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Council Information Memorandum 04-15-2005
CITY OF PLYMOU rpFJ) COUNCIL INFO ME Dummy April 15, 2005 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Planning Commission April 20 meeting agenda................................................................... Page 3 Housing & Redevelopment (HRA) April 21 meeting agenda .............................................. Page 4 April, May, and June Official City Meeting Calendars........................................................ Page 5 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings ........................................ Page 11 FOR INFORMATION ... News Articles, Releases, Publications, etc. Notice of public information meeting for Tri—Care Partnership to present its proposal for a Maple Grove hospital facility................................................................. Page 12 Hennepin County news release announcing the relocation of its Maple GroveService Center.......................................................................................................... Page 13 Information sheet on the League of Minnesota Cities proposal to the Governor for an advisory commission on intergovernmental relations .............................. Page 16 City news release announcing the offer of crime prevention trading cards by the Police Department.................................................................................................... Page 17 Information from the Suburban Rate Authority.................................................................. Page 18 Star Tribune Plymouth—related articles from the Wednesday "West Edition": Notice of volunteers needed for the study and monitoring of west suburbanwetlands................................................................................................... Page 27 Met Council public hearing schedule on the proposal to change transit fares and schedules...................................................................................... Page 28 Legal Ledger story on the debate over proposed changes to property tax laws ................. Page 29 Legal Ledger story on how cities continue to deal with state aid cuts ............................... Page 30 Minutes Youth Advisory Council March 28 meeting....................................................................... Page 31 Correspondence Letter to Steve Chase from Parks and Recreation Director Eric Blank regarding dock rights on Medicine Lake; a copy of Mr. Chase's original correspondence isalso included................................................................................................................... Page 33 CITY COUNCIL INFORMA TION MEMO April 15, 2005 Page 2 Legislative Items League of Minnesota Cities Friday Fax............................................................................. Page 35 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2005 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. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 5. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve the April 6, 2005 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. B. City of Plymouth. Approve site plan amendment and variances to allow reconstruction of the Bass Lake Sanitary Sewer Lift Station located at 12001-54' Avenue North. (2005022) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. City of Plymouth. Corrections to the Lighting Zone map. (2005021) 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT AGENDA MEETING PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2005 - 7:00 p.m. WHERE: Medicine Lake Room City of Plymouth 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447 CONSENT AGENDA All items listed with an asterisk (*) are considered to be routine by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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 thea enda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approve HRA Meeting Minutes from March 17, 2005 and April 12, 2005 B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Report C. Approve Application for Shelter -Plus Care Vouchers 3. NEW BUSINESS A. Adopt Responsible Bidder Policy B. Discuss New Senior Building Admissions and Occupancy Policies C. Discuss Plymouth Towne Square Resident Issues D. Election of Officers 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Regulatory Policies and Housing Affordability. Discuss study of the impact of regulatory policies and their effects on housing affordability B. New Senior Project. Building name 5. ADJOURNMENT OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS April 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday I Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Mar 2005 May 2005 S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS 7:00 PM BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, Council Ch>,mb— 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMENCES- COMMISSION, COMMISSION - set clocks ahead 1 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL Council Chambers Medicine Lake hour MEETING (I—dwtely following ed. or Room EgNaunNon): CITY MANAGER QUARTERLY UPDATE, Council Chl- 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY 6:00 PM SPECIAL HRA MEETING, Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE COUNCIL, Council (EQC), Council Chambers Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 9:00 AM 1:OII PMNUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION STUDENT WORKSHOP, oR ioP, 7:00 PM PLANNING 7:00 PM HOUSING& REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY(HRA), 9:00 AM CITY AUCTION, CRy Maintenance Garage, COMMISSION, Medicine Lake Room 1490023Rd Avenue 7AOPMB7ARDO1 Council Chambers EQUALIZATIONPASSOVER (RECENE nctl ONV c— BEGINS AT (FOLLOWING BD OF EQUALIZA 1014) SPECIAL COUNCILMEETING: CONSIDER VARIOUS PROPERTIES PROPOSALS, Council Ch.... SUNSET 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY 6:00 PM YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS, 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH COUNCIL, Council Council Chambers ADVISORY Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Cog modified on 4/14/2005 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS May 2005 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6:30 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING- INTERVIEW YOUTH APPLICANTS; DISCUSS EXPANSION OF PACT MISSION; DISCUSS ZONING TEXT CHANGES; Lunchroom 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HUMAN COMMISSION - Medicine Lake ROOM 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council 7:00 PM ENVIRUTYONMENTAL ou (EQC COMMITTEE E (EOC), council chambers 7:00 PM PARK & REG ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers Chambers 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room 9:00 AM -3:30 PM PLYMOUTH CLEAN-UP DAY, Public Works Maintenance Facility 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: DISCUSS PROSECUTION PHILOSOPHY IN RE: CITY ATTORNEY SVCS; USE OF GAMBLING FUNDS; USE OF BIO -DIESEL FUELS; Lunchroom 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 6:45 PM YOUTH ,NASAMPLYMOUTH BUSINESS COUNCIL, Shahan 7:00 PM ADVISORY M,n..Pah.Wn1+2201 PLYMOUTH COUNCIL, Council RMp.tl.I.ON, MInrM ADVISORY Chambers COMMITTEE ON S PM4:30PMSPECIAL TRANSIT(PACT)- COUNCIL MEETING:YOUTH TOWN FORUM. PlymaulM1 Medicine Lake C, kC.M., Room Too PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Ceuewl CMmbrs 29 30 31 Jun 2005 Apr 2005 MEMORIAL DAY S M T W T F S S M T W T F S (Observed) - City Offices Closed 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 modified on 4/14/2005 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS June 2005 Sunday I Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, 2 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - 3 4 May 2005 S M T W T F S Ju12005 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 