02-1126R V`n��.e .�► -� � Gc. y� ao O 2�
RESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Presented
Refened To
Council File # �.'1�� ��t'
Green Sheet # S.poo yt
��
Committee Date
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul has worked to develop a reasonable legislative agenda to be
considered as part of the Saint Paul I,egislative Package for the 2003 I,egislafive session; and
WI�EREAS, the proposed legislarive initiatives have been discussed by the Saint Paul City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saint Paul City Council does hereby recommend
to the Minnesota State L,egislature the passage of the legislation which will include the following initiatives:
SAINT PAUL CITY IlVITIATIVES
l.
2.
4.
5.
Local Government Aid — Work with State to help minimize impact to St. Paul
Como Park Conservatory — $2.7 million
Phalen Roadway — $8.0 tnillion
Roy Wilkius — $4.0 million
Housing — Expand "North Quadrant" Legislation
Changes
Historic Site
• Ballpark
Park River Access
Requested by Department of:
Mavrnr's 4F�FicC
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• . • , �i ��i� — —
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's Office
Nancy Haas 266-8527
isr eE on oounci� aceaon er �atF
December 4, 2002
11-25-02
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TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES 1
City Council approval of the 2003 City of Saint Paul Legislative Initiatives.
PLANNING COMMISSION
CIB COMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
GREEN SHEET
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Has this Wxso�im everwarketl undu a con6act for this deVartment7
VES NO
Has ihis o��rm ever been a aty emdovee�
YES NO
Dces tliis peisoMrtn possess a sloll not nortnelNG� bY arry curteM city empbyee�
YES NO
Is this personfirm a targeted vendoYt
YES NO
The City needs to hav eCouncil.approval of its legislative initiatives in order to
pursue those initiatives at the 2003 Legislature.
When approved, the initiatives package can be forwarded to the Saint Paul Legislative
Delegation for approval and introduction during the session.
None
The City would not be able to proceed with its legislative initiatives during the session.
otOUNT OF TRANSACTION S
SOURCE
INFORMATION (IXPWNj
COST/REVENUE BUDGETm (GRCLE OM�
ACTNITY NUMBER
YES NO
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City of Saint Paul
2003 Legislative Request
Proposal:
Department:
Staff Contact & Phone:
Amortization of Biliboazds
Council Member Pat Harris
Pat Harris, 651-266-8630
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l. Expiain this proposal.
Allow the City of St. Paui to use amor tization to, over time, remove billboazds.
Amortization allows for the taking of property in exchange for, not money, but continued
use for a certain amount of time. This proposai only applies to neighborhood billboazds.
Any boazd along a state or federal highway is protected by state and federal law and a
municipality is unable to touch it.
2.
3.
4.
What are the advantages if this proposai is approved?
This proposal would allow the City to eliminate run down billboards over time.
Identify known support for this proposal.
Local Community Groups. .
Identify knoR�n opposition to this proposal.
The Billboazd Industry and possibly the Chamber of Commerce.
ProPosal:
Department:
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City of Saint Paul
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2003 Legislative Request
Meeker Island Lock Historic SitelDesnoyer Park River Access
Parks and Recreation
Staff Contact & Phone: Bob Biersheid, 651-266-6409
1. Explain this proposal.
The first lock and dam built on the Mississippi, the Meeker Island Lock was abandoned
in 1912 but remains on the river bank today. It is the most significant historic site in the
river gorge, a part of the Mississippi National River and Recrearion Area (MNRRA)
administered by the Nationai Park Service.
Neglected for almost a cenhuy, the wooded bluff above the lock is overgrown, steep and
secluded. Difficult to police, it has become a magnet attracting drug trafficking and other
iilegal activities in to the Desnoyer Park residential neighborhood. Random footpaths
through he undergrowth trample native vegetation and cause erosion. As a result, area
residents haue avoided the azea and it has become a barrier between people and the river.
