08-1275Council File # (�4, - � 21 �
Green Sheet#�n���-2 ,r
RESOLUTION
OF
Presented by
PAUL, MINNESOTA
I WHEREAS cities aze the front-line providers of important public services to our region and state, such as
2 police and fire protection, library services, pazks and recreation, housing and economic development; and
4 WHEREAS the combination of state aid reductions and changes to state properry t� laws in recent years
5 have meant substantial homeowner property tax increases in Saint Paul, and these property tax increases
6 aze unsustainable for our citizens; and
8 WHEREAS the Mayor and City Council have responsibly maintained and improved essential city services
9 during a time of reduced state support for our ciry's work; and
]0
11 WHEREAS the economy of 5aint Paul and the enUre state is reliant upon the State of Minnesota making
�z appropriate investments to construct and maintain transportation infrastructure; and that the efficient
13 movement of people and goods is a key state responsibility; and
]4
15 WHEREAS the Mayor and City Council are commitCed to securing additional funds for the Central
16 Corridox to support mitigation and community needs and are advocates for growth in a statewide nansif
1 � system including high speed rail connection from Chicago to the 3aint Paul Union Depot; and
18
19 WHEREAS the Capital City of Minnesota provides cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities
20 for the benefit of the entire state, and the state should partner with Saint Paul to improve opporiunities for
2] the citizenry through investment in the Minnesota Event District and capital infrastructure projects; and
22
23 WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul is a leader in promoting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions
24 and is working with the private sector to build cleaner, greener manufacturing plants to produce green
25 products; and
z5
27 WHEREAS the national foreclosure crisis is causing great stress on individuals and communities
28
29
30
31
32
throughout Saint Paul and the state; and
WHEREAS improving Saint Paul citizens' access to quality education and workforce opportunities is a
responsibility of the City; and
33 WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul continues to act with purpose, to ensure that our people can live and
34 work in a diverse, vibrant community with quality educational opporiunities, safe streets, thriving local
35 commerce and modern infrastructure; and that the eclectic character of our Great City provides
36 opportunities for all our citizens to participate fully in our society;
37
38 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following items are the legislative agenda of the City of Saint
39 Paul for the 2009 Minnesota legislative session:
40
��, ��.-�5
4] REVENUE
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Advocate improving the I,ocal Govemment Aid formula to restore previous cuts, reduce the yeaz-
to-year volatility of aid levels that cities receive and reform the formula to consider inflation in the
cost of providing city services.
Advocate for the repeal of levy limits scheduled for taxes payable in 201 Q and 201 L In absence of
a repeal, prevent extension beyond 2011, maintain existing special levp authority, maintain the
ability to adjust levies by 140% of any reductions in state aid, remove or increase the 3.9% cap on
inflation, and adjust inflation for household growth and commercialfindustrial new construction
growth from 50% to 100%.
53 • Advocate for state assistance to address the RiverCentre's immediate needs and to prepaze for
54 future capital projects in Minnesota's Event District. This includes forgiveness of the remaining 11
ss loan payments that the state required of the city as part of the Xcel Arena construction project.
56 Saint Paul has repaid $8,250,000 of $48 million owed through FY2008.
5�
58 • Advocate for a five year extension of the $3.5 million in STAR money to be used for debt service.
59
60 • Advocate for an extension of Saint Paul's authority to issue Capital Improvement Bonds, allow an
61 annual inflarionary adjustment In the masimum annuai dollar amount of capital projects that may
62 be financed through CIB, and extend the term for which CIB bonds may be offered to match the
63 expected life of the improvement which the bond sale will finance.
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
• Advocate for the repeal of sewer access charges currently required by Met Council.
• Advocate for fair and equitable distribution of new revenue as a result of the passage of the
consfitutional amendment Co fund conservarion, the environxnent, and the arts.
• Support the removal of the sales tax on all city purchases, including materials for public works,
public safety, and water distribution.
74 EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
�5
76
�7
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
• Advocate recommendations made by the Mayors' Crreen Jobs Initiative and the Green Jobs Task
Farce that will create and expand green jobs in Saint Paul with the overarching objectives to
espouse green manufacturing policies benefiting core cities and to achieve as much energy
e�ciency as possible.
