HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 1973-258VILLAGE OF PLYMO;'TH
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting
of the Village Council of the Village of Plymouth, Minnesota, was
held on the 2nd day of July, 1973. The following members were
present: Mayor Hilde, Councilmen Hunt, Spaeth and Neils. The
following member was absent: Councilman Seibold.
Councilman Neils introduced the following Resolution and
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 73-258
WHEREAS, the Plymouth Village Council has discussed and reviewed the
actions taken by the Metropolitan Council with respect to its EPA grant appli-
cation, and
WHEREAS, as a result of this review the Mayor formulated a letter dated
June 28, 1973 addressed to members of the Metropolitan Council with respect
to the Village's position on planning and other related matters concerning our.
application,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF PLYMOUTH that the letter of Mayor Al Hilde, Jr. dated June 28, 1973
addressed to members of the Metropolitan Council be adopted as the Council's
official position with respect to the subject matter contained therein.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing Resolution was
duly seconded by Councilman Hunt, and upon vote being taken there-
on, the following voted in favor thereof; Mayor Hilde, Councilmen
Hunt, Spaeth and Neils. The'°fo4lowing voted against or abstained:
None. Whereupon the Resolution was declared duly passed and
adopted.
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN ) SS.
VILLAGE OF PLYMOUTH)
I, the undersigned, being -the duly qualified and acting Clerk of the
Village of Plymouth, Minnesota, hereby certify that I have carefully compared
the foregoing extract of the minutes of a regular meeting of the Village Coun-
cil of said Village held on July 2, 1973, with the original thereof on file in
my office, and the same is a full, true and complete transcript therefrom.
WITNESS, My hand officially as such Clerk and the corporate seal of the
Village this 3rd day of July, 1973.
Sandra L. Haugen
Village Clerk
June 28, 1973
Albert J. Hofstede, Chairman
Metropolitan Council
2430 California N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55418
Dear Mr. Hofstede:
The recent Council action whereby Plymouth's EPA grant application was re-
ferred back to the Physical Development Committee was a most f rustratIng
and disheartening experience for my community. I believe it to be the
wrong action for the oilowing reasons:
i. The EPA does not require a housing ccrrment from a regional au-
thority. A. housing comment is en added requirement of the
Metropolitan Council. Local governments believe that the Metro-
politan Council should confine its comments to the merits of the
particular application.
2. Our grant has most certainly been jeopardized by this delay as
our application may be passed by other communities seeking these
same funds.
3. Referring back to the committee is a hardship for our community
because it causes additional expense in terms of staff activi-
ties and it Impedes our ability to move ahead on a long list of
Important work projects.
4. Policy 31 as it is constituted today is inadequate in terms of
being able to fairly and realistically deal with the housing
Issue in relation to an emerging suburb such as Plymouth. Policy
31 does not recognize the real world conditions which bear upon
the complex problem., of proviuing housing for all income groups.
Plymouth realizes +hat it must pursue its application steadfastly, and for
that primary reason I am addressing this letter to each t4etropolitan CounclI
mem;cr In an attenpt to clarify Plymouth's position In respect to what can
reasonably be expecta9 of us in terr-s of "housing effort". In addition,
much of this letter is devoted to constructive criticism and suggestions
which are sincerely intended to bo helpful to the Council at, what I perceive
to be, a very critical time.
13900 STATE HIGHWAY 55 FYMOUTH MINNESOTA 55441 TELEPHONE (612) 546-3571
s
Mgtropol?tang
June 28, 1973
Page Two
As a flat statement, I would Iike to assert that any policy criteria which
would result in a community such as Plymouth receiving an unfair "judgment"
In terms of Its housing effort is a totally unfair and unworkable criteria.
