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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 01-12-2007UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Planning Commission January 17 meeting agenda.............................................................. Page 2 January, February and March 2007 Official City Meeting Calendars .................................. Page 3 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings ........................................... Page 9 INFORMATION News Articles, Releases, Publications, etc ... Star Tribune news story about the City of Minnetonka's efforts to control home sizes ..... Page 10 Notice of Metropolitan Council State of the Region Address on February 5 ..................... Page 12 Schedule of TwinWest sponsored events through April ..................................................... Page 13 STAFF REPORTS Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility Population Report ...................................... Page 14 CORRESPONDENCE Pollution Control Agency notice of a petroleum storage tank release at 2795 ShadyviewLane.................................................................................................................. Page 15 LEGISLATIVE ITEMS League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) Friday FAX................................................................ Page 16 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2007 WHERE: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Plymouth City Hall 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed on the consent agenda* are considered to be routine by the Planning Commission and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Commissioner, citizen or petitioner so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in normal sequence on the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING PLANNING COMMISSIONERS 4. PUBLIC FORUM 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 6. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the January 3, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Acceleration Northwest & Orthopedic Fitness. Conditional use permit to allow a sports training center in the I-2 (General Industrial) Zoning District for property located at 2530 Xenium Lane North. (2006116) B. Fastenal. Conditional use permit to allow retail sales in the I-2 (General Industrial) Zoning District for property located at 2530 Xenium Lane North. (2006117) S. NEW BUSINESS A. Comprehensive Plan Update. February 8, 2007 meeting (6:00 p.m.) with the City Council to discuss land use in the existing Urban Service Area. 9. ADJOURNMENT OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS January 2007 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 S 6 NEW YEAR'S DAY (City Offices c closed) - 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMChamhers0uncil 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Parkers Lake Room 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNOIL MEETING - 2007 GOALS 8 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; Medicine Lake Roams A 8 BT.W 5.00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING WITH HENNEPIN co_ B MNDOT OFFICIALS, Med�one Lake Reoma A d B PM REGULAR GOUNOIL MEETING,lu lChambers (IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING ftEGULAft h1EETING) CITY MANAGER REVIEW, Medirine Loke Rooms A b B - 7:00 PM PARK 8 REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BIRTHDAY (Observed) -Chy Offices Closed 6:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM, Medicine lake Rooms A 8 B 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 730 AM -9:00 AM MLC LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST, Radisson Hotel d Conrere—e Center, 3131 Campos Drive 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 6:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCILMEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH6:00 ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) , Medicine Lake Room A PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION (EQC) Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM HOUSING 8 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room A 28 29 30 31 Dec 2006 Feb 2007 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 31 modified on 1/12/2007 s� I OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS February 2007 Sunday Monday Tuesday I Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Mar 2007 .S M T W T F .S600 1 2 3 1 PM POLICE 1 DEPARTMENT I RECOGNITION EVENT, Plymouth Creek Center 2 3 2:00 PM -7:00 PM FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL, Parkers Lake Jan 2007 .S M T W T F .S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 11 12 13 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:ooHUMAN RIGGHTS 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 COMMISSION -Parkers Lake Room 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM PLANNING.'-:6:UQV1�d:$PE6'IA::_:.:_ COMMISSION, Council Chambers C:QFAJ:GIfi EdE�CIF(G = SGU6S>.