HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/02/20 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Study Session
February 20, 2007
6:30 PM
Westwood Room
Discussion Items
Approximate
Times
1. 6:30 pm Transportation Discussion
2. 7:10 pm Climate Projection Agreement
7:30 p.m. Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make
arrangements, please call the Administrative Services Department at (952) 924-2525 (TDD
(952) 924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 021207 - 1 - Transportation DiscussionTransportation Discussion
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1. Transportation Discussion Administrative Services
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
Council directed staff bring back the February 5, 2007 resolution (attached) for discussion and
asked staff to update Council about the TH 100 full build project.
Attachments: Resolution Requesting Comprehensive Road and Transit Funding in 2007
Prepared By: Marcia Honold, Management Assistant
Approved By: Nancy Gohman, Deputy City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 021207 - 1 - Transportation DiscussionTransportation Discussion
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RESOLUTION NO. 07-____
RESOLUTION REQUESTING
COMPREHENSIVE ROAD AND TRANSIT FUNDING IN 2007
WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient and adequately
funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and
WHEREAS, due to budget constraints, cities are increasingly deferring maintenance on
the over 39,000 lane miles under municipal jurisdiction of the 277,607 total lane miles in
Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highway and county projects
are onerous and are contributing to strains on city budgets; and
WHEREAS, existing local funding mechanisms, such as Municipal State Aid (MSA),
property taxes, special assessments and bonding, have limited applications, leaving cities unable
to adequately address growing transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, the recently approved constitutional amendment that phases in dedication
of 100 percent of the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) for transportation purposes will address
only a fraction of the transportation funding needs in Minnesota, and total MVST revenues are
not meeting projections; and
WHEREAS, transportation analysts in consultation with the Minnesota Department of
Transportation (MnDOT) estimate Minnesota will have to invest an additional $1.5 billion per
year in transportation infrastructure for the next ten years in order to meet identified needs; and
WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs
significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and
WHEREAS, lack of state funding has delayed regionally significant road construction
and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota’s transportation system is failing to meet the capacity needs
necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and
WHEREAS, congestion, inefficient transportation systems and lack of transportation
choices lead to greater dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental degradation, and
economic disadvantages for Minnesota’s businesses and residents; and
WHEREAS, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are not
meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; and
WHEREAS, current funding for roads and transit systems across all government levels
in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under-investment hinders Minnesota’s progress as a national
business, economic and civic leader.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 021207 - 1 - Transportation DiscussionTransportation Discussion
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
1) This Council requests that in 2007 the Minnesota Legislature pass a comprehensive
transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation;
and
2) This Council requests that in 2007 Governor Tim Pawlenty allow a comprehensive
transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation
that is passed by the Legislature to become law; and
3) This Council supports funding options including, but not limited to, the following:
• An increase in the gas tax;
• Indexing of the gas tax, provided there is a limit on how much the tax can be increased
for inflation in a given amount of time;
• Increases in vehicle registration taxes (a.k.a. license tab fees);
• Trunk highway bonding, provided the Legislature implements reasonable restrictions on
the amount of debt service the state will incur and provided the Legislature appropriates
funding to assist with local costs related to projects funded with trunk highway bonds;
• General obligation bonding for local roads and bridges, particularly for roads of regional
significance and to assist with local cost participation requirements pertaining to trunk
highway projects;
• Sales tax exemptions for state and local transportation construction projects; and
• New local funding tools, such as local option sales tax authority, expanded wheelage tax
authority and/or street utility authority; and
4) This Council defines a comprehensive transportation funding package as an initiative that
permanently increases dedicated funding for state and local road and transit systems in Greater
Minnesota and the Metropolitan Area.
Reviewed for Administration: Adopted by the City Council February 5, 2007
City Manager Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 022007 - 2 - Climate Protection AgreementClimate Protection Agreement
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2. U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Administrative Services
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To discuss the City Council’s interest in endorsing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement.
BACKGROUND:
In June of 2005 the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorsed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection
Agreement and urged all Mayors to participate. Mayors who sign the agreement make a
commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their own cities thru actions like increasing
energy efficiency, reducing vehicle miles traveled, maintaining healthy urban forests, reducing
sprawl and promoting the use of clean, renewable energy sources. Attached is a copy of the
Climate Protection Agreement.
As of January 18, 2007, 367 mayors from all 50 states have signed the agreement. Staff has been
told that 9 Minnesota cities have signed the agreement including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth,
Apple Valley, Eden Prairie, and Burnsville.
The Environmental Vision Action Team recommended the City join in on the Climate Protection
Agreement.
There appear to be at least several options available to us on how to proceed with this matter:
• Authorize endorsement of the Climate Protection Agreement.
• Direct staff to research and report back to Council on what the practical implications
might be to the City’s operation if the agreement were endorsed and we intended to live
up the spirit of the agreement.
• Decide to not endorse the agreement at this time
Attachments: U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
Prepared By: Marcia Honold, Management Assistant
Approved By: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 022007 - 2 - Climate Protection AgreementClimate Protection Agreement
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City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 022007 - 2 - Climate Protection AgreementClimate Protection Agreement
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City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 022007 - 2 - Climate Protection AgreementClimate Protection Agreement
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City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 022007 - 2 - Climate Protection AgreementClimate Protection Agreement
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City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 022007 - 2 - Climate Protection AgreementClimate Protection Agreement
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