• Support efforts to increase funding for job search assistance, skills training, childcare, and related
programs to help people find and retain employment.
• Support increases in the After School Community Learning Program as part of any education
funding increase enacted by the 2008 Legislature.
• Support renewal and expansion of pre-K allowance programs.
o��( ��5
g8
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
Support a$ i million request of the Ramsey County Workforce Investment Boazd for the Building
Lives program.
• Support permanent funding for the Power of You prob am.
• Support state funding for a statewide study of youth afterschool transportation needs and programs.
9� PUBLIC SAFETY
9s
49
] o0
ioi
102
]03
104
]OS
106
107
los
]09
1t0
111
112
113
]14
115
116
137
ll8
119
720
121
• Advocate reform of the processing of invalid license and no insurance cases in response to the
increase of such cases in the criminal justice system.
• Support legislation allowing cities to enact fire sprinkler requirements in new construction of single
family homes.
• Support leg}slation requiring all new full-time firefighters to be licensed by the Firefighter Standazd
and Training Board.
• Support establishment of a statewide mutual aid agreement between local public safety divisions.
• Support permanent state funding for the Survivor Resources Program administered by the Saint
Paul Police Department.
• Support efforts to provide specific state autharity for municipalities to enforce housing maintenance
codes in light of Minnesota Supreme Court decision Morris v. SaY.
• Support passage of the Minnesota Disaster Ass3stance Reform Act, including establishment of a
State of Minnesota Disaster Public Assistance Program.
• Oppose legislation establishing a Minnesota Board of Residential Conshuction.
122 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY STABILITY
123
�24 . Advocate for additional Central Corridor funds not recognized in the current federal funding
125 formula, including streetscape, business mitigation, affordable housing, parking mitigation, and
126 other related costs. This advocacy may include support for a redevelopment district or value-
127 capture district.
12s
129
130
131
132
133
134
• Advocate for renewed fixnding for the Targeted Neighborhood Revitalization Program to provide
sufficient, flexible funding for cities that have neighborhoods with substantial numbers of vacant,
dilapidated buildings.
� Advocate for stable statewide funding to address neighborhood recovery, housing preservation, and
increased a£fordable housing supply as a direct result of the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Support
�,�� a��
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
collaborations with Minnesota Housing Partnership, Minnesota Foreclosure Prevention Council and
others on priority housing issues, including:
o Restoring housing mazkets in communities ravaged by foreclosures;
o Rehabilitating vacant and abandoned houses for economic recovery; and
o Providing a housing safety net for vulnerable home owners.
142 • Support expansion of programs to provide low cost financing to improve the energy efficiency of
i43 existing homes and buildings, particularly those in low and moderate income communities hit by
144 the foreclosurelvacant housing crisis. This may also include working with utilities on shut-off
t45 notifications and access to homeowners prior to April 15.
146
147 • Support limited and targeted use of eminent domain in distressed neighborhoods with heavy
148 concentrations of vacant and foreclosed taouses andlor commercial properties as a result of the
149 mortgage foreclosure crisis.
150
151
152
153
isa
155
I56
t57
t58
159
160
161
• Support incentives allowing the Ford Plant to continue operations, retention of employees and job
growth opportunities, such as research into hybrid vehicles or other green manufacturing functions.
� Support state funding for University Enterprise Laboratories.
• Support dedicated state funding for programs at the Department of Employment and Economic
Development focusing on women and minority-owned businesses, redevelopment areas, and transit
improvement azeas.
• Support funding for operations and maintenance of regional parks.
162 • Support incentives, mandates, and policies that increase solar and thermal production fQr public and
163 private entities in conjunction with the Solar Energy Grant awarded Saint Paul and Minneapolis by
164 the US Department of Energy.
165
166
167 TRAN5PORTATION
168
169 • Support Met CounciPs $10 million request for Central Corridor funding to complete the state's
170 10°l0 obligation for light rail construction costs.
171
172 The City will continue to work with Met Council as the principal agency to ensure all the needs of
] 73 Saint Paul residents are met throughout the process of developing and building the Central Corridor
174 inciuding — but not limited to — supporting a sufficient number and placement of stops to maximize
1�5 the line's sociai and economic benefits to the region and to the neighborhoods adjacent to the
176 corridor.
