2005-03-25 Friday NewsFIRE. ON HAVERTON
Sunday night at 11:14 p.m. the Fire Department was called out to a house fire on Haverton Circle.
The homeowner had thrown a load of clothes in the dryer and gone to bed. An hour later he awoke
to the smell of smoke. He went to the dryer and when he opened the door the smoke turned to fire.
The only damage was to the clothes, the dryer and smoke damage to the home. After the home was
ventilated the owners were able to continue to live there. Lesson learned: Clothes dryers are a
common source of fires — do not turn on your dryer and go to sleep or leave the house unattended.
FIRE ON FREMONT
Thursday night at approximately 11:30 p.m. the fire department was called out to a house fire on
Fremont Avenue. The homeowner went to bed at approximately 10:00 p.m. and was awakened by
her dog barking and smelled smoke. She went down the stairs to find the source of the problem
and was forced out of the house. There were 2 smoke detectors in that portion of the house that
were not in operating condition. The fire was confined to a bay window where a candle ignited the
mini blinds, burning the entire bay window, which caused considerable smoke damage to the house.
The homeowner had many animals, which was a concern to her but none of the animals were
harmed. Lesson learned: Don't leave candles burning when you go to bed and test your smoke
detectors regularly. The fire marshal determined that the cause of the fire was a candle left burning
on the ledge of a bay window. The fire department extinguished the fire, ventilated the house and
was on the scene for approximately 2 hours.
METRO TRANSIT UPDATE
Last week I included information in the Friday news about proposed cuts to Mendota Height's bus
service. I was able to speak with a Metro Transit staff member this week, and requested that she
attend the April 5, 2005 City Council meeting to update the City Council on the future of bus
service to the city. She told me that many cities were making the same request and that she would
need to ask her Board if it would be OK. She did, and they approved of her visit. Over the phone
she told me that the reason for the cuts was costs: rising health care costs, rising fuel prices, and
lower revenue (Metro Transit is now funded with a share of motor vehicle sales tax, and those sales
are down).
ECSSATF MEETS WITH WSP
The Emergency Communications System Structured Analysis Task Force met with West Saint Paul
Councilmembers Jim Englund and Nick Juarez, City Manager Arbon Hairston and Acting Police
Chief Bud Shaver this Friday morning to discuss the future of radio dispatching for Mendota
Heights. It was a good meeting with both sides learning each other's current position. We provided
the WSP officials with copies of our objectives and timelines and asked them to study them and get
back to us with a proposal for having Mendota Heights continue to use WSP for dispatching service
in the future. On our side, we have also scheduled meetings with the City of Eagan and Dakota
County to present our objectives to them and request similar proposals for utilizing their dispatching
services. After all the proposals are received, the task force will analyze them and bring a
recommendation back to the City Council for a decision.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Planning Commission Agenda, Pioneer Press Article "New
radio system a costly venture", South West Review Article "Mail fraud causes headaches in MH",
Sun Newspaper Article "MH Council cautious toward electronic sign at Henry Sibley" and
"Minneapolis seeks help with airport lawsuit", Villager Articles "A trailer and now the main
feature: Gateway Bank opens in Mendota Hts" and "Mendota Hts. Shop specializes in taking the
stink out of sports gear" and Friday Fax.
Issue # 05-10
Mz1,kV, HZ44 pa"C", D e ;t
March 24, 2005
The
Officer Yvette Tillery has announced that she will be leaving the MHPD
Mendota
and will be taking a job as a police officer with the Woodbury PD.
Heights
g
Officer Tillery joined the PD in March of 1994. She arrived here from
the Airport Police Department. Officer Tillery has served in Patrol and
Police
Investigations. She has been actively involved in a variety of
Department
community policing iniatives. We all wish her well in her new job.
Child Custody Dispute, 03/17/05 1000 hours
A resident came to the PD asking officers to intervene and stop her ex -
Support
husband from taking their child to Wisconsin for the week -end. Since
:Staff
the husband does have joint custody and there is nothing in writing to
Bekky Trost
prohibit him from traveling outside of Minnesota with the child, Officer
Cathy Ransom
Bobby Lambert advised her to contact her attorney since this is a civil
issue and nothing illegal was taking place.
Police Officers
Check the Welfare 03/17/05 1610 hours
Jerry Murphy
Officer Bobby Lambert was dispatched to an address on Hwy 13 to
Yvette Tillery
check on a gentleman who didn't show up for his doctor's appointment.
Lee Flandrich
The subject's apartment was found unlocked and his vehicle was gone
Scott Patrick
from the garage. The caretaker of the building thought he was probably
Bobby Lambert
out enjoying St. Patrick's Day.
Eric Petersen
10-50 03/18/05 1300 hours
Todd Rosse
During the heavy snowfall Officer Lee Flandrich came across a vehicle
Tanner Spicer
blocking the northbound lane of Hwy 13. The vehicle had fresh damage
Chad Willson
and he found fresh footprints leading into the boulevard. About 15
Jeff VonFeldt `
minutes later the driver returned. He was given a citation for driving too
Jennifer Hurst `'
fast for the weather conditions.
10-50 03/18/05 1923 hours
Investigations
Squads responded to a vehicle spin out on 35E northbound, north of
Mario Reyes
Hwy 110, in the center median. The driver was not injured and the
Brian Convery
vehicle had minor damage, but it was stuck in the deep snow.
Southeast Towing arrived and pulled the car out.
Sergeants
Suspicious Footprints 03/18/05 2356 hours
Donn Anderson
A resident on Aztec reported footprints in the fresh snow, leading from
Neil Garlock
her driveway to a nearby residence. Officer Todd Rosse checked the
John Larrive
suspect residence and talked with the homeowner's son. Investigators
are following up this and several other incidents in the area.
Chief
DAR/Revoked Plates 03/20/05 0022 hours
Mike
Officer Tanner Spicer ran a QMW on a vehicle on Hwy 13 and learned
Aschenbrener
the plates were flagged Revoked/Seize Plates. The vehicle was pulled
over and Officer Spicer found the driver to be Revoked. Southeast
Towing impounded the vehicle. The driver was given a ride to a gas
station to call a cab.
Issue # 05-10 March 24, 2005
Suspicious Person 03/20/05 0529 hours
An employee at McDonalds reported a suspicious white male digging under the drive up
window with a long shiny object. When she confronted him he left in a red Saturn. Officer
Tanner Spicer responded but the man was GOA/UTL.
House Fire 03/20/05 2314 hours
Officer Spicer responded to an address on Haverton Circle for a reported house fire. The
homeowner stated his dryer caught fire and he had tried to put it out. Officer Spicer saw
smoke inside the garage and flames on the inside steps. MHFD arrived and extinguished the
fire. No injuries were reported and the house was saved.
Suspicious Vehicle 03/21/05 1745 hours
A resident on Aztec reported coming home and finding an occupied vehicle parked in the
driveway. The car quickly left upon the homeowner's arrival. Officer Flandrich responded and
spoke to the homeowner. Investigations will follow up.
10-50 [Car vs Dog] 03/22/05 2002 hours
Caller reported seeing a vehicle hit a dog and leave without stopping N/B on Chippewa. The
yellow lab was DOA. The suspect vehicle was described to Officer Eric Petersen as a
maroon mini -van. The dog's owner was present and took custody of his dog.
Residential Burglary/Forced Entry 03/22/05 2040 hours
Victim on Chippewa arrived home to find the back door open. Officer Petersen checked the
residence and found that forced entry had been made and several items were stolen from
the residence. Footprints were found and photographed. Investigations is following up.
4th Deg. DWI 03/23/05 0155 hours
Officer Tanner Spicer observed a vehicle parked at the Holiday Station on Hwy 13 the
driver's door was open and the driver vomiting on the ground. Upon making contact with the
driver he admitted that he had driven there from a local bar. The driver failed SFST's and
was arrested for DWI. He was later released to a sober party.
Damage to Park Property 03/23/05 1739 hours
A tow driver from Mark's Towing reported to Officer Petersen that he had been called to pull
a vehicle from the mud at Rogers Lake Park. The vehicle was sunk up to the front axle in the
mud and there was severe damage to the grassy area. The driver admitted she drove
through the park after determining the roadway was too rough for her to back up. The driver
will be liable for any necessary repairs to the park property.
Suspicious Occupied Vehicles 03/23/05 1920 hours
Sergeant John Larrive and Officer Eric Petersen responded to Mendakota Court to take a
report of suspicious vehicles. One vehicle was a small black sedan and the other a white
Hummer. Officers arrived and found two male parties inside the black sedan. After speaking
to both individuals, the officers received permission to search the vehicles and located, in
plain view, a large sum of cash in bundles. Neither male would claim ownership of the money
and both stated they didn't know who it belonged to. The cash was placed into evidence at
the MHPD. The males were released. Investigators will follow up.
Unwanted Guest 03/23/05 2358 hours
An employee of Courtyard by Marriott called to complain of a female who refused to leave
the property. The female was on the property to visit a guest of the Courtyard who was
leaving for the military. Military rules prohibit visiting after 2300 hrs. The female was
argumentative and refused to walk to the lobby to arrange for a ride. Officer Chad Willson
escorted the female outside and advised her to wait outside the hotel for her ride. He cleared
at 0011 hrs. At about 0325 hrs. Officer Willson received a phone call from the hotel
employee who stated a guest told him that he had seen a person throwing snowballs at the
female earlier and making her cry. The guest gave no reason why he waited nearly three
hours to report the incident.
