HomeMy Public PortalAbout2009-018 Resolution Supporting 2009 LegislationMember Weir introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption:
CITY OF MEDINA
RESOLUTION NO.2009-18
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING 2009 LEGISLATION
WHEREAS, existing local funding mechanisms, such as Municipal State Aid
(MSA), property taxes, special assessments and bonding, have limited applications to
maintain the City's 56 miles of local roadways; and
WHEREAS, increased state surcharges on district court cases have not been used
to assist the City with the growing costs of police enforcement and prosecution; and
WHEREAS, the City has limited ability to encourage affordable housing units in
new developments due to the City's high land market values; and
WHEREAS, the City is presently faced with funding challenges to implement
three Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL's) to improve impaired water bodies as a
requirement of the federal Clean Waters Act; and
WHEREAS, levy limits placed on the City for these next three years will restrict
the City to meet local service needs and to comply with mandates imposed by the state
and federal governments; and
WHEREAS, significant cuts to the Minnesota Judicial branch may result in
closure of the Ridgedale Suburban Court which will negatively impact residents of the
City and increase costs to the Medina Police Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF MEDINA that this Council requests that in 2009 the Minnesota Legislature
pass the following legislation:
1. To establish a Municipal Street Improvement District that would provide cities
with the authority to collect fees from property owners to fund street maintenance,
construction, reconstruction and facility upgrades. The Council finds that a
Municipal Street Improvement District will:
a. Allow property owners to fund expensive projects by paying small fees
over time.
b. Be used as a tool to mitigate or eliminate the need for special assessments
altogether.
c. Provide a funding mechanism that is transparent and fair.
d. Establish a clear relationship between who pays fees and where projects
occur.
Resolution No. 2009-18
March 13, 2009
2. To establish authorization for cities to implement administrative fines for low-
level traffic enforcement. The Council finds that the administrative fines for
traffic enforcement will:
a. Reduce pressure on the over -burdened district court system.
b. Establish a local fine that more fairly reflects actual local enforcement
costs compared to the existing state surcharges on district court cases.
3. To allow cities to adopt inclusionary housing policies to encourage more
affordable housing units in new developments. The Council finds that an
inclusionary housing policy will:
a. Clarify cities' authority to carry out policies that offer developers a range
of incentives in return for including a designated number of affordable
housing units in their projects.
b. Identify strategies to ensure long-term affordability of rental and owner -
occupied housing produced as a result of such policies and procedures.
4. To provide state program funding to cities for implementation of TMDL's and
improvements to impaired bodies of water. The Council finds that designation of
state program funding to cities will:
a. Allow cities to better implement storm water management systems and
best management practices to protect, preserve and restore the quality of
Minnesota's surface waters.
b. Reduce human impacts on.surface waters that are determined to be high
pollutant loads of nutrients or other contaminants.
5. To remove the three-year levy limits imposed on cities during the 2009 legislative
session. The Council finds that removing the three-year levy limits will:
a. Establish representative democracy to allow cities to formulate local
budgets.
b. Reduce any negative effects on a city's bond rating due to the restriction
on revenue flexibility.
6. To limit cuts to the Minnesota Judicial Branch to protect the availability of court
services to west metro residents, such as to preserve the location and operation of
the Ridgedale Suburban Court. The Council finds that providing sufficient
funding to courts to function properly and preserving the Ridgedale Suburban
Court will:
a. Reduce travel and labor costs to area cities' police departments.
b. Provide more convenient and cost-effective services to west metro
residents.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MEDINA that this Council requests that in 2009 Governor Tim Pawlenty allow the
legislation stated above and passed by the Legislature to become law.
Dated: March 17, 2009.
Resolution No. 2009-18 2
March 17, 2009
ATTEST:
Chad M. Adams, City Administrator -Clerk
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T.M. Crosby, Jr., Mayor
1 . -9/1'I
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member
Siitari and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof
Weir, Siitari, Crosby, Smith
And the following voted against same: (Absent: Johnson)
None
Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Resolution No. 2009-18 3
March 17, 2009