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2007-02-23 Friday NewsSTATE OF THE CITY Every year the Northern Dakota County Chamber hosts "State of the City" addresses from the various Dakota County Mayors. Mayor Huber has agreed to make a Mendota Heights "State of the City" address next Thursday March 1St beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The event will be broadcast live by NDC4 and rebroadcast several times after (I'll let you know the times). Mark your calendars to attend this great informational event on the success of the City of Mendota Heights and to hear about the City's goals for the year to come. Par 3 Progress There are now official two groups regarding the referendum question: the Vote No Par 3 04/24/07 Committee held their first meeting Thursday evening. 39 citizens were in attendance. Jake Sedlacek provided a brief background on the rules of Minnesota political campaigns and fielded a handful of questions regarding golf course operations. Jake also made sure that the group knew they were more than welcome to run facts and figures by staff to make sure that no misinformation gets spread. Future meeting dates have not been reported to staff at this time. The Save Par 3 Committee met on Monday night; they are actively developing promotional materials. They have asked staff to review factual information for accuracy. They have been very good about working to get the facts straight. The group is not planning on meeting again until Monday, March 19. The sample ballot and a FAQ sheet have been posted on the Mendota Heights website under "What's New." Community Revitalization Dakota County Community Development Agency staff held a community revitalization meeting at there Eagan offices on Thursday. Jake Sedlacek attended the meeting. Affordable housing goals, redevelopment grants, a strategy for County -led economic development and workforce services were primary discussion topics. During the roundtable, the viability of the town -home and condo markets was discussed. Each community seems to be looking at their ongoing and planned developments a little more warily now than in the past. INSIGHT 7 Before last Tuesday's City Council Meeting, Dennis Rafferty of Town Square Television (NDC4) interviewed Council Members Krebsbach and Duggan for an article that he is doing on the Par 3 Referendum. The article, which will be aired on Insight 7 will address the upcoming Referendum that the City is holding to allow its residents to determine if they want to authorize the City to sell bonds to acquire Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course. The article will begin airing next Thursday at 4 p.m. on Channel 14 and be run for the following three weeks. It will air "prime time" on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 4 p.m. and Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 7 p.m. For other times "Google" Insight 7 on your computer Respectfully submitted, James Danielson City Administrator Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Planning Commission Agenda, Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis, St. Paul Pioneer Press Article "STUPID CITIZENS?!", MNSUN Article "Mendota Elementary turns 50", "Save Par 3 Golf Course", "Par 3 — why?" and Friday Fax. 02-23-2007 -1- 02-23-2007 administrator advised that four students arrived late and appeared to be under the influence of marijuana. Sergeant Anderson confirmed that the youth were under the influence and in possession of some drug paraphernalia. All were suspended from school, turned over to parents and referred to the County Attorney's Office for charges. Minor Consumption 02-15-07 2354 hours Officer Tanner Spicer spotted three cars parked at the dead end of Pilot Knob Road overlooking the river. In checking on the cars they were occupied by two juveniles and an 18 YOA. The three were just "hanging out" - unfortunately they were having a few beers while doing so. The two juveniles blew a .03 BAC on the PBT. They were transported and turned over to parents. The vehicles were towed. Criminal Damage to Property 02-18-07 0047 hours Officer Steve Meyer responded to a call of an out of control man being detained by bar staff. The man had caused problems inside the bar and was asked to leave. Once outside he began tearing mirrors and antennas off of cars in the parking lot. When the man started pounding on cars, staff went outside and stopped him. Officer Meyer arrived and took the man into custody - he blew a .17 BAC on the PBT. After being read Miranda, the man claimed he