i state this primarily from the standpoint that it would have been literally
Impossible for our emerging cormunity to have done any more work these past
six years since beginning our emergence from a rural communit,.,. Nor c -3n
anyone state very effectively that we should have done our wr,k 'n a more
logical sequence. Plymouth has made enormous strides in improving its gov-
ernment operations and in doing a job of planning. Developers, government
officials and citizens alike have frequently complimented Plymouth on a good
job In planning and providing efficient end high-level services to its
citizens. The list below is a chronology of major activities and accomplish-
ments that have taken place in Plymouti. over the past five plus years. Con-
sidering our limitation of resources nd considering, therefore, the reed to
proceed with projects only on the basis of their priority and importance to
the community, 1 submit that the activities below are great in number and
are in the proper sequence, that is, first things are bein5 done first, and
at no point within this chronology would It have been logical or wise for
our community to undertake any type of housing effort such as might be ex-
pected of a more mature community:
1968 - Completed a major overhaul of our Police Department. This
matter took half a year during 1968, night and day efforts,
and it wasn't until one year ago that the final legal matters
were laid to rest.
1968 - Approval of the first village guide plan and a new zoning ordi-
nance containing PUD provisions. The 701 guide pian was not
adequate for a rapidly developing community.
1968 - Establis`:ment of a Charter Commission. It was obvious; at that
time that our community needed a more refined and sophisticated
form of government.
1968 - Establishment of a Human Rights Commission. In planning and
in governing we needed a developed and considered view of human
rights and relations.
1969 - Beginning of the Southwest Sewer and Water Project which pro-
vided these utilities to the entire southwest quadrant of
Plymouth. Pollution had become a severe problem by that time.
1969 - Awareness that the State Hichway Department's huge driver
training center and highway maintenance facility would have
been terribly mislocated on the nortnwest quadrant of 1-494
and Highway 55. Therefore, we proceeded with the Governor
and State Highway Department to effectuate a move to a more
suitable location. This required an enormous effort on our
part and was accomplished that year.
" ilM1`firopolitan Coun
June 28.
X1973
Page Thee
1969
- Establishment of the Bassett Creek Flood Control Commission
with Minneapolis, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, New Hope,
Crystal and Robbinsdale, a very essential organization to
solve a serious matter which was adversely affecting primarily
Golden Valley and Minneapolis.
/ 1969
- Adopted our Central Area Guide Plan, a more refined and pro-
fessional plan for the central 18% of Plymouth around the
Intersection of 1-494 and Highway 55.
1969
- Hired our first full-time Village Engineer.
1969
- As a result of Charter Commission recommendations and intensive
promotional effort, the voters of Plymouth elected to adopt
Optional Plan 8, Council-Manager form of government.
1970
- After an extensive selection procedure, our first Village Man-
ager was hired in the middle of 1970 but unfortunately died
three montns later. This was a real setback to the Council's
arduous schedule of projects to improve our community.
1970
- Prior to the establishment of the Metropolitan Sewer District,
Plymouth on its own determined and constructed what was to be
our ultimate sewer outlet. We contracted with Minneapolis for
conveyance and treatment and built an interceptor down Highway
55 connecting Plymouth with the Minneapolis Interceptors. Prior
to that time we had a serious problem in disposing of the volumes
of sewage that were being generated and, by our growth, were
anticipated to be generated. Pollution was taking place at cer-
tain peak flow times.
1970
- Plymouth received the Governor's award in recognition of our
"outstanding achievement in community planning and economic
development".
1971
- New Public Works garage was constructed and our Council Chambers
were moved from the garage bay of the old Public Works garage to
the garage bay of the new Public Works garage. Administration
offices were expanded into the old Council Chambers. We are
growing fast and require more space but have not yet arrived at
the appropriate timing for a new, larger and more modern Village
Hall.
1971
- Undertook the Southeast Water Project. Plyrr>.;s,rh"s first sewer
project was in the southeast quadrant of th» community, and
municipal water was not available at that -A me. Therefore, we
'
undertook in 1971 to go back into the southeast area and in-
stall municipal water. Nearly all of the devaloaed portions of
our community are ncx served by-unicioal serer and water.
wtropoi itan Corani a t i r" t
done Un 28, 1973 }
Page Four
1971 - Selected our second Manager In May. Later in the year, began
to build a professional staff by bringing in full-time planning
and finance directors. Previously consulting planners were used.
