' reimbursement crit continued for 2011 and 2012, which will. red.I.ice their distribution of MV11C by $22,2 IniIIiotl. 'floes bill includes a number of ether significant changes including an authorization For each county to impose a g etieral, half cent sates taxes.. The bill would also repeal the existing limit on the use, of best value contracting, ncliust the bid lu-nits for special assessments to niirirOr the limit acl,justments enacted last yezir for competitively bid projects in Minn. Start_ 471.345, elinihiate the separate truth -in - taxation (TNT) t -?caring requirement and the newspaper publication requirement, and advance the entire TNT process by roughly two weeks. For a complete recaf7 of"the bill, see the summary in last week's C,'ifies, BidlGetin, (;51, 28.1.125.5 ny ,�cxarl,wr3rE(cr?lrrac:.«r.��. Teague testifies against taxing municipal bond interest and development deals 011 Thursday afternoon, tl'ie �,'lous �1�„��1x C'ena..mit.t:ee again considered t"57-1 782, a corporate a.nd income tax-ret'orrn bill that had been showcased a few weeks back when it was introduced by Tax Cbair J....enczewsk.j (:C: fl,., Bloomington), a.nd f)roperty 'Tax Chair _Marquart. (DR.-Dillworth). "rhe point of the legislation is to clean up a .nu a•iber of tax credits April 3, 2009 Page. 6 and incentives can the front end, where t'hes'e is less public visibility., 'I"1'tc p'tovision the League testified against was section 7 of the gill, which would start taxing both state and local goverrinie,nt bonds, The League also spoke against the removal of some ,J0.8Z tax incentives as well as the current corporate exemptions in place for Minnesota cle;velopn-ient subsidies. What that boils down to is greater difficulty for redevelopinent and economic devetopineat districts as the cost fei.. developers would increases.. Pieces of this legislation will be part of the tax package coining out of the House in a Few weeks, and the Leal ue will C:oiatitMe to work oil those that affect local governments. Questions.' ' i cir)tcrct ,Icrtir�ifcr O'hr.�rr.� 1cc in Second committee deadline nears It is crunch time :tor Flouse and Senate policy coilitnittees.. Next 'Fuesday rnarks the second cotaamittee deadline; this conimitt.ee deadline generally applies to policy co.nlinittees, Bills that passed out of all relevant policy committees in one body in time to meet the first conin.i.itt.e:e deadline, which was March 27, now must, make it out of all relevant coininittees in the other body before 11:59 p.ni.. on .April. 7. 1F a 13111 docs,,; riot meet the second f:ommitte'.e deadline, it is considered dead for the session intess it is resurrected by theRules orimi..ittee to either the House or the Senate. Since the middle of Match cotninittees have processed hundreds ofbills in an attempt to n';.eet the first and second committee deadlines_ After April 7, legislators and their staff will be able to take a little breather, .As they have every year, the House and. Senate have i:'ol 1Yltr1't f3litrlilliilit?tl (n) city lvgis: alive kmle-q.. Coltao Ally 31.}t;1'1'lboloi•lilt Leag.tsc of Minnesota Cadet R.tlalitMs tuf11'll. 651281,1200 or 800 925.1122 and 'www..1i3lc.S:3rg Apr 03 Z009 17:17:5Z Via Fax -> G5145ZO940 Administrator Page 007 Of 01Z 0 LEAGUE or MINNESOTA C!1 -IES -Frida F ax- A week/1" %egg' lalive il�7C�l."!/L<, f1"!J/72 the l,L'qgzve q/ ,(uinne.sola CifiG'S tentatively agreed to take a spring break from April S through April 1.3. Ulouse aid Senate offices will still be open, tna no corninittee meetings will he scheduled before 8:30 a.rn. and no floor sessions will be scheduled, until noon on April 14. After the break, there are three other deadlines that the Legislature has iii' posed. The third cornniitt.ee deadline: is set for I.hursd.iay, April 16.. All finance divisions must tact favorably on oinnibus appropriations bills_ °i"lie fourth conimittee deadline is WedrI slay, April 22, On this (late House and Serrate Coini'nittees on 1:°inaticey the f°:lclttsc' C;ornmitteC oil Ways and M.ea:ns, and they House, and Senate C"onZnnittee onFaxes must act favorably ort oninibus appropriation and tax hills. ""l"'he: fifth corrii-nittee dera.dlii>e is scheduled for °l"hursd.ay, May 7, _just 1 l days bef'ore the constitutiol'.ially na.anda.ted a.d.joumnae nt date, Oil .May 7, Conference committees on on-nibLis appropriatiorls incl tax hills 13'rust report bills to tic: floor, Qm--?,stior-r,s'? (,lonlc:ac t Hue NgxziYc-!n rzt L>:�1.?Ii'I..i ?lilJ <�r• dzwrt.