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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.A 2023 Legislative AgendaLEGISLATIVE AGENDA 2023 Priority: Local Op� on Sales Tax Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports u� lizing a local op� on sales tax as a means of funding long-term regional park installa� on and improvement projects. Relevant Informa� on • In order to pursue a local op� on sales tax, the city must adopt a resolu� on proposing the tax, submit resolu� on to state tax commi� ees, get legisla� ve authoriza� on, adopt a resolu� on accep� ng the new law, hold a referendum, and pass an ordinance imposing the tax. • Minnesota Statute § 297A.99 specifi es that the above process requires “regional signifi cance” of any project(s) funded by a proposed local sales tax. • Funding is primarily for capital costs and projects that need to be specifi cally iden� fi ed. • In Co� age Grove, long-term funding for new parks and park improvement projects is a challenge using just Park Dedica� on Fees and cell phone tower leasing revenues. • Minnesota Legislature requires a detailed descrip� on of up to fi ve capital projects. Staff has compiled a list of planned projects that would meet the stated criteria. These are the three proposed projects that best fulfi ll the criteria as regionally signifi cant: 1. Mississippi Dunes Park (development) 2. Hamlet Park (improvements and development) 3. River Oaks Golf Course (improvements) Legislative Priorities: Local Option Sales Tax 1 Parks & Recreation Contact: Zac Dockter, Parks & Recreation Director zdockter@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2808 Legislative Priorities: Local Option Sales Tax Parks & Recreation Contact: Zac Dockter, Parks & Recreation Director zdockter@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2808 Hamlet Park Improvements Priority Obtain $17 million in funding through a local op� on sales tax for improvements to Co� age Grove’s oldest and largest municipal park. Legisla� ve Direc� on The city supports the implementa� on of a local op� on sales tax used for long-term improvements to Hamlet Park. These will enhance what con� nues to be a regionally signifi cant park. Relevant Informa� on • The planned improvements consist of the installa� on of a synthe� c turf fi eld and addi� onal fi elds, upgrades to many of the core park ameni� es, improvements to the north trail entrance, a new splash pad, and a new park building. • Hamlet Park’s 150 acres of park, fi elds, trails, and open space already make it one of the city’s major regional draws. The proposed updates would broaden regional interest and con� nue to make Hamlet a desired loca� on for baseball, so� ball, and other tournaments. • An updated park building, amphitheater, ska� ng rink, and skate park would be high selling points for families and groups looking to host get-togethers and tournaments in a family-friendly city. 2 Parks & Recreation Contact: Zac Dockter, Parks & Recreation Director zdockter@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2808 River Oaks Golf Course Improvements Priority Secure $6 million in local op� on sales tax funding for improvements to River Oaks Golf Course & Event Center. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports the use of a local op� on sales tax to make improvements to the River Oaks Golf Course. These enhancements would increase the facility’s appeal to a broader audience while also diversifying business opportuni� es. Relevant Informa� on • In 2022 alone, the golf course a� racted thousands of guests who played over 40,500 rounds of golf. • To keep up with growing demand for improved facili� es and features, the proposed project would draw more golfers for pu� ng on a Himalayan green and prac� cing on an advanced golf simulator. • Funding would also be used for major improvements to the outdoor pa� o and connec� ng the event center to the pro shop for a more inclusive environment. • The proposed improvements would serve as an easy way to remind regional golfers that River Oaks Golf Course is one of the premiere op� ons for golfi ng and entertainment in the metro. 3 Legislative Priorities: Local Option Sales Tax Parks & Recreation Contact: Zac Dockter, Parks & Recreation Director zdockter@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2808 Mississippi Dunes Park Priority Secure $13 million to improve public recrea� onal access and habitat preserva� on along the Mississippi River. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports acquiring funding support to be used for land acquisi� on, land/water recrea� onal use development and habitat preserva� on and restora� on. This work not only improves access to the Co� age Grove region, but it also compliments the habitat preserva� on eff orts at the state’s Grey Cloud Dunes Scien� fi c and Natural Area. Funding support may be in the form of grant programs, bonding programs or other. Relevant Informa� on • The city has been planning for such land use at the former Mississippi Dunes Golf Course, which includes nearly 2,000 linear feet of Mississippi River shoreline. • The city is currently planning for an approximate 40-acre public park situated on the shoreline of this property. Acquisi� on, construc� on and habitat preserva� on/restora� on costs are projected at more than $10 million. Co� age Grove will need state and regional funding support to fulfi ll the master plan. • The park would include a year-round building, a nature- based playground, open lawn area, a trail system, and space for boat and kayak docking and launching. 