6:45 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Council Chambers 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL U (EQC), Council E QUALITY (EOc), Council Chambers 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (FRAC), Council Chambers 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 fi:00 PM SJE cOUNcaM CONSIDER AMENDMENTS 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, 4:30 PM ANNUAL PARK TOUR, depart from City Hell RELIGIOU 5 ININ INDUS DISTRICTS; U 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7;00 PMHOUSING& REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room C—il Chambers Flag Day 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 6:45 PM YOUTH 7:00 PM ADVISORY PLYMOUTH COUNCIL, Council ADVISORY Chambers COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) - Medicine Lake Room 26 27 28 29 30 5:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING: DISCUSS STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAMAND SPECIAL ASSESSMENT POLICY, Lunchroom 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers modified on 4/14/2005 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items April 19, Board of Equalization Reconvened, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers (Discussion of United Properties and Welsh Companies proposals immediately following meeting) April 26, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Hearing on issuance of Tax Exempt Bonds for Phase II of Providence Academy • Hearing on City Center Street Lighting Project, Vicksburg Lane/36th Avenue (4143) • Hearing on liquor violation at Dutton's Bar & Grill • Presentation of DARE Poster Contest Winners • Approve a PUD General Plan for a 96 -unit senior apartment building for property located northwest of the intersection of Vicksburg Lane and Medina Road. Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). (2005014) • Approve a Site Plan Amendment to expand the parking lot and Conditional Use Permit for a trade school in the Four Seasons Shopping Center located at 4236 Lancaster Lane North. CB Richard Ellis and CIP, Inc. (2005015) • Approve a variance for impervious surface coverage and an interim home occupation license for a massage therapy business located at 11917 23rd Avenue North. Thomas Stout. (2005018) May 3, Special, 6:30 p.m., Lunchroom • Interview youth candidates for boards and commissions • Discuss whether to expand mission of Plymouth Advisory Committee on Transit (PACT) to include transportation Consider Zoning Ordinance text amendment to change allowable uses in the C-1 (Convenience Commercial), C-2 (Neighborhood Commercial), and C-4 (Community Commercial) districts. City of Plymouth. (2004057) (Postponed from March 29) May 10, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Consider Rezoning of property from FRD (Future Restricted Development) to RMF -1 (Multiple Family 1), and for a Preliminary Plat, Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit to allow a residential development containing 43 townhome units on 11.25 acres located at 3735 & 3855 County Road 101. Perl Development. (200500 1) (Postponed from April 12) May 17, Special, 7:00 p.m., Lunchroom • Discuss prosecution philosophy with respect to City Attorney services • Discuss uses of 10% Gambling Fund Consider use of bio -diesel June 14, Special, 6:00 p.m., Lunchroom • Consider Zoning Amendments to allow religious institutions in industrial districts June 14, Regular, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers June 28, Special, 5:00 p.m., Lunchroom • Discuss Street Reconstruction Program and Special Assessment Policy • Announcement of Music in Plymouth on July 6 June 28, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by ; quncil; all other topics are tentative. ® C11dr'en s© ALLI NA. Park Nicollet HOSPITALS AND CLINICS Hospitals &Clinics of Minnesota Design you What do you want in a new hospital? Three of Minnesota's leading health care providers have joined together as the Maple Grove Tri -Care Partnership to build a hospital for Northwest Metro Area residents in Maple Grove. We're listening. Please tell us: • What services are important to you? • What really matters to you in the delivery of health care? • What attributes do you want in a new hospital and health care campus? Public Listening Sessio Maple Grove Plymouth 6:30 - 8 p.m., Thursday, April 14 6:30 - 8 p.m., Thursday, April 28 Maple Grove Community Center Plymouth Creek Center 12951 Weaver Lake Road, Maple Grove x,4800 34th Avenue North, Plymou Rogers St. Michael 6:30 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 20 6:30 - 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 3 Community Room - Community Center Council Chambers, City Hall 21201 Memorial Drive, Rogers 3150 Lander Avenue NE, St. Michael Free and open to everyone Maple Cjrove TRI -CARE partnership For more information, visit MapleGroveTriCare.com or call 763-236-2199. Hennepin County News Public Affairs • 612-348-3848 • 300 South Sixth li i April 13, 2005 Contacts: Mark Oswald, Service Centers manager: 612-348-4961 Jennifer Gunewitz, Maple Grove Service Center manager: 763-420-8537 Carol Allis, Public Affairs: 612-348-8536 Hennepin County Maple Grove Service Center relocates Grand opening celebration May 7 The Hennepin County Maple Grove Service Center, previously located at 13720 Grove Drive, is moving to a new location on the main floor of the Bell Tower West office building, 9325 Upland Lane N. The new center, at the intersection of County Road 30 and I-94, is approximately two -and -one-half miles west on 1-94 from the old location. The old service center will close Thursday, April 21, while staff move to the new location. The new facility will open as soon as possible — the exact date depends on final stages of construction. (Watch for the "open" sign outside the center!) A public grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting will be held Saturday, May 7, at 8:55 a.m. (just before normal service center hours begin at 9 a.m.), hosted by Hennepin County Commissioner Penny Steele, whose 7th District includes the service center. There also will be an open house Monday, May 9, through Saturday, May 14, during regular service center hours, with free cookies and punch. "The number of customers coming to the Maple Grove Service Center has increased more than 600 percent during the last few years," said Commissioner Steele. "In 1995, the first year the center was in operation, there were 32,000 customers. Last year there were 200,000. Staff had to set up workstations in hallways and traffic areas, and there wasn't enough parking at the old location. We knew the center had to expand. "Service will be much faster at the new location," said Steele. "The new center has -- MORE -- 1� Maple Grove Service Center/2 nearly double the space — 21 work stations instead of 10 — and 80 customer parking spots. The service center also will feature something no one else offers — a drive -up window for license tabs — the first of its kind in Minnesota. Our service centers offer such a variety of services in one location — you can do it all here!" The drive -up window will open at the grand opening May 7, with Commissioner Steele as the first customer. The service center has a unique design — the building is a modular construction that was assembled completely off-site. Staff researched techniques at other facilities nationwide to make the entire visit for customers at the center as pleasant as possible, including a building design that gives the illusion of being in a larger space. Last year more than a million customers visited Hennepin County service centers. The Maple Grove center is one of six county service centers that provide approximately 40 services, including: • Driver's license renewals, duplications and reinstatements • Driver's permit renewals • Motor vehicle tabs, plates, titles and registrations • Birth and death certificates • Marriage licenses and certificates • Passports, including instant passport photos • Minnesota state ID duplicates and renewals • Notarizations • Watercraft, bike, snowmobile and ATV registrations • Voter registration • Real -estate -tax payments • Minnesota park permits • Applications for handicapped plates and placards, which are submitted to the state • Ministerial credentials • Notary commission filings Besides updating and adding centers, the county has been adding new services, -- MORE -- 1A Maple Grove Service Center/3 including: • A new cashier system that enables every service -center specialist to help customers with any service. • More automated services, both by phone and online — a real boon for those who wait until the last minute. For example, birth and death certificates can be done by fax, and vehicle tab renewals can be done online on the Hennepin County website — www.hennepin.us — under "Licenses, certificates and registration." • Plasma screen TVs that provide public service announcements, Amber Alerts, news and other information while you wait. More services are coming: • Soon you will be able to pay for transactions with your credit card — no other public service centers offer this feature! • More service centers at business locations and work sites throughout the county. • Appointments for services online — no waiting. • Off-site individual appointments — if you're too busy to come to a service center, staff will come to your place of business and provide services there. Other Hennepin County service centers are located in: • Brooklyn Center at the Hennepin County Brookdale Regional Center. • Eden Prairie, at the old Hennepin County Library site. • Edina, adjoining the Hennepin County Southdale Library. • Downtown Minneapolis at the Hennepin County Government Center. • Minnetonka at the Hennepin County Ridgedale Regional Center. Service hours for Maple Grove and other suburban service centers are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Hennepin County Government Center Service Center in downtown Minneapolis is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For service center information, look on the Hennepin County website — www.hennepin.us — under "Licenses, certificates and registration," or call 612-348-8240. —30— K' A proposal for an Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations What would an ACIR do? It would foster more effective communication, cooperation and partnerships between the state and local units of government to improve the delivery of services to the citizens of Minnesota. Local officials currently participate in the legislative process. Why do we need an ACIR? An ACIR is an important supplement to the legislative process that has the following advantages: 1. Considers long-term demographic, fiscal and economic trends and important policy responses. For example, the impact of our aging population on governmental service demands and ability to pay. 2. Examines cumulative impact of policy decisions over time, among levels of government, and across traditional departmental/service area divisions. For example, examining the combined impacts of transportation, housing policies, local land use and tax policies on development patterns and governmental service demands. 3. Examines differences in circumstances and priorities and for finding common ground solutions for all Minnesotans. 4. Provides a forum to address issues of intergovernmental accountability and service responsibility. For example, how to best address the methamphetamine crisis. How might an ACIR work? An ACIR would be a forum for consultation among state and local government officials including city, township, county, school, metropolitan council, and executive branch officials [legislators? Courts?] with broad geographic representation. The commission would research and discuss intergovernmental issues and provide recommendations to the state legislature or administration on ways to improve the state's intergovernmental system. In preparing its recommendations, the commission would consider and balance the following goals: • Enhancing coordination and cooperation between state and local governments, among local governments and between government and nongovernmental entities • Eliminating obsolete, unnecessary and overly -burdensome mandates • Maximizing flexibility for local elected officials to address issues locally • Increasing statewide uniformity when significant spillovers exist • Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of government services • Maintaining the affordability of government Most Minnesotans do not care what level of government provides a service or exacts a tax or fee. They ,just want government to work. An Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations would make government work better! Draft 4/8/05 ew I/o News Release City of Plymouth For Immediate Release April 11, 2005 Contact: Sgt. Curtis Smith, 763-509-5191 Plymouth Police Offer Crime Prevention Trading Cards Kids interested in baseball will want to make sure to collect 2005 Minnesota Crime Prevention Trading Cards. The cards are available from Plymouth Police Officers. This year's trading card series will feature seven current Minnesota Twins players, and crime prevention and safety messages. Messages will feature information about Internet safety, booster seats, fireworks safety, bullying, bicycle theft prevention and animal safety. There will also be a card that features McGruff ' the Crime Dog, 911 information, and an emergency contact list that can be filled out on the back of the card. This card can be used to help the child learn his or her name, address, phone number, and who to call in case of an emergency. Kids can get cards from any officer they see in the community or at the Plymouth Public Safety Building, 3400 Plymouth Blvd. This program is sponsored by the Minnesota Crime Prevention Association (MCPA). For more information on the cards, call Sgt. Curtis Smith, at 763-509-5191. \ -7 JAMES M. STROMMEN Attorney at Law Direct Dial (612) 337-9233 Email: istrommen rpkennO-waven.com MEMORANDUM Memo #1 TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators/Directors/Alternates FROM: James M. Strommen DATE: April 8, 2005 RE: Utility Locates - Rulemaking The SRA authorized counsel to participate actively on behalf of its cities in a rulemaking proceeding that has been commenced by the Department of Public Safety — Office of Pipeline Safety, under its authority to enforce Chapter 216D (Gopher State One Call). The objectionable part of the Rules involves the requirement to locate private water and sewer laterals and the lack of a reliable technology to do so. The rulemaking hearing was held on February 1, 2005. The matter was briefed, including SRA's brief involving the lack of legislative authority granted to the OPS to acquire "operators" (including cities) to locate privately -owned service laterals. The League of Minnesota Cities was the lead municipal presence in this rulemaking proceeding, marshalling the efforts of several public works representatives from around the State in opposing the proposed requirement that as of December 31, 2005, cities locate service laterals with technology that has not yet been proved reliable. The ALJ issued his report on April 1, 2005. He rejected the position of the cities almost in total. He adopted the OPS position, one that cities have regarded as unreasonable, unworkable and potentially creating exposure to liability for misinformation. The rules are now certain to be adopted as recommended by this ALJ, given the fact that the Department of Public Safety will approve them. The remaining recourse to city interest is to appeal on the basis of lack of authority or arbitrary rule. The legislative option has been assessed by the League. It is the League's opinion that there is not support in the legislature to amend the statute to provide a more workable framework