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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Information Memorandum 10-13-2006CITY OF PLYMOUTI- Agenda Packet F;b COUNCIL INFO MEM (Dummy) October 13, 2006 UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Youth Advisory Council October 16 meeting agenda.......................................................... Page 2 Planning Commission October 18 meeting agenda.............................................................. Page 3 Housing & Redevelopment Authority (HRA) October 19 meeting agenda ......................... Page 4 October, November, and December 2006 Official City Meeting Calendars ......................... Page 5 Tentative list of agenda items for future City Council meetings ......................................... Page 11 INFORMATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES Highway 55 Corridor Coalition June 23 meeting............................................................... Page 12 LEGISLATIVE ITEMS We have received the proposed 2007 draft legislative policies from the League of Minnesota Cities. Attached is a memo outlining proposed major changes. A full copy of the policies has been placed on the desk in the Council Conference Room, should any councilmember wish to review the full text of the proposed policies ............... Page 16 YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL October 16, 2006 7:00 PM Parkers Lake Room Time Allotment 1. Call to Order 7:00 PM 2. Presentations: a) 3. Approvals: a) Agenda 7:00-7:05 PM b) June 5 meeting minutes 4. City Council Update 7:05-7:10 PM 5. Special Items: a) Election of officers 7:10-7:20 PM b) Discussion of goals and objectives 7:20-7:35 PM c) Meeting schedule 7:35-7:40 PM 6. Items for Future Discussion: a) 7:40-7:45 PM 7. Adjournment 7:45 PM 8. Additional Materials: a) October, November, & December 2006 Official City Meeting Calendars PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2006 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 October 4, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes. B. Plymouth -Wayzata Youth Baseball Association. Approve site plan amendment to construct a multipurpose park building with restrooms, a concession area, and a press box at Greenwood Park located at 18005 Medina Road. (2006099) 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Holly Trombley. Preliminary plat and variances to allow "Duchaine Woods" for two single-family detached lots for property located at 17815 10'x' Avenue North. (2006074) B. Children's Design Group. Site plan and conditional use permit for a child care and early childhood education center for property located at the southeast corner of Old Rockford Road and Peony Lane North. (2006081) C. Border Foods, Inc. Site plan, conditional use permit, and variances for a new Taco Bell for property located at 9900 Rockford Road. (2006088) D. Carlson Real Estate Company. Conditional use permit to allow a sports and fitness club in the I-1 (Light Industrial) District for property located at 14100 Carlson Parkway. (2006089) 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. ADJOURNMENT 1 AGENDA PLYMOUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2006 7:00 p.m. WHERE: City Hall Medicine Lake Room 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 the agenda. 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. CONSENT AGENDA* A. Approval of the September 21, 2006 HRA Minutes B. Plymouth Towne Square. Accept Monthly Housing Reports C. Vicksburg Crossing. Marketing Update 3. PUBLIC HEARING 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Vicksburg Crossing. Consider change order #4. B. Elim Care. Bond refunding request for Cornerstone Commons Assisted Living in Plymouth. C. Plymouth Crossroads Station. Review and approve the Tax Increment Financing Plan and related documents for the proposed Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment District 1-3 (Continued from the September 21, 2006 Meeting.) D. Vicksburg Crossing. Consider 2006 and 2007 Operating Budgets. E. Plymouth Towne Square. Consider 2007 Operating Budget. F. Update on Habitat project. 5. ADJOURNMENT OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS October 2006 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 YOM KIPPUR BEGINS ATCOMMISSION, SUNSET 7:00 PM PLANNING Council Chambers 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Parkers Lake Room 12:00 PM -4:00 PM FIRE STATION #3 OPEN HOUSE, 3300 Dunkirk Lane 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 COLUMBUS DAY (OBSERVED), Public Works Division closed 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Comte cnember. 7:00 PM VIRONMENTAL LITY COMMITTEE Medicine Lake E(,EQC), Rooms A 8 B 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room 7:00 PM PLING COMMISSION, CANNouncil Chambers 0:30 PM VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EVENT, Plymouth Creek Center 7:00 PM HOUSING 8 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY(HRA), Medicine Lake Room A 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1145 AM PLYMOUTH BUSINESS COUNCIL, 12201 Ridgedale Drive ,Minnetonka 7:01 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, Council Chambers 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT), Parkers Lake R.