Have a great weekend! O
-2-
NEWS
The Pt
LETTER
Public Works
Engineering March 25, 2005
Code Enforcement
Public Works
The Parks Crew continued fabrication of a new steel gate which allows passage of
walkers/bikers but not vehicles for the trail through Valley Park at the Highway 13/Lilydale
Road entrance to the Park. They checked the aerator daily at Rogers Lake and as of
today it is shut down for the season and the "open water" warning signs were removed
from the lake. Work has begun to prepare equipment such as trucks and mowers for
summer use.
Public Works removed 6 inches of snow last Friday and Saturday from City streets. Snow
removal operations were completed on the cul-de-sacs, park parking lots, and trail ways
on Saturday.
Pot holes throughout the city are being patched and a temporary stop sign was installed
at the intersection of Cheyenne and Huber. Street name signs we reinstalled up at 2
different locations, the first at Laura Street/Laura Court, the 2nd Marie/Nature Way.
Rich checked the sanitary sewer lift stations during the week and removed snow on
Saturday morning. Frozen/blocked culverts were cleaned out at Orchard, Hunter and
Veronica. John Boland was dispatched after hours on Wednesday, to handle a resident's
call regarding water coming up into her yard due to frozen storm sewer on Ashley and
Norma.
Engineering
Sue and Ryan will be hosting a neighborhood meeting on Monday March 28th for the 2005
Street Reconstruction, and Mill/Overlay projects. Streets to be reconstructed are Ivy Falls
Avenue, Sunset Lane and Dodge Lane. The Mill and Overlay projects includes Ivy Hill
Drive and Ridgewood Drive. Affected property owners have been invited to meet with
staff in the Council chambers at 6:30pm and 7:30pm respectively.
Code Enforcement
This week a building shell permit was issued to Rochon Corporation for Building "F",
located at 702 Main Street. The estimated cost of the building shell is $2,695,000.00.
The lower level will contain parking and will be 16,048 GSF, level one 15,943GSF, will
contain retail space and the second level, which is 15,998 GSF, will contain business type
occupancies. kne
(w
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
AGENDA
March 30, 2005 - 7:30 P.M.
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of February 22, 2004 Planning Commission Minutes.
4. Hearings
a. Case No. 03-04: Property Maintenance Ordinance — Public Hearing 7:30 p.m.
b. Case No. 05-09: Richard Chapman — 614 Hidden Creek Trail —Wetlands Permit
(Pool Fence) Public Hearing 7:45 p.m.
C. Case No. 05-10: Weikert/Courtney - 1737 Delaware Avenue —CUP & Variance
for Modification of Existing Garage — Public Hearing 8:00 p.m.
5. Verbal Review
6. Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in
advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make
every attemptto provide the aids, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please
contact City Administration at 452-1850 with requests.
New radio system a costly venture
Posted on Sun, Mar. 20, 2005
New radio system a costly venture
BY FREDERICK MELD
Pioneer Press
Page 1 of 2
Since the events of Sept. 11, 2001, brought to light the disconnect among New York police, fire and other emergency
services, state and county governments across Minnesota have been prodded to chip away at similar communication
barriers among their public safety agencies.
Dakota County has devoted the lion's share of its state and federal Homeland Security funding to planning a
countywide radio system. A network of relay towers and dispatch centers would operate on an 800 -megahertz
frequency, replacing the decades -old VHF analog system that leaves police, fire departments and ambulances
transmitting past each other.
For firefighters and other emergency personnel, the more powerful trunk system would also extend the range of their
hand-held radios and improve signal strength inside buildings.
Perhaps most importantly, talk groups would allow public safety agencies to do conference -style calling as they
converged on a scene.
But with a price tag of as much as $17 million, Dakota County officials acknowledge the mammoth undertaking
involves major challenges. Among them are issues of cost, control and governance.
PRICEY PROJECT
"This has been in other places, and will be here, a very costly project," said Dakota County Administrator Brandt
Richardson, acknowledging that the system would deliver a level of communication among public safety agencies that
many residents assume already exists. "People kind of take this stuff for granted."
With dozens of officers who would need radios compatible with the 800 -MHz frequency, police and fire departments
face costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for equipment. Police chiefs say the portable radios cost about
$2,500 each, and mobile radios, $5,000.
"The cost factor involved is one of the biggest concerns, for us anyway," said Hastings Police Chief Michael
McMenomy.
In 1997, when the state asked counties whether they planned to join a statewide 800 -MHz system, cities and towns in
Dakota County balked. But the events of Sept. 11 — and the availability of new Homeland Security funds — have
given them new incentive. They acknowledge that the county's rapid growth makes it unlikely that the increasingly
crowded VHF band can meet their needs.
"There's tremendous demand for that spectrum," said Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. The county has until November to spend a $1.98 million federal grant on the radio
towers and infrastructure needed for the system and until March 2007 to spend another $4.48 million.
With plans likely to be formalized by summer, cities will vote in late May or .lune on whether to join the countywide
radio system, said B.J. Battig, the risk and homeland security manager for Dakota County. Battig expects the 800 -
MHz system to be up and running in about two years.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion has called the roll-out of an 800 -MHz system a statewide
priority for homeland security. Hennepin County, Carver County and Minneapolis have used the system since 2002,
along with state agencies including the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneeipress/liews/local/I I 176679.htm?template=content,.. 3/23/2005
New radio system a costly venture
Page 2 of 2
Anoka County adopted the system last year. It is also being implemented in Ramsey County and being planned in
Washington and Scott counties and Rochester and St. Cloud.
911 IN ONE PLACE?
Cities in Dakota County, however, are concerned about losing control over the area's six 911 -dispatching centers.
State officials believe the most cost-efficient way to bring the centers into the 800 -MHz system is to consolidate them
in fewer locations — leaving perhaps no more than one center in the county.
"We aren't sure how it will work," said Apple Valley Fire Chief Keith Wassmund. "Supposedly, it shouldn't change
much, but everybody's skeptical."
The cost of upgrading the six centers operated by Apple Valley, Burnsville, Dakota County, Eagan, Lakeville and West
St. Paul would be more than $4 million,
"You have to buy whole new equipment, new consoles and (pay) new connection fees," said David Bellows, chief
deputy with the Dakota County Sheriff's Office. "The question is, are they willing to pay the expense?"
Therkelsen, who chairs a design group that is examining how to implement the 800 -MHz system, said cities are
looking at ways to consolidate. "One (way) that seems to be of great interest to the group is kind of a joint -powers
model."
INDIVIDUAL FLAVOR
The Hastings fire department, which relies heavily on volunteer and part-time firefighter -paramedics to assist its full-
time staff, receives at least 150 check-in calls daily from its on-call firefighters. City officials wonder how a regional
dispatching center would accommodate that volume.
"There isn't a plan in place for those (dispatching centers) to absorb what we need to be able to do," said Hastings
Fire Chief Mark Holmes.
In Eagan, the 911 -dispatching center contracts with Qwest Communications to call residents with recorded messages
about emergency situations, a kind of "reverse 911" capability. In Burnsville, 91.1 dispatchers are trained to coach
callers in providing medical help, like CPR.
Many officials say Dakota County is better situated to begin building stronger ties among public safety agencies. "This
county is unique in that the relationship between all the cities and the sheriff's office in the law enforcement industry
is extraordinary," said Bellows, the sheriff's chief deputy.
But technology often provides its own incentive, and many officials feel that no city will want to be left out of growing
improvements in public safety.
"It makes sense to not be an island of communication in the metro region," Battig said.
Frederick Melo can be reached at finelo@pioneerpress.corn.
i, 3005 St Paul Pioneer Press and wire service sources All Rights Reserved_
http:/1vvw s hcincities.com
http://www.twincities.coia-i/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/I I 176679.htm?template=content... 33/23 /2005
MUM
r, R T44 M4
in MH
Heather Edwards
staff writer
People always assume it will
happen to someone else.
But identity theft is a growing
problem in local communities,
something a Mendota Heights res-
ident recently learned the hard
way. The Victoria Road, resident
put outgoing mail in his mailbox,
figuring the letter carrier would
be there soon to pick it up.
Only moments after the mail
had been left outside, witnesses
saw two people pull up to the res-
idential mailbox and remove a bill
payment, which contained a $22
check.
Three days later, Mendota
Heights police were notified that
a man had attempted to use the
victim's checking account num-
ber on a $5,000 check at Louie's
Bar, 883 Payne Ave., on the East
Side of St. Paul.
At the time of his arrest, the
suspect, Richard Launderville of
St. Paul, reportedly was carrying
additional blank checks contain-
ing the Mendota Heights man's
checking account number. Several
smaller checks had already been
passed using the victim's account
number.
Police also found Launderville
was carrying• a list of about 30
combinations of phone numbers
and names.
According to court records,
while in the custody of Mendota
Heights police, Launderville
claimed all the information on the
fraudulent checks was his, and if
the numbers on the checks were
wrong, "that's the bank's fault."
Launderville was on probation
in Dakota County and according
to his probation officer, he "had
been law-abiding for three
weeks." He was booked at the
Dakota County Jail and has been
charged with identity theft.
As for the Mendota Heights
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electronic
ny Sibley
_ .
BY BLAiR REYNOLDS
Sun Newspapers
They love Rick Fretschel's concept for
a sign at Henry Sibley High School. They
just can't approve it.