for cities or require further review of the rules. The issue for discussion will be whether the SRA is open to further expenditure in this matter. The SRA has already expended significant funds in support of the city position. Prior to the meeting, I will be discussing the chances for success that the cities have on the jurisdiction scope of authority issue. There will be a statewide impact associated with these rules. They may fall more heavily on the smaller, rural communities that have very little right-of-way management at the current time. Nevertheless, this matter should not be dropped without first exploring the costs and benefits of continued opposition to rules that appear to be unworkable. WS -261260v2 SU160-3 JAMES M. STROMMEN Attomey at Law Direct Dial (612) 337-9233 Email: istrommennkennedy-eraven.com Memo #2 MEMORANDUM TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators/Directors/Alternates FROM: James M. Strommen DATE: April 8, 2005 RE: CenterPoint (Minnegasco) Rate Case Settlement On July 14, 2004, CenterPoint Energy (CPE) filed a petition with the PUC seeking an increase in its natural gas rates of $21,722,000, approximately 1.8% increase over the current rates. The original proposal, however, weighted the increase on the residential class resulting in a 4.1% proposed increase to residential ratepayers and higher than that to low -use residential ratepayers due to the requested $16 customer charge (fixed cost). The current fixed charge for residential ratepayers is $5 per month. The $5 to $16 increase does not result in an $11 increase per month, but does create a higher fixed rate regardless of usage. The original proposal provided for a decrease in rates for the larger customer classes. The proposal also included a street and highway infrastructure rider that would track costs that CPE allegedly occurred when governmental units "require" CPE to relocate its facilities for public improvement projects. This proposal was based on the unproven assumption that cities, primarily, require gas facilities to be moved in public improvement projects. The reality is that CPE generally voluntarily chooses to remove and relocate its facilities during the convenience of an open street in a public improvement project. Public hearings were held and the SRA attended a couple of those hearings in which numerous residential ratepayers expressed significant objection to the rate increase proposal and the proposed increase in the customer charge. Shortly thereafter, CPE and the Department entered into a tentative settlement of the rate case. This proposed settlement is still in the process of review and has not been approved by the PUC. The proposal is generally very good for ratepayers. The additional revenues are reduced to $8,987,000, a .08% increase. The residential ratepayer weighted increase would be reduced to under 1%. The rate of return on equity reduced from 11.15% to 10.18%. JMS-26126M ^ SU160-3 The settlement also includes customer charge increase from $5 to $8, the amount supported by the Department. The Office of Attorney General and the SRA have objected to that portion of the settlement and have submitted arguments proposing no increase, i.e., $5 per month, or an amount up to $6.50 as part of the settlement, the SRA proposal. Our position is based on the lack of evidence supporting the increase and the law requiring that rates do not inhibit conservation or cause a "rate shock." The new $8 customer charge would result in a higher increase for low -users and tend to discourage conservation -oriented customers. On March 25, the ALJ issued findings and conclusions, rejecting the Attorney General and SRA positions. This is a recommendation to the PUC and is not binding. In the last CPE rate case (1995), the SRA also opposed the customer charge. The SRA position was not adopted by the ALJ, but the PUC did adopt the SRA position of no increase in the customer charge. Therefore, it is still a reasonable issue to pursue through the PUC decision due in mid-May 2005. The SRA Executive Committee has authorized this position and the continued argument through the PUC decision. JMS-261260v2 rIIN r'\ SU160-3 ``,W JAMES M. STROMMEN Attomey at Law Direct Dial (612) 337-9233 Email: jstrommen�a kennedyraven.com Memo #3 MEMORANDUM TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators/Directors/Alternates FROM: James M. Strommen DATE: April 8, 2005 RE: Xcel Gas Rate Case The SRA also intervened in the Xcel gas case filed in September 2004. Xcel serves customers in the St. Paul metropolitan area. It seeks a 1.6% increase but also seeks a greater increase for residential customers than non-residential, 3.7%. It has requested an increase in its residential customer charge of $14 per month. The current charge is $6.50 per month. It has an alternative "decoupling" proposal that ties the customer charge to variations in the per therm (btu) usage charge paid by customers. There is no similar request in this case regarding relocation for street and highway projects. Xcel and the Department have reached a settlement in principle, and the process of settlement review will occur over the next two months. The only issue the SRA would review actively in this case would involve the basic charge, similar to that at issue in the CPE case. The Xcel basic charge issue, however, is not as compelling as that presented by the CPE request. The settlement involves an $8 per month basic charge, but the current amount is $6.50 per month, as opposed to the $5 per month presently charged by CPE. Thus, we anticipate that there is no need for significant involvement in this case, given the likely reduction in rate increases from the settlement (around 19%) and the budget constraints. WS -26126M 't SU160-3 �y Robert J. V. Vose Attomey at Law Direct Dial (612) 337-9275 Email: rvose@kennedy-graven.com Memo #4 MEMORANDUM TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators/Directors/Alternates FROM: Robert J. Vose DATE: April 8, 2005 RE: Street Lighting Utility Case In October 2004, several SRA members expressed concern about Xcel's plan to petition the PUC to terminate Purchase Option Street Light Service (formerly "Group V"). The SRA intervened to oppose the petition. We subsequently participated in meetings with Xcel and PUC representatives. These meetings did not produce a compromise. The SRA filed comments and reply comments opposing Xcel's petition. Among other objections, the SRA noted that Xcel's petition related to complaints by real estate developers that Xcel's charges for installation of decorative street lighting under the Purchase Option are higher than those of private contractors. This is due to a tax liability unique to Xcel. We argued that the PUC has no role in addressing developers' problems. The SRA also explained that some cities prefer to have Xcel install and maintain lighting systems because of Xcel's consistency and reliability. If the Purchase Option were terminated, decorative lighting systems would only be available from private contractors. These private contractors may be less readily available to install lighting systems or may provide maintenance services of a lower quality and reliability in an unregulated, competitive market. This is significant since street lighting is a fundamental part of the public safety infrastructure. The Department of Commerce also filed comments generally opposing Xcel's petition. On April 6th, Xcel advised our office that they are dismissing the petition (see attached). Xcel apparently concluded that the PUC was unlikely to grant the petition given the SRA and DOC opposition. Xcel is expected to re -raise the issue in its next rate case. JMS-261260v2 SU160-3 JAMES M. STROMMEN Attomey at Law Direct Dial (612) 337-9233 Email: jstrommen@kennedy-graven.com Memo #5 MEMORANDUM TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators/Directors/Alternates FROM: James M. Strommen DATE: April 