— (ft. ...ling only) , 29 DAYLIGHT7:00 SAVINGS ENDS - set Cocks back 1 30 PM YOUTH ADVISORYCQUNCIL. Parkers Lake Room 31 Nov 2006 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 Sep 2006 S M T W T F S 1 2 hour 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 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 10/13/2006 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS November 2006 Sunday I Monday I Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 2 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Parkers Lake Room 3 4 110:00 AM -3:00 PM CITY HALL OPEN FOR ABSENTEE VOTING Oct 2006 S M T W T F S Dec 2006 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 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 STATE GENERAL ELECTION; POLLS OPEN 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M. TAL ITTEE cil i 7:00 PM PARK & RECREATION ADVISORYOffices COMMISSION (PRAC), Plymouth VETERANS DAY (OBSERVED), Clty Closed Ice Center 12 13 14 15 16 .17 18 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORYCOUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room cup.REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, C—A Chamb.ra 7:00 PM PLANNING CoMMISSION, Council Chambers 7:00 PM HOUSING 8 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room A 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) . Medicine Lake Room A THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY City Offices Closed THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 26 27 28 29 30 7:00 PM YOUTH11:45 ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room AM PLYMOUTH BUSINESS COUNCIL, 12201 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka Too PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, C—a Chambers modified on 10/13/2006 OFFICIAL CITY MEETINGS December 2006 Sunday y Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Jan 2007 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 Nov 2006 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 3 2:00 PM OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS - Plymouth Historical Society Building 4 7:00 PM TRUTH IN TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING, Council Chambers 5 6 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 7 7:00 PM HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -Parkers Lake Room 8 9 10 11 7:00 PM TRUTH IN TAXATION MEETING CONTINUED (IF NECESSARY), Council Chambers 7:00 PM YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, Parkers Lake Room 12 1 7:00 PM REGULAR 1COUNCILMEETING, coke cmmb— 13 7:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL pUALITY COMMITTEE (EOC), Council Chambers 14 7:00 PM PARK & REC ADVISORY COMMISSION (PRAC), Council Chambers 15 CHANNUKAH BEGINS AT SUNSET 16 17 18 19 20 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSION, Council Chambers 21 7:00 PM HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (HRA), Medicine Lake Room A 22 23 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 25 CHRISTMAS DAY City Offices dosed 26 11:45 AM PLYMOUTH BUSINESS COUNCIL, 12201 Ridgedale Dnw, Minnetonka 27 7:00 PM PLYMOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRANSIT (PACT) , Medicine Lake Room A 28 29 30 31 modified on 10/13/2006 Tentative Schedule for City Council Agenda Items October 24, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Hearing on Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment District for Plymouth Crossroads Station • Assessment hearing for 2006 Street Reconstruction Project (6101) • Assessment hearing for 2006 Mill and Overlay Project (6106) • Hearing on Application of Wood and Associates d/b/a Vicksburg Liquor, 1115 Vicksburg Lane, for Off -Sale Liquor License • Approve preliminary plat and final plat for "Taryn Hills 4`" Addition"- a replat of Blocks 8, 9, and 11, and Outlot K of Taryn Hills, for property located southeast of County Road 47 and Vicksburg Lane. U.S. Home Corporation. (2006076) • Approve interim home occupation license to operate a one -chair hair salon for property located at 2675 Larch Lane North. Madalyn Alberts. (2006083) • Approve final plat for Plymouth Crossroads Station for property located south of Highway 55 and east of Cottonwood Lane. DJR Architecture, Inc. (2005121-F) • Approve site plan amendment to construct a multipurpose park building with restrooms, a concession area, and a press box at Greenwood Park located at 18005 Medina Road. Plymouth -Wayzata Youth Baseball Association. (2006099) • Approve modifications to the previously approved resolution for preliminary and final plat for two lots to be known as "Deziel Subdivision" for property located at 4640 Holly Lane North. Laurent Builders, Inc. (2006050) • Presentation on State Constitutional Amendment on the November General Election Ballot (postponed from October 10) • Set future Study Sessions (postponed from October 10) • Approve Agency Agreement No. 90022 with MnDOT for federal funding reimbursement for right-of-way for Fernbrook Lane reconstruction and widening from 27th Avenue to 34th Avenue (1013) • Approve Wetland Replacement Plan application for Plymouth Crossroads Station (2005121) November 14, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Oath of Office to Firefighter Paul Larson • Presentation on the City's Bike Commuting Efforts and presentation of Trophy to Plymouth Resident Scott Walz (Melissa Madison and Kate Diercks of 494 Commuter Services) • Alcohol compliance check violation for Woody's Grille, 220 Carlson Parkway (postponed from