That was the message Fretschel, a res-
ident of the community, and addle gation
of faculty and students received from the
Mendota Heights City Council at its
March 15 meeting.
"We have been working on this for
close to a year," said Fretschel. "We sim-
ply want some type of electronic sign to
promote events around the district and
at the school. I'm here again to get some
direction from the council."
Fretschel appeared before the council
in June 2004 with a similar idea.
"What I have tonight, is a more palat-
able plan," he said. "This sign is impor-
tant to the school and the community. If
I get a positive response tonight, I'll
move forward with pricing it and raising
funds."
The 9 -foot -high sign would feature a
static monument sign and an electronic
or digital sign that would promote school
events.
While the council members all
praised Fretschel for his work and a
good-looking concept, some were still
not convinced that an electronic sign is
right for the city.
"I love the look of your sign. But, I
can't support it at this time," said Coun-
cilmember Jack Vitelli. `As a council we
have spent hours on signage. We'd never
approve something like this anywhere
else in the city. We can't open the door to
everyone who wants an electronic sign."
Fretschel said. a sign request from
Henry Sibley is much different than that
`I love the look of your sign.
But, I can't support it at this
time.'
— Councilmember Jack Vitelli.
of a retailer.
"We aren't advertising to make a -prof-
it," he said. "I understand that others in
the community will want it, but you have
the power and ability to craft an amend-
ment that can limit this to schools.,
Councilmember. Ultan Duggan, who
previously was against the sign, changed
his tune a little after seeing Fretschel's
concept. _
"You have responded to our con-
cerns," he said. `Although larger than
the city currently allows, Lthink you are
making progress. Our city fathers prob-
ably didn't envision this type of sign
when they made an ordinance -,banning
them so many years ago."
Fretschel told the council he will con-
tinue to work on the plan and. begin to
find out the costs of the project.
"The key is the electronic sign," he
said. "If it can't be approved the other
part of the sign is pointless.: I'm willing
to work with the council to get this done
right."
Mayor John Huber said Fretschel is
getting closer to his goal.
"I believe your plan is moving ahead
from where you started," he said. "Noth-
ing is guaranteed, but it's possible it
could someday happen."
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A trailer and now the main feature:
Gateway Bank opens in Mendota Hts.
by Kevin Driscoll
Gateway Bank president Bruce Downey's
new digs in the Village at Mendota Heights are
a considerable upgrade from the trailer that
he, CEO John Schreier and five other staff
members operated out of for most of last year.
"It was a great experience in the trailer,
though;" Downey said. "It was a good way to
get to know one another and establish a good
working culture."
The bank opened in the temporary facility
in February 2004, while its stand-alone, brick
building was being constructed nearby at 745
Market St. The trailer came replete with a
vault, security and alarm systems, and teller
windows.
"And we made sure no one could drive off
with the trailer by taking off the wheels and
putting it up on cement blocks;" Downey said.
He and Schreier had their jobs cut out for
them, making the staff's work bearable in
such cramped quarters. "But it contributed to
the spirit of our mission statement, which in-
cludes that if it's a great place to work, it'll be a
great place to bank;' Downey said. "It re-
minded us that even though it's a bank we're
opening, it's still a small business."
Gateway offers a full line of services, includ-
ing ATM, on-line and telephone banking for
customers interested in checking and savings
accounts, certificates of deposit and loans.
"Our savings and loan rates are competitive
with most other banks around town;"
Downey said. "It's the personalization of our
services that we hope makes us stand out."
He said one of the advantages of "personal-
ized"banking is that Gateway answers its own
phones."You don't call an 800 number and go
through a long menu;' Downey said. "We get
to know our customers and they get to know
us. It's relationship banking versus transac-
tional banking.'
Downey and Schreier have had a long rela-
tionship together in banking. Downey, 42,
graduated from Edina East High School and
earned a BA and an MBA at the University of
St. Thomas. His banking career started with
an 11 -year stint at Commercial State Bank,
where he met Schreier.
"Even back then we were musing about
starting our own business together;Downey
both men quit their jobs to devote their time
to raising the necessary $5 million it takes to
qualify for a state charter."We ended uprais-
ing $6.2 million;' Downey said.
According to him, they chose Mendota
Heights because they both had a lot of con-
nections between downtown St. Paul and
Eagan."And Mendota Heights is right in be-
tween;' Downey said. "Besides, there aren't
very manybanks in Mendota Heights:'_
In fact, until Gateway's arrival, American
Bank on Highway 1.10 and Lexington Avenue
was the only bank in the city of 11,000 resi-
dents. Plus, Downey added;"The visibility we
get here is great' -
Now- that they are in their new building,
Downey said the staff can concentrate on
their five-year plan. "Before we even think
about opening any other branches, we want to
make ourselves known and build the business
up;' Downey said. "Since our product is the
dollar, like any other bank, we have to contin-
ually differentiate ourselves from other banks
by the quality of service we deliver."
said. He later worked for three years at BNC
National Bank and four years at Signal Bank
(now Associated Bank). He and his wife have
Gateway Bank is the first new commercial
four children and live in Eagan.
building to open at- the 23 -acre Village at
Mendota Heights (formerly Town Center} at
Schreier, 41, graduated from St. Thomas
Academy and the University of Notre Dame''
Highway 110 and Dodd Road. The develop -
ment will also include 135 housing units and
and earned an MBA at the Carlson School of
Management at the University of Minnesota.
nearly 90,000 square feet of office and retail
His banking career started with 1.0 years at
space, includina mix of convenience and
g
speciality shops.
Commercial State and another seven years
with Premier Bank. Minnesota, where he was
Construction is still very much under
"but
president and CEO. He and his wife have two
way;' Downey said, we wori t be alone for
too long:'
children and live in Vadnais Heights.
"It was in early 2002, when I was at Signal
Bank and it was sold to Associated Bank, that
I -began talking with John again about open-
ing our own bank," Downey said. A year later,
MARCH 9•n2QG�rk
1NEDNESDAY,a, a' �
Tom
Wichelmann
loads armfuls
of hockey gear -
into "the
earinto"the Beast"
for disinfecting
at Clean Again
by Esporta,
located in the
Boehm's store
at Highways
110 and 35E in
Mendota
Heights.
Photo by Brad
Stauffer.
Mendota '�` ializOs inIftlakinfem the stink out of sports gear
by Deanne Probst
Tom and Cindy Wichelmann, owners of
Clean Again by Esporta in Mendota Heights,
have some scent-sational news for parents of
kids who play sports. They can safely elimi-
nate the odors from the sports equipment and
clothing that stink up a lot of families' laundry
rooms, cars, garages and anywhere else kids
deposit the contents of their gym bags.
According to the Wichelmarms, the secret
to fresh -smelling and healthy gear is not to
cover up offensive smells that come from all
kinds of organic matter that contaminate to-
day's high-tech sports equipment, but to elim-
inate the odor -causing matter altogether.
They operate a special washer and dryer,
dubbed "the Beast," that cleans and disinfects
almost every stinky item imaginable, from
football, lacrosse, baseball and hockey equip-
ment to soft -sided equipment bags.
"We can also do a great job on horse blan-
kets, car mats and pads,boat covers and cush-
ions, dog beds and stuffed animals," Cindy
said. "Life jackets, sleeping bags, backpacks,
hunting gear, items made of Gortex and
down—you name it, we can clean it."
It was the smell of 1"om's own hockey gear
that got him interested in the cleaning equip-
ment. As a hockey player and father of a Mer-
riam Park family of sports enthusiasts, Tom
wanted to know why his equipment smelled
so bad and was worried about skin rashes and
the risk of infection from contaminated gear.
What he found out wasn't pleasant.
"Unlike sports gear of old, which was made
of leather and natural fibers; today's protec-
tive sports equipment is made of plastics,
space-age foam and other synthetic materi-
als;" he'said. "Moisture from sweat gets
trapped inside and causes bacteria to thrive
under dark and wet conditions. That's what
you smell."
Besides revealing their presence through
their odor, the microbial organisms cause
rashes and skin irritations that plague ama-
teur and professional athletes alike. If such or-
ganisms enter the body through cuts or
abrasions, they can sideline players for weeks
with serious infections.
`Besides the obvious heath reasons, clean-
ing your gear and other smelly items makes
good financial sense;'Tom said."A lot of these
items are expensive, and clean equipment
lasts longer."
Stinky sports gear and other items can be
dropped off at Clean Again by Esporta, lo-
cated in Boehrns Cycling, Fitness and Hockey
on Highway 110 and 35E, or at Boehm's sister
store at Selby and Snelling avenues. Tom is the
general manager of both stores. Clean Again
"drop zones" also can be found at Forest Lake
Cycle and Skate, and at St. Croix Bike and
Skate in Stillwater.
Based in British Columbia, Esporta Wash
Systems Inc. claims to be the No. 1 sports
equipment cleaning service in the world. Its
equipment is used by such professional sports
organizations as Hockey Canada.
"We called our machine the Beast because
of its size and the fact that it's always doing
battle with the crud it removes," Cindy said.
"The sound it makes when the drum is spin-
ning to extract the water also had something
to do with it.
Once the clothing and equipment are
cleaned using enzyme -based detergents, con-
taminates such as bacteria, mold, yeast, fun-
gus, blood and mucus are totally eliminated.
"Our detergents are biodegradable, phos-
phate -free, nonhazardous, noncaustic, non-
toxic and hypoallergenic;" Tom said. "They
don't harm anything."
