HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-019 (Support of Legislative Authorization for Approval of a Local Sales and Use Tax to Fund etc)City of Stillwater
Washington County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION 2023-019
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATIVE AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROVAL
OF A LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX TO FUND SPECIFIC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PROVIDING REGIONAL BENEFIT, TO ESTABLISH THE DURATION OF THE TAX AND
THE REVENUE TO BE RAISED BY THE TAX, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO
ISSUE BONDS SUPPORTED BY THE SALES TAX
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section 297A.99, authorizes the imposition of a
general sales tax if permitted by special law of the Minnesota Legislature and requires
that before requesting legislative approval of a special law for a local sales and use tax,
the City Council must indicate its approval of the tax; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Stillwater, Minnesota ("City") has
identified the Riverfront Improvement Project to be funded with revenue from a general
sales and use tax (collectively, the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, there are three parks in the Project that are directly located on the St.
Croix National Scenic Riverway, a river which attract hundreds of thousands of National
and Regional visitors every year, which have regional significance and will serve visitors
drawn to the community; and
WHEREAS, the Project is also adjacent to the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail
("Loop Trail"), a 4.7 mile trail stretching from Minnesota through Wisconsin that was
developed with the cooperation of St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the City of Houlton,
Wisconsin, Washington County, and Oak Park Heights, as it crosses both the St. Croix
Crossing Bridge and the Historic Lift Bridge, and is a regional draw to access the St.
Croix National Scenic River; and
WHEREAS, the Project will increase and improve access to the St. Croix National
Scenic River through the development and improvements to the following parks:
• Lumberjack Landing Park is the development of a new premier park on the
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway that will provide unique amenities such
as the renovation of the existing homestead into a multi -use park building,
as well as opportunities for direct trail access to the St. Croix National
Scenic Riverway and installing an ADA Accessible Canoe/Kayak launch to
the St. Croix River, while preserving the natural environment;
• Bridgeview Park, located on the Loop Trail, is home to the Moritz Bergstein
Shoddy Mill and Warehouse historic buildings which need to be restored in
order to preserve Jewish history; and will provide a boat dock along the St.
Croix River and improve park space with the South Main Archeological
District listed on the National Register of Historic Places;
• Lowell Park, where the majority of Stillwater's special events are hosted,
require improvements to restore the historic and iconic Lowell Park Pavilion
to ensure its scenic views and this picturesque wedding and outdoor free
event venue setting can be enjoyed for generations;
• The Project area is located adjacent to Historic Downtown Stillwater, which
draws shoppers and visitors from around the region year-round;
• The Project is located along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway where
boaters from the region and from around the world stop to enjoy the scenic
views offered by Stillwater's unique bluffs and bridges, walk or bike the
Loop Trail, or shop, dine and stay at Historic Downtown Stillwater's eclectic
shops, restaurants and hotels;
• The City of Stillwater hosts over 70 events annually, including national and
regionally significant events such as the World Snow Sculpting
Championships, Hockey Day Minnesota, Lumberjack Days, Ice Palace
Maze, Fourth of July Celebration, Rivertown Fall Art Festival, Harvest Fest
and many more, all which attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually;
and
WHEREAS, the City has proposed that a sales and use tax of up to one-half of
one percent (0.5%) be imposed to pay the costs of collecting the tax and to pay all or
part of the costs of the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project will result in benefits to both the residents and the
businesses of the City and to non-resident visitors and businesses and will have regional
significance, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the community; and
WHEREAS, the City is in the process of obtaining formal documentation of the
regional significance of the Project, including the share of the economic benefit to or use
of the Project by persons residing, or businesses located outside of the City; and
WHEREAS, funding the Project with a local sales tax will more closely distribute
the cost of the Project to the users of the Project; and
WHEREAS, the Project is projected to cost approximately $12,500,000; and
WHEREAS, the City estimates that the tax will generate revenue of approximately
$12,500,000 over 20 years; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of Stillwater,
County of Washington, State of Minnesota, that:
The City Council supports the authority to impose a one -half -of -one percent
(0.5%) general local sales and use tax for a period of up to 20 years or until
$12,500,000, plus an amount equal to interest and the costs of issuance of
any bonds issued to finance the Project is raised (unless otherwise
extended by subsequent Legislative authorization), to fund the Project; and
2. Upon approval of this resolution, the City will submit the adopted resolution
by January 31, 2023 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
House and Senate Taxes Committees and supporting regional
documentation for approval and passage of a special law authorizing the
tax; and
3. Upon legislative approval and passage of a special law authorizing the tax,
the City can adopt a resolution accepting the new law, which will be filed
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with a local approval certificate to the Office of the Secretary of State before
the following legislative session and put a detailed ballot question for the
Project on a general election ballot for local voter approval within two years
of receiving legislative authority; and
4. If the ballot question passes, the City will adopt an ordinance imposing the
tax and notify the commissioner of the Department of Revenue of the tax
at least 90 days before the first day of the calendar quarter in which the tax
will be imposed; and
5. The City recognizes and acknowledges that once any authorized local
sales and use tax extension expires or otherwise terminates, the City is
prohibited from imposing a local sales tax for a period of one (1) year; and
6. The City Council hereby indicates its approval of a sales and use tax to be
authorized by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota for the Project.
Adopted by the Stillwater City Council this 17th day of January, 2023.
CITY OF STILLWATER
ATTET:
Beth Wolf, City CI
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