8, 2005 RE: 2005 Legislative Session The 2005 legislation session has included one bill that the SRA has opposed but will not continue to oppose given the budget constraints. That is HF 942. This is an offshoot of the Minnegasco-withdrawn request in the rate case for rate treatment for street and highway relocation requirement cost. I testified against this bill in a House Committee hearing. It is unclear whether this legislation will pass. Minnegasco has accommodated one of the SRA concerns with this bill if it eventually passes. Minnegasco has indicated that it will not seek any separate line item treatment of any such rate recovery for these matters. This will eliminate the "tax" complaints cities would otherwise receive if this were a line item on a customer's bill. Bob Vose and I also met with the Qwest legislative representative regarding the currently - pending local telephone deregulation bill in the House and Senate. This bill will substantially deregulate all telephone services other than the most basic line connection. Though this is not favorable legislation to end-users, it is becoming of less consequence given the competition that has developed in most SRA cities from cable, voice over internet (VOID) and other competing telephone services. When true competition exists in SRA cities, the regulation of companies like Qwest becomes less important. It has also been decided by the Executive Committee that HF 942 is legislation on which the SRA should stay on the sidelines. WS -26126M 6" 5 SU160-3 JAMES M. STROMMEN AttomeyatLaw Direct Dial (612) 337-9233 Email: jstrommen@kennedy-graven.com Memo #6 MEMORANDUM TO: SRA City Managers/Administrators/Directors/Alternates FROM: James M. Strommen DATE: April 8, 2005 RE: 2006 Proposed Budget Attached is the proposed 2006 budget. At the April meeting, the Board reviews the proposed budget and makes a recommendation to its member cities for final approval at the July 2005 meeting. An issue has developed in the last several months regarding limits of SRA involvement in issues, in light of the SRA's budget. The cases the SRA has been involved in have resulted in costs that cannot be sustained. To absorb cost, as done in previous years, the SRA will need to limit its involvement in new issues. On the other hand, the SRA serves an important role in addressing issues that individual cities either are not aware of or cannot pursue. So the SRA board must evaluate whether its assessment level is adequate for the ongoing issues and what issues take priority when they arise. In 2006, Xcel Electric will be filing a much anticipated electric rate case. This has traditionally been the most significant utility rate case for SRA cities. Xcel has not filed a rate case for 11 years, and the information I have is that it will be significant in many respects. Thus, 2006 will have one major item. JMS-261260v2 SU160-3 2006 SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY PROPOSED BUDGET 2005 Assets: Cash and Investments (12/31/04) $37,969.33 Membership Assessments - 2005 $58,800.00 TOTAL 6 76 .33 Anticpated 2005 Expenses: Telecom Issues $ 4,000 Xcel Gas Rate Case $ 4,000 Xcel Street Lighting $12,000 CenterPoint Rate Case $20,000 Rulemaking — Utility Locates $25,000 Utility Legislative Issues $ 4,000 General (incl. costs and disbursements) $15,000 TOTAL ($84,000) Estimated Reserve at December 31, 2005: $12,769.33 Assets: 2006 Carryover from 2005 $12,769.33 Membership Assessments - 20061 59,400.00 TOTAL 72 169 33 Anticipated 2006 Expenses Xcel Electric Rate Case $25,000 Gas/Electric/Telecom Legislation 2,000 Xcel Metro Emissions Reduction Plan — Cost Review 10,000 Legislation/Rulemaking Utility Locates 10,000 General Matters (incl. costs and disbursements) 13,000 TOTAL ($60,000) Estimated Reserve at December 31, 2006: 12 169.33 1 This is calculated at $300 per vote in the year 2005 based on 34 members as per 2003 Met Council population estimates (see attached) JMS-26126W SU160-3 �� Birchwood 971 971 1 $300 1 $300 Bloomington 85,400 85,301 18 $5,400 18 $5,400 Brooklyn Park 68,600 68,715 14 $4,200 14 $4,200 Burnsville 60,900 61,355 13 $3,900 13 $3,900 Circle Pines 4,670 4,642 1 $300 1 $300 Chanhassen 20,321+ 21,600 5 $1,500 5 $1,500 Columbia Heights 18,698 18,698 4 $1,200 4 $1,200 De haven 3,861 3,885 1 $300 1 $300 Eden Prairie 57,000 59,325 12 $3,600 13 $3,900 Edina 47,570 48,156 10 $3,000 10 $3,000 Fridley 27,460 27,480 6 $1,800 6 $1,800 Golden Valley 20,636 20,736 5 $1,500 5 $1,500 Greenwood 786 790 1 $300 1 $300 Hastings 19,199 19,779 4 $1,200 4 $1,200 Hopkins 17,559 17,643 4 $1,200 4 $1,200 Lauderdale 2,364 2,364 1 $300 1 $300 Maple Grove 54,000 55,278 11 $3,300 11 $3,300 Long Lake 1,885 1,833 1 $300 1 $300 Maple Plain 2,088 2,096 1 $300 1 $300 Maplewood 35,600 35,763 7 $2,400 8 $2,700 Minnetonka 51,440 51,658 11 $3,300 11 $3,300 Mound 8,460 9,630 2 $600 2 $600 New Brighton 22,260 22,332 5 $1,500 5 $1,500 Oakdale 26,653+ 27,605 6 $1,800 6 $1,800 Orono 7,625 7,687 2 $600 2 $600 Plymouth 67,824 70,238 14 $4,200 14 $4,200 Robbinsdale 14,077 14,068 3 $900 3 $900 Roseville 34,100 34,080 7 $2,100 7 $2,100 Shakopee 23,900 24,967 5 $1,500 5 $1,500 Shoreview 26,478 26,475 5 $1,800 5 $1,800 Spring Lake Park 6,825 6,833 2 $600 2 $600 Spring Park 1,720 1,720 1 $300 1 $300 Wayzata 4,119 4,122 1 $300 1 $300 Woodbury 49,170 49,329 10 $3,000 10 $3,000 896,221 907,154 194 $58,800.00 196 $59,400.00 *Publisher: Met Council Population Estimates +2000 Census ++$300 per vote JMS-261260v2 SU160-3 k-� startribune.com Close window Last update: April 9, 2005 at 2:50 PM Wetlands in need of a checkup Published April 13, 2005 WANTED: Hennepin County and local cities are looking for volunteers with an interest in nature and a willingness to get a little wet to help study and monitor local wetlands. PROBLEM: The west suburbs contain hundreds, perhaps thousands, of wetlands, but it is difficult for governments to monitor their quality. Determining the health of wetlands requires a detailed catalog of the plant and animal life living above and below the water level. THE PROGRAM: The Wetland Health Evaluation Program was started in Scott County in 1996 and expanded into Hennepin County in 2001. It trains adult volunteers in how to identify plants and insects. Teams of volunteers are then assigned the job of monitoring a few wetlands and collecting data on the plants and insects living there. Last summer, teams worked in Eden Prairie, Plymouth and Minnetonka. THE DATA: The presence of particular animals or plants can suggest thriving, high-quality wetlands, while the presence of other species can reveal that wetlands have been polluted. The data, collected over several summers, may help officials and scientists develop policies that improve water quality. THE DETAILS: Volunteers devote 20 to 40 hours of their time in May, June and July. For more information, call Jenny Schaust at the Hennepin County Department of Environmental Services at 612-596-9129 or go to www.mnwhep.org. Ben Steverman © Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. startribune.com Close window Last update: April 11, 2005 at 10:17 PM Met Council will hold public hearings on transit plan Published April 12, 2005 The Metropolitan Council has scheduled seven public hearings on a plan that would raise some transit fares and change service schedules. Fares were last raised in August 2003 when rush-hour express bus fares went up by 25 cents to $2.50. Before that, local, express and rush-hour fares went up by 25 cents in July 2001. If approved, fares would change July 1 and service would change in September. The hearings: • Today: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins. • Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Metropolitan Council chamber, 230 E. 5th St., St. Paul. -Thursday: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Metro Transit, 560 6th Av. N, Minneapolis. -April 18: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Minneapolis