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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Packet 01-17-2006 SpecialAgenda City of Plymouth Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2006 6:00 p.m. Plymouth Creek Center, Conference Room 2, Lower Level 1. Call to Order 2. Update Goals and Legislative Priorities 2.1 Resolution in Support of amendment to Minnesota Constitution regarding motor vehicle sales tax revenue Res2006-041) 3. Amend 2006 Council Meeting Schedule 3.1 Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2005-466 Establishing 2006 Regular Council Meeting and Board of Equalization Meeting Dates (Res2006-042) 4. Adjourn Agenda Number: TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager SUBJECT: Establish 2006 Council Goals including Legislative Priorities DATE: January 12, 2006, for Council study session of January 17, 2006 1. ACTION REQUESTED: Establish 2006 Council goals and legislative priorities. 2. BACKGROUND: In the year following a local election, the Council has typically adopted a new slate of goals for the subsequent two-year period. One year later, the Council affirms and modifies those goals for the second year. Attached are the 2005 City Council Goals. The Council should discuss this list and modify as desired. Many of these goals are in process and will continue to take significant resources during 2006 for completion. Examples are the Comprehensive Plan update, capital project completion, and pond maintenance implementation. I would also like to propose that the Budget Principles Goal be continued for another year, with emphasis on human resource issues such as staffing, compensation philosophy, and benefits. The City Council also establishes legislative priorities as part of the goal -setting process. The 2005 legislative list is attached, along with information on several issues the Council may wish to consider: Constitutional amendment, MVST dedication Authority of local government regarding franchising of cable services Additional items for discussion are: Market Value Homestead Credit Development impact fees — ability to fund infrastructure with development Highway 169 Tax policy issue raised at the 2005 Truth in Taxation hearing. (An individual had purchased a home under an affordability program which resulted in a covenant that prevents them from realizing any increase in market value. However, taxes are levied on the full market value each year.) City of Plymouth Resolution 2005-142 Affirming 2005 City Council Goals Be it resolved that the following goals and issues for study are hereby adopted by the City Council for 2005: Goals: Initiate Comprehensive Plan process for Northwest Plymouth Enhance street maintenance and street reconstruction program including utilities; develop funding strategies Complete capital projects — public safety building expansion; water treatment plants, reservoir, and wells Evaluate budget principles and city program priorities, with emphasis on Council input, prior to budget process Legislative Priorities (attached) Issues for Study: Implement Pond Maintenance Program Develop Redevelopment Policy/Strategy Discuss proposed Hennepin County Library expansion in context with the City Center area Consider options relating to high speed wireless services Study and address Transportation and Transit issues Adopted by the City Council on March 29, 2005. Goals I Status Initiate Comprehensive Plan process for Northwest Plymouth. The City will begin reviewing Plymouth's Comprehensive Plan including Northwest Plymouth, the last largely undeveloped area of the city. The Comprehensive Plan is a planning tool that outlines long term plans for City water and sanitary sewer service, land use, parks, trails and transportation. The Comprehensive Plan review process will include opportunities for citizen input. The Metropolitan Council, a regional planning body appointed by the governor, must review any changes to Plymouth's plan. Enhance street maintenance and street reconstruction program including utilities; develop funding strategies. The City will look at options for stepping up the maintenance and reconstruction schedule for City streets. Plymouth has 280 miles of City road that has a replacement cost of more than $300 million. Developing a long-term maintenance and financing plan to protect the taxpayer investment in City roads is essential as Plymouth's streets mature. Complete capital projects - public safety building expansion; water treatment plants, reservoir, and wells. The projects are aimed at meeting the changing needs of public safety and the increasing demand for water from Plymouth's growing population. Evaluate budget principles and City program priorities, with emphasis on Council input, prior to budget process. To maximize the effectiveness of each taxpayer dollar, the City Council will work closely with City staff prior to development of the 2006 budget. This will ensure that the proposed budget allocates tax dollars to the areas of highest priority. The City began the update of the Comprehensive Plan in fall 2005. Northwest Plymouth is the initial focus of the Comprehensive Plan update. Northwest Plymouth is generally located west of Fernbrook Lane and north of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. The Comprehensive Plan update is addressing the largely undeveloped northwest area as two separate planning areas. Seven public meetings were held from September to December 2005. Several more meetings will be scheduled