The machine features eight compartments
with specially designed garment bags that
hold the equipment securely so there is no ag-
itation during the washing process. No fric-
tion, Tom said, means "there's no change to
the fit or feel" of the gear.
Items fed to the Beast go through four cy-
cles. First, an enzyme -based detergent breaks
down odor -causing germs and molecules.
Second, a deep -cleaning detergent removes
stains and the foul stuff buried deep in foam
and fabrics. Third, a commercial -grade disin-
fectant kills the germs and bacteria. Fourth,
an optional fragrance adds what Cindy de-
scribes as "a new -car smell." All items come
out with a 10 percent moisture content to
keep leathers soft and prevent overheating of
plastics. Then they are hung to dry before be-
ing packed up and returned to customers.
With regular use, cleaned hockey equip-
ment that is routinely aired out after each use
can go about 10-12 weeks before its owner
may decide to give itanother Esporta bath.
Clean Again by Esporta handles both indi-
vidual and team jobs. The turnaround for
cleaned gear can be a matter of hours or a
couple of days. The cost to wash a jersey is
$2.00, while breezers, gloves and shoulder
pads are $10 each. A full set of goalie gear, in-
cluding glove, blocker, pads and breezer, is
$35. A complete price list is available by call-
ing 651-454-2067 or visiting the firm's Web
site at www.boehmscyde.com/ e-sporta.asp.
Mar 11 ZHHS 16:53:21 Via Fax _> 6514SZ094H Administrator
LMC
I
-Fri.d.a.YFax-
A
weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities
Governor's supplemental budget
released
Thursday afternoon, the governor released his
supplemental budget recommendations for the
upcoming two-year budget. The supplemental
recommendations are unveiled shortly after the
Department of Finance releases the February
budget forecast and therefore reflect the effects
of the updated forecast and any repr1ofitization
of the governor's initial budget proposal.
The February forecast increased the revenues
available for the balance of the current
biennium, which ends this June 30, by $175
million. In addition, the projections for
revenues available for the 2006-2007 biennium
increased by $234 million. Despite these
"increases," the state continues to face a deficit
for the upcoming biennial budget. However,
given that the governor's initial budget was
based on lower available revenue projections,
the improved budget forecast effectively
translates into more available revenue for the
governor's budget.
The governor's supplemental recommendations
would increase K-12 education funding by
$108 million, $66 million of which would be
used to increase the basic education finance
formula,. When combined with the governor's
earlier budget recommendation, he is now
proposing that the basic education funding
formula increase by 2.5 percent per year for the
upcoming budget cycle.
The governor's supplemental budget did not
restore funding for the market value homestead
credit cuts proposed by the governor in
January.
Page 001 of 005
March 11, 2005
Page 1
The governor's overall budget
recommendations continue to rely on an
assumed $200 million one-time infusion of
revenue from a new casino. If that source of
revenue is not realized, the governor and
Legislature will have to find other revenues or
other expenditure reductions before the end of
the session.
The governor may have provided some
protection from the possible loss of the casino
revenue and also from the possible loss of
federal revenue due to Congressional action
that could negatively impact the state. His
supplemental recommendations "include a set
aside of $75 million which he labels as a
"federal transition reserve." According to the
governor, this reserve would be used to cover
potential federal cuts to a wide range of non -
entitlement discretionary programs, although it
apparently would not be limited only to those
uses.
The governor's budget recommendations are
only a starting point for legislative budget
negotiations. The Legislature has two months
remaining in this session to craft a final state
biennial budget.,
Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at
651.281.1255 or at
What is the proper role of a city
council?
This week, the Governor's Chief -of -Staff, Dan
McElroy, during a discussion on Minnesota
Public Radio was asked the question, "Has the
governor taken a position yet on whether or not
people in the local communities where a casino
would be sited --whether they should be
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651,281,1200 or 800,925.1122
Mar 11 2005 16:54:01 Via Fax _> 6514520940 Administrator Page HHZ of HOS
LFr�da c vFn-,%7
T A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities March 11, 2005
Page 2
allowed to vote on this or just go with whatever in the House Governmental Operations &
the city council says?"
McElroy replied, "We believe the city council
should make that decision. I've looked at how
it's been done in other parts of the country and
the challenge is if the community were to
undertake a referendum, it's likely the current
Indian gaming group would spend a ton of
money to defeat it. The proponents would have
to spend a ton of money to pass it. It gets into a
battle that's not particularly constructive.. it
still wastes a lot of resources, pits neighbor
against neighbor and I don't think it's
necessary. We believe a city council resolution
would be the right way to go."
In a completely unrelated note, Governor Tim
Pawlenty and House Tax Committee Chair Phil
Krinkle this week unveiled the Taxpayer
Satisfaction Survey at a meeting of the
Minnesota Association of Realtors. The
proposal would allow property owners to
petition for a vote on a city council decision to
increase the property tax, making it difficult for
city councilmembers and mayors to answer the
question posed in the title of this article.
We hope Chief -of -Staff McElroy will share his
views on the role of city councils with others at
the state capitol.
Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at
651.281.1255 or at .. carlsonLOUrnnc.ong
Action Alert! House hearing next
Tuesday on salary cap proposal
Legislation that would give Minnesota cities
and counties control over local compensation
decisions will be heard on Tuesday, March 15
Veterans Affairs Committee.
The bill, HF'995, repeals the statute that limits
local government compensation to 95 percent
of the governor's salary. This legislation also
eliminates the related cap on salary that is
counted for pension purposes. Rep. Ron
Erhardt (R -Edina) is the chief sponsor of the
House bill and Sen. Steve Kelley (DFL -
Hopkins) is carrying the Senate companion.
The proposal is supported by a bi-partisan
group of legislators.
HF 995 passed out of the House Local
Government Committee last week on a 10-8
roll call vote. We expect that the vote in the
Governmental Operations Committee will also
be close. Please contact members of the
committee before Tuesday's hearing to
encourage them to repeal the salary can or
to provide a higher limit that includes an
annual inflationary adjustment, which will
be offered as an amendment if necessary.,
The members, their phone numbers and e-mail
addresses are listed below:
Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, (651) 296-5369,
rep.kaLhA,.tmfYelstad house-nin
Rep. Dan Severson, (651) 296-7808,
re' [!.dan_severson'_'1 ouse.-n-in
Rep. Phyllis Kahn, (651) 296-4257,
M -ph 11iskahrildhouse.ma
Rep. Michael Beard, (651) 296-8872,
Rep. Lloyd Cybart, (651) 296-5506,
Rep. Randy Demmer, (651) 296-9236,
r rand
_)r.demmev'&1iouse.mn
Rep. Jerry Dempsey, (651) 296-8635,
rR-p. i erm dentps ey&, hous e.m n
Rep. Joe Hoppe, (651) 296-5066,
re&joe.horn e(iz'Uuse.rnn
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651,281.1200 or 800.925,1122
Mar 11 Z005 16:54:45 Via Fax -> 65145ZB94H Administrator
-Fri daY. F ax-
-4 weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities
Rep. Larry Hosch, (651) 296-4373,
re .lai-1 -.Iloscll�ii�hc)us¢w.rnn
Rep. Howard Swenson, (651) 296-8634,
re ).ruth_ 1 o.linsorltet.house_mn
Rep. Sheldon Johnson, (651) 296-4201,
resl). shelcfoxl. �allrtsoni�!lcouseaxan
Rep. Tina Liebling, (651) 296-0573,
rtea.tina.lieblirwe diouse.mn
Rep. Leon Lillie, (65 1) 296-1188,
res�,,,I).leon.lInn
Rep. Diane Loeffler, (651) 296-4219,
res.>_dia;ne_loeffloi/r 'hoiise.itin
Rep. Tim Mahoney, (651) 296-4277,
res�_tim.11." one /; [:itou.se.rnri
Rep. Denny McNamara, (651) 296-3135,
rt' .ileriii �.mCrk«�rilara�C4�'totiS4?.nirl
Rep. Mark Olson, (651) 296-4237,
rc .rrzra'r:6c_olson;�;house.mn
Rep. Aaron Peterson, (651) 296-4228,
r<i 7 k trt}Cl )e'terso:Ci!GZ,house_ nn
Rep. Neil Peterson, (651) 296-7803,
res )_Ilf?Il. )(?tC'dSC).Li�C7iliOilSe_rCirl
Rep. 1VIarty Seifert, (651) 296-5374,
ED,).
Rep. Lynn Wardlow, (651) 296-4128,
re.)_1 ni.i.i'S ard14Yhouse.mn
Rep. Andy Welti, (651) 296-4378,
res.a.aric::lt.tit�talt;iri%:t�c)uscx rtiz�.
Questions? Contact Laura Offerdahl at (651)
281-1260 or at 1offerdnhl('@.hnnc:..org
Street utility bill narrowly clears
hurdle in Senate
The Senate Transportation Committee took a
neutral position on the League's street utility
initiative, `=F366 (Marko, DFL -Cottage
Grove), at a Thursday hearing. On a vote of
seven to four, the bill was passed without
recommendation to the Senate State and Local
Government Operations Committee. A prior
motion to table the bill was defeated on a vote
of five to five.
Page 003 Of 005
March 11, 2005
Page 3
The committee heard strong testimony by the
bill's author, Senator Sharon Marko, and by
city officials, that street utility authority would
provide a fair and much-needed tool for street
preservation funding.