� CS3MPa k)I ........... -V111J;I:1ff11il0;t[SE:::;:: FF 11 12 13 14 16 17 6:30 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room 10:30 AM VICKS13URG CROSSING GRAND OPENING, 3155 Vicksburg Lane 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room A 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCILMEETING, Council Chambers 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 PRESIDENTS DAY- City Offices Closed 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers ASH WEDNESDAY (First Day of Lenl) 25 26 27 28 11:30 AM TWIN WEST STATE OF THE CITY- Ply—th Creek Cenlor 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PAC's , Medicine Lake Room A modified on 1/12/2007 5 I OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS March 2007 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Apr 2007 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 r y 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Parkers Lake Room 2 3 Feb 2007 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 IS 16 17 1S 16 17 18 19 20 21 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 2S 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 `fc{iQ;L?kt;3PECCAti;:;i -:C43LIN,6,`IID%IE;i�h1Yk[:i Y3fSGl"lSS:NCSGEYDAf; GOGf GOt)I:::;::: 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PARK & REG ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCILMEETING, Council Chambers. 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE (EQC), Council Chambers 6:00 PM BOARD & COMMISSION RECOGNITION EVENT - Plymouth Creek Center 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 11:45 AM PLYMOUTH euslolss crr---", 12201 Ridgedale Drive, 1&nnetanka 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) , Medicine Lake Room A modified on 1/12/2007 8 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items January 23, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Amending fees • Approve conditional use permit to allow a restaurant in the Four Seasons Shopping Center in the C-2 (Neighborhood Commercial) Zoning District located at 4184 Lancaster Lane North. American Sidewalk Cafe. (2006112) • Approve conditional use permit to allow a 333 square foot garage addition, in which the total attached garage area will exceed 1,000 square feet for property located at 12200 61St Avenue North. Brad and Julia Hemphill. (2006118) • Approve annual update of the Zoning Ordinance. City of Plymouth. (2006093) • Announcement of Fire and Ice Festival • Approve Acquisition Agreements Fernbrook Lane Improvements (10 13) • Approve preliminary engineering report and calling for a public hearing, Black Oaks Lane Reconstruction Project (6102) • Approve plans and specifications for the Sunset Trail Retaining Wall Project (7103) • Approve plans and specifications and Order advertisement for bids for 2007 Street Sweeping Program (7113E) • Approve purchase of squad cars • Approve payment of 2007 Membership Dues for the Elm Creek and Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commissions • Approve Final Release of Financial Guarantees, Holly Creek Addition, Holly Creek 2" d Addition and Holly Creek 3rd Addition • Approve Bass Lake Playfield Antenna Lease Addendum February 8, Special, 6:00 p.m., Medicine Lake Conference Room • Discuss Comprehensive Plan Update (Land Use Plan) February 13, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Project hearings for 2007 Street Reconstruction Projects —City View Acres (7107) and Hawthorne Ponds (7101) February 27, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Oaths of Office to eight firefighters March 6, Special, 6:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Discuss Hollydale Golf Course 9 Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. Last update: January 09, 2007 — 10:34 AM Out of space, out of place Minnetonka wants to curb the proliferation of "McMansions" that threaten neighborhood character. By Jenna Ross, Star Tribune For 25 years, Jan Sellman looked out her dining room window and saw the neighborhood -- kids playing in driveways, parents getting the mail. Now, all she sees is garage. "That's it," she said. "A big, white, stucco garage. It dominates every view." In the past year, the 1950s rambler next door to Sellman's Minnetonka home has been torn down and replaced by a taller, wider home she and other neighbors call a "monstrosity." However, the house fits the city's standards. When the builder asked the city for a variance, it was granted. But a year from now, a similar request might run into some stricter requirements The city of Minnetonka is taking steps to limit house sizes. The City Council is concerned that some too - large homes, or "McMansions," are being built on too -small lots. A McMansion (the name is taken from McDonald's and its concept of "super -sizing") can crowd its neighbors and change the look of an entire neighborhood. Though oversized homes have been an issue for the past few years, the city has had few tools to fight the houses beyond setback and height requirements already in place. And those don't always take a neighborhood's character into account. This week, the Planning Commission is considering new tools. The most unusual is a policy that would limit a house's size based on the size of others in the area. But some are concerned that limiting house sizes might stifle change and homeowner choice. Minnetonka is fully developed. So new homes are being built only after old homes are torn down. Add in rising property values, and it makes sense that house sizes have increased, said Geoff Olson, former city planner. For some time, most of the larger "tear -downs" were occurring on lakefront property, where lots are slender and large houses can end up very close together. But the trend has moved to other