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<br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />I <br /> <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />June 10. 1991 <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />Council Business <br /> <br />Benke said legislation has been adopted which provides for enactment of a <br />1/2 % local option sales tax. The revenues will go into the State general <br />fund and portions will be used to fund various parts of the State budget, <br />including aid to cities. The new tax will be on items currently taxed. <br /> <br />The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners is requesting its cities adopt <br />a resolution of support. Failure by a county to support the tax would <br />mean substantial revenue loss for a county and all its cities. Property <br />taxes would need to be raised to compensate for the lost revenues. <br /> <br />Even though it is called a local option tax, it will primarily fund State <br />programs, not local city services. Without passage, cities would <br />experience harsh impacts to homestead credit and local government aid. <br /> <br />Rebelein noted that New Brighton is not adopting the tax. but only <br />acknowledging to the County Board that there is no choice other than to <br />support its enactment. <br /> <br />Gunderman understands the ramifications in not adopting the tax, but <br />feels cities are being blackmailed into its adoption. larson agrees that <br />cities are being blackmailed into complying with this tax. <br /> <br />The League of Minnesota Cities (lMC) recommends city officials support <br />their county boards because basically there is no other choice. Most of <br />the county boards throughout the State are programmed to enact the tax. <br /> <br />Rebelein is insulted as a resident and taxpayer that this state tax is <br />presented in a convoluted manner so that local governments appear to <br />promote it. Benke said Rebelein's feeling is shared by many and foresees <br />an increased awareness in Truth in Taxation. Rebelein said the adoption <br />of the Ramsey County Charter is not in any way related to the tax's <br />enactment. <br /> <br />Motion by Gunderman, seconded by Rebelein, to WAIVE THE READING <br />AND ADOPT THE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ENACTMENT OF THE <br />1/2% LOCAL SALES TAX BY THE RAMSEY COUNTY BOARD OF <br />COMMISSIONERS; AND DIRECT THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO <br />PREPARE A LETTER OF PROTEST TO THE GOVERNOR AND NEW <br />BRIGHTON LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES. <br /> <br />4 Ayes ~ 0 Nayes, Motion Carried. <br /> <br />City Engineer les Proper said designs for the Sunnyside Improvement <br />Project are complete and construction has begun. with the exception of an <br />area on the west end of Valley View Lane. A petition was received <br />regarding design of an existing median on the west end of Valley View. <br />Council asked staff to meet with residents to discuss alternative designs. <br /> <br />Staff and residents met on June 3 and discussed safety, parking, <br />maintenance, aesthetics, and tree removal. By the end of the meeting <br />there appeared to be conflict on what the design should be. <br /> <br />Counqil Business <br /> <br />1 /2 % local <br />Option Sales Tax <br />Report 91-132 <br />Resolution 91-058 <br /> <br />Final Design of <br />West Portion of <br />Valley View <br />Report 91-133 <br />