City Hall, Room 220, 350 S. 5th St. -April 18: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Av. -April 19: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Fridley Community Center, Media Room 109, at 6085 NE. 7th St., Fridley. -April 20: 5 to 7 p.m., Burnsville City Hall, 100 Civic Center Pkwy. • If you don't go: Comments will be collected at the hearings and accepted in writing through 5 p.m. May 1. Send to: Regional Data Center, Met Council, 230 E. 5th St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Or visit www.startribune.com/227. C Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. ctrxlitpspm©n€r I ng lrtww In 2003 thestntecut 0nAmanin larm]�uvuriemaataid� ,?I�ciir�ia�s. i.ix kzilli tt tatddet'de to°&aCdr�m The stale W"so value bomwipad credit.by $2, Rhan for 2003 etnrl 20iw Since thm, Jtwil guy e on orpsli- zatiue►s iubve �ualied hp at Uest se ate C ag�iixrl fnr a sow din] ,• €'� %th iawm� ens and better fundar+emants. city FinimcoS Ct74d6Re /f PW 25 YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 28, 2005 6:45 PM COUNCIL CHAMBERS Council Members Present Absent Kristen Letich Mark McKee Vacant Patrick Heffner •/ Christopher Fei Heather Gaudette Vacant Michael Letich Janet Li Aneesh Sohoni Whitney Waters Customer Support Specialist Allison Hoskins and Deputy City Clerk Kurt Hoffman were also present. Janet called the meeting to order at 6:50 PM. Patrick made a motion, seconded by Aneesh, to approve the agenda. The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote. Janet made a motion, seconded by Kristin, to adopt the minutes of the February 28 and March 10 meetings. The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote. Special Items and Guest Speakers: Leadership Conference Wrap—up The Youth Advisory Council discussed the Youth Leadership Conference, and whether to continue with an event next year. Aneesh suggested the members wait to see the results of the May Youth Town Forum before considering rolling the two events together. Members agreed they were happy with the Leadership Conference and would like to see such an event again. They signed thank -you cards to be sent to the sponsors who donated prizes. COMMITTEE UPDATES: Youth Service Awards Committee Members reviewed the "to-do" list — Mike reported that he is working on a timeline for the judges to review and rank the entrants. Allison reported that she is compiling a booklet to place profiles of the winners. This would be handed out at the awards event rather than presentations. Members agreed to Youth Advisory Council March 28, 2005 Meeting Page 2 discuss award plaques or trophies to be given to winners as well as the cash prizes. They discussed having a photographer take formal photos, and Allison agreed to check on the availability of a volunteer photographer. The Council members agreed to hold a special meeting to plan further details, but did not set a date or time. Town Forum planning Committee Allison said she would ask the area schools to commit ten students to attend the forum. She also requested that Council members let her know about any teachers who could recommend students. Council members agreed to set discussion topics and possible questions later in April. Ad hoc Web planning Committee Allison reported that she is working to get posted on the website youth—oriented items that were submitted by the Youth Advisory Council. ADJOURNMENT Janet made a motion, seconded by Mark, to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 PM. The motion passed in a unanimous voice vote. Steve Chase 1190123" Ave Plymouth, MN 55441 Dear Mr. Chase: Mayor Johnson has asked me to respond to your letter dated April 9. We spent a great deal of time in 2004 discussing the issue of your dock on park property. You were asked by city staff to remove the dock. Your attorney sent us information that you thought would clarify your rights to have a dock. Our attorney reviewed this material, and it was determined that there was nothing granting dock rights. You were requested again by staff to remove your dock. You refused to remove your dock, and we allowed you to keep it throughout the summer of 2004. Because you did not agree with staff's decision, we took this matter to the City Council for clarification. I personally made telephone calls notifying you and your neighbors of that meeting, and your neighbors did attend the meeting. The end result was that the City Council took official action clarifying that they are not granting dock rights to your property. You were notified of this Council action in a letter dated November 15, 2004. The City Council has directed that I manage this program and be responsible for the administration of the dock rights on Medicine Lake. As I stated in my letter of November 15, 2004, if you have placed a dock or boat on our property as of May 15, 2005, I will have no recourse but to remove them. If the City has to remove items after May 15, they will be impounded at the City maintenance facility. You will get them back upon paying a fee commensurate with the cost that we incur for their removal. This is your final notice to remove any items. Respectfully, 6hwze- Eric J. Blank, Director Parks and Recreation EB/np cc: City Council Mark Peterson 3 PLYMOUTH Adding Quality to Life 3400 PLYMOUTH BOULEVARD • PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA 55447-1482 • TELEPHONE (763) 509-5000 Steven H. Chase 11901 23rd Ave N. Plymouth, MN 55441-4115 DATE: April 09, 2005 SUBJECT: Lake Usage / Dock TO: Mayor Judy Johnson 3400 Plymouth Boulevard Plymouth, MN 55447-1482 This letter is written to address the continuing dock usage of my property and that of Mr. Richard Reed. A letter was sent from my Attorney to the City of Plymouth and the City has not addressed the letter. Other people in the neighborhood also have lake issues. At a council meeting which I was not formally invited, and you were absent, the city talked of a neighbors property that has no bearing on me. The city may be allowing others to encroach upon the rites as explained in both mine and Mr. Reeds deeds and possibly others. As Mr. Reeds property and mine where the location of the original homesteads, for this area. Properties were subdivided but lake rites remain included in our deeds. Is it possible for community development of Medicine Lake for dock issues? I would volunteer to assist on any City action board for lake issues. As a federal executive I have resources and I am a member of the Medicine Lake Association. I am asking the City to use its planning resources as applicable: 1. West Medicine Lake Community Center 2. Medicine Lake Association 3. Plymouth Planning Board 4. Plymouth Community Planning This issue has been addressed to the Minnesota DNR and they do acknowledge these deed rites. My dock will be in place, as it has for 80 years, pending the city's response to my attorney. Respectfully, G� Steven H. Chase CC: Representative Jeff Johnson, Mayor Young, R. Reed, E. Blank, file Apr 00 2005 17:56:56 Via Pax -> 763 509 5060 Plymouth F ri d aax- A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities Inverse Condemnation to be heard on Monday On Monday, the Senate State and Local Government Committee will hear SI :[:3"76 a proposal offered by Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL - Cook) that would allow a person to bring an action in district court to compel a political subdivision to commence a condemnation proceeding if the local unit of government directly or indirectly provides mixed municipal solid waste services that displace an existing waste hauler. The bill targets cities that are considering or have implemented organized solid waste collections under'NIirtnesota Statutes 11.5A.94. the statute that allows cities to organize solid waste collections within their community in order to provide efficiencies, reduce overall costs to residents and enhance compliance with solid waste collections. If