1972 - In previous years it had been determined that the community should
make a strong ccrnitment to professional planning. The first step
of several which were planned to follow was the adoption of our
community Goals, Objectives and Criteria. This was a description
In words of the philosophy and objectives which would be used in
guiding future Village planning and development itself.
1972 - Adopted Thoroughfare Guide Plan. This is the skeleton upon which
we would hang the flesh of a Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan
which was to follow.
1972 - A Water Distribution Plan was adopted for the entire community.
1972 - A Comprehensive Sewer Plan was adopted for the entire community.
1973 - Currently the Village Codncil has in progress the following addi-
tional increments of comprehensive planning:
Comprehensive Land Use Guide Plan
Storm Drainage Plan
Revised Zoning Ordinance
-year Capital Improvements Program
It Is Important to note that the above sequences or steps of planning,
particularly those listed from 1972 and forward, are closely interrelated
and need to be viewed as a whole as it is obvious that each step effects
several other steps. Fur -her, there have been many other important activ-
itles related to an er?r=ing and growing community which have consumed huge
quantities of ou,- time : d resources. t!e have been extremely busy, I
believe, doing firs- ;h:ngs first on behalf of our citizens and, in fact,
on behalf of the entire metropolitan area and the State of Minnesota which
enjoys the benefits of the industrial and commercial development which
Plymouth provides as well as the participation and leadership of our several
outstanding citizens in governmental, social and cultural affairs.
Another factor which, should be considered while determining whether Plymouth
has done all It should In the area of adequate housing is that a year ago
we were considered to be in the Metropolitan Council 3rd zone of housing
priority. Recently we have been moved into zLne 2. This must certainly
Indicate how fast things are moving in Plymouth, at least in the minds of
the Metropolitan Council who moved us from zone 3 to zone 2 within less
than a year's time!
Included In our community "Goals, Objectives and Criteria" is a requirement
to review annually the need for an HRA. Many communities Including Plymouth
had thought that you would be providing an HRA program which we could use.
F _,r
1010fropol'i�tan Co { ; ,
Jinn® 28, 1913 s;
Page :
Five
This, of course, did not materalize. Many mature communities in the metro-
poiltan area have HRA's today, but 1 see scant evidence that they have been
truly effective in meeting Policy 31. 1 point this out because it makes me
wonder somewhat if HRA's are merely used as eyewash to make social planners
feel that they are making progress. In fact, we all know that small progress
has been made by anyone, anywhere in providing adequate housing for lower
Income groups.
In terms of codes, we as well as all other communities in the State of
Minnesota adhere to the State 8uildina Codes. There is no meaningful lati-
tude in this area. i am not aware of any restrictive ordinance in Plymouth
that would prevent the lowest possible cost units. The trouble comes from
high development and construction costs which far exceed your guidelines!
As best as i can determine, when the cost of land, utilities (including SAC),
Inspection, materials and labor are all accounted for, the lowest cost of
a standard dwelling In our area is $22,C00 to 525,000. There is no way under
present standards, given the present economy and lacking a federal subsidy,
that anyone can core close to providing new housing for the S15,COO Metro-
politan Council guideline! The fact that we require underground parking in
apartment buildings is true and was done to satisfy the deep concern of many
citizens who deplore rhe effects of the outdoor parking of a large number of
cars on the environment. However, if a bona fide low cost housing project
were to be presented to Plymouth, I feel sure that serious consideration
would be given to the waiver of this requirement if, in fact, it does add
to the cost of the building units. Advantages of underground parking are
preservation of environmental landscape features, lower cost of storm sewer
Installations due to reduced runoff, acccmodation of efficient indoor garbage
compaction, and security for tenants. These are features which offset the
allegation that underground parking is "bad" because it may be more expensive.
The existing Village Zoning Ordinance which was adopted in 1968 does provide
in all residential districts for Planned Unit Developments (titled Subdivision
Unit Projects or Community Unit Projects in the Ordinance). Under this ordi-
nance many residential developments have used this meth& to reduce the re-
quired lot size and provide additional public and private open space. The
Village has approved of three Planned Unit Development: which have mixed the
house types (single family detached, townhouses, quadromt(A ...is and condo-
minlums). Additional flexibility will be provided when w,; complete revising
our zoning ordinance which will implement the basic concepts contained In
our Con•prehensive Plan. Keep in mind, however, the conflict which exists
between the envircnmentallsts who want more open space and the housing people
who want lower cost units. The more open space and amenities associated with
a development the hither the cost of the housing within said development.