4 Legislative Priorities: Local Option Sales Tax Priority: County 19A & 100th Street Realignment Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove fully supports any eff orts to fund the future 100th Street arterial roadway. The city requests $25 million for design, right-of-way acquisi� on and construc� on of the arterial roadway and adjacent roadways. Relevant Informa� on • We an� cipate spending approximately $2.5 million on design, $8.4 million for the grade-separated bridge railroad crossing, and $14.1 million for the arterial roadway construc� on and realignment. • In 2019, Washington County began the Southwest Arterial Study to address the lack of arterial roadways cri� cal to serve new development in the county’s southwest area. • The study provided a recommended route for the future arterial roadway and reviewed the impacts and benefi ts. • Since comple� on of the study, there has been signifi cant interest in the Co� age Grove Business Park including NorthPoint Development, which will include 3.4 million square feet of warehouse, manufacturing, distribu� on and offi ce space on 252 acres. The development will create at least 1,870 full-� me jobs. • The Co� age Grove Business Park is currently only served by one feasible interchange: Highway 61 at Jamaica Avenue, which is fully built out with a two- lane, six-leg roundabout that receives a signifi cant amount of traffi c. • Addi� onal funding is needed to construct a direct extension of 100th Street to Highway 61. The project would also include construc� on of a bridge over the Canadian Pacifi c railroad track. High- level cost es� mates for this project are in the range of $20 million to complete. • Comple� ng this extension in the next fi ve years will be cri� cal to the ongoing success of these major development projects and relieving stress along the Jamaica Avenue interchange. Legislative Priorities Hig h w a y 6 1 100th Street Jamaica AvenueCSAH 19 (Keats Avenue)Mill e r R o a d Cottage GroveBusiness Park 3M Property Langdon Village Master Plan Shoppes at Cottage View ≈ 40 Acres NorthPoint Commercial Node H:\COTT\0N1126878\CAD\C3D\FIGR-126878-100th Street Concept.dwg 9/16/2022 9:04:47 AMR 100th Street Corridor Extension City of Cottage Grove, MN September 2022 R FEETSCALE 0 300 600 100th Street Alignment 100th Street Bridge LEGEND Local Road Realignment 5 2 Agenda Items Housing and Economic Development Co� age Grove con� nues to experience residen� al, commercial and industrial growth, crea� ng a need for legisla� ve ac� on regarding: • Business expansion • Job growth • Redevelopment • Housing Transporta� on Due to rapid yet measured growth, Co� age Grove is focusing on the following areas: • Red Rock Corridor • Lights on Highway 61 • Shoppes at Co� age View • Street improvement districts • Municipal state aid funding Public Safety Co� age Grove Public Safety remains commi� ed to protec� ng the city and its ci� zens by focusing on: • Mental health data sharing with law enforcement • Mental Health Response Act • Offi cer wellness • Law enforcement training funding • Funding for mutual aid reimbursement • K-12 threat assessments • Permit to purchase fees • Cataly� c converter the� legisla� on 3 6 Parks and Recrea� on Co� age Grove has the vision of giving its residents the best recrea� onal opportuni� es in the state by focusing on: • Mississippi Dunes Park • Future Regional Park Trailway Connec� on along Highway 61 • Other park improvements Revenue and Taxa� on Co� age Grove is commi� ed to maximizing ci� zen engagement in the budge� ng process, as well as maintaining transparency and responsible stewardardship of our ci� zens’ tax dollars by focusing on: • Truth-in-taxa� on process • Restric� ons on local government budgets • Sales tax on local government purchases • Special assessments • Market Value Exclusion • Market Value Exclusion for Veterans with a Disability Water Quality and Sustainability Co� age Grove remains commi� ed to delivering water that meets state guidelines and producing a long-term plan to enhance resource sustainability while mee� ng community needs by focusing on: • Impaired water • Stormwater and wastewater • Water conserva� on • Groundwater and well monitoring Administra� on Co� age Grove is commi� ed to excellence in the delivery of public services to community residents, businesses and property owners. The city operates with transparency and cost-effi cient communica� on while ensuring businesses operate safely and to the highest standards. Agenda Items 47 Economic Development Economic Development Contact: Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator jlevitt@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2890 Historic tax credit Priority Extend the historic tax credit legisla� on. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports extension of the Minnesota State Historic Structure Rehabilita� on Tax Credit as a successful economic development tool for revitalizing distressed, vacant, and underu� lized historic proper� es throughout the state and poten� ally in Co� age Grove. The city supports maintaining the federal tax credit for preserva� on of historic proper� es. Relevant Informa� on • The Minnesota State Historic Structure Rehabilita� on Tax Credit sunset in May 2022. The City of Co� age Grove has many historic proper� es in the community that would benefi t from this tax credit. Job Growth Priority Co� age Grove supports economic tools that facilitate job growth without relying solely on the property tax base. The city supports study of allowing mixed-use buildings that have commercial and residen� al uses to be included in a special service district (SSD). Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports a number of exis� ng programs off ered by the state, and furthermore, supports the study of allowing mixed-use buildings, that have both commercial and residen� al uses, included in an SSD. Relevant Informa� on Examples of valuable state programs include green job development and related innova� on and development. Other examples are minority business start-ups, small business fi nancing tools including new markets tax credit program mirroring a federal ini� a� ve, and maintaining exis� ng municipal authority to establish an SSD. 8 9 Community Development Community Development Contact: Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator jlevitt@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2890 Business Expansion Priority Support new and expanding businesses, infrastructure development and public-private partnerships. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports exis� ng programs to help businesses thrive and expand. Relevant Informa� on • Examples of state-funded programs include the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF), Job Crea� on Fund (JCF) and the Angel Tax Credit. • Programs using statewide funding should award funds equitably between the metro region and greater Minnesota through compe� � ve funding as opposed to direct legisla� ve appropria� ons. Redevelopment Priority Begin implementa� on of redevelopment plans to reinvigorate a tax base that is not fulfi lling its poten� al. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports the growth of current programs that help facilitate redevelopment and reinvestment in our residen� al, commercial and industrial sectors. Relevant Informa� on The city supports: • The allowance of a maximum levy amount for the Livable Communi� es Act and increased general fund and state bond funds for DEED-administered programming. • Financing, regulatory tools and increasing fl exibility in the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and values funding for Transit Improvement Areas (TIAs). • Programs to correct unstable soils and allow ci� es to redevelop land previously used as landfi lls. • Ini� a� ves helping ci� es/development authori� es assemble small proper� es and ready them for business expansion and future development. • The city opposes any statutory language that would further constrain or reduce the eff ec� veness of TIF. • The city asks lawmakers to revisit eminent domain laws to allow local governments to address redevelopment issues before condi� ons become fi nancially impossible to address. Community Development Community Development Contact: Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator jlevitt@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2890 7 Housing Priority Diversify the city’s housing stock to ensure it is serving all demographic and socio-economic communi� es. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports state programs that allow municipali� es to facilitate full-spectrum housing growth and rehabilitate older housing stock for residents in all stages of life. Relevant Informa� on The city supports: • The loca� on of aff ordable housing in residen� al and mixed-use neighborhoods throughout the city. The City does not support passage of a mandatory inclusionary housing state law imposed on local governments that would require a certain percentage of units in all new housing developments to be aff ordable to households at specifi c income levels. • The Metropolitan Council’s aff ordability policy and alloca� on, as long as it recognizes the individual needs of each city and the need for signifi cant fi nancial assistance from the federal and state government, as well as the Metropolitan Council, to make progress toward crea� ng addi� onal aff ordable housing and preserving exis� ng aff ordable housing. • The Metropolitan Council, with input by local government representa� ves, examining the alloca� on of need methodology with respect to the rela� onship between the regional alloca� on and the local share of the need. The formula should also be rou� nely evaluated to determine if market condi� ons have changed or if underlying condi� ons should prompt readjustment • Housing programs that assist housing development, preserva� on and maintenance of exis� ng housing stock, including unsubsidized, naturally occurring aff ordable housing that is aff ordable to residents throughout the low-to-moderate income range. • Preserving and increasing funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the federal HOME program that are catalysts for crea� ng and preserving aff ordable housing. • Removing the Metropolitan Council’s review and comment authority connected to housing revenue bonds. The City would like to see the Metropolitan Council work in partnership with local governments to ensure the range of housing needs for people at various life cycles and incomes can be met. 10 Transportation Transportation Contact: Ryan Burfeind, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer rburfeind@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2899 Red Rock Corridor Priority Give businesses the ability to a� ract talent from the surrounding community through transporta� on into the City of Co� age Grove. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports implementa� on of the Red Rock Corridor Bus Rapid Transit. Relevant Informa� on • The Metropolitan Council projects the southeast metro will grow by at least 100,000 people over the next 20 years while 94% of the jobs will stay in Minneapolis and St. Paul. • Co� age Grove businesses have indicated in mul� ple Business Reten� on and Expansion interviews that they are having a harder � me a� rac� ng talent without a reliable transporta� on network into the city. • The Red Rock Corridor is a 20-mile stretch serving the southeast Metro, which is part of the Na� onal Highway and Na� onal Scenic Byway systems. • Communi� es along the corridor have conducted a thorough inves� ga� on of transit needs and produced a phased approach with a near-term need for new local bus service and a long-term plan for bus rapid transit (including high-frequency service, robust sta� ons, and enhanced parking facili� es). Lights on Highway 61 Priority Acquire $4 million for funding corridor ligh� ng along Highway 61 from the interchange with Washington County State Aid Highway 22 to the intersec� on with Trunk Highway 95. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove fully supports any eff orts to fund highway ligh� ng and increased safety on an increasingly busy stretch of highway serving one of the fastest growing areas of the state. Relevant Informa� on • The only interchange ligh� ng that exists is at 80th Street South, Jamaica Avenue South and County State-Aid Highway 19 (Innova� on Road South). • There is no ligh� ng from County State-Aid Highway 19 to Township Highway 95 and there are several unrestricted local access intersec� ons present. 11 Transportation Transportation Contact: Ryan Burfeind, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer rburfeind@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2899 Street Improvement Districts Priority Address the limited funding mechanisms for maintaining aging streets. Legisla� ve Direc� on 1. Co� age Grove supports the authority of local units of government to establish street improvement districts, allowing ci� es in developed and developing areas to fund reconstruc� on and maintenance eff orts. 2. Co� age Grove also supports changes to special assessment laws to make assessing state-owned property a more predictable process regarding the payment of assessments. Relevant Informa� on • Funding sources for local transporta� on projects are limited to the use of Municipal State Aid (MSA), property taxes and special assessments. • The street improvement district is designed to allow ci� es to create a district(s) where fees will be raised on all proper� es in the district and must be spent within specifi c boundaries. • The city supports the modifi ca� on of state laws to clarify the defi ni� on of “benefi ts received” as it relates to special assessments. Municipal State Aid Funding Priority Co� age Grove, like many growing communi� es, struggles to fund major roadway projects, crea� ng costly delays and decreased motorist safety. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove requests the Municipal State Aid (MSA) formula and funding levels be reviewed as the current system is not suffi cient to keep up with growing demands for maintenance, coupled with expanding MSA roadway systems in growing communi� es. Relevant Informa� on • MSA off ers an advance to fund larger projects that creates delays for future MSA projects for several years. Thus, rehabilita� on projects (like mill and overlay) cannot occur, reducing the useful life of a road and accelera� ng the cost of reconstruc� on projects. • The city an� cipates reduced funding due to the pandemic, which will further challenge the city’s ability to maintain our aging infrastructure. 12 Shoppes at Co� age View Infrastructure Priority Secure funding for Shoppes at Co� age View infrastructure. The city requests $5 million to support the design and construc� on of this collector roadway and adjacent roadways. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports any eff orts to fund the construc� on of public infrastructure to serve the Shoppes at Co� age View development. Relevant Informa� on • The Shoppes at Co� age View is a 73-acre site located in the northwest corner of East Point Douglas Road and Keats Avenue (County Road 19) in Co� age Grove. The city envisions the project area as a gateway into the community from westbound Highway 61/10. The project will provide Co� age Grove many opportuni� es such as an improvement in the quality of life of residents by crea� ng jobs, increasing the local tax base, providing a safe, effi cient, and interconnected network of local and collector streets, providing pedestrian connec� ons to regional and local recrea� onal ameni� es, public u� lity extensions, as well as housing opportuni� es for individuals at all income levels. • The Shoppes at Co� age View site has been vacant since the early 2000s and developing the site will bring many public benefi ts. The city has produced several planning documents for this area of the city. One of the major features to emerge from the planning process was Ravine Parkway, which provides a connec� ng link for the en� re East Ravine community. A por� on of Ravine Parkway would be constructed with this project and would provide direct and effi cient access for the community to this commercial area. • Public u� li� es would be extended throughout the site to serve the adjacent proper� es with city water and sanitary sewer service. The site is also adjacent to Washington County’s Co� age Grove Ravine Regional Park and the project provides pedestrian and bicycle access improvements across County Road 19 to the regional park. • The development of the Shoppes of Co� age View