in 2006 to gain public feedback. City officials plan to complete the initial phase of the update by the summer of 2006. The second phase, a general update of planning issues throughout Plymouth, will take place after that. The City Council adopted a budget for 2006 that places emphasis on street improvements. The City plans a combination of increased maintenance, reconstruction and temporary overlays. The City also revised its assessment policy for street projects to better fund street improvements. All projects are well underway. The Public Safety Building expansion and renovation is expected to be complete in early 2006. Two new wells are online. The Central Water Treatment Plant was finished in late 2005. The final phase of improvements to the Zachary Treatment Plant will be complete in spring 2006. The six million gallon underground water reservoir at Vicksburg Lane and Schmidt Lake Road will be finished in summer 2006. Identify major budget priorities. Council and staff held two budget study sessions to review and fine-tune budget proposal prior to public hearings on the proposal. CITY OF PLYMOUTH 2005 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY ISSUES Local Control. The City of Plymouth believes that local control is the cornerstone of representative local government. We urge legislators to put decision-making on local issues in the hands of local officials. This leaves no question about who is responsible and increases accountability. We oppose legislation that erodes local control or creates mandates without a corresponding state appropriation or funding mechanism. Taxpayer Bill of Rights. State imposed limits on local government decision making, such as Minnesota's proposed Taxpayer Bill of Rights legislation, are inconsistent with local accountability and are rigid formula mechanisms that counter representative democracy and challenge local units of government to plan with financial confidence. Levy Limits. Levy limits should not be re-enacted. Local government officials should have the ability to make decisions on local taxation and service levels. Street Utility Fees. The City supports the Legislature allowing revenue options for cities, such as street utility fees, particularly if levy limits or other restrictive measures remain in place. Wine Sales in Grocery Stores. Eliminating the sale of alcohol to minors has been a top priority of the City of Plymouth for several years. The City conducts compliance checks and has adopted a Best Practices Program. The City of Plymouth opposes wine sales in grocery stores or other venues where currently prohibited. The limit on points of sale for alcohol aids in preventing youth access to alcohol. Emergency Preparedness. Additional measures have been identified as necessary for improved emergency preparedness at the state and local levels including training for local fire and law enforcement personnel, additional detection and decontamination capability, additional vaccinations/antidotes and protective equipment, and improved interagency communications. The Legislature should support and fund these activities at both state and local levels to improve our readiness to meet emergency conditions that may arise from either natural disasters or terrorist attacks. CriMNet. The City of Plymouth urges continued support and funding of CriMNet, as well as improvements to enhance the integrity of the system. Firefighter Staffing. Shortage of paid -on-call and volunteer firefighters is a statewide issue. The City of Plymouth encourages the State to enact legislation to enhance recruitment and retention of paid -on-call and volunteer firefighters. Consideration could be given to providing tax credits and supplemental disability insurance. Affordable and Life Cycle Housing. Economic and demographic trends indicate that Minnesota's population is aging and workers need more affordable housing closer to where they work. The region's population age 65 and older will likely double from the year 2000 to 2020. Jobs in Plymouth are projected to increase approximately 27% during the same period. Housing is both a statewide and local issue. The City urges the Legislature to maintain and increase resources to the extent possible in order to encourage the development of affordable housing for both of these groups. Local property taxes should not be relied upon to fund housing programs because this increases the cost of housing for those most in need and has regressive impacts. Surface Water Quality Plans. As mandated by the State, the City Council has adopted a surface water quality plan and committed significant local funds for implementation. Because lakes and watersheds often cross municipal boundaries, the City Council requests that the State maintain and increase funding or bonding, to the extent possible, for water quality improvements to enhance funding at the local level. Transportation Funding. The entire economy benefits from a sound and adequately funded transportation system. To adequately address growing congestion, this system must be multi- modal. Consequently, significantly greater resources are needed to provide high quality, efficient systems that include both transit and highways. The City encourages the Legislature to identify long-term funding sources with growth potential that will increase transportation funding to levels that will allow the building of high quality, efficient metropolitan and local transit and highway systems. In addition, local elected officials should