��„cw�'t��.i)/!<�rew�<',��M, Securing problem properties Cities dealing with pre:}ble:n-I properties that have been abandoned due to foreclosures i"nay have some new tools ifa bill authored by 4, n. Linda .H.i ills (DFL-Minne apolis) rine'] lty t ..tj (13FL•-Minnepoliq) becomes Jaw, Sj;: 1 147f.l,4F 1394 ma.Res a number of changes in provisions aimed at preventing abandoned properties from becoming nuisance properties.. Testirnony by Sgt_ Richard Jackson, Minneapolis Police De~pailment, in both the: April 3, 2009 Page 7 House and Senate highlighted that many vtacant. and abandoned properties resultiilg frolll f0reCl0$Lire are. becon-ting nuisance. properties_ Sgt. Jackson said he has seen a progressic,iir III which the: property is used a.s a party house, a haven for gangs land finally stripped for copper. The bills amend the statute eollcirning limited right of entry which previouI ly allowed the holder of the i'Iaortgage or sher'iff's certificate the .right 10 entel til: pIC7perty to protect the property waste, and to require theyn to secure the property against not only waste but also trespassing if they or .a city knows that tlleT property has been abandoned- Authorized factions arta expanded to include boarding doors and wiii.dows rather than Just instial.lin irn taltt.rnl system., ( han es also include notification to the c>wiiei- and they holder- of'any sheriff's certificate of the requirernent.s and that costs n:aay be assessed against the property if the person does not securer the building,. The bills also amend provisions governing the reduced redemption period for abandoned grope ny They bill establishes a procedi:rre under which a city where the property is located requires a lender to initiate a proceeding to reduce the rederription period from six rnoraths to five weeks if'the city can prove theti Property is abandoned, C"urreat law only allows the lender or the holder of the sheriff's certificate to initiate; a reduced redemption period. Amendments were made to criminal trespass Posting rescli.iirenients, hosting requirements relating to difierent types of trespass vire invade more consistent and clarifies the I unabear of signs requited based, on the sizer of t..hc: property i"tu more. taaamnaiion on City legislative is.a.acs, Caatact any taauaL mer ol'tl)e t.va puo of Mhmesota Ciiit ,s itttC.igovernmenui 1t.eiatiwls Wall) - 651.281,1200 or 800,925..1.122 and www,tinc.org Apr 03 2009 17:18:50 Via Fax —> 6514528940 Administrator Page 008 Of 012 0 j,E'AG UE c) r. MINNESOTA CITIES -Frida F ax- A wC'C?%il't' legi;i Icz*ve tq�(:1f. e fJ-ofn rhe League fit (uZ11.12esolC7 : Mlle's SF 1 147 and HF 1394 have both been passed out of"the iele;vant corn.n.iittees and await action on the Senate and House, floors. 651_ 81.1=60 orngLikyLytt�1rllc_'•Uri_ Mississippi River metropolitan corridor legislative update Legislation related to state and local development restrictions in the Mississippi River Critical Area of the metropolitan area has advanced through several policy committees in the House and Senate, with numerous arnend.ments being iriade over the past week in each bill to address concerns raised by the League. and affected cities and businesses. }; , ?4 (I, M 1t1 1a, 17F.1., -South St. Paul) and DFL -Newport) propose using the themes found it) the lttnsua e ofthe executive order governing this designated critical area to craft state rulers that update the infor nation, science, laird rues, aandptiarities, for protection along the river.. While: as more detailed uptime will appear in next week's O/Ies .l ulle'fin, here is a gUick summary of where the legislation stands for those cities farn'iliar• with the issue: • 1:{;xe�ct.r.t.i.ve (:ardor 7g•• 19 is replaced b ._ ., y staterUles, to be draalled by the Department of Natural ltesourees (DNR) starting next year; • Local ordinances are regtaaried to be taken into account in drafting the rEr1e; • The state is required to mal) the cor'rielor;, denoting bluffs and steep slope weas; • The types of land use zones in the corridor rnaay be inc`..reaased to provides niore :flexibility; April 3, 2009 Page t Tani}lic notice to the DNR of local criticatl area plan changes, variances, conditional use permits (CUP), or zoning amendments, will 11e required 10 days before final action (currently 30 days); Local governments are charged a late. fee for rnis ing the public notice I"equirement (.