HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988/02/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular 4a
MINUTES
MEETING WITH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
February 1 , 1988
1. Call to Order
Mayor Hanks called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. Roll Call
The following Council members were present: Bruce Battaglia, Allen Friedman,
Keith Meland, David Strand and Lyle Hanks.
Senator McQuaid and Representative Olsen were also in attendance. Others
present at the meeting included the City Manager, Assistant City Manager,
Administrative Assistant , legislative liaisons Robert Hentges and Carolyn
Anderson, and Dottie Rietow, Metropolitan Council .
3. Discussion of legislative issues
Senator McQuaid presented a list of legislative issues which are expected
to come up during the 1988 session. She said that a bill recodifying planning
statutes will be introduced. She asked the City Council to look at this
illi, legislation carefully because it includes some significant changes that could
affect the City of St. Louis Park.
Senator McQuaid also said that airport noise is expected to be an issue that
comes up at the Legislature.
Councilmember Strand asked if any discussion of reconfiguration of the routing
of air traffic would come up. Senator McQuaid responded that legislative
efforts might be to fine airlines for flights occurring after 11 :00 p.m.
Other issues which Senator McQuaid said might come up included county home
rule, fiscal programs to address state mandates, special service districts,
repeal of levy limits, and enabling legislation for local option taxes.
Senator McQuaid indicated that light rail transit would again be an issue
before the Legislature. She noted that some opposition groups are forming
in the Kenwood area and in Minnetonka. She encouraged St. Louis Park to take
a position in favor of light rail transit.
Senator McQuaid also discussed some of her concerns with the property tax
reform proposal that has been developed by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota
Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul . She said that 'this tax reform proposal
may heighten the tax burden on metropolitan property tax payers.
Representative Olsen told the Council that she was working on legislation
for mutual aid pacts. She also indicated that she has been a member of a
committee discussing ways of financing light rail transit. She reviewed some
of the options that are being considered.
Concerning food inspections currently conducted by the Department of Agriculture,
Representative Olsen said that Minnetonka is supporting an arrangement whereby
local health departments Would be responsible bor these inspections. She
r•
concern about the
indicated that St. Louis Park'sduplication of food inspections /
was shared by Minnetonka.
In response to a question from Councilmember Strand, there was a general
discussion of the property tax proposals that will be considered by the
Legislature. Some of the implications of the various proposals were also
discussed.
Mayor Hanks said that he was concerned about the perception that many of
the legislators have that St. Louis Park is a wealthy community. He said
it was important to emphasize the number of elderly residents who would be
affected by some of these tax changes and to present more factual information
about the actual value of homes located in St. Louis Park.
Councilmember Strand said that Councilmembers need to visit some of the tax
committee chairs to express our, views early in the session.
The Assistant City Manager and the legislative liaison were asked to prepare
discussion points on the property tax issue and to compile a list of legislators
with whom Councilmembers should visit.
The City Manager explained some of his concerns with recycling legislation
that has been drafted. He noted his concern about a beverage container deposit.
Imposing a deposit would be counterproductive to curbside recycling programs.
Dottie Rietow also indicated that this proposed legislation would raise money
by charging a $.O1 fee on every wrapped package sold by grocers, pharmacists
or other retail businesses.She said there was very little worked out on how
to actually implement this legislation. She also noted that many businesses
will be opposing this bill . She suggested that Councilmembers might want
to contact Jean Crampton with the St. Louis Park League of Women Voters.
She has been working on recycling issues with state legislators for a number
of years.
Representative Olsen distributed copies of the State Auditor's report on
St. Louis Park. She asked several questions about information presented in
the report.
4. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
R pectfully ubmi ted,
C:=2:
Sh ron G. Klumpp
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