October 10) November 28, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers December 4, Special, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Truth in Taxation Hearing December 11, Special, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers • Truth in Taxation Hearing (continuation hearing if necessary) December 12, Regular, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers ( I Note: Special Meeting topics have been set by Council; all other topics are tentative. /� HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Highway 55 Corridor Coalition Full Membership Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes Friday, June 23, 2006 9:30 a.m. —11:30 a.m. Hennepin County Transportation Facility Medina, MN Training Room • Call to Order — A quorum being present, Jack Russek called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Introductions — Jack Russek, Wright County; Wayne Fingalson, Wright County; Penny Steele, Hennepin County; Karla Heeter, Wright County; Jim Grube, Hennepin County; Anne Hurlburt, City of Plymouth; Ann Sheehan, City of Buffalo; Claudia Dumont, MnDOT District 3; John Griffith, MnDOT Metro District; Mark Casey, City of Annandale; Senator Amy Koch, District 19; Representative Joyce Peppin, House District 32A; Loren Harff, City of Greenfield; Chad Adams, City of Medina; Elizabeth Weir, City of Medina; Marthand Nookala, Hennepin County; Nancy Carswell, City of Rockford; Mark Matuska, Office of Congressman Kennedy; Fred Ryan, Rockford Business Center; Dave Montebello, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. • Approve Meeting Minutes from April 21, 2006: The minutes were reviewed with no changes noted. Motion by Karla Heeter, second by Anne Hurlburt to approve the April 21, 2006 meeting minutes. Motion passed with all voting in favor. Washington Fly -In Update: Jack Russek updated the Coalition on meeting attended in Washington with the Minnesota delegation. One of the purposes for meeting with the delegation was to discus technical corrections requested on the use of the $4 Million the Coalition was authorized in SAFETEA-LU. Jack indicated that while they received a positive response from our congressmen, he recently received a letter from FHWA denying the Coalition's request for using the federal funds for spot safety improvements along TH 55. Discussion ensued concerning technical corrections. Mark Matuska from Congressman Kennedy's office said that he had been in contact with Washington staff this morning and they were still hopeful for passage of a technical corrections bill that would allow the funds to be also used for safety improvement projects. Jack passed around pictures taken with the Minnesota delegation members and a press release from Congressman Kennedy on the meeting with Coalition representatives. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Wright County Highway Department 1901 Highway 25 North Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 Phone: 7631682-7383 FAX: 7631682-7313 E-mail: Warne.,frn�Lalson(cuco.ii,riht nui.us / HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota Membership Committee Report: Karla Heeter updated the members on the most recent Membership Committee discussions. The Committee has made a significant effort to recruit members, but many prospective members do not see the benefit—not much visibility and no voting power or say in the Coalition. The Membership Committee also lacks the time to do the grass roots work and interest on part of residents/businesses is not high. As a result, the Membership Committee discussed changing its focus slightly. Focus would be on communicating with agenciesibusinesses and residents with funding of the Coalition's work would come primarily through the two counties and other governmental units. This is a similar structure to the Hwy 52 Freeway Partnership. Each county, Wright and Hennepin currently contributes $1,000 and other agencies—cities and townships contribute less. The Committee is recommending for consideration by the full Coalition an increase in the counties' contributions from $1,000 to $10,000 annually. Karla passed out a draft budget showing expenses for different activities that could be funded with the additional contributions of Wright and Hennepin Counties. Karla also passed out a TH 52 brochure and indicated that the Membership Committee would like to provide a similar brochure that shows what's been accomplished and what is pending or left to be done. General discussion occurred with the following points or comments made: 1. Question arose as to whether MnDOT could contribute financially to the Coalition. MnDOT representatives indicated that they could not; however, they are allowed to sit on coalitions and participate in the discussions. 2. Penny Steele said that she was not comfortable with many of the increases shown in the proposed budget. Examples provided included costs for billboards, Washington trips and video. She thought some of these items were deviation from the Coalition's original purpose or intent which was to organize agencies, businesses and residents to do upfront planning and right-of-way preservation work. Some of the expenditures seem to focus on pressuring legislators to change priorities. She is not comfortable with this change. She also wanted time to visit with staff on budget items before approaching the County Board. 