177
] 78 • Support funding or capital investment for the following transportation projects:
179 o Union Depot -$9 miliion (Ramsey County);
1 so o Rush Line Corridor -$1 million (Ramsey County);
t81 o Red Rock Corridor -$2 million (Washington County);
Og-12�'
182
183
]84
185
]86
187
188
389
190
191
o High Speed Rail from Chicago to Union Depot -$10 million (Washington County);
o I-94 Corridor -$1 million (Washington Counry); and
o Robert Street Corridor -$1 million (Dakota County)
• Support MuDOT's efforts in continued maintenance funding and other additional resources to
better meet the department's needs.
• Support changing state law to give local governments the ability to reduce the default speed limit
on residential streets from 30 mph to 25 mph.
192 • Support enactment of a statewide Compiete Streets policy, requiring that all new and reconstructed
193 streets accommodate all users of those streets, including motor vehicies, pedestrians, bicycles, and
t 94 people in wheelchairs.
195
196
197
198
199
200
• Support funding of a statewide effort to educate motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians about the
rules of the road and best practices in order to increase safety and decrease crashes, injuries, and
fatalities.
201 CAPITAL INVE5TMENT
2oz
203 • Advocate for Testorafion of all bonding projects line-item vetoed by GovernoT Pawlenty in the first
204 20Q8 bonding bill, including $11 million for Como Zoo rehabilitations, $5 million far construction
205 of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center, and planning dollars for the Saint Paul Outdoor Recreation
2os and Team Sports Initiafive.
20�
208 • Support Riverfront Corporation's request of $3.8 million in bonding for Upper Landing.
209
210
zl i GENERAL MUNICIPAL ADVOCACY
2tz
213
214
215
216
217
218
• Suppart the 20041egislative agendas of the League of Minnesota Cities, MetroCiues, Ramsey
County, and St. Paul Public School District 625, except in cases of conflict.
• Support a state demonstration project in the City of Saint Paul as a pTeciusor to ensuring that all
children in the state have access to adequate health insurance.
219 • Support the rights of ciries to manage their operations without inappropriate interference from the
220 state. The state should not attempt to coerce cities to change their ordinances by threatening to hold
221 property tax relief far city residents. Loca1 voters are the appropriate authority to hold local
222 govemments accountabie for their ordinances.
o �,��-��
223
Bostrom
Car[er
Harris
Thune
Requested by Deparnnent o£
By:
Approved by the O�ce of Financial Services
By:
Approved by City Attomey
II I/o I L! I I N By:
Adopted by Council: Date ���3�//� Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
Adoption Certified by Co ci] Secretary By;
By: �
Approv y N�'a . ate L
By:
� Green Sheet Green Sheet
Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet �
��--/�7 !"i
DepartmenUOFfice�Councii: Dateinitiated: GPP.P+I� Slleet NO 3063335
CO -Council 12-NOV-OS
CoMact P¢rson & Phone: Deuartment Sent To Person InR7aVDate
Nhia Va�A y o oancl �
6-8566 1 oonN De ardmentD'uector
Assign 2 ' Ciuk (.ti Clerk
Must Be oa Council Agenda by (Date): Num6er 3 �
For 4 �
Routing
Doc.Type:RESOLUTION Order 5 �
E-Document Required: Y
Dowment ContacY: Donna Sanders
Coatact Pho�e: 6-8653
Tobl # of Signature Pages _(Clip All Locations for Signature)
Action Requested:
Approva! of the 2009 City of Saint Paui Legislative Agenda.
Recommendatio�s: Approve (A) or Reject (R): Personal Service Contracts Must Answer the Following Questio�:
Planning Commission
t. Has this persoNfirm ever worked untler a confracf for this department?
CIB Committee Yes No
Civil Service Commission 2. Has this persoNfirtn ever been a city employee?
Yes No
3. �oes this person/firm possess a skill not normally possessed by any
current city employee?
Yes No
Expiain all yes answers on separate sheet and attach to green sheet.
