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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />March 12, 1996 <br /> <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />AooQuncement'l and Updates. continued <br /> <br />Benke and Fulton attended the National League of Cities (NLC) Conference in <br />Washington, DC. The NLC spoke to Congress regarding the need to get beyond the <br />rhetoric and resolve budget issues so that cities can go about doing the public's business. <br />There is much frustration about the lack of movement on Capitol Hill. Also, Congress <br />passed a telecommunication bill which may have dramatic implications to cities. Pulton, <br />Benke, and representatives from Shoreview, Mounds view, and Arden Hills met with <br />Sen. Grams, Rep. Vento, and Sen. Wellstone's staff regarding the Twin Cities Army <br />Plant Reutilization and EP A funding for the MacGillis and Gibbs site. Wellstone and <br />Grams appear sympathetic to the remediation of the MacGillis and Gibbs site, but this <br />area will be hit hard by budget cut'l. Grams supports remediating a property consistent <br />with it'l ultimate land use. <br /> <br />The Minnesota Senate has recommended a property tax freeze for 1997. Benke does <br />not have a problem with constraining the budget even more, however, it appears this <br />recommendation involved only 15 minutes of discussion without opportunity t"br anyone <br />else to partake in the discussion. He questions the Legislature's priorities when they <br />spend weeks discussing feeding deer, but only 15 minutes on property tax reform. He <br />noted a Governors' representative who indicated that now local officials will be <br />encouraged to come to the table to talk about property tax reform. The Mayor noted <br />that the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) and himself have been arguing for property <br />tax reform for the last six to eight years, and it has been the Governor and Legislature <br />who have been unwilling to come to the table. He feels all City officials should be <br />offended by this statement. This discussion should give opportunity to let the public <br />know where the problems are; which is not in the city halls but at the State Capitol. <br />Larson supports Benke. Williams feels an organized approach should be initiated. <br />Benke will discuss the issue with the LMC. Williams feels the City should contact its <br />representatives in.'ltead of relying on the LMC to present our position. <br /> <br />A nnouncements and <br />Updates <br /> <br />NLC Conference <br /> <br />1997 Property Tax <br />Freeze <br /> <br />Fulton said US West has filed a petition regarding control over public rights-of-way <br />(ROW). The Telecommunication Act provides for communities to manage their own Public ROWS <br />ROWS and receive a fair compensation. US West feels the Public Utilities Commission <br />can better manage these ROWS. Fulton disagrees with that statement. <br /> <br />Gunderman requested a meeting be scheduled with the new Mounds View Schools <br />Superintendent. He noted the need for a follow-up letter to the school district regarding New Superintendent <br />the City's decision not to participate in the Sunnyside School expansion. <br /> <br />Adiournment <br /> <br />Motion bY_.~i!r.s<:m, seconded by Samuelson, to ADJOURN THE MEETING. <br />~. - - -- <br /> <br />5 A?es- - _~ ~~y~s, MDtion Carried. <br />Mtietitig.. ~'as ..!l4i';ll,lrnecfiit . 8: 40 p. m . <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ATTEST: <br /> <br />Adiournment <br />