The bill ran into trouble when some key
supporting senators left the hearing to attend
other committee meetings. Subsequently, cities
lost a couple of swing votes on the committee
to the bill's opponents. Representatives of the
Minnesota Multi -Housing Association, the
Minnesota Trucking Association, the
Minnesota Grocers Association and the
National Association of Industrial and Office
Properties used familiar arguments that cities
would use the fees to unfairly "tax" businesses
and that property taxes should sufficiently
cover the cost of street maintenance and
reconstruction. They also charged that the
mechanism used to calculate the fees ---trip
generation rates—is obscure.
In fact, the trip generation information would
be taken from the Institute of Traffic Engineers
(ITE) Trip Generation Manual, which is widely
accepted by engineering and planning
professionals. The manual is a key source of
information used to make decisions about
traffic management, safety and development.
Some members of the committee noted that
they had not heard from city officials in their
districts on this initiative and were not inclined
to support it without local pressure.
The next hearing on SF 366 has not been
scheduled. The outcome of this legislation will
depend largely on the ability of city officials to
make the case that this street funding tool
would be useful and would be implemented
carefully and fairly at the local level.
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122
Mar 11 ZHHS 16:55:31 Via Pax _> GS14SZ094H Administrator Page 664 Of HOS
LMC
7
-FridaYFCaV%%r-
A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities
League members have a small remaining
window of opportunity to influence this
legislation. If your city supports the initiative,
now is the time for you to inform or remind
your legislators of your interest.
To learn more about the street utility initiative,
go to the League's Street U -til Lly Action Toolkit
on the LMC website
Questions? Contact Anne Finn at 651.281.1263
or a t2; !;,n 17 c. o r g
Extracurricular activities to remain in
schools for now
HF 1090, a bill that would have shifted
responsibility for student activities such as
sports and arts from school districts to local
governments, met its demise this week in the
House Education Policy and Reform
Committee.
The authors, Rep. Mark Buesgens (R -Jordan)
and Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL -Roseville), said
the bill had been introduced in an effort to help
facilitate a discussion about the use of
education dollars and the appropriate role of
schools. The bill was greeted with alarm by
educators, students, parents and local
government officials.
The authors acknowledged the initiative was
controversial and, after several committee
members and testifiers made it clear there was
little appetite for this shift, they agreed to lay
the bill on the table.
March 11, 2005
Page 4
The Senate companion, SF 1 398 1 (Pappas, DFL -
St. Paul), has not been scheduled for a hearing.
Questions? ContactAnne Finn at 6.51.281.1263
or afinn@lmnc.org.
Liquor law changes discussed this
Monday
The Senate's Liquor Subcommittee will meet
on Monday to take up a number of liquor
related bills. Among the bills they will hear
that impact cities are: SF'1444(Anderson,
DFL -St Paul) mandating that cities issuing
liquor licenses perform two compliance checks
a year per license, and setting a minimum
administrative penalties for sales to minors. SF
Il 31 (Ourada, R. -Buffalo) prohibits any new
municipal liquor stores. SF 1435 (Klels, R -St.
Cloud) requires any city with a municipal
liquor operation to issue an off -sale license to
any qualifying entity. The committee will take
a vote on SF 1444, but will not on either of the
municipal liquor bills.
The wine in grocery stores proposal, _SIS 1572
(Scheid, DFL -Brooklyn Park) is not scheduled
for this hearing, although many of the issues
brought forward in these bills are some of the
same arguments made for expanding the sale of
wine to grocery stores. This bill was
introduced this week in the Senate; the
companion is HF...1727 (Beard, R -Shakopee).
The House companion committee, the Liquor
subcommittee of Regulated Industries, will
meet Monday night to hear the non-
controversial local bills. The hearing is at 7 pm
in the State Office Building, room 500 North.
House staff has said they will not be taking up
any controversial bills at that hearing.
Far more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovemmental Relations team.
651.281,1200 or 800.925,1122
Mar 11 2005 16:56:11 Via Fax __> 6514528940 Administrator
-Frida,YF Fax
A weekly legislative update from the .League ofMinnesota Cities
Commerce Subcommittee on Liquor
Chair: Sen. Sandra L. Pappas
12 noon Room 15 Capitol
Agenda: SF 1280-Skoe: Minors alcoholic beverages
purchase, possession or consumption strengthened
restriction.
SF 1444 -Anderson: Alcoholic beverage sales to minors
mandatory civil penalties and compliance checks.
"'
,2F I535 -Dibble: Authorizing the city of Minneapolis to
issue an on -sale license.
SF 10 72 -Hann: Eden Prairie on -sale intoxicating liquor
license.
The following bills will be heard for discussion only-, no
votes will be taken�
E' L
z
"'
,30-Kierlin: Wine sales exclusive agreements
prohibition.
,aF 1131-0urada: Municipal liquor stores establishment
prohibition.
,c'?F 13` -Dibble: Beer market dual distribution
prohibition repeal.
S `F 1435-Kleis-. Municipal liquor store cities off -sale
licenses issuance.
SF 1595 -McGinn- Modifying law relating to wholesaler -
retailer relationships..
Questions? Contact Jenn O'Rourke at
651.281.1281 or at jorourke –Imnc.org
.... ..... ........ —
Committee meetings
Commit -tee schedules are changing frequently
To get the latest information on committee
agendas, check the legislative websites
Lemstative lionle Page
Make your city's voice heard at the
Capitol—State of the Cities
Legislative Conference set for
March 31
The State of the Cities Legislative Conference
is set for March 31, 2005 and will be held at the
Four Points Sheraton, St. Paul. This conference
is followed by the City Day at the Capitol—the
Page 005 of 005
March 11, 2005
Page 5
perfect chance to meet with your legislators and
tell your City's story.
At this conference, you'll:
• Learn about key legislative initiatives and
issues facing cities this session, including
transportation, land use and water quality
• Hear about the 2005 State of the Cities
Report
• Learn how Minnesota cities are coping with
fiscal pressures and how our cities compare
to other states.
* Find out about the Financing Local
Government Task Force recommendations.
• Hear from legislative leaders.
• Network with other city officials and learn
how to foster closer state -local partnerships.
• Stay on for the networking social hour from
4 to 6 p.m. at the Kelly Inn, Sweetwater Bar
and Grill.
Registration Fee: $75 person
Questions? Contact Cathy Dovidlo at (6 5 1)
281-1250 or (800) 925-1122, or e-mail:
cdcvvl dig�rez% lrnnc.,o:y g
Register online anytime at: (>nlifle Registratiori
*Also learn more about impaired waters at
legislative update sessions on April 1 or S. For
more information visit Im-12aired � k7aters
Meetings
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities latergovemi-nental Relations team.
651,281 . 1200 or 800.925.1122
Mar 18 2005 17:14:47 Via Fax --> 6514528940 Administrator
-Frida Fax -
y
A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities
Senate transportation package
unveiled
Senate Transportation Committee Chair Steve
Murphy (DFL -Red Wing) distributed a draft of
his transportation funding package at a Thursday
hearing. The draft, which will presumably be
introduced in bill form in the coming days, will
serve as a starting point for development of the
Senate's omnibus transportation bill.
It provides almost $9.5 billion in revenues for
state and local roads and $1.9 billion for transit
over ten years. Key provisions of the bill will be
outlined in next week's Cities Bulletin.
Notably absent in the bill is a provision that
would allow cities to impose street utility fees,
The bill will be heard on Tuesday, March 22, at
3:00 p.m. in room 15 of the State Capitol. Sen.
Murphy has indicated that the committee will
discuss, amend and possibly pass the bill at the
Tuesday hearing.
The House has not yet begun work on its
omnibus transportation bill.
Questions? ContactAnne Finn at 651.281.1263
or c- miZ,(z imnc.or
Pension Commission begins work
On Thursday morning, the Legislative
Commission on Pensions and Retirement met for
the first time this session in an organizational
meeting. The commission is ajoint House and
Senate committee comprised of five members
from each body that meets to consider pension
issues. Recommendations from the Pension
Commission are forwarded to the House and
Senate for consideration.
Paye 001 Of 005
March 18, 2005
Page 1
This year's Senate members include Larry
Pogemiller (DFL -Minneapolis), Don .Betzold
(DFL -Fridley), Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon),
Geoff Michel (R -Edina) and (Cal Larson (R-
Fergus
RFergus Falls). The House members include Steve
Smith (R -Mound), Dennis Ozment (R -
Rosemount), Lynn Wardlow (R -Eagan), Mary
Murphy (DFL-Hermantown) and Paul Thissen
(DFL -Minneapolis).
The Pension Commission will consider a number
of important bills during the coming weeks,
including a bill prepared by the Public Employees
Retirement Association (PERA) Board of
Directors that will address the funding deficiency
in the PERA Coordinated Plan. In that bill, SF
?£a6, the PERA Board is proposing a phased -in
schedule of increases in employee and employer
contribution rates that would begin on January 1,
2006 as well as a change in benefits to
employees. The Board's proposal attempts to
share the burden of the funding solution between
the employer and employee.
Date of Increase
Employee Employer
Current
5.10%
5..53%
1/1/06
5.50%
6.00%
1/1/07
5.75%
6.25%
1/1/08
6.00%
6.50%
1/1/09
6.00%
6.75%
1/1/10
6.00%
7.00%
The Board is also proposing to put in place an
automatic adjustment provision whereby the
PERA Board could adjust contribution rates in
the future as the actuary determines the plan's
funding needs, rather than requiring legislative
action on every adjustment.