This same conflict also occurs over most efforts to protect the public's
health and safety. This is one reason why it is so Important that we receive
EPA assistance, so that the costs of developing housing can be held to a
minimum.
NX
Mmtropol"ltan Coun��
3vne 28,1973
Paye Six
To my knowledge cur staff has had only one developer approach it with a
low and moderate Income housing inquiry. Vie encouraged him, but he did
not come back and attempt to proceed in any way. At this time there are
no federal funds available, and frankly we woncer wr,at can be expected of
us? Providing larger quantities of low and moderate Income housing is a
frustratingly complex and difficult problem which defies simplistic solutions,
e.g., "coming dawn" on cocmunitles like Plymouth. With the preponderance of
our 130 cdd comm,.unities in a similar situation, what can be gained if the
Metropolitan COCncil alienates these communities in this manner? Can the
Metropolitan Councll discriminate by picking a few ccmmunitles and "making
an example of them"? Let us not fight with one another over a problem that
may not be capable of an immediate and simplistic solution, May I suggest
that you call together a knowledgeable and concerned group of people with
different backarcunds and expertise who will roil up their sleeves and per-
form deligent work on this matter. This kind of group must include planners,
developers, builders, mortgage bankers, and local goverrment officials if
practical and real progress is to be rade. Social planners can make useful
contributions but need considerable help from other fields to augment and
refine their theories. Eesides, who can deny the value of good communications
between theorists and pragmatists of various fields?
Concern for providing housing for the elderly and persons of lower incomes
has prompted me to direct our Human Rights Commission to thoughtfully study
this matter. The enclosed directive of March 8, 1973 sets forth this charge
very clearly. Recently our Huran Rights Cormission invited and met with
members of the Vetropoiitan Council staff to learn all they could about
housing problems and what it is that the Metropolitan Council believes that
a community such as Plymouth can do to deal with this problem. I am also
enclosing a memo which I sent to Ray H. Harris dated February 4, 1972. Ray
Harris, as you may know, is a developer who is active in the Citizens League
and was the chairman of a task force which was considering the problems of
housing of which I was a member. I ask that you carefully read this memo
not for its prose value as much as the evidence it should provide you of my
own concern that we deal resolutely and pragmatically with the several com-
plex, real world problems that seem to prevent us from providing adequate
housing to our populace. I submit that the real problems are bigger than
Plymouth, bigger than the metropolitan area and bigger than the State of
Minnesota. Plymouth is certainly doing its best in this area, but we must
be realistic as to what is reasonable for a single community to accomplish
In an area so large and so widely and uniformly a problem throughout the
nation.
Apologies for this long letter. However, 1 hope that you have carefully
read Its contents as well as that of the enclosures. Although this delay
has been very inconvenient, It may turn out to be fortunate for Plymouth to
have completed this review as we plan to make more applications in the future.
In conclusion, I ask that you give Plymouth a favorable housing comment (if
in fact one Is deemed necessary) for the following reasons:
ress 'in admin
tam sending you."a"copy of"tetter along with attachments which
is betng'sent"to ai.lthe members" -of fha_"-`[Aetropo!"i"Ca6nct"1;" The
reasortjfor sending this to".yyou 15 That i"hope to obtain maximum
undersfianding of this°protilem on
the part"of Interested "people
concerned v-1th"metropolitan-area
problems. If you have any ques-
tions concernilg thls please contact me.
AI Hilde, Jr.