$500 in the Senate, $50 in the (louse); atad Local governments are required to pay for DNR staff time to review their proposals - Earlier this session, the :League hosted a rneetilig for city aancl town officials Gafitected tay this legislation to hear the proposers present their ideas., task questions about tla.c? les.isltatiota and 'pass along their feedback, The League has worked closely with the bill's authors and supporters since then to have city cwlcerns addressed in the legislation. C'017117tents made at that meeting were forwarded by the League and brave.resaa.lted in inaany o't ibe; amendments niaade to the hills. This legi., laat'ion is still very tnuch in the niix of billy that could be passed this session. Again, further changes to the bill and detailed updates on its status will appear in f here issues of the Cities, Pulh-Hin. Cl't.resfi(..1ns'' C'oritoet (..IlUig-Johnson,, at 651.281.1259 o (Zr.�l(r'r.sc�ryr.�cr lrr?c:c�r'�• Council pay adjustment; legislation merged into mandate relief brill On Monday, the1.1ot.ge 1_e>cta:l.(j,,)yernment 1:aivi.wicyra corasic Bred 111 1849 tt Mjj� e; Nc l.s )Li�.'s (i.7Fl„ .Brooklyn Park) mandaate relief bill.. 'l; he coniniittee discu Sed gadding they languages included itr a separate bill authored by Rep. Al Doti (01`^I., Royaalton) that woUld allow City Cc..)UnCilS to irnrnediately r'edUCe their tb£ £awre laali>rr££catior£ on 6ty lgislative i8mle". co£ata l any ££;ewbk-e of thea i..kilLx3u i!.l' C'itie_s t£aticri Lyvr££a£aae£rltal Ricl.ations to,a£aa. 651„281,1200 01. 800.925..1172 € id ww'w,trrrc..oi,g Apr B3 2009 17:19:46 Via Fax (f� r LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA (]IJUS —> 6514520940 Administrator Page 889 Of 012 -FridaY F ax- �4 week V le'giWalive qpd: arC:, fT-otn the %(:•'Ligive f)f MLT'TrTt.$f)tC7 Cit1C'. salaries ('urrently, under Minn.. Stat. 415.. i 1, a city council cannot c.,ha gre their salary until after the next st-tC(:ee(Jing niunlcrpal Election. Tllis language seems to include both increases ,in decroases. Under current eco.tiomic :and budgetary circtinistances, some city councils have indicated an interest to immediately reduce the council salaries and the: law raises questions about whether an immediate reduction is permissible. The League >r4 13.a.5 slr ' e,,;ted a worknroLmd for City councils that want to redLice their salaries that iaxvo.lveas Sifting a portion of the salary Back to the city.. The council trust accept the gift by resol'utiot'a adopted by a two-thirds mxtjority of its members, As introdiCed, the Doty hill would exempt decisions on salary r°eehic°tic)n fi-oll'a the cle ,dyed implementation requiren'ient.. In other words, this langUaf e wotald allow immediate reductions iii council salaries but wol.Ild continue to re quire a delay I"or increases Until ca,tte,r the next electiom The League tliet with Rep. Doty and suggested that he consider an amendment to Tallow a. council salary reducti(,)n to be temporary, fie agreed and the language that was ultimately inchWed in the Nelson bill will now Callow <a city council to enact can ordinance to take effect before thea next succeeding; municipal election that reduces the salaries of the rr on3ber-s of the governing body_ The ordinance or the salary reduction would be in effect for 12 months, 111110ss another- period of tinge it; spc'c:ifie d in the ordinance, af=ter which the salary of the members reverts to the salary in e?ff(-ct in-iniediGa.tc:ly before: the ordinance: was eiiactecl. April 3, 2000 Page 9 The Nelson bill will next be considered in the zyj.c>r_ se F" r,laance C'"<>�Inilitlee. Qr.. os'fions? ('onfact Gar' ('Lit-Ison at 651,281,125.5 c)T• t,'('GT.F;I.SpT7Cj!IYT'7C.'