Employee groups are lining up in opposition and
will likely push to have the employers pick up
most if not all of the needed contribution
increase. The current LMC policy supports a
solution that would share the solution between
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651,281 . 1200 or 800.925.1122
Mar 10 2005 17:15:20 Via Fax _> 6514528940 Administrator Page 002 Of 805
LLmc -Fri
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A weekly legislative update from the League o
March 18, 2005
Page 2
the employee and employer, roughly consistent to work with the League in this regard in order to
with the PERA Board proposal. This issue will keep the bill moving forward.
quickly evolve over the next few weeks.
Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at
651.281.1255 or at M.arlson&hnnc. or
g -
Leaue Board adopts compromise
13
position on cable legislation
On Thursday, the LMC Board of Directors took
time to listen to concerns from the Minnesota
Association of Community Telecommunications
Administrators (MACTA), which represents
cable franchise administrators and commissions,
about SF 688 (Kelley, DFL -Hopkins)/ HF 1319
(Beard, R -Shakopee). These bills, which have
been discussed in previous Bulletins and the
focus of a recent 15 -Minute Advocate, would
enhance cable television competition by giving
cities authority to make it less difficult for new
cable entrants to offer services by offering
competitive franchise terms that are different
from what are currently imposed on incumbent
cable system operators.
After hearing the concerns, the Board urged
MACTA to work with League staff to develop
amendments to make provisions at issue more
acceptable to MACTA members and to present
the proposed changes to the Minnesota
Telecommunications Alliance, with whom the
League and MACTA initially negotiated the
original terms of SF 688/BF 1319. MACTA's
concerns dealt primarily with the obligations of
competitive cable service providers to offer and
support public, educational and government
access channels and local origination
programming,
The League hopes to improve the bill by
clarifying requirements for both incumbent cable
system operators and new entrants. It is the
Board's understanding that MACTA has agreed
Questions? ContactAnn Higgins at
651.281.1257 or at ahigginsQ.-hnnc.oM
AMBO certification bill up in House
committee
On Thursday, the Association of Minnesota
Building Officials (AMBO) introduced their bill,
HF 1929, to require certification of building
inspectors. Rep. Karen Klinzing (R -Woodbury)
is the chief sponsor of the proposal. The Senate
companion bill has not yet been 'introduced.
Under this proposal, all construction code
inspectors who start employment after July 1,
2007 would be required to meet certain
competency criteria established by the
commissioner of administration within a year of
hire. The commissioner is required to adopt rules
specifying these new requirements, which must
include certifications developed or administered
by nationally recognized agencies that are
relevant to the building, mechanical, and
plumbing codes adopted in Minnesota. HF 1929
would also allow the commissioner to adopt rules
providing continuing education programs for
construction code inspectors.
AMBO is proposing HF 1929 as an alternative to
several legislative proposals, 'including bills that
would impose onerous reporting requirements,
require excessive and costly continuing education
requirements for building inspectors, increase
municipal liability, and privatize inspections for
certain residential buildings.
One of these proposals, the Homeowners'
Protection Act, was debated in numerous
committees in the 2004 session and has been re-
introduced this year. The bill, I -IF 733 (Klinzing,
R -Woodbury), would expand municipal building
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651.281.1200 or 800.925, 1122
Mar 10 2005 17:16:13 Via Fax _> 651452094H Administrator
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code enforcement reporting requirements; require
a written explanation for surplus building permit
fees-, specify a certain number of required
continuing education credits for building
inspectors; and allow cities to pay for continuing
education credits with building permit fee
revenue. A possible amendment to HF 733
would add a provision creating municipal and
inspector liability for losses caused by negligence
or other failure of building inspectors to enforce
the building code.
Another proposal that would privatize building
inspection .fiinctions for certain residential
buildings could be introduced this year.
Legislators have raised concerns about the
availability of inspection services on holidays and
during construction code training seminars, as
well as unreasonable delays in scheduling
inspections. This proposal would allow a builder
to hire a certified private inspector for the
inspection of certain residential buildings, and
provides that 60 percent of the amount paid by
the builder for private inspection services would
be credited to future building permit fees incurred
in that municipality..
AMBO's construction inspector certification bill
may help alleviate the pressure to increase
reporting requirements, hold municipalities and
municipal employees liable for construction
defects, and privatize inspection services. The
bill will be heard on Monday, March 21st in the
House Governmental Operations & Veterans
Affairs Committee.
The League is monitoring all of these proposals
to make sure that if any legislation advances, it is
not a financial or administrative burden on our
member cities.
Questions? Contact Laura Offerdahl at
6.51.28.1.1260 or lo �rdah1(&.,lmnc.orF
Page OH3 Of 005
March 18, 2005
Page 3
Bill would prohibit use of
administrative fines for traffic
Senator Leo Foley (DFL -Coon Rapids) this week
introduced a bill to explicitly prohibit cities from
using administrative fines for traffic enforcement.
SF 1713 adds a provision to Minnesota Statutes
(1\1S.) 169.022 the uniform traffic code that says,
". I . notwithstanding any contrary charter
provision, no statutory or home rule charter city,
county, or town may impose administrative
penalties to enforce provisions of this chapter."
The bill comes on the heels of renewed criticism
by State Auditor Patricia Anderson toward cities
that have used administrative fines for low-level
moving violations. The auditor issued a letter to
Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion
last month reiterating her position that the
practice is not permissible. The letter called for
efforts "...to resolve this growing legal non-
compliance issue," and provided policy options
the state could implement to discourage cities
from using administrative fines for traffic
violations.
SF 1713 stands in direct opposition to previously
introduced legislation. HF 592 (Samuelson, R. -
New Brighton) would give cities explicit
authority to use administrative fines for some
speeding violations.
Neither bill has been scheduled for a hearing.
The League will continue to monitor this issue
and will alert members of legislative efforts to
clarify the existing law.
Questions? ContactAnne Finn at 651.281.1263
or
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651,281.1200 or 800.925. 1122
Mar 10 2005 17;16:54 Via Fax -> 6514520940 Administrator
-Fri a F a:x -
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A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities
Pre-empting cities on meth ordinances
An amendment to pre-empt any local
government's meth ordinance went on HF 572
(Jeff Johnson, R -Plymouth), the omnibus meth
bill, yesterday in the Public Safety Committee.
As written, the amendment would actually void
out all ordinances that previously dealt with the
regulation of over-the-counter drugs of ephedrine
or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)..
Proponents advocate that this sets a statewide
standard that all retail, especially the chain stores,
can follow and understand. Opponents are
worried that if the restriction language does not
stay strong, pre-emption of any local work on
precursor regulation will make the bill even
weaker. The Senate's precursor drug language is
traveling in a separate bill, 5151 (Berglin, DFL -
Minneapolis); that does not contain any
preemption language and passed the floor 67-0.
Right now the League's understanding is that the
only cities having passed similar ordinances are
Austin, Baxter, and some cities in Anoka County.
Some counties have addressed this issue as well.
1f your city has passed an ordinance and is not
among those just listed, contact Jelin O'Rourke.
League staff would like to have a better idea of
what cities may be doing at the local level on
precursor drug regulation_
Questions? ContactJenn O Rourke at
65.1..281.1261 or at orour e&bhaz�
:Municipal liquor store bill update
Last Monday, the Senate Liquor subcommittee
had on their agenda two of the three municipal
liquor bills that have been introduced this year,
including a bill offered by Rep. Ourada (R -
Buffalo) that would prohibit all new municipal
liquor stores.
The three bills are:
March 18, 2005
Page 4
SF 113:1 Ourada (R-Buffalo)—prohibition on any
new liquor stores. The companion bill is FIT"
1 � 38, (Blaine, R -Little Falls).
SF 1435 Kleis (R -St. Cloud) ---any city with
municipal liquor must also issue oft -sale licenses
to any qualified store. The companion bill is HF
15,16 Sykora (R. -Excelsior)
HF 1158 Bues gens (F-Jordan)—requiring cities
with municipal operations to divest of all
inventory by 1/1/06. No companion has been
introduced to date.
Before the hearing began, Ourada's bill was
pulled from the agenda. During the discussion of
the Kleis bill, the chair recommended that the bill
be converted into a study of municipal liquor
regulation as part of a larger study the Commerce
Committee will request the Legislative Auditor to
conduct.
City officials were on hand to testify against
these bills, but the committee ran short of time
and had announced they would not likely be
meeting again for the rest of the session. Because
these bills could crop up in either full Senate
Commerce committee, the House committees, or
in amendment on the floor—it would be good to
voice your support for your municipal liquor
store with your legislators when the opportunity
strikes.
Question? ContactJenn O'Rourke at
651.281.1261 or at orcatarlce!ii l➢➢'Fnc.or
Committee meetings
MONDAY, March 21, 2005
12:30 PM
Meeting Time Note: The Committee will recess
and reconvene at 4:30pm in Rm 300 South to
continue work on the agenda.
Committee: Local Government
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
6.51,281.1200 or 800.925.1122
Mar 10 ZHHS 17:17:37 Via Pax _> GS14SZ0940 Administrator
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A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities
Room: 10 State Office Building
Chair: Rep. Mark Olson
Agenda: HF1365 (Thissen) Municipal solid waste
service business inverse condemnation authorized
when a governmental entity occupies the market.
HF 1525 (Kahn) Political subdivision pay equity
reporting requirements modified.