Initiating Problem, Issues, Opportunity (4Vho, What, Wnen, Where, Why):
Ativantages If Approved:
Disadvantages If Approved:
Disadvantages If Not Approvetl:
ToWI Amount of
Transaction: CosURevenue Budgeted:
Funding Source: Activity Number:
Financial Information:
(Exptain)
November 12, 2008 4:09 PM Page 1
Substitute 12/03/2008
Council F11e #08-1275
Green Sheet # 3063335
RESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Presented by Councilmember Lee Helgen (NOTE: See sigued resolutionJ
1 WI�REAS cities are the front-line providers of important public services to our region and state, such as
2 police and fue protection, librazy services, pazks and recreation, housing and economic development; and
3
4 WHEREAS the combination of state aid reductions and changes to state property tax laws in recent years
5 have meant substantial homeowner property tax increases in Saint Paul, and these property tax increases
6 are unsustainable for our citizens; and
8 WHEREAS the Mayor and City Council have responsibly maintained and improved essential city services
9 during a time of reduced state support for our city's work; and
io
11 WHEREAS the economy of Saint Paul and the entire state is reliant upon the SCate of Minnesota making
12 appropriate investments to construct and maintain transportation infrasuucture; and that the efficient
13 movement of people and goods is a key state responsibility; and
14
15 WHEREAS the Mayor and City Council are commiCted to secuxing addirional funds for the Central
16 Corridor I�^'"�� to support mitigation and community needs and aze advocates for growth in a
17 statewide transit system including high speed rail connection from Chicago to the Saint Paul Union Depot;
18 and
19
20 WHEREAS Che Capital City of Minnesota provides cultural, educational and enterfainment opportunities
21 for the benefit to the entire state, and the state should parmer with Saint Paul to improve opportuniries for
22 the citizenry through investment in the Minnesota Event District and capital infrastructure projects; and
23
24
25
26
?7
28
29
30
31
32
33
WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul is a leadez in piomoting projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and is worldng with the private sector to build cleaner, greener manufacturing plants to produce green
products; and
WHEREAS the national foreclosure crisis is causing great stress on individuals and communities
throughout Saint Paul and the state; and
WHEREAS improving Saint Paul citizens' access to quality education and workforce opportunities is a
responsibility of the City; and
3a WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul continues to act with purpose, to ensure that our people can live and
35 work in a diverse, vibrant community with quality educational opportunities, safe streets, thriving local
36 commerce and modern infrastructure; and that the eclectic character of our Great City provides
37 opportunities for all our citizens to participate fully in our society;
3S
39 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following items are the legislauve agenda of the City of Saint
4o Paul for the 2009 Minnesota legislative session:
o��(��
....,�
43 • Advocate improving the Local Government Aid formula to restore prevlous cuts, reduce the year-
4a to-yeaz volatility of aid levels that cities receive and reform the fozmula to consider inflation in the
45 cost of providing city services.
46
47 • Advocate for the repeal of levy limits scheduled for taxes payable in 2010 and 2011. In absence of
48 a repeal, prevent extension beyond 201 l, maintain existing special levy authority, maintain the
49 ability adjust levies by 100% of any reductions in state aid, remove or increase the 3.9% cap on
50 inflation, and adjust inflation for household growth and commerciaUindustrial new construction
51 growth from 50% to 100%.
52
53 • Advocate for state assistance to address the RiverCentre's immediate needs and to prepare for
Sa futuie capital projects in Minnesota's Event District. This includes forgiveness of the xemaining ll
55 loan payments that the state required of the city as part of the Xcel Arena construction project.
56 Saint Paul has repaid $8,250,000 of $48 million owed through FY2008.
57
58 • Advocate for a five yeaz extension of the $3.5 million in STAR monev to be used for debt service.
59
60 • Advocate for an extension of Saint PauPs authority to issue Capital Improvement Bonds, allow an
61 annual inflationary adjustment in the maximum annual dollar amount of capital projects that may
62 be financed through CIB, and extend the term for which CIB bonds may be offered to match the
63 expected life of the impiovement which the bond sale will finance.
64
65 • Advocate for the repeal of sewer access charges currently Tequired by Met Council.
b6
67 • Advocate for fair and equitable distribution of new xevenue as a zesult of the passage of the
68 constitutional amendment to fund conservation, the envlronment, and the arts.
69
70 • Support the removal of the sales tax on all city purchases, including materials for public works,
7� public safety, and water distribution.