3. Discussion on whether some of the proposed activities get the biggest bang for the buck such as billboards, Washington trips, etc. Others commented that they support the need to reach out to the public—"how are we going to get people to visit the website if the address isn't,published or isn't visible?" Others spoke in favor of billboards and visits to Washington as well as an updated brochure. 4. Representative Joyce Pepin said that if the goal is to get more dollars then most of the public along TH 55 are with you. She felt that billboard dollars would be better spent in Washington. 5. Mark Matuska indicated that he would not weigh in on how the Coalition should spend their money, but he indicated that one of the strengths of this Coalition is that you have done a good job in building consensus. Federal legislators like having a broad base of support. 6. Anne Hurlburt said one of the keys that our Membership Committee should continue to focus on is maintaining energy and support with townships and cities in the corridor. We have done a good job with this but this takes continued effort. Anne complimented Karla and the Membership Committee. Much of what has been accomplished is due to Karla's energy and effort that she has put into such things as the website, membership recruitment, press releases and special events. Ann indicated that maybe some further examination should be made of some of the proposed items, i.e. billboards in view of the upcoming EA work. She is concerned about the overall Coalition message when there is Contact. Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX- 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North t E-mail: w_ vnefingalson(kco.wright.inn.its Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota going to be a lot of activity beginning with the EA's. There will be lots of opportunity to engage business and residents. 7. Karla asked Penny is she would be willing to attend Membership Committee meetings. Penny indicated she would attend future meeting to get more direct input. 8. Discussion ended with the intent that Hennepin County would discuss budget issues internally. This issue would likely be on the August agenda for additional discussion. • Financial Report: Wayne Fingalson handed out the Financial Report as of June 12, 2006. He noted the current fund balance of $18,550.45. Wayne noted federal reimbursements of expenses of $8,585.81 in 2006. Wayne also noted new business member Randy Meyer. Administrative Services Contract: Wayne presented to the Coalition the recommendation from the committee established at the last meeting by Chairman Russek for recommendations on the Administrative Services Contract. The Committee recommends extending SRF's administrative contract (approximately $40,000/year given the current budget level). John Griffith indicated that this is a routine process. Motion by Anne Hurlburt and seconded by Elizabeth Weir, the motion to extend SRF's contract to December, 31, 2007 passed with all voting in favor. • Technical Advisory Committee/MnDOT Report: TH 55 EA/EAW Status: Jim Grube updated the Coalition on the status of the EA from I494 to Rockford. The contract is fully executed and SRF Consulting Group, Inc. will be starting work on July 1, 2006. The cities should look for subsequent meeting notices to begin the participation process. Claudia Dumont updated the Coalition on District 3's environmental work. They have not officially started, but given that they cannot finish before the Metro's EA, she felt they would be starting shortly. Claudia also mentioned that she will be getting the official maps in Wright County to SRF to be put on the Coalition's website. Wayne noted that earlier this week that Jim Grube and he were notified by MnDOT that the FHWA had a problem with the language in the federal authorization bill that did not include wording that federal funds could be used for safety improvements. Late last year, MnDOT agreed that the funds could be used, but now FHWA is saying they cannot be used. Given the limited text that could be inserted into ISETEA-LU, many of the projects listed, including a number of projects earmarked by Congressman Oberstar, are having the same problem with the current FHWA position. Penny Steele asked if we have a backup plan for using the federal funds if FHWA prevails. At this time the funds can be used for environmental/traffic studies and right-of-way acquisition. However, until the EA's are completed which will be at least a year from now, MnDOT cannot acquire the right-of-way. TH 55 Transit in Wright County -Update: Ann Sheehan indicated that the City of Buffalo had just received notice that Great River Transit had to end service after approximately one month. However, they have had an inquiry from another provider. They are hopeful of someone else picking up the service. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX.- 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North . E-mail: waime,fngalson coco.wright.inn.us Bceffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 10000.-1 HIGHWAY 55 CORRIDOR COALITION Preserving the 55 Corridor from I-494 to Annandale, Minnesota 8. Legislative Updates • Federal: See Agenda Item 4 on the Washington Fly -In • State: Wayne Fingalson passed out some material about the transportation referendum. Discussion ensued with respect to materials, i.e. billboard messages. 