HFO 8 15 (Kahn) City councils required to vote on
charter commission recommendations for charter
amendments by ordinance.
MONDAY, March 21, 2005
House Local Government
10 State Office Building
12:30 PM
Agenda: HF1365 (Thissen) Municipal solid waste
service business inverse condemnation authorized
when a governmental entity occupies the market.
Other bills to be discussed.
*The Committee will recess and reconvene at
4:3 ) Opm in Rm 3 :1 00 South to continue work on the
agenda.
TUESDAY, March 22, 2005
Environment and Natural Resources
Basement State Office Building
12:30 PM
Agenda: HFXXXX (Hackbarth) Shooting range
protection legislation.
*If necessary, the committee will reconvene in
the basement hearing room at 6:00p.m
TUESDAY, March 22, 2005
3 pm, Room 15 Capitol
Senate Transportation Committee
Chair: Sen. Steve Murphy
Agenda: SF XXX -Murphy: Transportation
finance bill.
Page 005 of 005
March 18, 2005
Page 5
Make your city's voice heard at the
Capitol—State of the Cities
Legislative Conference set for
March 31
The State of the Cities Legislative Conference is
set for March 31, 2005 and will be held at the
Four Points Sheraton, St. Paul. This conference is
followed by the City Day at the Capitol—the
perfect chance to meet with your legislators and
tell your city's story.
At this conference, you'll:
• Learn about key legislative 'initiatives and
issues facing cities this session, including
transportation, land use and water quality
• Hear about the 2005 State of the Cities Report
• Learn how Minnesota cities are coping with
fiscal pressures and how our cities compare to
other states.
e Find out about the Financing Local
Government Task Force recommendations.,
* Hear from legislative leaders.
e Network with other city officials and learn
how to foster closer state -local partnerships.
* Stay on for the networking social hour from 4
to 6 p.m, at the Kelly Inn, Sweetwater Bar
and Grill.
Registration Fee: $75 person
Questions? Contact Cathy Dovidio at (651) 281-
1250 or (800) 925-1122, or e-mail:
cdo-y * d'o,' oro
- - I U., �Mrnnc�
Register online anytime at; Online Registration
*Also learn more about impaired waters at
legislative update sessions on April 1 or S. For
more information visit J_rn-paired Waters Meetings
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651.281.1200 or 800,925.1122
Mar 24 ZOOS 17:3729 Via Fax 6514528940 Administrator Page 001 Of 006
Lc
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-11111.:,' A weekly legislative updatefrom the League of.Minnesota Cities
March 24, 2005
Page 1,
City Day at the Capitol is March 31 At this conference, you'll:
With less that two months remaining in the
2005 regular session, next 'Thursday promises
to be a busy day at the Capitol and a critical
time for city officials to visit with their
representatives and senators. The League's
annual City Day will provide you with an
opportunity to be briefed on important
legislation and hear from key lawmakers.
Thursday will also be filled with opportunities
to make a real difference at the Capitol. One
important hearing will occur at 3 p.m. when the
Senate Transportation Committee will hear two
competing bills that attempt to clarify the
authority of cities to impose administrative
fines for minor traffic violations.
Don't think your voice matters? Votes against
city -friendly bills were reversed twice last
week after legislators heard from local officials
urging support for the street utility authority
and opposing an inverse condemnation bill. In
both cases, legislators publicly acknowledged
their vote changed after hearing from local
officials "back home."
Register today to support city -friendly
legislation and the city-state partnership by
attending City Day at the Capitol as part of the
League of Minnesota Cities 2005 State of the
Cities Legislative Conference on March 31.
The State of the Cities Legislative Conference
will be held at the Four Points Sheraton, St.
Paul. This conference is followed by the City
Day at the Capitol—the perfect chance to meet
with your legislators and tell your city's story.
• Learn about key legislative *initiatives and
issues facing cities this session, including
transportation, land use and water quality
• Hear about the 2005 State of the Cities Report.
• Learn how Minnesota cities are coping with
fiscal pressures and how our cities compare to
other states.
• Find out about the Financing Local
Government Task Force recommendations.
• Hear from legislative leaders.
• Network with other city officials and learn
how to foster closer state -local partnerships.
• Stay on for the networking social hour from 4
to 6 p.m. at the Kelly Inn, Sweetwater Grill.
Registration Fee: 57.5 person
Questions? Contact Cathy Dovidio at (65 1)
281-1250 or (800) 925-1122, or e -mail -
c d oi, 1 d 1 1 irinc. or g
Register online anytime at: Online
Rle�"Iistrahon.
*Also learn more about impaired waters at
legislative update sessions on April 1 or S. For
more information visit Ini )aired Waters
\4eefinas.
Full Senate approves budget -
balancing bills
During the Wednesday floor session, the full
Senate approved two bilis,al°' .1�209 a tax bill,
and SF 1879, an appropriations bill, that
together are being called the Senate DFL's
structural budget balancing package because
they attempt to address the state's projected
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team
651.281 . 1200 or 800.925. 1122
Mar 24 ZHHS 17:30:00 Via Fax _> 6514520940 Administrator
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A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities
$466 million budget deficit for the upcoming
2006-2007 biennium,
Senate DFL majority leadership has stressed
that the package is only the first step in
formulating the state's 2006-2007 biennial
budget and that a second package of
appropriation measures, that will 'include
additional revenues for priority budget areas,
will be the focus of the Senate for the balance
of the legislative session.
Senate Republicans and the governor have
criticized the plan as a piecemeal approach to
the state's budget given that the bills do
nothing to increase funding for K-12 education
and other priority state programs. In
comparison, the governor's budget proposal
includes deeper cuts in many state
appropriations as well as $200 million in one-
time casino licensing money to both balance
the projected state budget deficit and increase
spending for priority programs including K-12
education.
During the floor debate on the tax bill, an
amendment was successfidly offered by Sen,
Julianne Ortman (R -Chanhassen) that replaced
the permanent MVHC reimbursement
reductions contained in the bill with the
governor's proposed two-year cut. That
amendment was approved on a 57-7 vote,
After the tax bill was approved by the Senate
on a 36-29 vote, Sen. Pogemiller (DFL -
Minneapolis) moved to lay the bill on the table
because under the Minnesota Constitution, bills
that raise revenue must originate in the House.
The Senate will have to wait for a House tax
bill that can be amended with the language in
SF 1209 in order to send the bill back to the
House. The appropriations bill, SF 1879, was
Page HHZ of HOG
March 24, 2005
Page 2
approved on a 35-30 vote and will now be sent
to the House where it is unlikely the House will
take action on the package. The House will
likely opt to address the biennial budget with a
more traditional package of budget bills.
Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at
651.281.1255 or at gcar1son;,eiuM-nC.o7'
City officials rescue street utility
initiative
As a result of a flurry of advocacy work by city
officials, the League's street utility initiative
will be included as a provision in the Senate's
omnibus transportation bill after all. It did not
appear in an initial draft of the bill released last
week. However, on Tuesday afternoon, the
Senate Transportation Committee adopted an
amendment to put the measure into the soon-to-
be introduced bill.
The committee chair, Sen. Steve Murphy
(DFL, -Red Wing), said early in the 2005
session that if his committee approved the
measure as a stand-alone bill, he would be
inclined to include it as a provision in the
Senate's transportation funding package.
Unfortunately, when the street utility bill, SF
366 (Rep. Marko, DFL -Cottage Grove), came
before the committee, some key supporting
senators had already left the hearing to attend
other committee meetings. Subsequently, cities
lost a couple of swing votes on the committee
to the bill's opponents. SF 366 was passed
without recommendation to the Senate State
and Local Government Operations Committee.
A prior motion to table the bill was defeated on
a vote of five to five.
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651.281,1200 or 800.925.1122
Mar 24 ZOOS 17:30:49 Via Fax _> 6514528940 Administrator
LMC
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Without the clear support of his committee,
Sen. Murphy declined to include the bill as a
provision in the Senate's transportation funding
pack -age.
The League alerted member cities that
inclusion of the street utility in the Senate
omnibus transportation bill had become critical
because the companion to SF 366, HF 313
(Hornstein, DFL -Minneapolis), is stalled in the
House. The omnibus bill is likely to end up in a
conference committee where supporters can
advocate to keep the provision as a measure in
the final package.
In response, dozens of city officials contacted
legislators to express concern about the
omission of the street utility provision. At the
request of the League, Sen. Sharon Marko,
author of SF 366, agreed to bring the bill before
the Transportation Committee for a second
time in the form of an amendment to the
omnibus bill.
At a Tuesday hearing, the Transportation
Committee took up the draft funding package
and, after little discussion, passed the Marko
amendment on a decisive vote. Key members
of the committee who had previously opposed
the bill said they were contacted by their city
officials and felt comfortable supporting the
street utility measure.
The draft omnibus bill with the street utility
provision was passed and will be introduced
next week. Upon introduction, it will be
assigned a number and will be available to the
public on-line.
Questions? Contact Anne Finn at 651.281.1263
or at
Page 003 of 006
March 24, 2005
Page 3
Municipal liquor store bill to be heard
in the House
League staff has been alerted that a bill to
prohibit municipal liquor stores will be heard
next Friday, April 1, in the House Local
Government Committee. I -IF 1158 ' (Rev.
Buesgens, R -Jordan) states that no city may
own or operate a liquor store. It goes on to
require cities to divest of all their liquor stock
and stores by January 1, 2006. If it passes out
of committee, it will likely be referred to
Regulated Industries. While there is no Senate
companion at this time, the fact the bill will
receive a hearing makes it possible fodder for
amendments to other legislation.