72
73
�a EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
�s
76 • Advocate recommendations made by the Mayors' Grezn Jobs Initiative and the Green Jobs Task
77 Force that will create and expand green jobs in 5aint Paul with the overazching objectives to
78 espouse green manufacturing policies benefiting core cities and to achieve as much energy
79 efficiency as possible.
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
• Support efforts to increase funding for job seazah assistance, skills training, childcaze, and related
programs to help people find and retain employment.
• Support lncreases in the Afrer School Community Learning Program as part of any education
funding increase enacted by the 2008 Legislature.
• Support renewal and expansion of pre-K allowance programs.
����a�5
as
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
• Support a$1 million request of the Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board for the Building
Lives program.
• Support permanent funding for the Power of You program.
• Support siate funding for a statewide study of youth afterschool [ransportation needs and programs.
9� PUBLIC SAFETY
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
]05
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
I15
116
117
118
119
120
iai
• Advocate reform of the processing of invalid license and no insurance cases in response to the
increase of such cases in the criminal justice system.
• Support legislation allowing Cities to enact fire sprinkler requirements in new construction of
single family homes.
• Support legislation requiring all new full-rime fixefighters to be ]icensed by the Firefightei Standard
and Training Board.
• Support establishment of a statewide mutual aid agreement between local public safety divisions.
• Support permanent state funding for the Survivor Resources Program administered by the Saint
Paul Police Department.
• Support efforts to provide specific state authority for municipalities to enforce housing maintenance
codes in light of Minnesota Supreme Court decision Morris v. Sas.
• Support passage of the Minnesota Disaster Assistance Reform Act, including establishment of a
State of Minnesota Disaster Public Assistance Program.
• Oppose legislation establishing a Minnesota Board of Residential Construction.
122 ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY 5TABILITY
123
124 • Advocate for additionai Central Conidor funds not recognized in the current federal funding
125 formula, including streetscape, business mitigation, affordable housing, pazkin- mi6 a*tion, and
126 other related costs. This advocacy may include support for a redevelopment district or value-
127 capture district.
128
129 • Advocate for renewed funding for the Targeted Neighborhood Revitalization Program to provide
130 suf�cient, flexible funding for cities that have neighborhoods with substantial numbers of vacant,
131 dilapidated buildings.
132
133 • Advoaate fox stable statewide funding to address neighborhood recovery, housing preservarion, and
134 increased affordable housing supply as a direct resalt of the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Support
o�- I ���
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
collaborations with Minnesota Housing Partnership, Minnesota Foreclosure Prevention Council and
others on priority housing issues, including:
o Restoring housing mazkets in communities ravaged by foreclosures;
o Rehabilitating vacant and abandoned houses for economic recovery; and
o Providing a housing safety net for vulnerable home owners.
146 • Support expansion of aro�rams to orovide low cost financing to im�rove the energy efficienc�of
la7 existing homes and buildin�s,particularlv those in low and moderate income communities hit by
148 the fareclosurelvacant housine crisis. This may also include workina with urilities on shut-off
149 notifications and access to homeowners prior to A�ril 15.
150
151 • Support limited and tazgeted use of eminent domain in distressed neighborhoods with heavy
152 concentrations of vacant and foreclosed houses and/or commercial properties as a result of the
153 mortgage foreclosuie crisis.
154
155
156
157
158
159
• Support incenuves allowing the Ford Plant to continue operations, retention of employees and job
growth opportunities, such as reseazch into hybrid vehicles or other green manufacturing functions.
• Support state funding for Universiry Enterprise Laborataxies.
t60 • Support dedicated state funding for programs at the Department of Employment and Economic
161 Development focusing on women and minority-owned businesses, redevelopment areas, and transii
162 improvement areas.
163
16a • Support funding for operations and maintenance of regional parks.
165
166 • Support incentives mandates andpolicies that increase solar and thermal productlon for public and
167 private entities in coniuncrion with the Solar Energv Grant awarded Saint Paul and Minneapolis bv
168 the US Department of Energy.
lb9
170
i91 TRANSPORTATION
172
173
174
175
176
177
173
179
I80
181
• Support Met Council's $10 million request for Central Corridor funding to complete the state's
10% obligation for light rail construction costs.