9. Establish next full membership meeting date and time: The next meeting is Friday, August 18, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hennepin County Public Works Facility, Training Room. Other Business: It was suggested that name cards be supplied for all voting members. It was also suggested that a list of voting members be denoted on the sign- in sheet. This will better track who should be making motions and voting. SRF will take care of this for the next meeting. 10. Adjourn: The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted; Dave Montebello, SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Contact: Wayne A. Fingalson Phone: 763/682-7383 Wright County Highway Department FAX- 763/682-7313 1901 Highway 25 North E-mail: wav_•nefin zalson(tico.wright.mn.us Buffalo, Minnesota 55313-3306 LMC Laaque of Minnesota Cities Cities promoting exedlenca League of Minnesota Cities 145 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103-2044 (651) 281-1200 • (800) 925-1122 Fax: (651) 281-1299 • TDD: (651) 281-1290 www.Imnc.org MEIvIORA NDUM To: Administrators, Managers or Clerics (and) LMC Policy Committee Member From: Jim Miller, Executive Director Date:, October 2, 2006 Re: 2007 Draft Legislative Policies You and your city now have the opportunity to help shape and finalize the League's 2007 Legislative Policies. Attached please find the proposed 2007 League of Minnesota Cities Draft Legislative Policies, or view them on the LMC website (www.lmnc.org). This document includes the policies developed by more than 150 city officials participating in the League's four policy committees this summer. The next steps in the policy development process will occur with the October meeting of the Board of Directors where the Board will receive and review, on a preliminary basis, the draft policies from the League's policy committees. The Board does not approve the policies until receiving input from the general membership. The Board will give final consideration to the draft policies at its November 16, 2006 Board meeting. Please review the draft policies and share your comments with the Board of Directors by emailing comments to policvcommentsalmnc.org, or directly contacting any member of the League's IGR staff with suggestions or questions. Each policy is followed by a set of initials indicating the staff member responsible for that policy. A directory of League IGR staff is included in the front of the draft policy document and below. Please include your name, title, and city, as well as a reference to the appropriate policy number, in your E-mail message. To be considered by the Board of Directors, all comments are requested by Tuesday, October 31. Thank you for taking the time to review the proposed 2007 Draft Legislative Policies. If you have any questions about the draft, policies or the process, please feel free to contact IGR Director Gary Carlson at ucalrson0jmnc.ora or 651.281.1255. League IGR staff information Gary Carlson (GC) 651281.1255 acarlson(cjimic.orQ Anne Finn (AF) 651.281.1263 afinn«t�lmnc.or; Ann Higgins (AH) 651.281.1257 ahiaainsca.lmnc.ora Jenn O'Rourke (JO) 651.281.1261 jorourke(a)lninc.ora Craig Johnson (CJ) 651.28 1.1 2_59 clohnson(a),lrnnc.org- Laura Harris (LH) 651281.1260 lofferdahl c).lmnc.ora Laura Kushner (LK) 651.281.1203 lkushner(aa))mnc.ora AN EQUAL OPPOP,TUNITY/AFFIPMATIVEACTION EMiPLOYEP. 16 LMC Inagua of Minnesota Cifies citias promoting awatlanoa League of Minnesota Cities 145 University Avenue West, St, Paul, MN 55103-2044 (651) 281-1200 • (800) 925-1122 Fax: (651) 281-1299 • TDD: (651) 281-1290 www.imnc.org 2007 Policy Committee Highlights Improving Service Delivery (ISD) — The ISD Committee recommended five new policies as well as changes to a number of existing policies. • NEW—Local approval of special laws. This policy urges the legislature to follow Constitutional and statutory requirements for enacting a law that is intended to affect or benefit a single local unit of government. It opposes bypassing the local approval requirement by enacting a general law that describes the local government in such narrow terms that it can only apply to one entity. • NEW— Sustainable development. This new policy supports sustainable development efforts so long as those efforts do not limit local authority to determine what practices will best meet local needs. It urges federal and state governments to provide financial incentives, regulatory flexibility, and technical and educational assistance to encourage sustainable development practices. • NEW— State oversight of amusement ride safety. The committee recommended that the League adopt a new policy supporting state oversight of amusement ride safety inspections. • NEW— Funding to manage shade tree diseases and pests. This policy supports funding a state matching grant program to assist cities in addressing shade tree diseases and pest problems. • NEW—Immigration reform. This policy urges Congress to enact and enforce effective immigration laws rather than transfer this responsibility to local personnel. It also opposes federal and state efforts to prohibit local units of government from implementing local policies aimed at fostering positive relationships between local government officials and immigrant communities. • Private property rights and takings. This policy was updated to reflect 2006 legislative action that restricted local government eminent domain authority. The committee also