_(.7 ' or <4Ic'li.s' ,Stc ngi of 65.1.281,1227 n)r as aO��I��>/vl?c-:,�)� �. Bills to reduce vehicle milles traveled advance Several hearings occurred over the past two weeks ori two different pieces of legislation related to local govern Tient planning as a trial to red►ace vehicle miles traveled (W]"). Redticing the rriimber of miles each person drives is a key part of"the reconunericlations oracle by thea Minnesota Climate Change Advisory C.iroup (M(:"(."A(,) -for curbing reenhOlase �;as ernission leveIs.. L, 549(l:;> bl:)Le, 1;>F Mirirre�tpolisj/ll.;: 133 {I:lor°ia.st.gjn, DF'L-Minneapolis) is a hill that changes Met.ropc:rl.iUIII (.:;ora.ricil. and local 90verfl.rne;nt conlpiehe;nsive; plan timing and requirements in the Metropolitan area to include V'1V T reduction goals. LMC" and a broad group of other local govern.rne nt organizations have worked with the Dill authors and the supporters of the legislation to address concerns,. All of'tlle concerns raised by the League earlier in they session have now been raddrossed., but the legislation still fac:e, a ugjor obstacle in that the requirements Ax, the Metropolitan C"oaaracil to reduce the ouniber of miles d iveri. by metro area reside -fits could result in an extremely large fiscal itnpact pro{e:ction.. Both versions of the Bill now move the timing of future nietropolitzan area conilareh nsive? planning to be conipleted by the fifth year of the decades, r (Ither thaii the eighth year,, as is in current law, Wh r) the iioxt roru)d ofconiprehensive planning is done,, redticing r?m 133ir1G i)3(bl'illatllml on QRY lqj lative isst ws.. ecwtact any t el -1.31m, TSI €ltw r.Ctlglw td,minywm)S8 00Q'i Into taveItill l.vlat ai Relations tonij). (751.2}31, t 200 of 800 925.1122 ,incl WWW'1171C.org Apr 03 Z009 17:Z8:40 Via Fax O � 0 j,EAGUE or, MINNESOTA CITIES -> 65145ZB940 Administrator Page 010 Of 01Z -Frida Fax- 1t�C�C�%i�V jC��j5��1'�L{[�VC? 7,P�7L 1."!/L' f7"l)P71 IMC' l.,C'ly�j�'LJC� llf J7'%1'iG<.)f1[C7 Ciha vehicle stiles traveled would be specifically added as one of the required components.. Requirements for environmental aassessillent worksheets clone in tate state to inchide analysis of project alternatives and mitigation plans to reduce g,reenbouse gas emissions baave been reinoved. I: No. 9, I:3 (l_3akk., DFL -Cook)/ 1:1 ...No;,..1.0:35 (11)%I, DFI.,-St. Joseph) is a mill sponsored by the. Coalition of(irea.t.er .Minnesota (.'ities and supported by the League, It looks at land iise practices as a method of' reducing vehicle miles traveled. btrt focuses primarily outside the 'lJ'wily Cities inetrd politan area.. It includes changes to allow cities to identify growth areas within two miles of their boundaries and limits the permissible residential density ofnew developnlent in unincorporated areas otatsidea identified growth areas to as ma xiaatum orone residence per 40 acres except in certain cases. Joint planning between data county, city, and township.,; is created to nlatnage land uw, controls in identified growth areas prior to their" aarinexattiom `..lac legislation also changes the fractors used to site new schools to remove acreage recluir'eaatarats and add a higher consideration of reducing travel. A provision I'ecluiring that comprehensive plans lae completed by all cities with a population alcove 2500 and all counties with as population above 5000 wra:; renloved from they bill at tile request of floe League. The hill has been passed through the.necessary policy committees in the; Semite:, .tial still needs to be hearts and passed by the Iw10LISC State and .I oc al Govergplent or eratwions Sa,rtel,l': lBe .i ar 5..cc Immit(k,' by next 'Liesdaty's policy bill deadline. a �)uc,,e/.ita,as? C'077lc70 C'r•rfi�,! John,(m at 651.281,1259 or April 3, 2009 Page 10 Clean water funding bill introduced 'The League has o:nce again joined forces with as broaad coalition of local government, agrlcblluiral, environmental, and business groups to Pttsh for as plan to use the new sales tax fiatad.s Lacing collected fcnr clean water to meet state and local requireralents utider the federal C:`lonn Water Act. This group, previously referred to as the G-16, was behind the passage of the, state Clean Water I..,eagaacy Act iaa 2006 and has consistently stapported as Mala to provide stable long term funding for clean water programs. SF 1913,(Fi.e eric.kson., R- New Ulm)/l:ff? 1 ?