Mayor of Plymouth
COPIES. "SENO 10:
All"Metropolitan,CounoII members
Chrls Bremlcker, Gowernorrs`0fflce
Vtl lege Council°
John. Malone;'President:' ,. ,
Metropolitan" league of MunicipaTifites
VI�11nge Manager
Duane R.�_Mietke, President
Human Rtghts CoWssloners
Hennepin County. League of Municipalitle
PI`anning Commissioners
Ted Kolderie, Executive Director
Citizens League
Chairman -elect -John E Boland
Metropol=ltan Council'-
Betty WI'ison, Minneapolis Star
Senator John C. Chenoweth
Mike McCabe, Minneapolis Star
Representative"'Jahn Beichert
Ted Farrington, Sun Newspapers"
Sanator W11.I[a.M E. Frenzel
Ca rol.Plne,'Plymo0h Sun
Senator George Pit"Isbur�"
Larry Davenport' Posfi Publications
Senator Rolf Netson,
Mary TOO son,Plymouth Voter
Representative 0. J. Heinitz
vti
= + 138000LSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55441
TELEPHONE 546-3571
March 8, 1973
TO: Members of Plymouth Human Rights Commission
Council, Manager, Editors
FROM: Al Hilde, Jr., Mayor
SUBJECT: NEW CHARGE
Experience over the past year or so indicates the need for a reaffirmation
of our Human Rights Commission Purpose and some adjustment and improvements
In our Goals. The Purpose remains the same and provides us with broad di-
rection:
PURPOSE:
To provide to all Plymouth citizens a "Comprehensive
Human Rights Program" which has a deep and abiding con -
corn for every type of Plymouth citizen. Our present
ordinance states it well as follows:
CHAPTER 11, 13.03 - Puroose. The purpose of the commis-
Slon is to secure for all citizens equal opportunity in
employment, housing, public accomodations, public services
and education and full particioation in the affairs of
this community by assisting the State Department of
Human Rights in implementing tho Minnesota State Act
Against Discrimination and by advising the Village Council
on long range programs to improve community relatijns in
the Village of Plymouth.
Note: Emphasis supplied.
In carrying out the above purpose it will be helpful to keep in mind that
we need to broaden the concern of the Human Rights Commission to all citizens,
not just a particular race. in other words, we should also be concerned about
the rights of certain groups of our citizens who from time to time seem to be
left out or downtrodden in relation to the mainstream of our society such as
• the elderly, the unaffluent, the teenager and the female sex. Also, much of
the work involved with human relations is of a very long range nature and most
of us cannot sustain a vigorous participation in exclusively long range proj-
ects. Therefore, we must develop programs which are interesting and chalieng-
Ing and are of a short range nature so that we may from time to time reach a
conclusion to some of our efforts.
Y
Human Rights Commission
March 8, 1973
Page Two
GOALS:
1. Housina and Develooment. Review and make recommenda-
tions to the Mayor ana Council concerning the Village's
responsibilities of meeting the housing needs of low and
moderate incore persons and/or senior citizens. The purpose
of this goal is to insure that Plymouth provides an adequate
range of housing for all segments of our society who wish to
live in Plymouth and which are in accordance with the adopted
goals, objectives and criteria for the Village's planned
growth. it will be necessary for Human Rights Commissioners
to be knowledgeable and conversant with the goals and ob-
jectives dealing with metro development and housing as well
as Policy 13 and the "referral process".
2. Human Services. Participate in the study and planning
currently underway within Hennepin County aimed at evaluating
and Improving delivery of human services, including primary
health care services. This goal is to be undertaken in coor-
dination with the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Western
Hennepin County Suburbs most of whom lie west and south of
Plymouth. This effort should coordinate with and assist to
some extent the efforts of the Metropolitan Council on this
subject.
3. Elderly Involvement. Develop programs to allow the
elderly to become re -involved with our community, with their
family, and again to take part in the mainstream of activity.
4. Educational Efforts. Support the State Board of Education
Department Human Rights Guide Lines.
Procedurally, the Human Rights Commission should present to the Mayor and
Council its recommendations before proceeding with its plans. This will
greatly assist in avoiding misunderstandings and in promoting a cooperative
effort on behalf of our citizens.