continue to be included in MnDOT's decision-making process when state -aid roads and highways are planned in a city. The City supports preservation of opt -out transit status. Sales tax exemption on local government purchases. When the State was experiencing a budget shortfall in 1992, the Legislature repealed the sales tax exemption for local government purchases. Cities now pay state sales tax for purchases of items such as road maintenance equipment and building materials. Since the Legislature provided no additional state aids to offset the cost, this policy effectively increased local property taxes to finance state government operations. The City supports legislation to reinstate the sales tax exemption for all local government purchases. Controlled Substance Laws. The City supports increased penalties for manufacture and possession of methamphetamine. Local control of residential speed limits. State law currently controls speed limits on residential streets, with limited exception. Legislation is requested to allow more flexibility for local officials to establish speed limits for residential streets that do not have an impact on neighboring cities. Construction Delays by Utility Companies. The City has experienced significant project delays due to lack of timely response by utility companies in relocating utilities. Legislation is requested to require that if a utility company fails to relocate utilities in a timely manner and causes a delay in a construction project, the City shall be held harmless. Zero Depth Pools. A provision in Minnesota Rule 4717.1850, Subp. 2B(1) states that a zero depth pool may be allowed or used in Minnesota only if a lifeguard is present at the zero depth area at all times in the pool is in use. The City proposes that this be overridden to allow use by persons of 18 years or older without the requirement of a lifeguard. I-494 and I-169 Median Barriers. Over the past decade, the stretch of I-494 in Plymouth has been the site of more than 20 serious accidents in which 10 people died and 14 suffered life- threatening injuries. Of those, 11 involved vehicles that crossed the median and crashed into oncoming traffic. This segment of roadway is not slated to be improved by the Minnesota Department of Transportation until 2014 or later. Similarly, Highway 169 from 26th Avenue to Bass Lake Road has many cross-over incidents resulting in death and serious injury. That roadway has no planned improvements through 2030. To improve safety along the road, the City requests the installation of temporary cable median barriers. Highway and Street Projects Cost Rider. The City opposes the Highway and Street Projects Cost Rider (ICR) proposed by utility companies. This would add a line item for purported government required relocations." The vast majority of utility relocations are done because the utility company wants to do the replacement while the streets are disrupted. The City's work rarely creates a situation that requires a utility line relocation. Combined MPCA and OEA. The City opposes the combination of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Office of Environmental Assistance into a new Department of Environmental Protection due to concerns that recycling issues may receive less emphasis and SCORE funding could be jeopardized or reallocated. CITY OF PLYMOUTH RESOLUTION NO. 2005-417 SUPPORTING CONTINUED AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REGARDING FRANCHISING OF CABLE SERVICES WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth, Minnesota (herein "City") through its City Council adopts this Resolution to express its concern about proposals coming before Congress that will adversely affect the ability of local governments to continue to franchise cable services; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Cities of Plymouth, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, and Robbinsdale created a joint consortium known as the Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission (herein "NWSCCC") approximately twenty (20) years ago to streamline cable television administration in our area and to ensure that the needs and interests of each member city was represented in regard to the initial development, installation and continued operation of cable television through our cities' public rights-of-way; and WHEREAS, NWSCCC has proven to be an effective, efficient model for developing and administering cable franchises, addressing concerns about the use of public right-of-way, and handling customer service issues; and WHEREAS, NWSCCC has developed a national standard for providing local programming that promotes civic involvement, public awareness of community news and events via public, educational and government cable channels; and WHEREAS, NWSCCC has provided each member city with the tools to efficiently televise city meetings, and provide citizens with gavel -to -gavel coverage and easy access to their local government officials and the decision -malting process; and WHEREAS, by providing gavel -to -gavel coverage of local government meetings and local news, NWSCCC has promoted openness and accountability, a key ingredient to successful government and strong communities; and WHEREAS, the NWSCCC has advised the City of recent proposals which Congress is considering that would change the role of local governments in granting cable franchises and negotiating franchise agreements with local cable operators that meet the unique needs and interests of