parts of the city, and many more neighbors have complained about new houses' size. If approved by the City Council, the policy would hold builders to a ratio: the house's floor area divided by its lot area could not exceed that of the largest house within either a 200 or 400 foot radius and within 1,000 feet on the same street. The policy would only apply to builders asking the city for variances from the city code, such as reduced setbacks from lot lines. It would not affect houses that fit zoning requirements or houses already built. There was talk about holding builders to the average -- rather than the largest -- ratio in the neighborhood, but city council and planning commission members thought that would be unfair. But by using the largest house, a neighborhood still could be defined by a McMansion already built, Olson acknowledged. Teresa Elsbernd built one of the houses that initially concerned the city and neighbors. She split a 1.1 -acre lot and is building a home on half of it. To split the lot, she needed a variance. Though the house overpowers the lot to some degree, it is not a McMansion, Elsbernd said. When designing the house, she was careful to keep the roof pitches and colors similar to those around it. And she worked with the city to modify the plans. When the McMansions policy was introduced, Elsbernd wasn't a fan. "We're not all big, bad builders. We're i t) going to limit ourselves to something that fits and that will sell," she said. "I'm not sure the government should be designing homes." If the new home ratio policy had been in place, Elsbernd still would have gotten her variance. The floor - area -to -lot -area ratio is .16. The largest home in the neighborhood is .17. And even if her house were .18, the city still could have approved the variance. The ratio would be a policy, rather than an ordinance, and thus could be ignored if a house plan were approved. "We want to be able to work with this for a year or two before making it law," said city planner Julie Wischnack. The policy could eventually be incorporated into an ordinance or the city's updated comprehensive plan. After seeing the policy put into practice, Elsbernd said she understands its use. "I'm happy to comply," she said. Edina and Bloomington, two other developed cities, are also confronting the McMansion issue. Edina created a task force in the spring to address the question. The city's codes limiting a house's lot coverage haven't fully addressed the issue. And these cities, like Minnetonka, do not want to restrict redevelopment. When Minnetonka's policy was first discussed, Mayor Jan Callison was concerned that more restrictions would stifle change and keep residents from upgrading their property. "It's a balance," Olson said. "We have to protect the homeowners while protecting the character of the neighborhood." Jenna Ross • 612-673-7168 • jross@startribune.com 02007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. Plcase join Vlel CUW7Cil Chair Peter Bell for the Siate ofthe Region 200; .0 hr diSCUmes dle }progress o1 rhe region since r],CounCil'S crearion 4 vuars ago, and rhe ch..11enan and oPpor LIDiueS liar lie ahead. the Council also will: ® ltecogin,ze forme r chain of the Alet C'Ouncil * Isstie our 2006 Annual Resort and M Release the resiths ofo7rran771'ahTW1r0 resi�k77ts'sz7rz�c�1 Served by Metro Transit Routes 21 and 65 Bus information: 612-373-3333 www.metrotransit.org Ample parking available. Check-in begins at 9:30 a -m., with refreshments following the speech. Minnesota History Center is located at the junction of 1-35E and 1-94 on the western edge of downtown St. Paul at the corner of Kellogg and John Ireland Boulevards. 4u.,. 1::IA Metropolit I" 'ri` Metropolitan Council Yiu OF PLYI LOUTH vd06 PI YK/JOUTH B! VD NI 3 ST_ � REGION 4 0 7 l0% o m+P §9'tlC B.4PBB Bo — • B a6p F9 9.0aBf®• Minnesota History Center 34.5 Kellogg Blvd., W. St. Paul MN 55102-1903 Please RSVP by January 26 as seating is limited. 651-602-1844 or rip0ww.€netrocoea"nc;1Porg (:HHI.fbEk OF (_Un4ME12CE 10700 Old County Road 15, Suite 170 Plymouth, MN 55441 l,f�f��I�1,�fz�l,l��ffa��f�s►{1;1„lL��l,,,l�flL��lf��lf��,f ** ******AUTO'`''3-DINT 554 2 Ms. Laurie Ahrens 3 Plymouth, City of 3400 Plymouth Blvd Plymouth MN 55447-1482 First -Class Mail U-8. Postage PAID Permit No.351 Hopkins, MN D BUSINESS SHOWCASE 0 '-' .- & GALA STYLE SHOW N Tuesday,'February 6,2007 A 7:30- 9:00 a.m. Down "on 42nd Avenue" 7180 42nd Avenue North, New Hope 13 rand Way, St. Louis Park BUSINESS SHOWCASE Thursday, April 26, 2007 ENTRETEAm 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EntreTeam Wolfe Lake Professional Center 44 5000 West 36th Street, St. Louis Park """' """ M CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NETWORKING CALENDAR BUSINESS SHOWCASE` Thursday, March22, 2007 11:30 a`m. -.1:00 p.m. Art Holtlin r OVERTIME Thursday, January 18, 2007 ' Country Inn &Suites 210 Carlson.Parkway, Plymouth THE 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.. ART OUTLET Art Holdings OVERTIME 6210 Wayzata Blvd, Wednesday, March 28, 2007 -.-Golden Valley 4:30'- 6:30 p.m, e” 5 Comfort lnn + fourthstreofBUSINE5$`SHOWCA1SE- 3000 HarborLane, Plymouth Wednesday, Jaquary24,_2007 s y s t 67—ms 11 30 Stre Sys p.m:. OVERTIME Thursday, April 19, 2007 �V Fourth Street Systems U 12975 16th Avenue -North, Suite 400, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Plymouth Wine Styles 3840 G D BUSINESS SHOWCASE 0 '-' .