This appropriarion would be used to create a riverbank picnic area by the historic Meeker
Island I.ock site, and restore the Old Wagon Road as a footpath. The tree shaded picnic
area on the scenic riverbank by the lock will amact increased use by the public,
displacing iilegai activities and reducing damage to the river gorge ecosystem. The
eroded Old Wagon Road, which serviced the Meeker Island I.ock 100 yeazs ago, will be
restored as a safe, user-friendly footpath, reconnecting the public to MNRRA and its river
heritage and the city to its history.
2. What are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
Access to this important natural and historic resource will generate and sustain public
interest and commihnent. Without access the Meeker Island Lock Historic Site will soon
be forgotten again, and the Desnoyer Pazk bluff will remain in the neglected and
overgrown state that has made it a magnet for lawbreakers. Moreover, it will:
- Create access to the msot significant historic site in the Mississippi River Gorge, and
enhance public appreciation of our river history and heritage;
- Make better use of one of the most beautiful scenic and narival azeas in the Metropolitan
Area;
- Expand recreation opportunities in the Mississippi Narional River & Recreation Area
(MNRRA) administered by the National Park Service;
- Reduce erosion and ecological damage which may destroy the narival river bluff;
- Reduce iliegal activities in one of the Saint Paul's premier residential areas.
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3. Identify known snpport for this proposal.
Senator Dick Cohen, Congresswoman Betty McCollum,
Merriam Park Community Council, Parks and Recrearion,
Minnesota Nationai Park Service, Out Front Minnesota
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4. Identify known opposition to this proposal.
None.
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City of Saint Paul Legislative Agenda
2003 Initiatives
i. Local Government Aid
2. Como Park Conservatory
3. Phalen Roadway
4. Roy Wilkins
5. Housing
Work with state to help
minimi�e impact to St. Paul
2.7 million
8.0 million
4.0 million
Expand "North Quadrant"
Legislation
6. RiverCentre Technical Language Changes
• Crime Prevention Package
• Ballpark
O �- ����.
Proposal:
Department:
Staff Contact & Phone:
City of Saint Paul
2003 Legislative Request
I.ocal Government Aid
Office of Financial Services
Matt Smith, 266-8830
1. Explain this proposal.
When the 2003 Legislative Session begins, the State of Minnesota will likely face a
budget deficit of just over $3 billion dollars. Given this economy, reductions in aids to
units of local government will aimost certainly be reduced. Consequently, it is the City of
St. Paul's goal to participate eazly in the discussions with the Govemor, Commissioners
of Finance and Revenue, and Legislators to work out the details of what the reductions
may look like and the impacts they would have on local units of govemment. Obviously,
the City will work hard to minimize the negative effects such reductions could have on
St. Paul's finanical profile. In particular, we will work to ensure that state aid policies
adequately recognize the City's levy restraint over the past decade, the heavy
concentration of taY-exempt properties here, and the consequences for service and
(potential) tax levels if aid reductions are excessive.
2. What are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
Eazly and active participation in this process will increase the likelihood of a satisfactory
outcome for the City.
3. Identify known support for this proposal.
Association of Minnesota Municipalities and Leab e of Minnesota Cities will be
generally supportive of the City's engagement on this issue.
4. Identify known opposition to this proposal.
Potenrial conflicting agendas may materialize with suburban communities and with other
cities that would not benefit as much from state policies that protect cities with little or no
recent tax levy growth.
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CITY OF SAINT PAUL
2003 LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS
DIVISION OF PARIiB AND RECREATIOY
Proposal: S2.7M Bondin� for Completion of Como Conservatory Restoration
Departfuer:t: Division of Parks and Recreation; Como Zoo and Conservatory
Staff Cot:tact & Phone: 3anet Dieterich, #651-487-8241; Liz Anderson, #651-266-6410
1. Explain this proposal
This is a request for inclusion in the 2003 emergency bondin� bill to replace $2.7million
allocated by the 2002 legislature and vetoed by Govemor Ventura.
Background: This is the final bonding request for the Conservatory Restoration which was begun
in the 1980's. This includes replacement and expansion of the Fem Room, construction of an
Orchid House, expansion of the Bonsai Room and a renovated Children's Activity Zone.