communities; and WHEREAS, on behalf of the City and other communities that are part of the NWSCCC, the NWSCCC has written to Congressional members requesting help with the preservation of local control, a copy of which letter is attached; and WHEREAS, because Congress is giving increasing consideration to principles that threaten the interest of the City and other members of the NWSCCC as well as cities throughout the country, the City believes that through this Resolution now is the time for local government to take a stand to protect the local authority and it is absolutely essential for Congressional representatives to fully understand the importance of retaining the current structure of local franchising authority, which has proven itself to be an effective system for governing the utilization of public rights-of-way by private industry offering cable and related services; and has spawned an important local communications tool; and WHEREAS, many communities throughout the country, including the City and the other members of the NWSCCC consortium, expended substantial sums to negotiate franchises that ensure that local needs are met, including the development of local community programs and televised public meetings of community interest; and WHEREAS NWSCCC and its member cities have worked diligently with cable service providers to offer service to all citizens within the franchise area without regard to location or income status; and WHEREAS, certain Congressional legislation has the potential to destroy these community benefits, robbing communities of rightful sources of revenue for utilization of public right-of-way, and WHEREAS, the proposals under consideration would eliminate the ability of the City and other NWSCCC cities to: Cablecast city meetings, Replace aging cable television equipment; Provide the award-winning local newscasts and community programming covering our franchise area; Offer public access facilities for to allow citizens to produce local, community - oriented and diverse programming services; and Ensure that all citizens of the community are offered access to cable television regardless of their income status or location. NOW, THEREFORE, in a regular meeting assembled of the City, it is resolved as follows: 1. That the City hereby vigorously opposes any federal legislation that will reduce the right of local governments to approve and administer franchised cable services; to charge reasonable franchise fees for the use of the right-of-way; to establish benefit requirements including public, educational, and governmental access channels, including funding, facilities, and equipment for such channels; and to require dedicated capacity or institutional network systems for educational and governmental purposes. 2. That representatives serving the City and each of the Member Cities of the NWSCCC, within the United States Senate and House of Representatives be made aware of this Resolution, and that they be invited to confer with community leaders to become better informed on the special needs and interests of the City and other Member Cities of the NWSCCC, and to commit to fight against any form of legislation that will reduce the rights of localities with regard to local franchising and cable system administration and enforcement. 3. That a copy of this Resolution shall be provided to each of the Member Cities that is part of the NWSCCC and shall be also through a certified copy delivered immediately after its passage to the members of the U.S. Congress serving this City. Adopted by the Plymouth City Council on November 8, 2005. Sec. 9 (CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED] An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is proposed to the people If the amendment is adopted two sections will be added to article XIV to read: Sec. 12. Beginning with the fiscal year starting July 1 2007 through June 30 2008 59 75 percent of the revenue from a tax imposed by the state on the sale of a new or used motor vehicle must be apportioned for the transportation purposes described in section 13 From July 1 2008 through June 30 2009 64 35 percent of the revenue from a tax imposed by the state on the sale of a new or used motor vehicle must be apportioned for the transportation purposes described in section 13 then the revenue apportioned for transportation purposes must be increased by ten percent for each subsequent fiscal year through June 30 2011 and then the revenue must be apportioned 100 percent for transportation purposes after June 30 2011 Sec. 13. The revenue apportioned in section 12 must be allocated for the following transportation purposes: not more than 60 percent must be deposited in the highway user tax distribution fund and not less than 40 percent must be deposited in a fund dedicated solely to public transit assistance as defined by law. Sec. INSUBMISSION TO VOTERS] The Constitutional amendment proposed in section 12 must be presented to the people at the 2006 general election. The question submitted must be: Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate revenue from a tax on the sale of new and used motor vehicles over a five-year period so that after June 30 2011 all of the revenue is dedicated at least 40 percent for public transit assistance and not more than 60 percent for highway purposes? Yes ................. No.................. THE / IRANSPORTATIO_N"') ALLIANCE HigMrryt' =sk ohl-V*Wwv •Air Sample Resolution Whereas, Minnesota's transportation infrastructure