- & GALA STYLE SHOW N Tuesday,'February 6,2007 A 7:30- 9:00 a.m. Down "on 42nd Avenue" 7180 42nd Avenue North, New Hope 13 rand Way, St. Louis Park BUSINESS SHOWCASE Thursday, April 26, 2007 ENTRETEAm 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EntreTeam Wolfe Lake Professional Center 44 5000 West 36th Street, St. Louis Park """' """ DATE: January 5, 2007 TO: Laurie Ahrens, City Manager FROM: Barbara Senness, Planning Manager -2 SUBJECT: Hennepin County Adult Correctional Facility (HCACF) Population Report Hennepin County Community Corrections staff has submitted their monthly report on average daily population for the month of December, 2006. The average daily population reported for the Plymouth facility was 591, which is less than the occupancy limit of 601 set by the Conditional Use Permit. This is the first time in three months that the average daily population was below the limit. The chart below shows the average monthly population since we began receiving reports in June of 1998. 700 .$ e 500 c U 400 0) 300 m Q 200 100 I HCACF Monthly Population Report 00 00 O O O O r N N co M g "T Lo Lo (. CO O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O N N :3N D N Z) N Z3 N D U Z$ N :3 N Month/Yea r !�- ❑ CUP Limit ® Average Minnesota Pollution Control Agency g Y 520 Lafayette Road North I St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 1 651-296-6300 1 800-657-3864 1 651-282-5332 TTY www.pca.state.mn.us December 21, 2006 Mr. Dwight Thomas 2795 Shady View Lane North Plymouth, MN 55447 RE: Petroleum Storage Tank Release Investigation and Corrective Action Site: Thomas Residence, 2795 Shady View Lane North, Plymouth 55447 Site ID#: LEAK000016675 Dear Mr. Thomas: The Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (1VIPCA) has been infornred that there has been a release of petroleum from a storage tank that you own and/or operate. This program was developed to provide assistance as you investigate and, if necessary, clean up your petroleum release. We appreciate your prompt notification so we can provide guidance to you in dealing with your release as quickly and efficiently as possible. Federal and state laws require that persons legally responsible for storage tank releases notify the MPCA of the release, investigate the extent of the release and take any necessary actions to clean up the release. A person is generally considered legally responsible for a tank release if the person owned or operated the tank either during or after the release. MPCA staff is requesting you to take steps to investigate and if necessary, clean up the release in accordance with the enclosed MPCA guidance documents. The first step is a site investigation to define the extent and magnitude of the soil and/or ground water contamination. We recommend that you hire a qualified environmental consulting firn1 which has experience in conducting petroleum release site investigations and site cleanups. Please be aware that MPCA staff do not conduct the investigation or cleanup at your property. MPCA staff provide guidance and technical assistance during the project and review the reports submitted by your consultant. However, we urge you to contact us whenever you have a question or concern regarding your project. The legislature established the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Fund (Petrofund) to reimburse responsible persons and volunteers who take corrective action for a portion of their costs. The Petrofund is administered by the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board (Petro Board), which is part of the Minnesota Department of Commerce. To learn more about the Petrofund reimbursement program and the responsibilities of an eligible applicant, please contact Petrofund staff at 651/215-1775 or 1/800-638- 0418 (in greater Minnesota only). We strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the program requirements in order to maximize the avail able reimbursement (Please note that final decisions regarding the amount of reimbursement are made by the Petro Board). St. Paul I Brainerd I Detroit Lakes I Duluth I Mankato I Marshall I Rochester I Willmar I Printed on 100% post -consumer recycled paper f� Mr. Dwight Thomas Page 2 December 21, 2006 The environmental consulting firm you hire to work on the petroleum tank release must be registered with the Petro Board. Also, you must get a minimum of two written competitive: consultant proposals on a form prescribed by the Petro Board. A minimum of two written competitive contractor bids must also be obtained for each contractor service. We encourage you to contact Petrofund staff for answers to all of your questions about bidding and the other Petrofund reimbursement program requirements. The MPCA also requests you file a claim with your insurance company and that the MPCA be copied on all insurance correspondence. Please contact me within 30 days of receipt of this letter if you intend to proceed with the requested work. If you do not proceed with the work, the MPCA Commissioner may order you to take corrective action at the site. Failure to cooperate with the MPCA in a timely manner may result in reduced reimbursement from the Petro Board. If you conclude that the release in question is not from any tank which you have owned or operated, or if you conclude that you do not meet the definition of a "legally responsible person.," please notify the MPCA immediately and explain the basis of your conclusion. A packet of guidance documents is enclosed for your information. If you have questions, please contact me at 651-297-8598. In addition, all future correspondence should be addressed to me. If you are calling long distance, you may reach the MPCA by calling 1-800/657-3 864. Thank you. Sincerely, GaryZarling-- - - —-.