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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-061 (Authorizing a Referendum for Local Sales & Use Tax to Fund Specific Capital Improvements Providing Regional Benefit)City of Stillwater Washington County, Minnesota RESOLUTION 2024-061 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REFERENDUM FOR 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, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the City of Stillwater to pursue a Local Option Sale Tax in 2023 Minnesota Session Laws, Chapter 64, Article 10, Sec. 48; 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, 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 $13,500,000; and WHEREAS, the City estimates that the tax will generate revenue of approximately $6,200,000 for a period of up to 10 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 10 years or until $6,200,000, 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. 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 3. The City Council hereby indicates its approval to authorize a referendum for a local sales and use tax for the Project. 2 Adopted by the Stillwater City Council this 4th day of June, 2024. CITY OF 5 ILLWATER �� kj;��7 Ted Kozlowski, Mayor ATTEST: +' I aff�v Beth Wolf, City C