forms the backbone of the state's economy and a has a direct impact on future economic development; Whereas, too many Minnesotans are being killed in traffic crashes on dangerous roadways; Whereas, funding for highway and transit systems in Minnesota has remained stagnant and is failing to keep pace with growing population and growing demands; Whereas, local governments throughout the state are struggling to maintain local transportation systems while the state's gas tax has not been increased since 1988 and transit budgets have been cut in recent years; Whereas, the Minnesota Legislature has repeatedly turned to revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax, which has been viewed as user fee revenue, in order to fund both highway and transit systems including the current dedication of 54% of motor vehicle sales tax for transportation purposes; Whereas, the legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment during the 2005 Legislative Session that would appear on the ballot November 7, 2006 asking voters if the remaining 46% of motor vehicle sales tax revenue currently used for other purposes should be used for highways and transit systems; Whereas, passage of this amendment would mean an increase in stable revenue for highway and transit systems throughout the state that would rise to approximately $300 million per year once the transfer of revenue is fully phased -in by 2011; NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved That (city, county) strongly supports passage of the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution dedicating all of the motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation with at least 40% of the revenue for public transit assistance and not more than 60% of the revenue for highway purposes. n- .7777 THE IP,,kNSPO -ATION ALLIANCE Highways -Transit -Rail -Waterways -Air Motor Vehicle Sales Tax The sales tax on motor vehicles was enacted in Minnesota in 1960s, and ever since its inception arguments have been made that it should be treated in a manner similar to other taxes and fees paid by drivers — namely that it is a tax paid by users of the transportation system that should be dedicated to improving the transportation system. This idea was enacted into law in 1981 by the Minnesota Legislature. The law called for a phased -in transfer of the motor vehicle sales to highway and transit purposes starting in fiscal year 1984 with the transfer completed by fiscal year 1990. Unfortunately, budget problems encountered during the recession of the 1980s led to delays and finally a repeal of the statutory dedication of MVST to transportation. Dedication of Motor Vehicle Sales Tax 1981 Legislation Actual Dedication Fiscal Year General Fund Transportation General Fund Transportation 1982 100% 0% 100% 0% 1983 100% 0% 100% 0% 1984 75% 25% 100% 0% 1985 75% 25% 75% 25% 1986 50% 50% 100% 0% 1987 50% 50% 100% 0% 1988 25% 75% 95% 5% 1989 25% 75% 70% 30% 1990 0% 100% 65% 35% 1991 0% 100% 100% 0% Throughout the 1990s, various bills were introduced and passed in one body or the other to dedicate differing percentages of MVST to transportation. In 2000, the Legislature and Governor acted once again on the issue of dedicating motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation when Governor Ventura successfully pushed for a reduction in the motor vehicle registration tax. The hole left in the Highway Trust Fund was replaced with 32% of the revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax. In 2001, the Legislature once again enacted legislation increasing the percentage of rf--venue from MVST going to transportation. Transit systems were prohibited from using property taxes for transit operations with replacement revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax starting in fiscal 2003. The percentage of MVST needed to replace property tax rev enue was set at 20.5 % for metropolitan area transit and 1.25 % for Greater Minnesota transit. The legislation also called for an increase to the metropolitan transit fund of 2% of MVST from the general fund for transit operations in FY2004. That transfer did not happen. 011 - ivIUnvi vcint,ic: 0niC. IdX.uuu In 2003, the state faced a serious general fund budget deficit. In order to mitigate proposed cuts in transit budgets, the legislature moved the MVST revenue already dedicated to transportation by shifting about 2% of the MVST revenue portion attributable to the Trunk Highway Fund to transit assistance. The current distribution of MVST is: If we compare the amount of MUST the legislature intended to be used for highway and transit purposes with the passage of the 1981 law with the actual dollars spent on highway and transit systems since that time, there has been a diversion of over $6 billion dollars from transportation. We believe that with the magnitude of the transportation problems facing the state, it is time to permanently dedicate all of the revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation once and for all. While dedicating the remaining 46.25% of MVST to transportation will not solve the transportation problem we face and other revenue sources will need to be increased, this is an important piece of the transportation revenue puzzle. Unlike the motor fuels tax and the tab fees — the latter being capped -- the sales tax on motor vehicles grows with the price of motor vehicles and so in a sense represents an "indexed" revenue source. In some years, revenue from the MVST has grown at a