was assaulted and that someone had told him to jump on the car. After finding the all of the cars and photographing the damages, it was learned that the suspect had damaged a total of 8 vehicles and the amount would be in excess of the damage amount to be charged with a felony. The suspect was transported to the Dakota County jail and a 48 hour hold was placed on him pending charges. The first victim to report in with an estimate of damage had $1400+ done to her car. DAR / False Information 02-18-07 2334 hours While on patrol Officer Spicer spotted a car speeding and weaving down Hwy 55. The car was stopped and the driver told him he did not have a license with him. The driver was placed in the rear of the squad car. He was verbally identified and an in -squad computer check showed no license on file. Officer Spicer then ran the registered owner of the car and pulled up his driver's license photo. At that point, the man admitted to giving his friends name because he was revoked. Car impounded by Southeast Towing; citations issued and driver released. No Insurance 02-19-07 1705 hours Officer Urmann stopped a SUV for expired registration. The owner provided an insurance card that expired in July, 2006. After a phone call to the insurance company it was quickly confirmed that there was no insurance on the car. The driver was cited and released; vehicle was impounded. Crisis Intervention 02-20-07 2057 hours Caller's teenage daughter was out of control and mom needed help. Officer Urmann responded to the house and learned that the problem was over putting clean sheets on the bed. After a short conversation phone numbers to the crisis intervention hot line were left. Clear - no further problems. 4th Degree DUI 02-21-07 2213 hours While on patrol, Officer Shepard observed a car stopped in the traffic lane of Hwy 13 near Hwy 110. After pulling in behind the car he began pacing it at '/2 the speed limit - the car then signaled one direction and turned the other. Once the car was stopped the driver immediately began to exit the car. He was directed back inside the car on the loud speaker. After making contact it was very obvious the driving issues were related to alcohol. The man said he was stepping out of the car because it was windy. He was asked to do SFST's, which he failed. The driver was arrested and brought to MHPD where he was read the MN Implied Consent Advisory. He refused to test and he refused to call an attorney because it was so late at night. He was transported to the jail and held to be charge with felony DUI - the suspect was served an Intent to Seize form for his car. Formal charges were filed. -2- The Parks Crew continues to flood the ice rinks. The rinks are swept and broomed daily. They also are working on repairing picnic tables. The hockey goals at the Marie rink were repaired. Rich checked the sanitary sewer line on Kressin Avenue downstream on Bluebill to Lake and it looked good. A homeowner on Kressin called and said their service was blocked. The homeowner also said Rooter Rooter had pushed a small slipper into the City's line. There were no sign of the slipper. Pipe Services cleaned and vacuumed the storm sewer and catch basins on Victoria. They were packed with ice and leaves. Rich assisted Len with replacing the radiator hoses, thermostat, and motor belts on the portable generator for the lift stations. The Street Crew picked up a dead deer on Delaware Avenue, and Marie Avenue • Pot holeswere filled with cold mix. Ice was scraped off waterVictoria Avenue and hauled away. Callahan Place was sanded for runoff • getting the trucks readyfor weekend's storm. Engineering The Copperfield mill and overlay project was unanimously approved to proceed with construction plans. The biggest concern of residents from the public hearing was the speed and amount of crosswalks on Huber Drive. The Council also approved the go ahead to advertise a public hearing for the Kipp Addition. Lots of robins have been spotted around City Hall eating last year's crap apples. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS February 12, 2007 TO: City Council, Commission Members, and City Administrator FROM: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administra6r *---> SUBJECT: Pre -Application Meeting Synopsis Staff met with one potential applicant on Monday, February 12, 2007. Steve Grittman, Sue McDermott, Paul Berg and Jake Sedlacek were present. Carol Nelson, 1312 Wachtler Ave Ms. Nelson stated that her existing detached garage sits at the bottom of a significant hill and has suffered damage from water runoff. She was looking for information on what permits and procedures would be necessary to demolish and construct a similar structure on the property. Staff discussed codes that applied to the project, including setback, height, size, etc. The applicant would need a Conditional Use Permit and Critical Area Permit for the project. Depending upon the location of a new structure, a variance to the side -yard set back might be required. Staff walked through the checklists for making a planning application. While the applicant is likely to take some action, she was uncertain as to a timeframe for the project. New Planning Commissioner Orientation Steve Norton and Pat Hinderscheid met with Councilmember Schneeman, Steve Grittman, Jim Danielson, Sue McDermott and Jake Sedlacek. Grittman provided a primer on the role of land use planning and how land use rules are applied/enforced. The standard procedure for an applicant to move through the planning application process was described and a tour of City Hall was provided. New commissioners were encouraged to contact Sgt. Donn Anderson for a ride - along, and to get a hold of staff with any questions they may have regarding applications or the planning process. Planning Meeting 211212007 Page I .,seae �ni�n/W T,WINCI-TIES.COMWEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007 D 5B ;: Smart citizens of Mendota Hts Will form Opposifion to the city's proposal to pay up to $6,000,000 (principal & interest) to purchase the PAR 3 Golf Course. Sun Newspapers - MNSUN.com - Mendota Elementary turns 50 Page 1 of 2 Print Page 4�,�,.E>r� Mendota Elementary turns 50 BY GRANT B®ELTER - SUN NEWSPAPERS When Sue Larkin returned to Mendota Heights seven years ago, she went looking for her elementary school, but she couldn't find it. "It took me three attempts," said Larkin, who is now the principal at Friendly Hills Middle School in Mendota Heights. "I couldn't find it because of all the new trees and houses. Larkin, who was among the students in the first classes to enter Mendota Elementary when it opened in the 1956-57 school year, returned to the school Feb. 12 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The ceremony included a historical slide show, stories from students and teachers who have passed through the school's halls, and halls decorated with timelines that covered the school's history. During the ceremony, two mainstays were honored with Mendota Spirit Awards. Second-grade teacher Carol Bjorklund, who attended the school when it opened and has worked in the district for the past 38 years, was honored. She has taught at Mendota since 1993. "It was a surprise," said Bjorklund, who will retire at the end of this year. "I didn't know it was going to happen." Bjorkland was 9 when she came to Mendota Elementary from Somerset Elementary in West St. Paul for fourth grade when the new school opened. She remembers her first teacher at Mendota, Mrs. Elma Robinson. She also recalls that when she was in school, girls (and teachers) had only one option - to wear a skirt. "There was no such thing as a pant -suit for teachers," she said. During the week of the anniversary celebration, Bjorklund also got a delightful flashback, as the school followed the menu from 50 years ago for hot lunches. The retro menu included her favorite - hamburger gravy on mashed potatoes. While Bjorklund reveled in memories during the week, she was also reminded of the way things have changed. She hung up some old 45 -records to decorate. "My students said, 'what is that?" she said. "I told them it was a record and then they asked, what's a record?" Larkin agreed that much has changed since she attended the school, along with the building doubling in size. "It was new to me when I came back seven years ago with the new wing built," she said. "It used to be one long, kind of rambler." Larkin said the changes are also more than cosmetic. "The approach to teaching is different than when I was there," she said. "There's so much more knowledge that the teachers have in order to get the students where they need to be. "There's so much more out there, and so much more that teachers must be knowledgeable about." Bjorklund agreed about the change in teaching style, as she was a special education teacher from 1983 to 1993, and had students from grades K-12 in her class. Now the district's special education http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2007/02/23/news/ew22mendota5O.prt 2/23/2007 Sun Newspapers - MNSUN.com - Mendota Elementary turns 50 Page 2 of 2 program is much more specialized, she said. One thing has been consistent the whole time at the school though, said Bjorklund. "We have nice, supportive parents." Jim Anderson, the first principal at the school was there from 1956-1966, was also honored. The Sun Current was unable to reach him for comment for this story. (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.) This site and its contents Copyright © 2006. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 suninfo@acnpapers.corn - http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2007/02/23/news/cw22mendota5O.prt 2/23/2007 (:.'e,<.c*di Vqeclresdav, ebr€€arr 21, 2f C7 10[ 13 €%inn CST) To the editor: We have a rare opportunity to save an important community resource, our Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course. We choose to live in Mendota Heights because we value our green and open spaces, like our Par 3 Golf Course. But if we fail to protect it, the Par 3 will be lost forever -and our families' quality of life will be diminished irretrievably. On behalf of our families, here is what I ask that we do: - Vote yes on April 24 - Ask your neighbors and friends to vote yes, too - Volunteer to help by contacting Pam at 651-456-5364 or pehr@comcast.com - Send a check to "Save Par 3" c/o Pam Ehrlich, 1656 Gryc Court, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Please join us to Save Par 3. Brian ProkoschMendota Heights This site and its contents Copyright © 2006. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 suninfo@acnpapers.com - SAM http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2007/02/22/opinion/el 22prokosh.prt 2/23/2007 ((:re a3 e.`' ;='=te�J`F,e d—, v, =ebr€ Frr 21, 2007 10 18 Pia' CIFT) To the editor: Less than 1 percent of our residents use this defaulting facility. Now our City Council wants us to pay for this course for the next 10 to 20 years. Who, other than the few people living around the course really support this item. If they want it, let them pay for it. We already have an extra tax burden for the new tennis courts, bus waiting area, and new gathering hall at the high school. What's next? Have whatever you want, but don't ask me to pay for it. Don Camitsch Mendota Heights This site and its contents Copyright © 2006. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 suninfo@acnpapers.coni SM - ew*, http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2007/02/22/opinion/el22ca1nitsch.prt 2/23/2007 V ' Y 16 Z007 - J_ BLAurPage 001 r- o f H r mc ®Fri F ax® da L d A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities s February 16, 2007 Page 1 League opposes labor passed to the House Commerce committee, communications bill where it will be heard next Tuesday. A bill that would prohibit employers from refusing to hire, disciplining or dismissing an employee based on the fact that they have received or responded to communication from a labor organization was passed by the House Laborand . ;r.�'z:9.s't:B.:tt:ter Protection Di kion I ....... ..........-..-...__._.........._................ _.... ..................-..._....... ........ _........._................................. today.The bill, I -:IF 611 authored by :M !�naew.:l,c (DFL -Balsam Township) also changes the remedies for these cases to include mandatory awards of attorney fees and court costs to labor organizations when employees prevail. The bill does not limit protection of communication to only that between a union and its members in a workplace; it protects communication with any employee by any labor organization. It also exposes employers to situations where an employee could circulate offensive, political, or otherwise inappropriate material in response to a union message and the employer would be unable to take action to end the offensive action and address complaints of a hostile work environment because they are prohibited from disciplining the offending employee under this bill. The League opposed HF 611 and had an amendment offered by P.e :)..:llo b ("itt:9: titer (R — Fairmont) to address concerns about the bill's language. Dick Brainerd, LMC Board Member and a councilmember from the City of Mahtomedi, testified to the League's concerns with the legislation and Craig Johnson of the League's IGR staff presented the amendment. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce joined the League in opposing the bill. The amendment was not adopted and the bill was The League will continue to oppose the bill as it is currently drafted and will work with the bill author, the unions supporting the legislation, and state government, local government, and private employers to improve and clarify the legislation - Questions? Contact Craig Johnson at 651.281.1259 or Wine bill is back on the table The usual wine -in -grocery -stores bill was introduced on Thursday in both the House and Senate with :1:1.F 997/5:17 889. Sey.i.. I..and.a Sclleid. (DFL -Brooklyn Park) is again carrying the Senate's version, while the House has a new chief author this year in l.e .a..:lgl� %llis :1 4a:1:9s:t (DFL -Minneapolis). Other authors on the bill are Representatives I°,a':9.1w;..a'ag.lsea. (R -Eden Prairie), :IOlark. I.:lu.eg..rns, (R -Jordan), (DFL -Saint Paul), Dan Seve..:rson (R -Sauk Rapids) and Senators ��Ifbiq (DFL- ............. . Minneapolis), :Dai~.i l:la:t:tn (DFL -Eden Prairie), and Sand.:ra f!ji -A .)as (DFL -Saint Paul). First stop would be Commerce committees in each body, and at this point it is unclear what the body would take it up first. In recent years, the Senate has taken up the bill first but didn't have the votes to pass it, so the House did not bring the bill up for a hearing. In summary, the bill would expand the sale of wine by allowing grocery stores of 8,000 square feet or more to sell it. Cities would be required to issue an on -sale license provided the requesting store met the requirements in law, held special employee training and had a theft protection plan in place. The bill tries to For more iaoamation cn city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Feb 16 2007 16037:55 Via Fax -> GS14SZO94H Administrator LMC -Frida F ax - Y A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities address the youth access issue with a number of other efforts, including: mandatory compliance checks by the city, not allowing the sale of fortified wines, and signage that states "No wine sales will be made to any person under 21". Additionally, the bill would allow a city to increase their license fee for off -sale. Currently those fees are capped in M.S. 340A.408 depending on the size of the city, and have not been adjusted in more than 20 years. The bill includes language that would preempt a city from passing an ordinance that would prohibit persons under 21 from entering a supermarket. The League has a wine in grocery stores (WIGS) listsery designed to get out information quickly on liquor issues. The listsery is not so much a discussion group as it is an email update tool. Please call me to join. Questions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 or ate:at �;ar�rl ei''i iLnnc.org. funding T The League's Board of Directors on Thursday adopted a resolution requesting comprehensive road and transit funding in 2007. The resolution calls for the Minnesota Legislature to pass and Governor Tim Pawlenty to sign—or allow to become law without his signature— a permanent increase in dedicated funding for state and local road and transit systems in Greater Minnesota and the Metropolitan Area. The resolution identifies specific components that the League would support. The resolution does not support one specific package. Rather, it requests that the Legislature February 16, 2007 Page 2 and the Governor reach an agreement on a package that meets identified funding needs. The resolution, which is consistent with the League's transportation funding policy (I_,:E,- 26), is the same resolution the League has encouraged cities to adopt. It was drafted in response to a request made by key legislators on ("o:@nrnittee who asked that the League and other local government organizations work to demonstrate that local leaders are supportive of increasing funding for roads and transit statewide. The League continues to encourage cities to adopt the transportation funding resolution and to communicate directly with legislators on the urgent need for road and transit investments. The resolution can be modified to address specific local transportation projects or concerns. The vage of the League's website, ,vier Ysv 1;�;:Qw.c cy.rg, contains the model resolution. Also available on the website is a sample news release that can be sent to local news media upon council adoption of the resolution. Note that the news release is a sample and, as with the resolution, it can be modified to reflect unique circumstances or specific transportation challenges. To maximize the impact of this resolution, please send copies ofyour adopted council resolution to the following: Your legislators (find at rel" vV'W . e .y �,,t�-It:e.r1�ert tip',) Lynn Peterson Intergovernmental Relations Assistant League of Minnesota Cities 145 University Ave. W. 