The City will continue to work with Met Council as the principal agency to ensure all the needs of
Saint Paul residents are met throughout the process of developing and building the Central Corridor
including — but not limited to — supporting a sufficient number and glacement of stops to maximize
the line's social and economic benefits to the region and to the neighborhoods adjacent to the
conidor.
�� l �'��
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
]94
195
Support funding or capital investrnent for the following transportation projects:
o Union Depot -$9 million (Ramsey County�;
o Rush Line Corridor -$1 million (Ramsey County);
o Red Rock Cocridor -$2 million (Washington County};
o High 5peed Rail from Chicago to Union Depot -$10 million (Washington County);
o I-94 Corridor -$1 million (Washington County); and
o Robert Street Corridor -$1 milllon (Dakota County)
• 5upport MnDOT's efforts in continued maintenance funding and other additional resources to
better meet the department's needs.
• Support chaneina state law to aive local eovernments the abilitv to reduce the default speed limit
on residential streets from 30 moh to 25 mph
196 • Support enactment of a statewide Comolete Stxeets �olicv, requirin� that all new and reconstructed
197 streets accommodate all users of those streets, including motor vehicles, pedestrians bicycles and
198 people in wheelchairs.
199
200 • Support fundine of a statewide effort to educate motorists, bicvclists and pedestrians about the
2oi rules of the zoad and best practices in order to increase safetv and decrease crashes injuries and
202 fatalities.
203
204
2os CAPITAL INVESTMENT
206
207
208
209
2t0
211
212
213
Advocate far restoration of all bonding projects line-item vetoed by Govemor Pawlenty in the fust
2�08 bonding bill, including $11 million for Como Zoo rehabilitations and $5 million for
construction of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center- and plannin¢ dollars for the Saint Paul Outdoor
Recreation and Team Suorts Initiative.
• Support Riverfront Corporation's request of $3.8 million in bonding for Upper Landing.
2i4 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ADVOCACY
zis
216
217
218
219
220
221
• Support the 2009 legisiative agendas of the League of Minnesota Cities and MetroCities, amse
County, and St. Paul Public School District 625, except in cases of conflict.
• Support a state demonstration project in the City of Saint Pau1 as a precursor to ensuring that all
childien in the state have access to adequate health insurance.
222 • Support the rights of cities to manage their operations without inappropriate interference from the
223 state. The state should not attempt to coetce ciries to change their Qrdinances by tlueatening to hold
224 property taY telief for city residents. Local voters are the appropriate authority to hold local
225 governments accountable for their ordinances.
bg � 12�� 5 �
226
Adoptiou Certified by CQUnci1 Secretary
By:
Requested by Department of:
By:
Approved by the Office of Fina�cial Services
By:
Approved by City Attorney
By:
Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
By:
Approved by Mayor: Date
By:
Adopted by Cwncil: Date
Council File # Q� /a�j
Green Sheet# 3063335
RESOLIlTION
by
CITY OF
l3
M{NNESOTA
1 WHEREA ities ue the front-line providers of important public services to ow region and state, such as
2 police and fire otection, library services, parks and recreation, housing and economic development; and
a WHEREAS the co�'
5 have meant substanti
b aze unsustainable for
of state aid reductions and changes to state property tax laws in recent years
�wner property tax increases in Saint Paul, and these property tax increases
;ens: and
8 WHEREAS the Mayor and Ci Council have responsibly maintained and improved essential city services
9 during a time of reduced state su ort for our city's work; and
]0
11 WHEREAS the economy of Saint Pau d the entire state is reliant upon the State of Minnesota making
12 appropriate investments to construct and aintain transportation infrastructure; and that the efficient
13 movement of people and goods is a key stat esponsibility; and
14
15 WHEREAS the Mayor and City Council are com itted to securing additional funds for the Central
16 Conidor Light Rail Line to support mitigation and c unitq needs and are advocates far growth in a
17 statewide transit system including high speed rail co ction from Chicago to the Saint Paul Union Depot;
18 and
19
20 WHEREAS the Capital City of Minnesota provides cultural, ucational and entertainment opportunities
21 for the benefit to the entire state, and the state should partner wi Saint Paul to improve opportunities for
22 the citizenry through investment in the Minnesota Event District a capital infrastructure projects; and
23
24 WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul is a leader in promoting projects
25 and is warking with the private sector to build cleaner, greener mar
26 products; and
27
2s WHEREAS the national foreclosure crisis is causing great stress on
29 throughouC Saint Paul and the state; and
30
3t WHEREAS improving Saint Paul citizens' access to quality education and
32 responsibility of the City; and
33
; greenY�ouse gas emissions
plants to produce green
communities
is a
34 WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul continues to act with purpose, to ensure that our people an live and
35 work in a diverse, vibrant community with quality educational opportunities, safe streets, t ing local
36 commerce and modem infrashucture; and that the eclectic character of our Crreat City provide
37 opportunities for all our citizens to participate fully in our society;
38
39 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following items are the legislative agenda of the City o Sa
4o Paul for the 2009 Minnesota legislative session:
41
A
a� ra��
89
90
9t
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
l00
l0]
� 02
]03
104
]O5
106
107
108
109
llo
]]1
112
113
114
115
116
117
I�s
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
• Support a$1 million request of the Ramsey County Workforce Tnvestment Board for the Buiiding
Lives program.