rate greater than the rate of inflation. We will continue to advocate for increases in our current constitutionally dedicated user fees — motor fuels tax and license tab fees as well as authorization for local governments to have additional tools for raising revenue locally. At the same time, we will be working to secure passage of the constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot in November of 2006 permanently dedicating 100% of the revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation. The proposed constitutional amendment passed by the Legislature in 2005 calls for a 5 -year phase-in of the 46% of MVST currently deposited in the general fund to highways and transit on a schedule of 10% in year 1, 10% in year 2, 10% in year 3, 10% in year 4, and 6% in year 5. The phased -in approach will mitigate the impact on the general fund. According to estimates from the Department of Finance, the additional 30% of MVST in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 will equal $184 million, while the total general fund revenue estimate for the FY2008-09 biennium is $32 billion. When fully phased in, the additional MVST revenue is estimated at approximately 300 million annually. 525 Park St., Ste. 1050 Saint Paul, MN 55103 0 651/659-0804 0 Fax 651/659-9009 FY2004-2007 FY2009 and bei Highway User Tax Distribution Fund 30% 32% County State Aid Highway Fund 0.65% Municipal State Aid Highway Fund 0.17% Metropolitan Area Transit Fund 21.5% 20.5% Greater Minnesota Transit Fund 1.43% 1.25% General Fund 46.25% 46.25% If we compare the amount of MUST the legislature intended to be used for highway and transit purposes with the passage of the 1981 law with the actual dollars spent on highway and transit systems since that time, there has been a diversion of over $6 billion dollars from transportation. We believe that with the magnitude of the transportation problems facing the state, it is time to permanently dedicate all of the revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation once and for all. While dedicating the remaining 46.25% of MVST to transportation will not solve the transportation problem we face and other revenue sources will need to be increased, this is an important piece of the transportation revenue puzzle. Unlike the motor fuels tax and the tab fees — the latter being capped -- the sales tax on motor vehicles grows with the price of motor vehicles and so in a sense represents an "indexed" revenue source. In some years, revenue from the MVST has grown at a rate greater than the rate of inflation. We will continue to advocate for increases in our current constitutionally dedicated user fees — motor fuels tax and license tab fees as well as authorization for local governments to have additional tools for raising revenue locally. At the same time, we will be working to secure passage of the constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot in November of 2006 permanently dedicating 100% of the revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation. The proposed constitutional amendment passed by the Legislature in 2005 calls for a 5 -year phase-in of the 46% of MVST currently deposited in the general fund to highways and transit on a schedule of 10% in year 1, 10% in year 2, 10% in year 3, 10% in year 4, and 6% in year 5. The phased -in approach will mitigate the impact on the general fund. According to estimates from the Department of Finance, the additional 30% of MVST in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 will equal $184 million, while the total general fund revenue estimate for the FY2008-09 biennium is $32 billion. When fully phased in, the additional MVST revenue is estimated at approximately 300 million annually. 525 Park St., Ste. 1050 Saint Paul, MN 55103 0 651/659-0804 0 Fax 651/659-9009 Let's put the TRUST back in the Highway Trust Fund Did you know that almost half of the funds collected from the motor vehicle sales tax are being diverted to non -transportation uses? With the serious congestion and safety problems Minnesota is currently facing, we need to ensure that all of the existing sales tax money is working to help relieve congestion and improve safety on our roads. Vote "YES" on the constitutional amendment to dedicate ALL of the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation in Minnesota On November 7, 2006, Minnesotans will be given the opportunity to vote for an amendment to the state's Constitution to increase funding for highways and transit, without raising taxes. The amendment will ensure that all of the current motor vehicle sales tax revenue goes to our highway and transit systems. Here's why you should vote YES": Congestion: More than two-thirds of our metropolitan area freeways are congested. Commuters waste over $700 per year stuck in congestion. Safety: Over 600 Minnesotans have been killed in traffic accidents each year over the last decade with most fatalities occurring on rural two-lane highways. Accessibility: Transit systems continue to face ongoing budget crises and the limited service makes it difficult for people to choose an alternative to driving. Dependability: Highway and transit projects that take years to develop and build need dependable, dedicated funding. Funding sources that come and go lead to costly delays. Accountability: The motor vehicle sales tax is a user fee. Those who use the transportation system pay the fee when they purchase vehicles. The money should be used to improve the transportation