2. �Vhat are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
Our actual request is to replace a city guaranteelloan made to the Como Zoo and Conservatory
because of the need to begin construction on schedule. It is our understanding that bidding in the
fall season tends to produce better results because this is the season that biddin� and projects are
slo�vin� down. If the proj ect is not approved it is the intention of Mayor Kelly to recommend
funding from the capitol projects bud�et which would defer or eliminate other needed city
projects.
Additionally, it will be considerably less expensive to concunently renovate the Conservatory at
the same time as the constniction of the Education Resource Center. Due to site constraints, it
would be extremely difficult to complete the Conservatory Restoration afrer the Education
Resource Center is built.
3. Identify known support for this proposal.
Legislators who represent the Como Park area have indicated support as well as gubematorial
candidate Senator Ro�er Moe and Speaker Steve Svi�gum. `Ve are in the process of contacting
local legislators as �vell as legislati��e leaders to ask for their support for this proposal.
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4. Identify known opposition to this proposal.
None known at this time although the state has a history of not granting bondin� funds to
localities who allocate dollars without state prior approval. Ho�vever, in this case, vetoed
legislation was so overwhelmin� and �vithout prior consultation, that the climate at the capitol
next year is expected to be more supportive than previously.
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City of Saint Paul
2003 Legislative Request
Proposal: Phalen Boulevard
Deparmtent: Public Works
Staff Contact & Phone: Paul St. Martin
651-266-6118
1. Explain this proposal:
Capital Bonding request of $8,000,000 for Phalen Boulevazd Project. The first phase of the
project, from I-35E to Payne Avenue, is funded and will be constructed in 2002-2003.
The requested funding will help fund the next phase of construction.
2. What are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
Phalen Boulevard is the backbone of the Phalen Corridor Initiative, a comprehensive project
which includes multi-modal transportation infrastructure improvements, economic development,
Brownfield Remediations, industrial redevelopment, job creation, workforce development,
housing and wetland restoration.
3. Identify known support for this proposal.
Over sixty (60) businesses, community groups and govemment agencies aze successfully
collaborating on this model projec[.
4. Tdentify known opposition to this proposal.
There is no known organized opposition to this proposal.
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City of Saint Paul
2003 Legislative Request
Proposal: $4 miilion State Bonding Request for improvements to the
Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Departnterit: RiverCentre
Staff Cont![Ct & Phone: Bili Huepenbecker, 651-265-4822
1. Eaplain this proposal.
$2.5 million of the requested $4 million dollazs would go to the items in the
attachment that include ADA compliance, upgrade the restrooms, and replace the
concession equipment. It will cost at least another $1.5 million to make upgrades
the e�ibit hall space including an improved treatment of the numerous support
columns. The $4 million does not include planning money.
2. What are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
It would make the winimum repairs and improvements to the Roy Wilkins
Auditorium to keep it open and viable for the next five yeazs.
3. Identify known support for this proposal.
RiverCentre
4. Identify known opposition to this proposal.
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City of Saint Paul
2002 Legislative Request
Proposal: Mixed Income and Mixed Housing Type TIFDistricts {�Iousing 5000}
Department: PED
Staff Contact & Phone: Robert Schreier 651266-6684
1. Explain this proposal. Housing TTF Districts do not readily accommodate the kinds of
mixed income projects that we have come to know are a much better approach to
affordable housin� production. Not only aze there sociological advantages to mixed
income proj ects but also financial reasons in that the market rate units can provide TIF to
finance the affordable units.
The TIF statutes limit the percentage of market rate units in a project. This limitation is
to strict and works against successful financing of affordable units. In addition, it is
difficult under current TIF le?islation to mix rental and ownership units in a TIF project.
In 2001, the legislature passed special legislation for St. Paul to accommodate both
concerns. This " North Quadrant " legislation has proved to be successful and should be
a model for the proposed legislation to be available for mixed income and mixed type
projects.
The formula for the " North Quadrant " legislation is at least 20% of units in TIF district
be occupied by low income persons at 50% of inedian, 60% of the units in TIF district be
occupied by moderate income persons at 115%, 20% no limits.
2. What are the advantages if this proposai is approved?
TIF toll enables us to develop more cost effective housing using TIF as a tool in rental
ownership combination.