will place the 73-acre site back into produc� vity by being on the city’s tax rolls, as well as providing opportuni� es for employment, housing, and recrea� on, thus strengthening the local economy, and providing the residents and visitors of Co� age Grove a quality of life where they can live, work and play. Transportation Transportation Contact: Ryan Burfeind, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer rburfeind@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2899lllllllllllllllSEGMENT 1SEGMENT 2SEGMENT 6 SEGMENT4 SEGMEN T 3SEGMENT7SEGMENT5 Keats Avenue/CSAH 19Eas t P o i n t D o u g l a s R o a d Walmart PrivatePond Cottage GroveRavine Regional ParkJergen Avenue50' Northern Natural Gas Pipeline Easement 50' Northern Natural Gas Pipeline Easement Hig h w a y 6 1 Cottage View DriveRavine Parkway110' ROW 100' ROW 100' ROW H:\COTT\N14118655\CAD\C3D\FIGR-Feasibility Report Street Improvements.dwg 9/4/2020 10:07:14 AMR Shoppes at Cottage View City of Cottage Grove Figure 4: Street Improvements September 2020 R FEETSCALE 0 100 200 HORZ. BITUMINOUS PAVEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER CONCRETE MEDIAN CONCRETE WALK (5' WIDE) BITUMINOUS TRAIL (8' WIDE) GREENSPACE STREET LIGHTS SIGNAL SYSTEM Legend 13 Public Safety Fire Mutual Aid Issue Priority Develop a mutual aid agreement for when city and township fi re departments assist each other. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports developing a mutual aid agreement that would refl ect Minnesota Statute § 12.331, which provides a framework for how worker’s compensa� on, liability, property claims, insurance, and charges between fi re departments will be handled in mutual aid situa� ons. Relevant Informa� on • Following the Red River fl oods and the St. Peter tornados, emergency responders helped pass Minnesota Statute § 12.331. • Many ci� es have entered into similar area-wide mutual aid agreements. To provide uniformity, the Legislature should pass a statute that includes defi ni� ons and clarifi ca� ons for: a) Who commands in a mutual aid scene. b) Who will cover the fi refi ghters for worker’s compensa� on. c) How liability and property claims will be handled. d) Who will pay for expendable supplies such as foam. e) When fi re departments will charge each other for these services. f) The ability for fi re departments to opt out by having a separate wri� en agreement. Mental Health Response Act Priority Fund mul� -jurisdic� onal co-responder programs. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports legisla� on to fund mul� -jurisdic� onal co-responder programs or embedded social workers. Addi� onally, Co� age Grove supports making changes to current policy and prac� ces to be� er share informa� on amongst fi rst responders, medical professionals and human services representa� ves. Relevant Informa� on • The goal is to improve the response to, and outcomes of, mental health calls for service. Public Safety Contact: Pete Koerner, Public Safety Director/Police Chief pkoerner@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-6003 14 Public Safety Public Safety Contact: Pete Koerner, Public Safety Director/Police Chief pkoerner@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-6003 Offi cer Wellness Priority Understand and deal with the eff ects of common stressors facing our law enforcement professionals. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports legisla� on that would provide law enforcement agencies with training for emo� onal resiliency and understanding of responder trauma. Addi� onally, Co� age Grove supports a requirement for public employers to provide treatment for those diagnosed with PTSD and ensure the person remains fi nancially whole while receiving 32 weeks of treatment. Relevant Informa� on • This would create support groups, mental health checks and therapy, suicide preven� on, awareness and family support. Law Enforcement Training Funding Priority Con� nue to fund training mandated by the Minnesota Police Offi cer Standards and Training Board (MN POST Board). Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports con� nuing the MN POST Board training reimbursement alloca� on to local agencies, which began in 2018. Relevant Informa� on • The Peace Offi cer Training Fund is for mandated training in the areas of recognizing and valuing diversity and cultural diff erences, confl ict management and media� on, crisis interven� on and mental illness crises. 15 16 Funding For Mutual Aid Reimbursement Priority Support funding mutual aid reimbursement requests. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports funding to provide mutual aid reimbursements. As civil unrest becomes more common, larger agencies in the metro are reaching out to Anoka, Dakota and Washington coun� es. Providing assistance costs agencies addi� onal money for training, staffi ng and equipment. Relevant Informa� on • Currently approved reimbursement was used for federal Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), Minnesota DNR and Minnesota State Patrol. No funds were allocated for local jurisdic� ons requested for mutual aid. K-12 Threat Assessments Priority Support mandated K-12 threat assessments teams. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports legisla� on requiring school districts to establish a team of trained subject ma� er experts to examine and address school safety issues based on the na� onal best prac� ce known as behavioral threat assessment. Relevant Informa� on • This legisla� on would move our state beyond physical school safety measures, such as infrastructure improvement grants, passed by the Legislature in 2018. • Threat assessment is an evidence-based way to iden� fy, assess, and manage threatening situa� ons away from violence. • Threat assessment, properly done, is considered a standard-of-care/best prac� ce by numerous organiza� ons and advocacy groups including the U.S. Department of Educa� on, Na� onal Associa� on of School Psychologists, and the Federal Bureau of Inves� ga� on. • K-12 threat assessment teams and legisla� on have been offi cially supported by the MN Chiefs of Police Associa� on and the MN Sheriff ’s Associa� on. Public Safety Public Safety Contact: Pete Koerner, Public Safety Director/Police Chief pkoerner@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-6003 Permit to Purchase Fees Priority Allow agencies to charge a reasonable fee for processing a permit to purchase. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports allowing local municipal police departments to charge a reasonable fee for processing a permit to purchase an applica� on. Relevant Informa� on • Currently Minnesota Statue § 624.7131 Subd 3. states there shall be no charge for forms, reports, inves� ga� ons, no� fi ca� ons, waivers or any other act performed, or materials provided by a government employee or agency in connec� on with applica� on for or issuance of a transferee permit. The permits and their renewal shall be granted free of charge. Ambulance Service Costs and Liability Priority Require Medicare to set ambulance payment rates to cover the cost of providing services. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports federal legisla� on that would require Medicare to set ambulance payment rates to cover the cost of providing service for transport and non-transport care of pa� ents, require adequate reimbursement for ambulance providers, require Medicare to reimburse 911 ambulance transports regardless of medical necessity, and make it easier for providers to fi le claims by elimina� ng Medicare’s processing system. Relevant Informa� on • The cost of providing ambulance care has increased steadily over recent years due in part to changes in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. The federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 made two signifi cant changes to ambulance billing. First, the act mandated that ambulance services cannot bill the Medicare or Medicaid pa� ent for any unpaid balance beyond the Medicare or Medicaid assignment. Second, the act mandated a uniform fee schedule that was implemented in 2002; the new fee schedule signifi cantly reduced reimbursement levels for many ambulance services. • In most cases, Medicare does not pay for costs related to treatment of pa� ents that are not transported. The loss of revenue due to reimbursement changes is aff ec� ng the ability of many ambulance service providers to deliver emergency care, par� cularly in rural Minnesota. All ambulance services and personnel must comply with the same licensing, training, and equipment-related requirements, regardless of ownership. Public Safety Contact: Pete Koerner, Public Safety Director/Police Chief pkoerner@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-6003 17 Public Safety Parks & Recreation Contact: Zac Dockter, Parks & Recreation Director zdockter@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2808 Future State/County Recrea� onal Trail Connec� on Priority Secure funding for a trail connec� ng Co� age Grove Ravine Regional Park to Point Douglas Regional Park. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports the planning, design, and future funding of a Highway 61 Trailway connec� on between Co� age Grove Ravine Regional Park and Point Douglas Regional Trail/Park. Relevant Informa� on • A trail along Highway 61 from Co� age Grove Ravine Regional Park to Point Douglas Regional Trail/Park would be a unique recrea� onal experience for the region, state and outstate visitors. Highway 61 is both historic and scenic but has no recrea� onal trail access. The trailway would connect Co� age Grove’s Ravine Lake to the confl uence of the Mississippi and St Croix rivers as well as historic Has� ngs downtown via the Highway 61 arch bridge trail. 18 Parks and Recreation Revenue and Taxation Revenue and Taxation Contact: Brenda Malinowski, Finance Director bmalinowski@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2832 Truth-in-Taxa� on Process Priority Evaluate the eff ec� veness of the summary budget informa� on requirement. Legisla� ve Direc� on The summary budget informa� on requirement enacted under the 2021 omnibus tax bill should be evaluated for eff ec� veness and value to taxpayers. The requirement should be converted to a suggested op� on and ci� es should be able to subs� tute their established local process and format to explain their proposed budget to taxpayers. Relevant Informa� on • The requirement to include summary budget informa� on has been a signifi cant and complicated internal process without a no� ceable value to taxpayers. Restric� ons on Local Government Budgets Priority Maintain city autonomy in deciding the appropriate level of local taxa� on and services. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove strongly opposes levy limits, reverse referenda, super majority requirements for levy, and valua� on freezes, or other restric� ons on local government budge� ng and taxing processes. Relevant Informa� on These types of restric� ons undermine local budge� ng and taxing processes, planned growth and the rela� onship between locally elected offi cials and their residents. 