for all users rather than being diverted to unrelated spending programs. Efficiency: Highway and transit projects can be built sooner without raising taxes. For more information visit: www.transportationaHiance.com Increase in Funding from 2007-2016 2.57 Billion Currently, the legislature dedicates about 54% of the motor vehicles sales tax to highways and transit. Highways receive 30% of the motor vehicle sales tax and transit systems statewide receive almost 23% of the motor vehicle sales tax. The rest goes into the general fund. In 1981, the Legislature passed a law to phase-in the dedication of motor vehicle sales tax to transportation by 1990. However, state budget deficits prevented the implementation of this plan. State and Local Roads Metropolitan Transit Greater MN Transit Since 1981, our transportation infrastructure has lost over $6 billion due to the diversion of revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax to non -transportation purposes. The proposed constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot in November, 2006, will redirect existing transportation user fees to highway and transit projects over a five-year period. With this phased -in approach, the impact to the general .fund will be manageable. With passage of the amendment, all of the motor vehicle sales tax revenue will be used for highways and transit by June 30, 2011. Dedicating 100% of the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation ensures that: The revenue can't be taken away in the future when the state is experiencing budget deficits The transportation system will receive a badly needed increase in revenue. State gas taxes and auto license fees have been constitutionally dedicated to roads for decades. It just makes sense that sales taxes on motor vehicles should also be dedicated to transportation. After years of talk, this plan finally puts those revenues where they belong — and permanently." MUST Constitutional Amendment Talking Points Unmet transportation needs are estimated at over $1 Billion per year for the next 10 years. Congestion costs Twin Cities commuters over $700 per year in wasted time and fuel. On average, over 600 Minnesotans have been killed on our highways over the last decade, many of them on rural, two-lane roads. Transportation infrastructure is key to economic development. Businesses rely on the efficient movement of people and goods and the quality of the transportation system impacts economic growth. There hasn't been an increase in the gas tax since 1988. The only significant increases for transportation have come from bonding. Without an increase in revenue, MnDOT's construction budget will fall to the lowest level in a decade while local governments will continue to struggle to fund local roads and bridges with property tax dollars. There is a great deal of precedent for considering the motor vehicle sales tax a transportation user fee. It fits the same philosophy that governs the motor vehicle registration tax. People who purchase motor vehicles use the roads. In 1981 the legislature passed a law dedicating 100% of the motor vehicle sales to highways and transit phased -in over 10 years. Budget constraints prevented that law from being fully enacted. Currently, about 54% of the MVST has been dedicated by the legislature to highways and transit. Highway and transit budgets have lost over $6 billion dollars that would have gone to transportation if the 1981 law had been implemented. In 2005, the Legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment to dedicate all of the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation purposes by June 30, 2011. This means that the 46% of MVST currently being diverted would be phased in to transportation budgets over the course of 5 years starting July 1, 2007. According to estimates from the Department of Finance, the impact of the amendment in the FY2008-09 biennium would be approximately $185 million out of a $32 billion general fund budget. When fully phased -in, transportation budgets would realize an increase of approximately $300 million each year. Revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax increases as the price of motor vehicles increases, providing a revenue stream that will grow in the future. The current statutory dedication of MVST to highways and transit is at risk of being reduced or eliminated by the legislature. With passage of the constitutional amendment, current and future MVST dollars could not be diverted by future legislatures. If the amendment fails, the perception among decision makers will be that the public does not care about transportation funding. It will be more difficult to raise revenue for transportation through other The legislature has always had the ability to dedicate all of the motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transit, but that has not happened. On the contrary, transit systems have been faced with budget shortfalls in the last 3 years necessitating service cuts and fare increases. Trying to change the language of the constitutional question is risky. There is a risk in re -opening any legislative issue. You may not get what you expected. The amendment could be repealed altogether or others may jump on the bandwagon and demand other constitutional amendments. The more amendments there are on the ballot, the more difficult it will be to pass this one. Constitutional dedication is rare and difficult to come by. We've been waiting 24 years to get a question on the