-- Proj ect Manager Petroleum. Remediation Program Petroleum and Closed Landfill Section Remediation Division GZ: tf Enclosures cc: Sandy Paulson, City Clerk, Plymouth Richard Kline, Fire Chief, Plymouth Dave Jaeger, Hennepin County Solid Waste Officer John Houck, Mimlesota Department of Commerce Jan 05 2007 17:40:36 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 001 Of 005 L i-FredFax- ,;, A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities J January 5, 2007 Page 1 Sack in the saddle again SF 1: Property Tax Relief This was a big week for the 201 legislators and four constitutional officers took their oaths of office on Tuesday and Wednesday. Legislators, including 49 who have never served in the legislature, were flanked by friends and family as they attended Wednesday's opening day ceremonies at the capitol. Beyond the formal proceedings, much of the activity at the Capitol this week was not particularly newsworthy. Many legislators are still completing the mundane tasks of moving in to their offices, finding meeting rooms and getting acquainted with other members, staff and lobbyists. Committees will start to gear up next week. Most will be holding informational overview sessions. Only 20 bills were introduced this week, all during Thursday's Senate floor session. If the past is an accurate indicator, the pace of bill introductions will quickly accelerate over the next several weeks. Although the exact schedule for the next five months has not been announced, we do know a few important session dates: the Governor's budget recommendations will be released January 23, and House and Senate leadership Will likely follow with their respective recommendations shortly thereafter. Under the state's constitution, the legislature must adjourn by May 21. Other important dates, such as the committee deadlines have yet to be announced. Stay tuned_ Questions? Contact Jenn O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 or by email at jorourke@lmnc, org. Proving they are serious about property tax relief, on Thursday the Senate DFL introduced SF 1, a general property tax relief bill as their first piece of legislation. Senate Tax Cominittee Chairman 'Fcyrn 13ak . (DFL -Cook) kicked off an early morning press conference by outlining the elements of the proposal which will provide property tax relief in the form of additional funding for schools, cities, counties and direct relief to taxpayers. Specifically, SF 1 will reduce pressure on local property taxes by providing additional funding to schools, increasing LGA to cities and providing additional funding for county aid programs. The bill will also provide additional tax relief through the circuit breaker and homestead credit programs. The bill is a placeholder for legislation that will be further developed as the session progresses_ Senator Bakk did not provide any financial details or estimates about the actual impacts on future local property tax bills. The legislature will not likely begin unveiling the details until after the next state budget forecast is released in late February. One reporter at the press conference questioned Senator Bakk on the subject of property tax caps and levy limits. Bakk responded that local governments are on the front line of taxpayer concerns and complaints and he went on to state that he wasn't inclined to support levy limits. Questions? Contact Jenn O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 or by email at jorourke@lmnc. org, Far mcre information cn city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 I � Jan 05 Z007 17:41:17 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 00Z Of 005 —tel L .-C ®Fr1 daF �® a A weekly legislative updatefrom the League ofMinnesota Cities January 5, 2007 Page 2 Transportation package introduced House in the coming days. The Governor has said his transportation package Neill be unveiled Also introduced on the first day of bill introductions was a comprehensive transportation funding package. Senator Stev(.-, \�4:xxLpj M„(DFL-Red Wing), Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, introduced SI?5. The bill, which has already been criticized for being too aggressive, would increase the gas tax by 10 cents per gallon, adjusts license tab fees, increase the sales tax in the 7 -county metropolitan area by i/z cent, and provide authorization for local governments to implement local option sales taxes and wheelage taxes. The bill contains some general obligation bond appropriations for local roads, local bridges and transitway projects as well as providing some one-time fiinding for highways and transit from the budget surplus. The bill immediately drew negative attention from Governor Tim Pawlenty (R). The Governor, in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, said: They've got ideas about gas tax increases, tab tax increases, wheelage tax increases, I think various other tax increases. I vetoed that bill last year. I'm not going to sign it this year. If they want to have that confrontation right