recommended adding language to strengthen the regulatory takings section by opposing an automatic cause of action for damages any time a local regulatory action impacts the use or reduces the value of private property. • Construction codes and licensing. Recommended changes to this policy encourage the state to review state building and energy codes as they relate to sustainable building design, construction and operation, and urge the state to use surplus building permit surcharge revenue to help cover the costs of local code official training and education. • Legalization offireworks. Members also supported changes to strengthen the League's fireworks policy in anticipation of aggressive legislation that would expand the definition of legal fireworks. Improving Local Economies (ILE) — The ILL Committee recommended several changes to existing policies relating to affordable housing, economic development and transportation funding. • New resources for affordable housing. The committee recommended several substantive changes to this policy, including support for new state resources to meet affordable housing needs and greater local flexibility to raise matching funds required by the Housing Account for Leverage Opportunities (HALO) program. • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and econonzic development. The committee recommended a few changes to the League's TIF and economic development policies based on suggestions from the TIF Task Force. Policy changes include more flexible funding for workforce readiness, and restoring AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER, I statewide jurisdiction and funding for the state redevelopment account or considering another program to address redevelopment needs in the metropolitan area. • Adequate funding for transportation. Recommended changes to this policy include support for a 60/40 split of MVST dollars between roads and transit, clarification of existing city wheelage tax authority under Minn.Stat.§426.05, and state funding to cover all components of state highway projects, including related stormwater management systems. Improving Fiscal Futures (IFF) — The IFF Committee recommended adding a list of broad tax policy principles to the League's State/Local Fiscal Relations policy, which are based on recommendations from the League's Financing Local Government Task Force report issued in 2005. The committee also proposed a new policy on community education funding and recommended changes to several existing policies. • NEW— Equitable funding of comfnunity education services. This new policy supports a statutory increase in the community education revenue authorization for school districts to provide a steady source of revenue that would be assessed against all properties in the school district, not just properties which are located in the city. • Local government aid (LGA) reform, The committee recommended that the League continue to support several adjustments to the LGA formula including the elimination of the taconite aid from the capacity factor, adjusting the need factor to reflect inflationary pressure and using current population estimates for the regional center aid base. This year, the committee also recommended that the League identify formula modifications that would minimize volatility in the program. • Market value homestead credit (MVHC) program funding. Members recommended that the League continue to support the restructuring of the MVHC program to eliminate city budget vulnerability that exists under the current program. • City revenue diversification. The committee adopted language opposing mandatory sharing of local sales tax revenue with neighboring cities and townships. Human Resources and Data Practices — The Human Resources and Data Practices Committee adopted two new policies and recommended changes to several existing policies. • NEW— Volunteer firefighter pension benefits. This policy supports a statewide study of paid and volunteer firefighter pension benefits. It also supports a centralized, statewide volunteer firefighter pension plan provided that participation is voluntary and the plan takes into account the different financial capacities of cities. • NEW—Reserve Income Replacement Program (RIRP). This new policy urges Congress to extend and fund the RIRP program, which provides a federal income. replacement payment to eligible National Guard and military reserve members who are ordered to federal active service. • Public Employees Retirement Association. Changes to this policy support an increase in the number of years required for vesting to help reduce the need for additional contribution increases. • Health care insurance programs. The committee recommended that the League support changes to state law that would clarify the requirement to bargain over changes in the "aggregate value" of benefits. Members also supported allowing cities to pool retirees separately from active employees in order to avoid liabilities associated with the new Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements regarding "implicit subsidy," and authorizing cities to invest these trusts in a broader array of investments similar to those available to pension funds. • Data practices compliance issues. This revised policy opposes efforts to increase the maximum penalties that may be imposed on government entities that have violated the state data practices act.