� (Ek.en, DFL -Twin Valley) introcloced bills that spend the expected funds in as manner consistent with the recommendations of an advisory group created in the Clean Water Legacy.Act, ']'lye. Plan forwarded in this legislation was developed by the Clean Water Council, a governor -•appointed task farce; representing aa. wide range of interests, over tho past two years, .."lie Council's recommendations create a way for Minnesota to identify polluted waters, develop scientific rel:)orts on where the pollinion is coining front, and itriple ment the: improvements needed to -actually return the water to water quality standards, This issta> gained a high profile when the planned new wastewater treatment :Facility for the cities of Annandale and MapleLake was temporarily blocked lander the :federal Clean Water .Act_ While than facility was eventr.aally able to go forward by adding additional phosphoraas treatment, other water peraaaits conti.nt:ie: to be prevented tile. state. tic>es, lot halve Total Ma.ximurn Daaily Load (TMC7I,) reports coraapleted and approved :for lakesand .rivers that flail to meet federal and state water quality staandards. FOJ Dl0JQ iDabflxkn.ti0fl orI wily lwgisl<ttive i„tiu.,,. ararri0 ally fflV.j .x'1 of Ow league oI'miamsola Cities 11tts:t'gi>vi snanctstai Relations tu¢mrt_ G51..2i3.1,1200 or 800,` 25..1.122 and www1mc.org Apr 83 2809 17:21:43 Via Fax -> 6514528948 Administrator Paye 011 Of 01Z co cr j;EAGUE of M►NNesoTa ClrIEs -Frida F ax- A weekC i' leg-i,$Ialhv ll�1G�C.J/L', fl"!)P7T the. 1,cL/ague fat ,I v�,K}'r'12G.1'Q(C7 Cifi 's The spendin plan in this legislation closely niatche:s Both the recomta' endations made by the C."lesaan Water Council aand those made by the League and the C,:i 16 in 2006. Approximately one-third of the fund is applied to state programs to allow timely completioa3 oft.lie required assessrnent, monitoring, and TMDL development.. Two-thirds of the .ano.ney goes for projects that re,$Ult in the needed improvrrments to water quality as identified it) completed and aa.pprove:d. „I.MI:)LS. Under t,li.is proposal, Inore than $46 million would go to cities over the next two years to cover gap to 50 percent ofthe cost of new e nv.i.ronaliental requiret-kents for stormwaater and wastewater infrastructure UTIder three existing State progrrai'xas, the 'T'otaal Maa.xin3aan3 Dally Loads grants prograa1n, the Phosphorars Reduction grants prograan3, and the Small C"on3munities Wastewater "1"reaitment g:raaaat and loan progm.113. This legislation wall lie discussed in the Environment and Natural Resources Finance divisions in both the House and Senate over the next two weeks. Please watch the ( lies ,l ullelin aaM other l.,.eaague publications for further informaation on this issue as budget talks progress at the Capitol. Q1.cesfion.s' (.'Onlac t C "rc: jg.J"cyhnson at 6.51.281.12.59 or Water permit, training, and environmental review costs discussed .As the details of legisl=ative budget proposal.s for environnie:.nta.l aa.get3cies are being planned, cli,scirssions of'whert. fee increase's, can replace general and enviionme ntaal fund appropriations -ire growing more common. I -IF 21.85 (Ha *etas ass DFL -Minneapolis) was Brought up for discussion onThursday night in the .11O3tse April 3, 2000 Page. 1 3 Environment and Natural Resources Finance I:)ivisi n abet ttie Senate version A:gder� )n, DPT-- -- 5t. Paul) is scheduled for discussion next week„ "I"he greatest inipaact in the ball is the recluiretxaet-a that permit fees collected by the Minnesota. Pollution C:ontiol Agency (.MPCA) I, -)e raised to a leVCl sufficient to cover the entire cost of the agency's entire permit, iia plernentation, coillpliancc;, and efirorcenlelit effort , It is unlikely that the final