The, entire history of mankind has been marked by prejudice and discrimination
among and between races, religions, sexes and age groups. Mankind's only hope
Is to earnestly and diligently work to develop ourselves as better people
wherein we will cheerfully and willingly respect the rights of all other
groups and promote cordial relations among and between all people. To this
end may we all devote our full energies and efforts.
AH:sh
1, -w'
At"
T
wj.I«.�/1/Iy f
4
.�
�+
..
"AMIN,
CORPORATOPFICES 3131 r zrj4D-tjOOX JANE. MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. 55441
E
Febr-Lwxy It, 1972
To. Ray 11. 1hrris
Fro -Q: jU Hilde, Jr.
Re: Prcl:Lrd.W.L1-j ObjoativcS for T=k Force Consideration on Housing.
I di and better
Ray, I am sorx-j t1tat this is not a more thorough
presentation on scaof -7
cin thvughts, I mrould like :;o deal primarily
e
-)ply and xitching
roblcmz of O.---vanding the housing sul
with sw.11c of the pz
housing tyr.i.!s and costa vAth the public need. The particular problems
like to set forth are GrIeSt-.-hich are created by con
tradictint; or opposln,- forces, such as, the fact that the demand for
apartments is opposed by coiammitics who do not wish to h4ve apartments.
This will basically cover two areas, one, high costs of various
types and, two, our inability to build 'be type of. structures and homes
which people seem to desire and can afford.
1. Costs.
A. Interest Rates. During the past recession., we had the
example occurz-L-Z aCain as it has so r -W -qimes in the
past years E-:aercloy ivie have a very strong demand and short
supply for housir.3 and interest rates x%unning at very
high levels wlich dizecuraSe both the builder and the
buyer of homes. 1, - st rates go tip when -
seems that interes
-ever the housLnZ irdustry has a serious requirement for
them to be reasonable. We should perhaps, give thought
to recox.nondins t) -.at a national policy be established
whereby residential mortgage rates are established and
• vaintanined at =ach lower rates than experienced during
recent years. _.n
Poi ts and -unreasonable loan application
requiri:r:ents should be dealt with also.' Perhaps landing
insstitwtiolis necd LhO
t;:lie sysreza of incentives and rewards
-
to cause them to fulfill tae above policy goal.
TELBIVIONE 012411
pay }[ IN
Page 2
° r iq
il. High► Co :t of hand. I believe that a good part of the
reason for hi- :.:ti cost_ i.; the d4£ficul-ty that
derelopc_-s h_•re in cettin_; the t a of zoning that they
require. Unis d-Iificulty wculd be reduced if more
co^'min-tics wv.tld :ado4t eom-preh'_'nzive plans whdchl
facilitate a:11 ease t::e r.:a.zing o_' zonitl decisions. I
beli^_ve t2r^_t t'_ie grese_:t policy of the i:-otropolitan
Council rcvic,•.ir z ecT.---r .-ti plans is good and fuz•ther
that we Lliould :nctic= so » benefit from the °etropolitan
Council'sw^z.d on ba,nced develop, -,.=tit tircug::out the
metro;joli!a:1aa•e2. iaat is to say, all care-minities
should su_ ro~v tc . vary:= o= tczt, tow wnd middle in -
cocas iicusi,ne. ^_e .•:_'+rUwlit�:1 Council ^oes. have some-
ti2tat of a lover can t:te situatio:t in that they approve or
at least plrocesS all federal grant applications made by
con¢.w-:tie s .
Another tactor in lugh lard cost is the low density
requirements t:!1ici: -any rote: unities have. We should
encourage the 2 etronolitutt cotu.cil and the Legislature
ure
to convince n:unic=::_li'.,i.es that loer derE;ity regttiroments
are, in mart;/ c: sea, not in the best itAnrest of our
citi:ctts, Bs-.)e-cially wizen as consider the rapidly in-
ereasin.-.cost of providi.n5 sanitary sewer. .