Calls, emalls and visits with your legislators are
important on this one to let them know the role
your municipal store plays in your city. For
information on committee members, visit
House Local Government Committee.
Questions? Contact Jenn O'Rourke at
651.281.1.261 or at orourkp(&Y?ta_nc.orq.
Pressure is mounting to take-up
eminent domain bill
Proponents of a bill that would make sweeping
changes to Minnesota's eminent domain law
are pushing for a legislative hearing on the
measure this session.
The bill, 11F 161 S, would make two significant
changes to state law. First, this bill would
allow the court to award payment of property
owners' attorney fees in takings for
f
transportation purposes i the final award
exceeded the city's last offer by 20 percent. In
addition, this legislation would require cities to
prove by a preponderance of evidence that a
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651,281.1200 or 800,925. 1122
Mar 24 2005 17:39:30 Via Fax _> 6514520940 Administrator
LMC
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A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities
taking that is later transferred to a private entity
is reasonably necessary, is authorized by law,
and is for a public, not private, purpose.
Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL -Minneapolis) is the
chief sponsor of this proposal in the House.
The Senate companion bill. SF 1694, is being
carried by Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (I -Rochester),
While these changes sound very modest, the
impacts are dramatic. If enacted, this
legislation would create uncertainty in the law
that could generate expensive litigation,
increase the cost of public projects, and impair
critical economic development and
redevelopment projects.
This effort to limit the use of eminent domain is
part of a national debate on whether taking
property for economic development and
redevelopment serves a public purpose. The
U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing a
Connecticut case (Kelo v. City of New London)
involving the use of eminent domain to take
property for economic development. The court
heard oral arguments in this case last month
and is expected to issue an opinion at the end of
this term..
The League of Minnesota Cities believes that
legislative action in the 2005 session on the
public purpose question would be premature
given the U.S. Supreme Court's review of the
Kelo case. Representatives from the League
will be meeting with the House author and the
proponents of this legislation next Monday
afternoon to discuss our concerns with the bill
and the timing of any legislative action on this
issue.
iff-mmmilm:
March 24, 2005
Page 4
Administrative fines to be debated
The Senate Transportation Committee plans to
take up two administrative penalty bills next
Thursday --one bill would explicitly prohibit
cities from using administrative penalties for
traffic enforcement, while the other would
explicitly permit the practice.
Senator Leo Foley (DFL -Coon Rapids) will
present SF 1713, which adds a provision to
Minnesota Statutes (M.S.) 169.022, the uniform
traffic code, that states, ". . . [N]otwithstanding
any contrary charter provision, no statutory or
home rule charter city, county, or town may
impose administrative penalties to enforce
provisions of this chapter."
The second bill, SF 1042 (Rep. Koering, R -Fort
Ripley), contains the following enabling
language -
"A municipality, by ordinance, may enforce
minor traffic offenses through an
administrative system separate and distinct
from the court system. Administrative
penalties may not exceed the maximum
penalty established by law for a petty
misdemeanor offense. An administrative
penalty may not be imposed unless the
offender is given the opportunity for a
hearing held before a hearing officer
appointed by the municipality and
independent of the law enforcement
agency.
Both bills attempt to resolve an ongoing dispute
between city- and state -level officials that has
resulted from conflicting interpretations of the
existing law.
The hearing will be Thursday, March 31,
beginning at 3:00 p.m. in room 15 of the
Questions? Contact Laura Offerdahl at Capitol,
651.281.1260 or at loIL'erdahl,'
.,ddmnc. or
Comments? Questions? Contact Anne .Finn at
(5.51.281.12(53 ora '"7132rz%lnirzc. ori.
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651,281.1200 or 800.925, 1122
Mar Z4 ZHHS 17:40:1Z Via Fax _> 6514528940 Administrator Page 805 Of ROG
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A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities March 24, 2005
Page 5
Pay equity reporting bill passes House Action Alert — restore A/1HFA housing
committee grants
A proposal to reverse the pay equity reporting
changes adopted in the 2003 session passed the
House Local Government Committee this
week. The bill, FIF-' 1525 (Rep. Kahn, DFL
Minneapolis), reinstates a three-year cycle for
filing pay equity reports with the state
department of employee relations (DOER)
In general, the League of Minnesota Cities
supports eliminating or streamlining state
mandates on local units of government. In
2003, the League supported modifying pay
equity reporting requirements as a way to ease
the burden of this reporting mandate at a time
when cities were struggling to provide
important city services with fewer resources.
We also supported further streamlining these
reporting requirements by allowing electronic
reporting of pay equity data.
DOER joined members of the Pay Equity
Coalition in supporting the three-year reporting
cycle.. The agency argued that a shorter
reporting timeline is necessary to ensure that
local government employers are complying
with the law. During testimony,
representatives from DOER said that the
agency is also in the process of implementing
an electronic reporting system that will be on-
line this summer.
The Senate companion bill, SF 1084 (Sen.
Ranum, DFL -Minneapolis), is scheduled for a
hearing in the Senate State and Local
Government Operations Committee on
Wednesday, March 30th at 12:00 noon in room
318 of the State Capitol.
Questions? Contact Laura O,ffierdahl at
651.281,12(50or at l----',.i-dzzh,, *'17•r1nC'01'
The League strongly urges city officials to
contact local legislators during the Easter
recess (which ends next Tuesday) to support
measures to restore $13 million in funding for
the state Challenge & Economic Development
Housing Grant Program. House and Senate
committees responsible for developing the next
two-year budget for the Minnesota Housing
Finance Agency face a serious fiscal challenge
as a result of the fact that Governor Pawlenty
failed to provide more funding for this program
in his proposed supplemental budget
announced last week.
The Challenge Grant Program has been
extraordinarily well used, particularly in areas
where local job expansion is occurring and in
local redevelopment efforts in urban areas.
Funding for the program, which was cut by
more than $4 million during the previous
biennium, is slated to be cut again, this time by
60 percent, unless the Legislature acts to
reverse the loss of resources needed to support
affordable housing for workers who are being
hired in JobZ areas as well as in areas where
redevelopment is needed to support the existing
tax base.
Local HRA officials in cities throughout the
state have already provided testimony and
letters to members of the House Jobs &
Economic Opportunity Policy & Finance
Committee and in the Senate Environment,
Agriculture & Economic Development Budget
Division, giving first-hand examples of the
significant leveraging of private investment
made possible by the Challenge Grant Program..
Over the last four years, 40 percent of
Challenge Grants have provided funding for
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team.
651,281.1200 or 800,925, 1122
Mar 24 2005 17:40:55 Via Fax _> 6514520940 Administrator Pd90 006 Of 006
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A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities March 24, 2005
Page 6
new housing construction or rehabilitation of last year's tax bill that did not become law—as
both single-family and multi -housing units in well as a number of individual member's bills
cities in Greater Minnesota. that have come before the Senate Tax
The League encourages city officials to send
letters or emails to members of these two
committees. Communications must to be sent
early next week – or messages may be left at
the offices of either of the two committees next
Thursday, March 31, while city officials are in
St. Paul to attend the LMC Legislative
Conference. The names of committee members
and the office addresses for the two committees
can be found at www.leg.r.nn. Go to links for
the Minnesota House of Representatives and
Minnesota State Senate and click on links to
committee information.
Questions? Contact Ann Higgins at
6.51.281.1257 or at 07.,g.
Tax bills: Senate -2 House -0
The tax scene has been confusing this year. The
House has yet to begin crafting their omnibus
tax bill -while the Senate passed a bill called
"Tax I" yesterday and will be considering a
second bill, "Tax 2", next week. Although the
Senate is in the tax bill lead, under the
Minnesota Constitution, tax legislation must
originate in the House.
In order to get everyone on the same
page. "Tax 1" is SF 1209, which the Senate
approved during Thursday's floor session as
part of their structural balancing package. As
mentioned in previous editions of the Cities
Bulletin, that bill includes the two-year cut in
MVHC reimbursement for 103 cities and many
of the governor's proposed revenue
enhancements,
The Senate's second major tax. bill, SF 1683, Is
being referred to as "Tax 2". The Tax 2 bill
contains many of the policy provisions from
Committee in 2005. Tax 2 is likely to come up
for debate on the Senate floor next week.
Among the provisions, Tax 2 contains a
number of local option sales tax requests,
including an authorization for the city of
Willmar. Willmar was inadvertently left out of
the 3/25/05 Bulletin article listing those cities
given new authority or expanded authority in
SF 1683 -Tax 2. The fall list includes: Albert
Lea, Baxter, Beaver Bay, Bemidji, Clearwater,
Cloquet, Hermantown, Mankato, Medford,
Park Rapids, Proctor, Rochester, St. Cloud
area, Waseca, Willmar, Winona and Waite
Park.
To further complicate matters, Senate Tax
Chair Pogemiller (DFL -Minneapolis) has
indicated that he *intends to process a possible
"Tax 3" bill in the near future, possibly
containing some of the more controversial tax
concepts being discussed at the Capitol.
The March 23 edition of the Cities Bulletin
describes both Senate tax bills in separate
stories and the full text of both bills can be
found online at www.senate.leg.mn.us.
Question? Contact Jenn O'Rourke at
651.218.1261 or at
For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team
651281.1200 or 800.925. 1122