budget proposal will entirely fund agency programs fi-om fees, but the I-eaague will continue to raise concern; about passing revenue collection for state prograins down to local units of government. There is also as Strong rargunierat that supporting as stat -le staff of environs-rietataal experts in the MPC A is actually of significant beriefxt to t..he citi;ren5 of the staate, not just project proposers, raking the general fund arta appropriate source of a portion of'the funding for those prograamti_ For water programs, the fee change could require pei-mit tees, to collect an added $15 million per year- For comparison purposes, the MP(:'A is cilirretnly being required to increase water permit fees by $ 3 million per year. The draaf"t reales for how that would be done include annual municipal national pollt.itwit discharge elimination syste:rn (NPDES) wastewater permit fee increases ranging from $300 for small wastewater systems to ,$40,000 foi-1he largest. Obviously, to increase annual perta,ait fce:s $15 million more would result in something close to five time, thw amount, with 64 municipal wastewaater systeiris ,,eeing, annual fee increases of more than $7000 per year, This bill would also increase training costs by all aaa3spCcified amount for waiter, wastewater Foi 111oty` ilI(bl'lalatioll. on Qity Iwitisialive issutt:.. Grill{Act any k'tlRi'fli)s%1' oi'tily t.txlpe oI"Mitulesol<> C -`i64 11%."Igovenill'milaI RC!Ialion', iaalII_ 651..2$1,1.200 c)r 800,925.1122 <md www,lnic.org Apr B3 2889 17:22:47 Via Fax -> 6514528940 Administrator Page 012 Of 012 00 j_;GAGUE oe MINNESOTA CITIES -FridaY F ax - A vvee i1'l' 1£°c$yr1'%C{[%VC? ig)CI.J(e fi-oin the %,GC4gwe fif min.nev)l l iC�l[IG.0 operator, solid waste fir!{ hazardous waste f'a.cili.ty operator training and certification, Currently, about one-half of'the cost of water and wastewater certification and about one- eighth of'the cost of'solid :and hazardous waste operator certification is coveted by the general ftind- f"finally, the bill requires that proposers n- w.5t pay the casts to the responsible government tinit (RGU) ol7prepaiing and di.st.rilautin environmental ILS,.;essrnent workt,heets. Local units of government are exempted f'ro.iu paying; for the first 10 hours if they are the project proposer.. `Fbis is more of"aa mixed bag for cities, as cities are actually the RGU ' or eiavironrnentaal review more often thaaai they are the prgiect prol:uaser.. The projects proposed l;ry cities, however, are tisuaally wastewater treattaierit fraciliti.es, which can (1,1ce fairly complicated e rivironmental reviews.. Please watch League publications for fUtUre updates on envlroni-nentaal budget disctuSsions. 65.1-281,1259 '.Town hall Me-efings Town hall meetings are as great Chance to tneet with your legislators w)d tall yotir city story, soaaaeetin-ies right nist(.ie City 11.311. Uf7CoMing meetings in a city near yon include, April 4 in Dent (Nootzi's on Main, 106 Matin St-, 9 ami-) with Rep- Mark Murdock April 4 in Now York Mills (Senior Citizens Center, 12 Walker Ave, .N., 10 a.m.) with Rep. M4a.rk Murdock April 4 in Wsaclena (Minnesota State COTI laUitaity and Technical College; caaf"eieria April 3, 2009 Page 12 area, 405 Colfax Ave. S.W., 1 1 a.ni ) with Rep. Mark Murdock. April 4 in "Verntla>tle (Senior Citizens ('cuter, 107 S. Farwell St, noon) with Rep, Mark Murdock April 4 in Stal..Aes (Community Center, 425 4th St, N,E-, I p -m) with Rep.. Mark 1lrfti.rdock April 6 in St. Paul (Riverview Library, b asernent tweeting room, l (-Jeor e Sti-eet Fq;;t, 7 p.m.) with Rep. Carlos Maria.ni April f 1 in Rochester (Durin Brothers C'off'ee, 120 Elton dills Drive NW, 8,30 a.n).) with Rep. Kim Norton April I l in Crystal ((:.rystal (`olnmunity Center 4800 Dot.lgltis Or N, 9 a ,m,) with Sen.. Ann Rest Check ,yotar local newspaper or radio station for additional dates, QuLwi ns'? ('r»rtc el Briczn ,S'tr zfb rpt 115.1.281.1256) or For more iIA,61'1'11C1i.1Un on oily 14',�Iislaliw i.,.11ua.. c0nwo any ki.3w'1'1 bea bf'lhl , fxgnsw c}l. MikF1'mom C:i(iws fk'Uw1f?c5'v41'tlkll.ulti.al Relaliwa, swain.. 651281,1200 or 800,925,1122 ind www,tiiic,.org