3. Identify known support for this proposal.
Minnesota Association of Local Housing Fiance Agencies, Nahro , Chamber
4. Identify known opposition to this proposal.
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City of Saint Paul
2003 Legislative Request
PTOpOSIll: To update and consolidate into one location the previous
State Legisiative Session Laws pertaining to the operation
ofthe RiverCentre and the RiverCentre Authority Board
Department: RiverCentre
Staff ContaCt c� Phone: Bill Huepenbecker, 651-265-4822
Explain this proposal.
To make technical conections to consolidate and update the State Laws pertaining
to the RiverCentre and the RiverCentre Authority. The laws aze scattered
throughout many yeazs beginning in 1967. Some have.been amended and some
aze simply out-of-date including references to the Civic Center and Civic Center
Authority instead of RiverCentre and the RiverCentre Authority.
Another example is that currently the RiverCentre can accept gifts from
individuals or other governments but not from non-profits. We would add non-
profits to that list. This is specifically relevant because it would enable the
RiverCentre to solicit non-profits to help fund a tribute exhibit to Roy Wilkins.
2. What are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
It would consolidate the laws into one location and update references and make
other changes of a technical nature to nnprove the operations of the RiverCentre
and RiverCentre Authority.
3. Identify known support for this proposal.
RiverCentre
4. Identify known opposition to this proposal.
None
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Proposal:
Departmeat:
Staff Contact & Phone:
City of Saint Paul
2003 Legislative Request
Crime Prevention I,e�slative Package
Mayor's Office
Dennis Flaherty, 651-266-8510
1. Explain this proposal.
Both the House and Senate have expressed an interest in having a joint legislative
committee hearing to discuss issues relating to law enforcement with the City of
St. Paul and Minneapolis. The meeting will allow both cities to discuss what has
been working well for the cities relative to enforcement and prevention tools,
what things are not working so weli, and steps that the City and State could take
to help control the rate of crime and work to prevent and/or reduce crime in the
two metropolitan cities.
While this proposal does not contain specific iniatives at this rime, it is expected
that the Mayor and Police Chief will advise the committee about the use the city
has made with past state and city support from the Gang Strike Force, Overtune
from the Department of Public Safety, Auto Theft Prevention, as well as other
crime prevetion and intervention tools. Additionally, as a result of this meeting,
there may be some tools appropriate for additional state assistance, the contents of
which will be discussed at a later date.
►�
What are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
While this proposal does not contain specific initiatives at this time, it is
important for the city to have a fundamental level of support for ]aw enforcement
agencies and programs were funding has traditionally been passed along to the
City of St. Paul to assist with our local efforts. Additionally, it is imperative that
the ciry maintain a dialog with state decision makers on these issues.
3.
�
Identify known support for this proposal.
City of St. Paul, Other Law Enforcement Entities
Identify known opposition to this proposal.
None known at this time.
o�--���.
Proposal:
Department:
Staff Contact & Phone:
City of Saint Paul
2003 Legislative Request
Ballpark
Mayor's Office
Mayor Randy Kelly, 651-266-8510
1. Explain this proposal.
In the event the issue of the Twins Ballpazk resurfaces at the legislahxre during the
2003 session, the City remains supportive of constructing a new home for the
Twins in Saint Paul. Any commihnent on the City's part will be subject to
specifics of a 2003 proposal. However, having a placeholder for upcoming
legislative discussions is advantageous.
2. What are the advantages if this proposal is approved?
Inclusion of a general statement of support for a ballpazk reinforces to the
L.egislature that the Mayor, City Council, labor and business community remain
interested partners and proponents of ballpazk in St. Paul.
3. Identify known support for this proposal.
City of St. Paul, St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Paul Bar and
Restaurant Owners, Capital City Partnership, (grassroots organization) Touch `Em
All Saint Paul, Saint Paul Building Trades, Hotel and Restaurant Employees.
4. Identify known opposition to this proposal.
A limited number of groups have expressed concerns relative to the
implementation of the proposed food and liquor tases and event pazking
surcharge, the impact on the City's credit rating if the City issued debt to finance
its investment in the ballpark, and general opposition to public money invested in
a professional sports facility.