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 Feb 16 2007 16:30:30 Vid Fax _> 65145ZO940 Administrator -FridaY F ax - A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities St. Paul, MN 5 5103 Or e-mail:i :)eterson,e7-lrt o.nc.. or cy Governor Tim Pawlenty Office of the Governor 130 State Capitol 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd St_ Paul, MIS' 55155 Your local news media Questions? Contact Anne Finn at 651.281.1263 or Use deed language pulled from Department of revenue bill In its technical and policy bill,:FIF 49„1 496/SF 61.0, the Department of Revenue proposed changes to the "use deed" statutes which currently define a process by which local governments can claim tax forfeited property at no cost prior to it being offered for public sale. Use deeds require that the local government identify the public use to which the property will be put, and the property is then restricted to that use in perpetuity. The Department has identified several concerns with use deeds including the Department's oversight role and ambiguity related to the types of uses that the Legislature intended for use deeds. In their technical bill, the department proposed restrictions to use deeds that would reduce the number and type of use deeds issued each year by the Department (to see a more complete description of their proposal, see the Feb 7 edition of the Cities Bulletin). On Wednesday, Mark Maloney, Public Works Director for the City of Shoreview along with League staff and two county officials met with February 16, 2007 Page 3 the Department to share our concerns with the Department proposal. The group identified shortcomings and potential unintended consequences that might result from the Department's proposal including the concern that the definitions proposed by the Department to distinguish between direct and indirect public use seems to ignore many important public purposes such as storm water retention and preservation. The discussions also focused on the fact that the Department proposal does not directly address the problem of use deed violations when land use changes over time. While the Department proposal would potentially reduce the number of use deeds issued annually, thereby reducing the potential future frequency of these violations, the plan does nothing to handle the thousands of use deeds that have been issued to local units of government in the past. The Department of Revenue has informally requested the League participate in future discussions of use deeds. We expect these discussions to commence shortly after the legislative session ends in May. Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at 651.281.1255 or 47cc.rrl,sc:Erz,%%ldrzre,:;.E�~4�- Improved access to absentee voting needs support The League urges cities to support legislation that will make it less difficult for voters to cast absentee ballots. Please contact your local legislator to make sure that the improvements to the absentee voting process can be implemented at the local level once new rules are in place. Since the rulemaking process will For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intezgovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Feb 16 2007 16:39819 Via Fax -> 651452894® Administrator -Friday F ax - A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities take some time, it is important to assure that the Legislature enacts changes to the absentee voting process proposed by Sl�:'.08, S& -.n. Katl:l sl_arl(DFL-Mankato)/':�_"...._:':��:.._.'_::s:v :L al'ki (DFL -Lindstrom) without further delay. The legislation first must be heard by the Finance Committees in both bodies before reaching the floor for final action. Key provisions in the legislation include expanding agent delivery of absentee ballots to voters confined to their homes due to illness or disability as well as extending access to absentee voting to all eligible voters. The legislation also creates a special status for on- going eligibility to receive an absentee ballot for those voters who are frequently out of the state, making it easier for them to be able to cast their ballots in elections at the federal, state and local levels in which they wish to participate. City and county election officials as well as representatives of persons with disabilities, and the Voting Rights Coalition, comprised of a diverse group of organizations that include the MN League of Women Voters, the AFL-CIO, and the MN Council for Non -Profits have also indicated their support of the legislation. Questions? Contact Ann Higgins at 551. 