a city's regulatory action displaces an existing waste hauler or prevents the hauler from providing substantially the same services, that hauler would be able to compel the local unit of government to commence a condemnation proceeding. In 2004, similar but more expansive legislation was considered but was not approved by the Legislature. That bill would have created an inverse condemnation claim for almost any municipal action that could have impacted a private business. That bill was subsequently narrowed to apply only to waste hauling. The League will continue to voice concerns with this proposal and will report on the outcome of the hearing in next week's Cities Bulletin. Questions? Contact Craig Johnson, 651.281.1259 or at c �:tl�.nsc•ra.'i:1%lntrzc;.c#r; Turbo -Charged TNT Page 001 Of 005 April 8, 2005 Page 1 On Wednesday, the Senate Tax Committee considered SF 1455, the Governor's "turbo- charged truth -in -taxation" bill, also known as the "taxpayer satisfaction survey." The bill, authored by Sen. Warren Limmer (R -Maple Grove), would eliminate the current truth -in - taxation hearing process and replace it with the taxpayer satisfaction survey for cities over 500 population that would be provided to property owners with the annual truth -in -taxation statement. The survey would be an attachment or an enclosure that would include the question "Are you satisfied with the proposed property tax levy for (city or county)" and also provide a space where the taxpayer can answer yes or no. Austin Mayor and League First Vice President Bonnie Reitz testified on behalf of the League in opposition to the bill. She focused on the principle of representative democracy and the technical problems the turbo -charged proposal would create for cities, including the fact that the election would be held nearly one full month into the city's fiscal year. Mayor Reitz also highlighted the fact that the process would allow voters to react to the city's preliminary September 15 property tax levy but not to any subsequent adjustments to that levy approved by the council. The committee did not take action on the bill but comments from both Republican and DFL members indicated that the idea is in serious trouble. The committee might take action on the bill next week. The House has not yet scheduled the bill for a hearing although we expect the bill will be added to the House Tax Committee agenda in the near future. Questions? Contact Brian Strub at 651.281.1255 or a bstrubCe:.`x%lnzncc. or ,. For more information on city legislative issues, contact any member of the League of Minnesota Cities Intergovernmental Relations team. 651.281.1200 or 800.925.1122 Apr 00 2005 17:57:40 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Plymouth -Friday F ax - A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities Major pension bills yet to be considered On Thursday, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement finished the first phase of their work on the 2005 omnibus pension bill. The commission has acted on a number of smaller and less controversial pension provisions but has not yet addressed the larger and more controversial PERA Coordinated Plan and Police and Fire Plan contribution increases. According to the Pension Commission chair Larry Pogemiller (DFL -Minneapolis), the commission will, at some point in the coming weeks, consider these broader, pension funding bills. On behalf of the PERA board, Sen. Don Betzold introduced SF.296, the PERA Board's proposal to implement a five-year phased -in schedule of increases in the Coordinated Plan's employee and employer contribution rates that would begin on January 1, 2006. A separate bill, SF 620 also introduced by Sen. Betzold (DFL -Fridley), would provide additional savings to the plan by modifying an employee benefit known as augmentation. Under augmentation, an employee that leaves public service but leaves their contributions in the plan would accrue a benefit improvement of three percent per year until age 55 and five percent per year up to age 65. The bill would reduce the rate to 2.5 percent up to age 55 and eliminate adjustments after age 55. This proposal would save an estimated 0.35 percent of payroll and would reduce the needed contribution increases. The Board is also proposing in `�.f'.... 86 to put in place an automatic adjustment provision whereby the PERA Board could adjust Page 002 Of 005 April S, 2005 Page 2 contribution rates after 2010 as the actuary determines the plan's funding needs, rather than requiring legislative action on every adjustment. The bill would Ili -nit the annual adjustments to 0.25 percent per year. Earlier this year, several employee groups had publicly expressed their opposition to the PERA Board's proposal. However, AFSCME recently modified its position and they now do not oppose the shared contribution increases. SEIU, the service employees group, continues to oppose the PERA Board plan in favor of having employers pick up the entire cost of the necessary contribution increase. The current LMC policy supports a solution that would share the solution between the employee and employer, roughly consistent with the PERA Board proposal. We will report on any action in upcoming editions of the Cities Bulletin. Questions? Contact Gary Carlson at 651.281.1255 or atcarlsc.�az;'c.lrzan�:.c,�r7 Local sales tax bills heard in the House On Wednesday, the House Property Tax division heard 19 bills dealing with specific local sales tax requests, and an additional three general bills granting sales tax authority for cities. All of the legislation was laid over for possible inclusion in the committee's report of recommendations to the full Tax committee. The committee began their discussion with the three bills that would give broad general sales taxing authority to cities. Both HE_? '285 Rep. Dorman (R -Albert Lea) and:1-1:F� 1284 Rep. Lenczewski (DFL -Bloomington) apply to cities 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 Apr 08 2805 17:58:22 Via Fax -> 763 589 5060 Plymouth LMC L.•n,ura o�,vlinu.r„!a !'il;e; -Friday F ax - A weekly legislative update from the League of Minnesota Cities outside the seven -county metro area for projects of regional significance, and not for any general operating costs. The biggest difference between these bills lies with the definition of regional significance. Rep. Lenczewski explained that she had considered including the metro area in her bill by making it statewide, but limited her legislation since its usually greater Minnesota cities coming and requesting the authorization. 1-1.1 2183 Rep. Davids (R -Preston) is a statewide bill covering cities over 2,500 population; the revenues would go towards increased police and fire services. These measures were also laid on the table. Among the requesting cities: Albert Lea, Baxter, Bemidji, Clearwater, Cloquet, Hermantown, Mankato, Park Rapids, Proctor, Rochester, St. Augusta, St. Cloud, St. Joseph, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park, Willmar, Winona, Worthington. The lone county request came from Mower County for their county criminal justice center. Kudos to all of the local officials who traveled to Saint Paul to make their case; some city officials waited seven hours for their bill to be heard. The day was a long one as the committee met in their two-hour time block and then took a break for floor session before coming back for a three hour hearing. While no one verbally testified against, a memo from the statewide MN Chamber of Commerce was submitted opposing general authority for local sales taxes. Most of the individual requests came in with letters or resolutions of support from their local chambers. City officials were questioned on a number of issues surrounding the local option authority. One was the possibility of an LGA offset for Paye 083 of 005 April 8, 2005 Page 3 those cities who are granted a sales tax. Rep. Dorman countered that