ballot asking voters to ensure that all of the motor vehicle sales tax revenue is dedicated to transportation. If we lose this question during the legislative session or voters fail to approve the question, it will be many years before we will get another chance. A strong vote, with a high percentage of "yes" votes will make it easier to engage lawmakers in taking the next steps toward adequately funding our highways and transit systems. Laurie Ahrens From: Terrie Christian [terriec@citilink.com] Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 11:40 AM To: Sandy Hewitt; Laurie Ahrens; Kelli Slavik; Judy Johnson; Jim Willis; Ginny Black; Bob Stein; Tim Bildsoe Cc: Paula West; Terrie Christian; Nancy Mack; Karla Anderson; Jon Eklin; Joe Himmelberg; Gary Holter; Gallagher, Thomas; Fred E. Kickertz; Bridget Jodell; Bill Wixon; Bruce Larson Subject: Legislative Issues Dear Mayor and City Council Members, I watched part of this week's city council meeting where you decided to invite our state legislators for dialog on issues affecting the city. I have a request for you to present to them. I am now serving on the Minnesota Lakes Association (MLA) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Committee. The citizens in the city of Plymouth and Bassett Creek Watershed have spent over $100,000 per year the last two years and will do so again in 2006 just to treat curly leaf pondweed. The Minnesota DNR has a grant program for local treatment of AIS in the amount of $250,000 for the whole state. Citizens of the state of Minnesota collectively are spending millions from local funds to pay for infestations in their lakes with little or no help from the state. Recently, 2 lakes near Brainerd and Lake Mille Lacs were found to be infested with zebra mussels. The state currently has no adequate funding for rapid response to new non-native threats. Minnesota Lakes Association asked for a quarantine of Lake Mille Lacs and an aggressive treatment of zebra mussels. The response.from the DNR was that there was not adequate state funding and it was unlikely to find rapid legislative action. Last year I testified in the Senate Finance Committee for a bill proposed by MLA to have a fee for all boaters in Minnesota that would raise funds to address this costly and unfair burden on local residents. This would be a much fairer way to pay for these costs. It would include boaters from outstate, as well as Minnesota residents. It is the boats that are the vectors of these invasive species. This bill did not pass. Currently, people residing in Plymouth, for example who don't even own a boat are required to pay for the costs of treatments through our Surface Water Management Fee and the Ad Valorum tax for BCWMC. MLA will again be putting forth legislation for fees on boaters to raise money for rapid response and treatment. Please consider presenting this important issue to our local representatives. It is not just the cost of treatment, but prevention of the spread. Aquatic Invasives can have a devastating effect on the natural environment in our lakes, and a long term consequence environmentally and economically for all Minnesota lakes. Thank you for your consideration. Terrie Christian This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by the Pixius MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. 1 Agenda Number: TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager SUBJECT: Amend 2006 Regular City Council Meeting Schedule DATE: January 11, 2006, for City Council meeting of January 17, 2006 1. ACTION REQUESTED: Adopt the attached Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2005- 466 Establishing the 2006 Regular City Council Meetings and Board of Equalization Meetings. 2. BACKGROUND: On December 13, 2005, the City Council adopted the 2006 Regular Council Meeting Schedule, which included the Board of Equalization dates of April 4 and April 18. Staff has been advised that a number of Councilmembers are unable to attend the April 4 meeting due to School District 284's spring break. By law, the Board of Equalization meetings must be conducted in April. Staff has identified two options. The first option would be to conduct the meetings on Monday, April 10, and on Monday, April 24, beginning at 7:00 p.m. If these Mondays wouldn't work, the second option would be to conduct the meetings beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, and Tuesday, April 25, which are on the same evenings as Regular Council meetings. The Regular Meetings would begin immediately following the Board of Equalization meetings. 3. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the attached Resolution amending the 2006 Regular Council Meeting Schedule. CITY OF PLYMOUTH RESOLUTION 2006 - AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2005-466 ESTABLISHING 2006 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AND BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING DATES WHEREAS, on December 13, 2005, the City Council adopted a Resolution Establishing the 2006 City Council Regular Meeting Dates and the Board of Equalization Meeting dates, and; WHEREAS, the Board of Equalization Meetings were scheduled for April 4 and April 18, and; WHEREAS, a number of Councilmembers are unable to attend the Board of Equalization Meeting on April 4, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, that Resolution No. 2005-466 is amended by changing the Board of Equalization Meetings to and Adopted by the City Council on January 17, 2006.