Support permanent funding for the Power of You program.
PUBLIC
state funding for a statewide study of youth afterschool transportation needs and programs.
• Advocate refo3i� of the processing of invalid license and no insurance cases in response to the
increase of such c�ses in the criminal justice system.
• Support legislation a
single family homes.
• Support legisiation requiring
and Training Board.
• Support estabiishment of a
aid agreement between local public safety divisions.
• Support permanent state fund3ng far the ivor Resoutces Program administered by the Saint
Paul Police Department.
• Support efforts to provide specific state authorit for municipalities to enfoTCe housing maintenance
codes in light of Minnesota Supreme Court decisi Morris v. Sax.
• Support passage of the Minnesota Disaster Assistance eform Act, including establislunent of a
State of Minnesota Disaster Public Assistance Program.
• Oppose legislation establishing a Minnesota Board of Reside?�tial Construction.
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY STABILITY
• Advocate far additionai Cenhai Corridor funds not recognized in the c ent federal funding
formula, including streetscape, business mitigation, affordable housing, other related costs.
This advocacy may include support for a redevelopment district or value-c ture district.
• Advocate for renewed funding far the Tazgeted Neighborhood Revitalization P gram to provide
sufficient, flexible funding for cities that have neighborhoods with substantial nu bers of vacant,
dilapidated buildings.
t 31 • Advocate for stable statewide funding to address neighborhood recovery, housing presd
132 increased affordable housing supply as a direct result of the mortgage foreclosure crisis.
133 collabarations with Minnesota Housing Partnership, Minnesota Foreclosure Prevention
134 others on priority housing issues, including:
Cities to enact fire sprinkler requirements in new conshvction of
new full-ume firefighters to be licensed by the Firefighter Standazd
�
and
o� ���5
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isl
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o Restoring housing markets in communities ravaged by foreclosures;
o Rehabilitating vacant and abandoned houses for economic recovery; and
o Providing a housing safety net for winerable home owners.
• Supp rt energy assistance to homeowners through the improvement of notification of utility shut
off to al units of government prior to the April 15 deadline, allowing cities the opportunity to
provide istance to those homeowners, including mortgage foreclosure support.
� Support limit and targeted use of eminent domain in distressed neighborhoods with heavy
concentrations o vacant and foreclosed houses andlor commercial properties as a result of the
mortgage foreclos crisis.
• Support incentives allo � g the Ford Plant to continue operations, retention of employees and job
growth oppomu�iries, such s research into hybrid vehicles or other gxeen manufacturing functions.
• Support state funding for Univ ity Enterprise Laboratories.
• Support dedicated state funding for ograms at the Dapartment of Employment and Economic
Development focusing on women an inority-owned businesses, redevelopment areas, and transit
improvement areas.
• Support funding for operations and
of segional parks.
TRANSPORTATION
• Support Met Council's $10 million request for
10% obligation for light raii construction costs.
funding to complete the state's
The City will continue to work with Met Council as the pri ipal agency to ensure all the needs of
Saint Paui residents are met throughout the process of develo 'ng and building the Central Corcidor
including — but not limited to — supporting a sufficient number d placement of stops to maximize
the line's social and economic benefits to the region and to the n' hborhoods adjacent to the
conidor.