currently cities with sales taxing authority do not have an offset of their LGA. Another line of questioning for a number of city officials came from Tax Chairman Krinkie asking why it was good to have the approval of voters with an authorizing referendum on their sales tax, but not with the governor's turbocharged TNT plans. On the Senate side, the Tax committee has heard most of these individual requests and included a number of them in their Tax 2 proposal, S 1683, which passed the Senate floor and is awaiting possible conference committee action. Questions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281,1261 or Salary cap repeal awaiting floor action in the House Legislation that would give Minnesota cities and counties control over local compensation decisions has cleared two House committees and is now awaiting a vote on the House floor. The House is expected to consider HT 995 in mid to late April. Current law limits the compensation of local government employees to 95 percent of the governor's salary. HF 995 would repeal this outdated law and eliminate the related cap on salary that is counted for pension purposes. Rep. Ron Erhardt (R -Edina) is the chief sponsor of the House proposal. Senate bill, SF 9.`}:3, is being carried by Sen. Steve Kelley (DFL -Hopkins). Minnesota is the only state in the nation that limits the compensation of local government 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 rw, Apr OB 2005 17:59:05 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Plymouth LMC Ledoua o(,vlinuesnra l:it;es -Frida F ax - Y A weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities employees. This state -imposed cap has put Minnesota at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to recruiting and retaining top-level local government administrators. The cap has also produced salary compression within and across jurisdictions, and has led to inequitable treatment of similar positions in different jurisdictions. For several years, cities and counties have urged the Legislature to repeal the local government compensation limit and allow local elected officials to make important decisions involving employee compensation. While the House bill repeals the salary cap, the Senate version was amended in committee to increase the compensation limit to 110 percent of the governor's salary. The committee sent SF 953, as amended, to the Senate floor. The League of Minnesota Cities strongly supports repealing this arbitrary limit on local government compensation. We encourage local officials to contact their representatives in the next week to urge them to support HF 995 and eliminate the local government salary cap. Questions? Contact Laura Offerdahl at (651) 281-1250 or to er•dahlrtV?nn.c. or . Alcohol compliance checks legislation stops -for now Both the Senate and House laid over mandate imposing legislation this week with bills that would have mandated cities conduct compliance checks on their liquor licensees. H12'6987 Rep. Bemardy (DFL -Fridley) was heard in the Liquor Subcommittee on Tuesday, and was laid on the table. The companion SF 1444 Sen. Anderson (DFL -Saint Paul) had been incorporated into the liquor omnibus bill, `F� 604,during the Liquor subcommittee, but was Page 004 Of 005 April 8, 2005 Page 4 taken out by the Senator Anderson during Wednesday's full Commerce committee as the votes were not there to keep it in. The League, as well as Minneapolis voiced concerns about the unfunded mandate. The MN Licensed Beverage Association has been concerned about the ramifications of failing a compliance checks, as well as the possibility that some cities may raise their licensing fees to compensate for the costs associated with compliance checks. Currently, off -sale license fees are capped, and have been for 20 some years. While the issue is unlikely to move forward this legislative session, both chief authors have expressed their commitment to the issue and are interested in finding some common ground with the concerned groups. Questions: Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 or oraurke�ct irnrxc:.or . Delayed assessment bill up Monday in the Senate On Monday, the Senate State and Local Government Committee will hear SF 1684, which is a bill that would allow a city to delay the assessment for road and streets, by amending MS 429.051. A city would use this when property is located outside the city and abuts the street (the improvement), but has not been previously assessed for the improvements. Current law allows a city to recoup the costs for water, storm sewer or sanitary improvements by levying additional assessments on the property benefiting from the improvements. SF 1684 (Senjem R -Rochester) will be heard in the Senate State and Local Government Committee, which starts at noon. If your city 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 Apr 00 2005 17:59:40 Via Fax -> 763 509 5060 Plymouth Paye 005 of 005 -Freday"s:ux— AF c;. LMC weekly legislative update from the League ofMinnesota Cities yrvwm April 8, 2005 Page 5 might benefit from this, and you have a Cable industry lobbyists are working to defeat legislator on the Senate State and Local the bill. Committee—give them a call or email Monday a.m. Committee members can be found at \z✓ w-Srv'. Sf'.rlrr'ft'.. l f:'. �r . rY1rl .tY s . Questions? Contact Jennifer O'Rourke at 651.281.1261 or at "car�rurke: rt`drrarr�-.rrr�q ACTION ALERT: City voices needed to support cable competition I �.h, 1121129, authored by Rep Mike Beard (R - Shakopee), will be considered by the House Regailateil Industries Coinmittee Tuesday, April 12. Please call any of the members of the committee listed as well as local legislators who represent your city. Urge them to support HF 1319 or to encourage members of the Regulated Industries Committee to do so. Cities have an important stake in the outcome of the vote to move this bill forward. The League and the Minnesota Association of Community Telecommunications Administrators (MALTA) have worked with the Minnesota Telecommunications Alliance to develop legislation that; allows cities to grant an additional franchise and determine whether the new franchisee will serve an area similar to or different than that served by the incumbent cable company; requires the incumbent cable company to connect the competitive cable franchisee to existing channel feeds so customers that subscribe to the competitor can receive public, educational and government programming on the same channel numbers as those who subscribe to the incumbent cable company; and requires cities to assure that the terms of the additional franchise do not discriminate on the basis of income status (no "redlining"). Questions? ContactAnn Higgins 651. 281.1257 or at c'lhorg Legislative meetings in your city Legislators regularly hold district and town hall meetings to update residents on key issues at the Capitol. These meetings in are a great chance to meet with your legislators and tell your city story close to home. Upcoming meetings in a city near you include: April 9 in St. Louis Park (SLP Sr. High School, 10am) with Rep. Steve Simon April 9 in Walker (Cass County Court House, loam) with Sen. Carrie Ruud, Reps Larry Howes, Frank Moe, Brita Sailer To receive e-mail notification of upcoming town hall meetings near you, subscribe online at 1'd'C$T):% %W'PL'1� .11o1.Y C.'..lE::i7'. ta'isf::"•.TIYr1.1YS?1'.l:lid:l..1.11 St:�.9: t:lid:S.11 rlglist.as''J AN IMPORTANT REMINDER MN Mayors Association Annual Conference April 22-23 // Brooklyn Center Friday, April 8th is the deadline for hotel reservations for overnight accommodations for the Holiday Inn Select in Brooklyn Center. The deadline for Conference registration is Friday, April 15th. You can access the brochure on the GTS website Home Page (www.mngts.org) or you can call Carol Sabatke at 651-222-7409 x205 to have her fax you a copy! 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