281.125 7 or ahiggins@lmnc.org. Committee schedules MONDAY 12:30 p.m. Senate Committee on Business, Industry and Jobs Chair: Sen. James P. Metzen Room 123 Capitol February 16, 2007 Page 4 Agenda: SF 238 (Sheran) Statewide Smoking Ban. 2:15 p.m. House Taxes Chair: Rep. Ann Lenczewski Room: 10 State Office Building Agenda: HF 114 (Solberg) Public safety radio communication products and services exempted from sales tax. HF 929 (Ruud) Minnetonka water treatment facility construction materials sales tax exemption provided. 3:00 p.m. Senate Economic Development Budget Division Chair: Sen. David J. Tomassoni Room 107 Capitol Agenda: SF 467 (Lynch) Rochester Mayo civic center complex renovation and expansion bond sale and appropriation. SF 402 (Chaudhary) Fridley Springbrook nature center redevelopment and expansion grant bond issue and appropriation. SF 396 (Rosen) Ceylon youth softball fields lighting bond issue and appropriation. SF 625 (Sieben) St. Paul union depot multimodal transit center grant bond issue and appropriation. SF 292 (Clark) St. Cloud state university national hockey center renovation bond issue and appropriation. SF 57 (Prettner Solon) Duluth entertainment and convention center and arena grant bond issue and appropriation. 3:00 p.m. Senate Public Safety Budget Division Chair: Sen. Linda Higgins Room 112 Capitol Agenda: 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 Feb 16 2007 16:39®57 Via Fax -> 65145ZB940 Administrator Page 005 Of 007 -Frl F ax- �� ay LJ ,, w..,r1,r,W. A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities February 16, 2007 Page 5 SF XXXX (Higgins) Peace Officer Grants and Room 15 Capitol overtime. SF XXXX (Higgins) Squad Car Camera Technology Grants. 3:00 p.m. Senate Committee on State and Local Government Operations and Oversight Chair: Sen. Ann H. Rest Room 123 Capitol Agenda: SF 81 (Wiger) Metropolitan council members election. SF 458 (Carlson) Campaign literature disclaimer, requirement. SF 483 (Doll) Major political party designation vote percentage requirement elimination_ SF 226 (Pappas) Election campaigning elected officials multiple unit dwellings access right authority. 4:00 p.m. House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Chair: Rep. Debra Hilstrom Basement State Office Building Agenda: HF 108 (Morrow) North Mankato local sales tax authorized. HF 885 (Hilty) Cloquet local sales tax authorized. HF 442 (Howes) Emily sales tax authorized and fund use specified. HF xxx (Pelowski) Authorizing the city of Winona to impose a sales and use tax. (Informational hearing only) TUESDAY 8:30 a.m. Senate Committee on Taxes Chair: Sen. Thomas M. Bakk Agenda: SF 109 (Olseen) Taylors Falls border city development zones designation authority. SF 392 (Bakk) Town of Crane Lake certificates of indebtedness issuance authorization. SF 512 (Sheran) North Mankato sales and use tax imposition and bonding authority. SF 577 (Bonoff) Sales tax exemption for Minnetonka water treatment facility construction materials, supplies and equipment. SF 692 (Lourey) Cloquet sales and use and motor vehicle sales taxes imposition and bonding authority. SF XXXX (Erickson Ropes) City of Winona sales and use tax. 10:00 a.m. House Taxes Chair: Rep. Ann Lenczewski 10 State Office Building Agenda: HF 149 (DeLaForest) Sales tax reduced to 6 percent. HF 283 (Ruth) Cities, counties and townships exempted from sales tax. HF 716 (Erhardt) June accelerated sales and excise tax payments reduced HF 717 (Erhardt) Single sales apportionment accelerated relating to corporate franchise tax. HF 998 (Atkins) Eliminating the sales tax on local government purchases. 12:30 p.m. Joint Committee: House and Senate Transportation Committees Chair: Rep. Bernard Lieder and Sen. Steve Murphy Room 15 State Capitol Agenda: Joint House and Senate transportation meeting with U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar Far mare information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Feh 16 2®®7 16040:33 Via Fax -> 651452894® Administrator WEDNESDAY -Frida F ax - Y A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities 10:00 a.m. Joint Committee: Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Tax Division Chair: Rep. Ann Lenczewski Room 10 State Office Building Agenda: Selected 2007 assessor reports presented by Department of Revenue. 