• Support funding or capitai investment for the following transportation�i
o Rush Line Corridor -$1 miliion (Ramsey County);
o Red Rock Corridor -$2 million (Washington County);
o High Speed Rail from Chicago to Union Depot -$10 million (W
o I-94 Corridor -$1 million (Washington County); and
o Robert Street Corridor -$1 million (Dakota County)
• Support MnDOT's efforts in continued maintenance funding and other additional
better meet the departmenYs needs.
County);
to
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AL INVESTMENT
• Advocate for restoration of all bonding projects line-item vetoed by Governor Pawlenty in the first
08 bonding bi11, including $11 million for Como Zoo rehabilitations and $5 million for
co truction of the Asian Pacific Cultural Center.
• Suppo Riverfront Corporation's request of $3.8 million in bonding for Upper Landing.
GENERAL M CIPAL ADVOCACY
• Support the 2 9 legislative agendas of the League of Minnesota Cities and MetroCities, except in
cases of conflict.
• Support a state demdqstration project in the City of Saint Paul as a precursor to ensuring that all
children in the state hake access to adequate health insurance.
• Support the rights of cities manage their operations without inappropriate interference from the
state. The state should not a mpt to coerce cities to change their ordinances by threatening to hold
property taY relief for city resi nts. Local voters are the appropriate authority to hold local
governments accountable for the ordinances.
Yeas Nays Absent
Bostrom
Carter
Han'is
Helgen
Lantry
Stark
Thune
Adopted by Council: Date
Adoption Certified by Counci] Secretary
By:
Approved by Mayor: Date
By:
Aequested by De1 artment of
By:
Approved by the Office o inancial Services
By:
Approved by City Attorney
By: \
Apptoved by Mayor for Submission
By:
Council
Q�3-�2��5
42 REVENUE
43
44 � Advocate improving the Local Government Aid formula to restore previous cuts, reduce the yeaz-
45 to-yeaz volatility of aid levels that cities receive and reform the formula to consider inflation in the
a6 cost of providing city services.
47
48
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50
51
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53
Advocate for the repeal of levy limits scheduled for taxes payable in 2010 and 2011. In absence of
a repeal, prevent extension beyond 2011, maintain existing special levy authority, maintain the
ability adjust levies by 100% of any reducrions in state aid, remove ot increase the 3.9% cap on
inflation, and adjust inflation far household growth and commercial/industrial new construction
growth from 50% to 100%.
54 � Advocate for state assistance to address the RiverCentre's immediate needs and to prepare for
55 future capital projects in Minnesota's Event Distriat. This includes forgiveness of the remaining 11
56 loan payments that the state required of the city as part of the Xcel Arena construction project.
57 Saint Paul has repaid $8,250,000 of $48 million owed through FY2008.
ss
S9 • Advocate for an extension of Saint PauPs authority to issue Capital Improvement Bonds, allow an
60 annual inflationary adjustment in the m�imum annual dollar amount of capital projects that may
61 be financed through CIB, and extend the term for which CIB bonds may be ofFered to match the
62 expected life of the improvement which the bond sale will finance.
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• Advocate for the repeal of sewer access chazges currently required by Met Council.
• Advocate for fair and equitable distribution of new revenue as a result of the passage of the
constitutional amendment to fund conservation, the environment, and the arts.
• Support the removal of the sales tax on all city purchases, including mateTials for pubiic woxks,
public safeCy, and water distribution.
�s EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
7a
75 • Advocate xecommendations made by the Mayors' Green Jobs Initiative and the Green Jobs Task
76 Force that will create and expand green jobs in Saint Paul with the overarching objectives to
77 espouse green manufacturing policies benefiting core cities and to achieve as much energy
7s efficiency as possible.
79
so
s�
s?
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• Support efforts to increase funding for job seazch assistance, skilis training, childcare, and related
programs to help people find and retain employment.
• Support increases in the After School Community Learning Program as part of any education
funding increase enacted by the 2008 Legislature.
• Support renewal and expansion of pre-K allowance programs.