HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.21.87 SM9
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MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL Modif lied.
7:00 P.M., Monday, December 21, 1987 Rej ecte
Council Chambers, Municipal Building Dees
SPECIAL MEETING- MAPLEWOOD LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION
Mayor John Greavu called the meeting to order at 7 :10 P.M. Present were
Councilmembers Anderson, Bastian, Greavu, Juker and Wasiluk.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the City's legislative concerns with
Maplewood's representatives. Representative Le,n Price was present. Senator
Bill Diessner arrived at 7 :12 P.M., and Senator Hughes at 9:03 P.M.
Topics discussed were:
A) 1987 Tax Laws - re: Volunteer Fire Fighters Pensions Wayne Lindahl and
Don Hoeve stated that the recent changes in State Tax Laws will have a
negative impact on Firemen's Pensions . Their concern is that because of
r these changes, it will be more difficult to attract fire fighters.
Request Change the tax laws so fire fighters' pensions are not
impacted.
B) St. Paul Water Board - The concern on this item is two -fold: 1) The
water treatment plant is located in Maplewood and over the years has
expanded and increased its impact on the neighborhood, which is mostly
single family residential. 2) Maplewood purchases most of its drinking
water from the St. Paul Water Utility and currently is paying retail
plus 20%.
Request Amend the State Statute that governs the Water Utility so as to
g i v e representation to the City where the water treatment pl ant is
located and have City representation based on volume.
C) Special Legislation for Park Availability Charge (P.A.C.)
Reque The City supports the passage of H.F. 12369
D) Special Legislation for Open Space Funding for Maplewood The City of
Maplewood is interested in Open Space land in the southern leg of the
city.
Req Special legislation to fund all or part of the cost of
acquisition and development of a 47 -acre s i t e located adjacent to Fish
Creek in the southern part of the City. The estimated acquisition costs
are $450,000 and development costs are $150,000 for a total estimated
cost of $600,000.
E) Fiscal Disparities Fiscal Disparities has a major impact on the City of
Maplewood. Without it, the City's mill rate would be 9% less.
Request The City supports legislation that will help to lessen the
negative impact the law has on Maplewood taxpayers.
F) Local Government Aids The City will receive $1,510,000 for L.G.A. which
is approximately 19% of the General Fund Budget. This represents a
decrease of $2,000 over 1987. If L.G.A. is to remain as one way of
holding down property taxes in Minnesota, then it should, as a minimum,
increase by a rate equivalent to inflation.
Another problem with L.G.A. is the disparity in the amounts received when
comparing one city to another. For example, Maplewood receives $53.00
per capita, whereas our neighbor St. Paul receives $143.00 per capita.
The L.G.A. formula should be revised to lessen this disparity and place
greater weight on population since people create the demand for City
Services.
Revue t The City of Maplewood requests legislation that more equitably
distributes Local Government Aid.
G) Levy Limits The levy l i m i t law should be repealed because it is an
infringement on local accountability. If the law is not repealed, it
should be modified so that yearly adjustments are based on the Implicit
Price Deflator, or 3 %, whichever is greater.
H) Mandates Over the years there have been numerous Legislative Mandates
on local government. Two of the most recent ones were: Chapter 509 -
.Stormwater Management, and Comparable Worth. The first will cost the
City in excess of $120,000 just to prepare the plan, the latter will cost
the City over $75,000 to implement.
Requ est That funding sources be granted to cities when future mandates
are adopted.
I) Metropolitan Council Concern over the authority of the Metropolitan
Council was discussed. No specific action was requested.
J) Truth in Housi g
Request Consideration be given to adopting a State law dealing with
used homes, commonly referred to as "Truth in Housing ".
K) Statewide Uniform Building Code There was a discussion as to why the
tate Uniform Building Code does not apply statewide. No specific action
was requested.
L) Dates for Changing Precinct Boundaries Precinct boundaries can be
adjusted only once every seven years. This may not be often enough for
cities that are increasing in population.
After a general discussion on various other.topics, this meeting was adjourned
at 9:12 P.M.