up front, that's what they'll get but I'm hoping they look at some alternatives, some of which we'll be sharing, some of vvIlich they may have. Or maybe they have the votes to override me but that's one area where we'll have some disagreement, Senate -leaders have called the proposal a starting point, and have said the measure reflects the fact that the public is expecting significant increases in transportation this year. The companion V%fill likely be introduced in the in the next ten to twelve days. Questions? Contact Anne Finn at 651.281.1263 or by email ata-,' Early legislative action on election policy topics a possibility Secretary of State Mark Ritchie has indicated that legislative leaders are eager to address election policy issues early in the '07 session. In view of that, the Secretary of State has assigned Beth Fraser as Director of Goveriunental Affairs for his office and requested that she confer with the League and the Minnesota Clerks & Finance Officers Association (MCFOA), county, and school officials, voter rights advocates and other stakeholders to determine a legislative agenda for the session. The Secretary of State has circulated a list of topics for possible inclusion in the Secretary of State's Legislative Agenda. Those include several proposals that would modify current voter registration, election judge appointments, and absentee voting requirements. The League and MCFOA strongly Support allowing some nonpartisan election judges to be appointed to serve at polling places. In addition, the League supports simplifying the voting process at the polls and making unifonn the distance from the polls that those who are "lingering” and or involved in political activity may be located during voting hours. In addition to changes in the requirements for appointment of election judges, the Secretary of State is considering the following possible changes to state election law: 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 Jan 05 2007 17:42:00 Via Fax —> 763 509 5060 Administrator Paye 003 Of 005 -Freda F a.- . L....mc".,, h"'d {7r,,...... ,,,,� , ./�,,,,w -4 weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities January 5, 2007 Page 3 • Instituting automatic voter registration for the Secretary of State's agenda for legislative eligible U.S. citizens with a MN drivers action. license or state ID card; • Allowing absentee voting for any reason; • Permitting overseas/military voters to use fax or email to receive an absentee ballot or absentee ballot application, • Change the State Primary to August (or June); • Classify voting equipment software source code as public data; • Prohibit the Secretary of State or Elections Division staff from serving on the political campaign committees of state candidates and from overseeing their own re-count; • Allowing voters who are ill at home or parents visiting children at college, etc. to use the agent delivery option for voting by absentee ballot; • Increasing means by which potential voters can prove residency for Election Day registration — such as use of a photo ID in combination with a lease or a standard form that landlords would provide to tenants; making it less difficult for employees of residential facilities to vouch at the polls for residents; and allowing driver licenses from other states to be used in combination with a utility bill; • Requiring all candidates Alklith major political party affiliation or others seeking state constitutional elective offices to gather signatures in order to be placed on the state election ballot or requiring such candidates to obtain a threshold level of support at a political party convention in order to be placed on primary election ballot for that political party's candidates. The Secretary of State has requested comments and concerns about the items listed above that are being considered for possible inclusion in Questions? ContactAnn Higgins at 651.281.1257 or by email at ahiggins c[ lmnc.org. Legislative links To receive e-mail notice of upcoming town hall meetings near you, subscribe online at 'a'ti"}3:•'tivww.la.i7�u��;.ltGr._�:;tatc;.YYtP].u��/I:z'la:tll:tti'tirYza:t.l.a Li list_ajsL) and }lfffj::„ids-�4 .17v [X111'tf''•,,frfz.^islg:cnitt.tz5r'•:�Cli:CElti£'!t;�;3 erv_htirt To keep informed on news from the House of Representatives, subscribe to the nonpartisan Session Weekly newsmagazine at or call (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657- 3550. To receive e-mail notification of upcoming and scheduled meetings, visit I:at�t�: ��5�-v_i�_:izc:�1�:��.Ic:.��;,:`;t:alt:�;;,;cxetz,_is•'cwc>n�,�.►.►!.�c;i:t�;cl�:s l.aall.:u� and for an up to date recorded message giving committee meeting times and agendas call, (651) 296-9283. For general information about the Minnesota House of Representatives please call (651) 296-2146 or (800) 657-3550 toll free (voice); or the Minnesota Relay service at 711 or (800) 627-3529 (TTY). In the Senate, the Publications Office, issues, compiles, and distributes publications providing an overview of the legislative process as well as current listing of bills, committee meetings, and member information online at lati;,�.l µ�,��r.-,,,�::�:s.�.t�; ;:t�•�ar.�si:�i:e .�;t:txt.r7..�->,',li�rl�il �cr�tic?rF,;: ilac�c ::1 f1��?Is:."..,85 t:C�;�y^.i�;1�l�ii.1--eac tivil_y1�nibli.�_atic:�_rl_s For more it f ynation on city legislature issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 I