We need to keep in rrfnd tb— t eo•mmtnitics are comp lied
under existizz school financing structure to'resist low
and meditri cost hcu-zing for your.- fEL nilies because of
the resultant influx of children who's education is
primarily 'Lc-nced fretn property taxes raised from within
that col:r& City. ^::is strDkes at the root of a serious
ptoblcan. Nobody really ka'!Gws for sure, but i -V is
possible that t .a t'isca-1 disparities bill, which was
passed in the last session; cug t help the situation
sotneAhat, as .:all as, the status increase in state
aid to ochools. T have the feeling, however, that the
protoetiver_esc ast A ecarxLlity naturally feels towards
increased educalvic1=1 e::vend. tares will rerl_in. I am
concerned that so n1a.ny dif}creat policies have been
adopted in tine past year that ere really do not under-
stand the effect of then on this particular situation.
Perhaps we should call for a thorough study of the
actual effects cf the nea policies on the local cost of
education as related to low and medium income housing.
•' C. Restrictive Bui dirty, Cedes. Now that the state is
opel.at;ng ur_dcr a u:ti_or:a build:^.- code, we should
encourage the 0.,-icals wlo adr:.ini.ster and maintain the
code to be sue th:,t our buildi_nG codes keep up %lith
modern itmprov-=:ern:s and building techni-quer.. By
per,'tt: nt; ii:c most recent improvements and developments
stay H. Mrris
Page 3
in ms►terinlc and tecMiquas, we will be able to pass on
t th' the lawV st nocsible cons trudt ion cosi:.
I). I'ropurLf Tu. -:es. :•iirr_Geota property taxes are not out of
line when eo^^arc.: to other states; personal and corporate
i.!uco!ue taxes are very raaci_ cut of lane - to an extort ouch
as to render us nes:: c:. c;•_tive *•rlien it comes to encoura--in
emnloyurs and buzinc-zses to exrand in Ninuesota. The
basic soluti en tosii _ �� o_ opert-f t=axes is not to shift to
higiier ince^!a tax_c, but rather to rte^=:e efforts i -i order
to car efttlly, objec• ci°re's;•, and oel ectively loner the cost
of edtu:aLion arts: Z;o post Eraduaie. le are
long past tine poir.!.� OU -1, ilivi•iaiktt1y h_. -Ii spending
can be d-2alt with lu ni:ia tiny reve-nue sources (taxies)
around from one le-isi_tine session to another with the
ulh.inatc, result b Luca hii,i -axes on corporation
auie executives that :;.►_y consistuiitly ehoosu to exl=id
and locate bushes:; Outside of nutesota. I make mention
of the above so that our' ce n. attee will not Make the
mistake of simply join -Jr,- and parroting the popular but
erroneous cont:cnt:ca tti_t we should lower property tares.
E. Itising ;5terial and labor Cost. Our national policy
should contiinac to re,!.tlate s --gages and prices until such
time an the basic factors duping inflation are corrected.
InflaLloa nus:: ba :;1;opp;::d or i!curriatg costs will go beyond
a reasonable solution. nopublicans should not believe that
the present inflation program is inferring with a "free
eeo:iocp•". istis count - :-.r las not had a free econonW for
army many years. In fact, it is because of 'the artificial,
Imbalanced power relationship between labor and manaLe-
otent as wall as the legislation and regulations which
favor the unions that the present high inflationary wage
increases have been able to persist.
2. Matching the Supply With the 1•L=rket Demand. It appears that
an incrensi.ng share of the ?+ous_zg :ra~ket would desire to
live in mobile homes and apart.::ents. :iowever, these two
structures are resisted by Lany con-�m;uAties and therefore
builders and JevQlopers have been tutable to provide an
adequate sttp?ly to the market. I wv4ld encourage giving
the Metropolitan Council policy of .^auxin;, and distributing
low and meditm, cost : euzing tIL"ou?;hout the arca to have time
to IWOLtace results. One policy which I believe should not
..'' develop in one whereby faxes on apartments would be lowered
due to reclass_ficaticn or other methods of providing property
• tax breaks. To gany cc.-nmizies, apartments represent a
negative typa of develop!ient in the first place and by
reducinr thci amount of tax revenue which a co= unity can
tR.I.c )' cru! .rt:-ent evelo; .:cats t.e r- a thee► even less
attY:tctive.� however, recoga=is_su:, the fact that renters of