19 Revenue and Taxation Sales Tax on Local Government Purchases Priority Secure sales tax exemp� on for purchases of goods and services made by ci� es. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports the 2013 reinstatement of the sales tax exemp� on for purchases of goods and services made by ci� es, specifi cally gran� ng an extension of the motor vehicle sales tax (MSVT) exemp� on to all municipal vehicles that are used for general city func� ons and are provided by governmental en� � es. Relevant Informa� on • Currently, only certain vehicles, including road maintenance vehicles purchased by townships and municipal fi re trucks and police vehicles not registered for use on public roads, are exempt. Special Assessments Priority Clarifi ca� on of “benefi ts received” regarding special assessments. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports modifi ca� ons to state laws governing special assessments for construc� on projects or other improvements arising from legisla� ve authority to clarify the defi ni� on of “benefi ts received.” Relevant Informa� on • When property owners challenge special assessments based on applica� on of the special benefi t test, some courts have interpreted “benefi ts received” to mean the one-year increase in property value that is directly a� ributable to a construc� on project. • There is currently no consistency between state laws and rulings by some courts on the term “benefi ts received.” • The modifi ed defi ni� on should more closely align with how special assessments are calculated and recognize that the benefi t of the improvement to a property may be realized over � me and not within one year. Revenue and Taxation Contact: Brenda Malinowski, Finance Director bmalinowski@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2832 20 Revenue and Taxation Revenue and Taxation Contact: Brenda Malinowski, Finance Director bmalinowski@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2832 Homestead Market Value Exclusion Priority Increase the benefi ts of the homestead market value exclusion program and the similar veterans’ program. Legisla� ve Direc� on Due to the recent rapid increase in home values, the city supports modifi ca� ons to the homestead market value exclusion program to increase the benefi t of the exclusion to qualifying homeowners. Changes to the homestead market value exclusion should be considered in concert with the impact of the homestead credit refund program. Relevant Informa� on In 2011, the legislature repealed the exis� ng homestead market value credit program and replaced it with a new Homestead Market Value exclusion (Minnesota Statute § 273.13, subd. 35). The State of Minnesota encourages home ownership by providing owner-occupied proper� es a reduc� on in their property taxes. The amount of the homestead exclusion varies depending on the market value of the property. The maximum value amount of the exclusion is $30,400 for residen� al proper� es with a market value of $76,000. As the property’s market value increases above $76,000, the amount of the exclusion decreases. As home values increase in excess of $76,000 of market value, the exclusion phases out un� l it completely ceases for homes valued over $413,800. The general parameters of the program have not changed since 2011. Trends in residen� al home values have signifi cantly reduced the value of the exclusion for many homeowners. According to the Minnesota Associa� on of Realtors, in 2021 the median sales price was $306,750, which received an exclusion of $9,633, or just 3.1 percent of the total value of the home. During the 2022 legisla� ve session, legislators considered proposals to increase the homestead market value exclusion. The House would have increased the exclusion to 40 percent of the value on the fi rst $80,300 of value and extended the full phase-out to homes valued up to $437,100. The Senate would have increased the exclusion to 40 percent of the value on the fi rst $95,000 of value and extended the full phase-out to homes valued up to $517,200. In addi� on to increasing the benefi t of the exclusion to qualifying homeowners, the market value exclusion for veterans should be increased. These exclusion for veterans have not changed since 2011 (Minn. Stat. § 273.13, subd. 34). The current exclusion is $150,000 for a par� al disability and $300,000 for a full disability. During the 2022 legisla� ve session, there were proposals to increase the exclusion to $200,000 and $400,000. 21 Revenue and Taxation Contact: Brenda Malinowski, Finance Director bmalinowski@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2832 Street Reconstruc� on Bond Approval Priority Amend the laws governing issuance of bonds to maintain streets. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports amending the laws governing issuance of bonds to maintain streets to allow the approval of the bonds by a simple majority of the council. The exis� ng reverse referendum process allows taxpayers to trigger a referendum on the bond issuance if they can meet a fi ve percent pe� � on threshold. Relevant Informa� on • Under Minnesota law, fi nancing the maintenance of streets can be a challenge for city councils. Minnesota Statute § 475.58, subd. 3b, authorizes a city council, by two-thirds vote, to approve the issuance of bonds to fi nance street reconstruc� on or bituminous overlays without voter approval. The two-thirds council approval requirement is further subject to a reverse referendum process whereby a number equal to fi ve percent of those vo� ng in the last municipal general elec� on can pe� � on for a referendum to approve the issuance of the bonds. Local Op� on Sales Tax and City Revenue Diversifi ca� on Priority Adopt a balanced revenue system to avoid the problems created by excessive reliance on any single tax. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports a statutory change to allow the City to enact a local sales tax for public improvements and capital replacement costs. Relevant Informa� on • Under current state law, the property tax is the only generally accessible form of local tax revenue for ci� es. Allowing the city to diversify its revenue stream would help prevent rapid addi� onal future reliance on the property tax. • Each tax has unique strengths and weaknesses. The more intensively any single tax type is used, the more obvious its shortcomings become. • A balanced and diversifi ed revenue system may create a more favorable business climate and provide for greater stability of revenues throughout the course of the economic cycle. Revenue and Taxation 22 Water Quality and Sustainability Water Quality and Sustainability Contact: Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator jlevitt@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2890 Impaired Water Priority Support con� nued metropolitan development while protec� ng all water resources. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports con� nued funding to improve the region’s ability to respond to developmental market demands including, but not exclusive to, surface water impairment assessments, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development and stormwater or wastewater construc� on grants. Relevant Informa� on • Co� age Grove supports and values ini� a� ves aimed at protec� ng water resources at the municipal, county, state and federal level, which includes the Clean Water Act. • Co� age Grove opposes en� ty-specifi c exemp� ons from fees because every type of property is required to pay stormwater fees. Groundwater and Well Monitoring Priority To support water quality and well monitoring eff orts in accordance with the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove strongly encourages con� nued funding of grant money through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to assist communi� es in implemen� ng their wellhead protec� on plans (specifi cally drilling addi� onal sen� nel wells to monitor aquifer levels and contamina� on plumes). Relevant Informa� on • Co� age Grove supports addi� onal funding for Perfl uorochemicals (PFC) Biomonitoring in the area. • The city supports working with the MDH on the con� nuous monitoring of city groundwater and wells for Perfl uoroalkyl and Polyfl uoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), having completed part one of our Wellhead Protec� on Plan in August 2015 and part two in March of 2017. 23 Water Conserva� on Priority Contribute to a statewide eff ort to promote water conserva� on while providing municipal autonomy rela� ve to individual communi� es. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports legisla� on promo� ng aquifer recharge, change in water use prac� ces, development of minimum irriga� on standards, applying technology for smart water use, addi� onal scien� fi c data collec� on and exploring water reuse op� ons at contaminated sites that rely on water extrac� on or pollu� on containment. Relevant Informa� on • A single “catch-all” op� on should not be applied to a region or sub-region. • The city opposes funding of any implementa� on cost involved with the DNR North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area if it does not directly result in supplying water to the City of Co� age Grove and its residents. Stormwater and Wastewater Priority Ensure a� empts to address water supply sustainability take all water users (and variables) into account, including municipali� es, industry, private wells, agriculture and contamina� on containment. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove supports the removal of barriers to wastewater and stormwater re-use and advocates for improved interagency coordina� on on all levels, including on the state level. Relevant Informa� on Water regula� on is complex and compartmentalized, requiring strategies to cross agency jurisdic� ons through improved coordina� on and coopera� on. Water Quality and Sustainability Contact: Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator jlevitt@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2890 Water Quality and Sustainability 24 Newspaper No� fi ca� on Requirement Priority Replace the requirement of a local newspaper no� fi ca� on with electronic no� ces on the city website and other social media pla� orms. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove requests the state repeal the newspaper no� fi ca� on requirement due to the costs for municipali� es, the decline of local newspapers and the increase and prolifera� on of technology informa� on tools. Licensure of Massage Therapists Priority Seek state to establish a state requirement for licensure of massage therapists. Legisla� ve Direc� on Co� age Grove requests the implementa� on of a statewide licensing system for massage therapists, ensuring minimum competency requirements are met. Administration 25 Administration Contact: Jennifer Levitt, City Administrator jlevitt@cottagegrovemn.gov, 651-458-2890 COTTAGEGROVECITYCOUNCILJanuary11,2023 12800RAVINEPARKWAYSOUTH COTTAGEGROVE,MINNESOTA55016 SPECIALMEETING6:00P.M. TRAININGROOM 1CALLTOORDER 2ROLLCALL 3AGENDAITEM ADJOURNMENT 4