HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 1999-050City of Plymouth
Res. 99-50
APPROVING 1999 CITY OF PLYMOUTH LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth has several issues of importance to the citizens of
Plymouth that should be considered and addressed by the legislators serving Plymouth;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Plymouth,
Minnesota, that the following legislative issues are approved and city staff is directed to send
these issues to all legislators serving Plymouth:
Eliminate the HACA penalty for TIF districts creating affordable housing. The City
created a Tax Increment Financing District in 1998 to encourage affordable housing, and in
particular, subsidized senior housing, in the Village of Bassett Creels development. Current
TIF laws will reduce our future state aid HACA payments, due partially to the fact that state
law gives no credit for creating affordable rental housing. New legislation should be adopted
that gives credit for affordable rental housing as well as significant numbers or percentages of
new owner -occupied affordable housing.
Residential Speed limits. Currently, state law controls all speed limits on residential streets.
Local officials cannot set speed limits even for the most minor residential streets. Legislation
should be introduced allowing more flexibility for local officials for residential streets that do
no have an impact on other neighboring cities.
State Board of Equalization rules. This year, the State Board of Equalization rolled back
valuations for industrial property in Plymouth by 5%, over the recommendation of both the
City and County Assessor's office. Further review shows that 270.12, Subdivision 2 (8) sets
forth the time frame to be considered for the calculation of the sales ratio, even though City
and County officials have more up to date data to use. This restriction in the statutes should
be changed, so that residential taxpayers are not unfairly paying a higher proportion of the
local property tax.
Sales tax on City purchases. The City supports legislation to repeal the payment of sales tax
by the City on City purchases. This measure was implemented in the early 1990's as a
response to State budget shortfalls. But with the current State budget surplus, this should
now be repealed. It is bad tax policy for one governmental unit to be taxing other
governmental units because this hides taxation and accountability for taxation from the
taxpayers. If there is a rebate on sales tax, cities should be included in the rebate.
City Court legislation. The City supports legislation allowing City Courts to be created and
giving them meaningfiil powers to resolve local ordinance issues. While Plymouth has not
made any decision to create a City Court, this is a good option for cities to have and Plymouth
plans to actively consider creating a City Court in 1999.
False Alarms -assessment of delinquent false alarm fees for burglar alarms. Current law
allows delinquent fees for false fire alarms to be assessed to the property taxes for collection,
along with a number of other municipal fees that might become delinquent. However, the law
does not allow delinquent false alarm fees for burglar alarms to be similarly assessed to
property. This should be corrected.
Statewide massage therapist licensing. The City currently licenses the practice of massage
therapy and massage therapists. However, the State licenses may similar businesses and
professions such as chiropractors, leading to confusion and charges of inconsistent standards.
The City should support legislation that would have the State take over all licensing of the
practice of massage therapy and massage therapists.
Tobacco Lawsuit Proceeds. If tobacco lawsuit proceeds are made available for spending, the
City Council requests that consideration be given to affording monies to those local
governments that have existing local programs in place to address youth access to tobacco,
rather than creating duplicative programs.
State Gift Law. The City supports an amendment to the State gift law to exempt minimal
items up to $5. This change would address the current difficult situation of elected officials
being unable to attend an open house or ribbon cutting ceremony and accept a minimal level
of hospitality, such as a cup of coffee or a cookie.
Adopted by the Plymouth City Council on January 19, 1999.