12:30 PM Committee: Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Room: Basement State Office Building Chair: Rep. Debra Hilstrom Agenda: Oversight of Metropolitan Council 8:00 a.m. House Public Safety Finance Division Chair: Rep. Michael Paymar Room 10 State Office Building Agenda: 911/ARMER W� 8:30 a.m. Senate Committee on Finance Chair: Sen. Richard J. Cohen Room 123 Capitol Agenda: HF 160 (Higgins) Help America Vote Act account appropriations transfer authorized. SF 60 (Prettner Solon) Authorizing the City of Duluth to establish accounts to pay for postemployment benefits owed to retired employees. 8:30 a.m. Senate Committee on Taxes Chair: Sen. Thomas M. Bakk Room 15 Capitol February 16, 2007 Page 6 Agenda: SF 95 (Day) Sales tax exemption expansion for sales to cities, counties and townships. 2:15 p.m. House State Government Finance Division Chair: Rep. Phyllis Kahn Room 5 State Office Building Agenda: HF 163 (Huntley) Duluth postemployment benefits accounts authorized to pay benefits to retired employees and to generate revenue dedicated to meet certain city obligations. 8:00 a.m. House Property Tax Relief and Local Sales Tax Division Chair: Rep. Paul Marquart Room 10 State Office Building Agenda: HF 96 (Mullery) Property tax refunds paid to estates in certain circumstances. HF 142 (Wardlow) Property tax refund household income definition modified to exempt the amount of any military disability pay received by a veteran from the federal government. HF 449 (Murphy, M.) Property tax refund program extended to residents of certain nursing homes. HF 590 (Loeffler) Property tax statement required to contain additional information. HF 856 (Atkins) Homestead property taxes limited to a percentage of homeowner's income. HF 957 (Zellers) Providing a property tax cap for long-term homeowners age 65 or older HF XXX (Doty) senior deferral HF XXX (Loeffler) senior deferral For mare infoaxnation on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations tearn. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Feb 16 2887 16 41:88 Via Fax -> 651452894® Administrator ... .._... .....t' ,.� F.�.ruu nA� rLy;,,nm.rnhr f(fI'dEt�..d .��dTie'•A'. r'^'�.���i,fYi,��y W.'a Hd+Jvi W' -FriaY ax - A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities HF 432 (Paymar) Limited market value law extended for two years. Town hall meetings Town hall meetings are a great chance to meet with your legislators and tell your city story close to home. Upcoming meetings in a city near you include: Feb. 17 in Buffalo (Culver's Frozen Custard, 500 E. Hwy. 55, 9-10 a.m.) with Sen. Amy Koch and Rep. Bruce Anderson Feb. 17 in Shakopee (Shakopee Library, 9- 10:30 a.m.) with Sen. Claire Robling and Rep. Mike Beard Feb. 17 in Princeton (K -Bob Cafe, 10 a.m.) with Sen. Betsy Wergin and Rep. Sondra Erickson Feb 17 in St. Paul (Como Park Pavilion, on the lake, at 1360 North Lexington Pkwy, 10 a.m.- noon) with Sen. Ellen Anderson, Rep. Alice Hausman, and Rep. John Lesch Feb. 17 in Maple Lake (Maple Lake Cafe & Catering, 118 Division St. W, 10:30-11:30 a.m.) with Sen. Amy Koch and Rep. Bruce Anderson Feb. 17 in Prior Lake (Prior Lake Library, 11 a.m.) with Sen. Claire Robling, Rep. Mike Beard, and Rep. Mark Buesgens Feb. 19 in Golden Valley (Golden Valley Library, 830 Winnetka Ave, 7:00 p.m.) with Sen. Ron Latz and Rep. Ryan Winkler Feb. 19-23: Members of both the US House and US Senate will be back in their districts for February 16, 2007 Page 7 the President's Day district work period. This would be a great time to chat with them while they're home about the issues that matter most to you! Feb. 23 in Monticello (VFW Post 48731, 713 S Cedar St., 9-10 a.m.) with Sen. Amy Koch and Rep. Bruce Anderson Feb. 23 in Clearwater (American Legion, 505 Pine St., 10:30-11:30 a.m.) with Sen. Amy Koch and Rep. Bruce Anderson Feb. 24 in Minnetonka (Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, 10:30-11:30 a.m.) with Rep. Maria Ruud Feb. 24 in Woodbury (Central Park Place, 10:30 -noon) with Sen. Kathy Saltzman, Rep. Julie Bunn and Rep. Marsha Swails Feb. 24 in Austin. (Public Library, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.) with Sen. Dan Sparks and Rep. Jeanne Poppe Check your local newspaper or radio station for additional dates. To receive e-mail notice of upcoming town hall meetings near you, subscribe online at Li l:i�,t.a�s') and Staying Informed To keep informed on news from the House of Representatives, subscribe to the nonpartisan Session Weekly newsmagazine at la'tt'.3:;iiia'Y'�" "...�� a't8se.le+'.P. ta't:t'.'xxaxi.�;t�;!.�1.g.:g::t'�:t�r'<1g�1i�':t":g. besw'.gsp or call (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657- 3550. *44 END 494 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