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Home My WebLink About2016-02-04 CC Packet (Special Meeting) AGENDA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers, 216 Fourth Street North SPECIAL MEETING 3:30 P.M. 3:30 P.M. AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Discussion with legislators on City’s Legislative Agenda IV. ADJOURNMENT DATE: February 23, 2016 TO: Senator Karen Housley Representative Bob Dettmer Representative Kathy Lohmer FROM: Mayor Ted Kozlowski Council Member Mike Polehna Council Member Doug Menikheim Council Member Dave Junker Council Member Tom Weidner SUBJECT: City of Stillwater Legislative Agenda In addition to the legislative priorities established by the League of Minnesota Cities and MetroCities organizations representing municipal government in Minnesota, the Stillwater City Council has developed a number of specific legislative items that are important to the Stillwater community for the upcoming state legislative session. CITY OF STILLWATER 2016 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEMS Trail and Park Systems Brown’s Creek Trail Maintenance funds – DNR Brown’s Creek Park, parking lot construction adjacent to Brown’s Creek Trail Brown’s Creek Park – restrooms & groomer storage building (at parking lot adjacent to Brown’s Creek Trail) Bridgeview Park (south of downtown along St. Croix River), bank erosion along new Loop Trail Hwy 95, Entrance Monument and Trailhead Parking (south side of City near Sunnyside Marina) Economic Development Stillwater Armory (historic) disposition / planning & acquisition funds Aiple property, existing home and park development Downtown Façade Program funding Overhead Power Line Relocation in Lowell Park State property tax reduction to assist businesses in community 216 4th Street N, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-430-8800 Website: www.ci.stillwater.mn.us Public Safety Body cameras, legislation regarding disposition of data Pass through of EM grant funds to counties and cities Full funding for design and construction on new State Emergency Ops Center Other Issues City Street Funding Sales Tax Exemption on Construction Materials City Council Support of Washington County HRA/EDA Legislation City of Stillwater Legislative Agenda Background Information February 23, 2016 Trail and Park Systems Brown’s Creek Park, parking lot construction adjacent to Brown’s Creek Trail, Brown’s Creek Park – restrooms & groomer storage building (at parking lot adjacent to Brown’s Creek Trail). With the completion of the new Browns Creek Trail, bike and pedestrian traffic will increase in the area. Browns Creek Park serves as a trailhead for trail users in the region which in turn will create the need and demand for better parking and modern bathroom facilities. State funding assistance for completion of these improvements is requested as the improvements will bolster tourism activities related to the Browns Creek Trail system. Bridgeview Park (south of downtown along St. Croix River), bank erosion along new Loop Trail. The shoreline along the St. Croix River is eroding and in need of shoreline restoration/stabilization to protect the city’s infrastructure. This include the City’s Trunk sanitary sewer that serves the entire city, newly installed bike trail, parking lots and one local business. State funding assistance for shoreline stabilization will help protect the State’s investment in the Trail system. Hwy 95, Entrance Monument and Trailhead Parking (south side of City near Sunnyside Marina) Construction of the St. Croix River Crossing Project includes the construction of a Loop Trail, located on the Wisconsin and Minnesota side of the St. Croix Rive and crosses at the lift bridge and the new St. Croix River Crossing Bridge. A parking lot on the south side of the City at the Sunnyside entrance will serve a trail head for users of the trail. This location is also selected for an entrance monument into the City and its historic district. Encourage MNDOT to include this improvement as a component of the St. Croix River Crossing Project. Brown’s Creek Trail DNR Maintenance Funds. Urge the DNR to provide adequate summer and winter maintenance funds for the Brown’s Creek State Trail system, consistent with maintenance funds and activities for the Gateway Trail. Economic Development Stillwater Armory – Disposition Old Armory Building. Support state assistance for planning and acquisition funds for the Old Armory Building in Downtown Stillwater. The building is in a prime location for potential economic development opportunities in Downtown Stillwater to help bolster the local economy. Aiple Property – Park Development. Thank you for supporting funding for acquisition of the Aiple property north of downtown Stillwater along the St. Croix River. In the next phase of activities for this property, state funding assistance for planning for future use of the property as parkland would benefit the community and region as visitors to the St. Croix River Valley search for natural settings to view the River. Downtown Façade Program. Continue funding support for current economic development and redevelopment funding programs within DEED and other state agencies to assist communities. Overhead Power Line Relocation in Lowell Park. Overhead power lines run along Historic Lowell Park in downtown Stillwater which are an obstruction of the views of the St. Croix River. The City would like to relocate these lines underground from Nelson Street to Laurel Street. State Property Tax Reduction to Assist Businesses in Community. Reduce state property tax assessment on local businesses as a means to reduce tax burden on business operations in our communities. Public Safety Body Cameras, Legislation Regarding Disposition of Data. Pass legislation to standardize the classification of data derived from public safety body worn cameras. Pass Through of EM Grant Funds to Counties and Cities. Emergency Management Assistance Performance Grants (EMPG) are Federal dollars submitted to States to assist in developing and funding emergency preparedness activities. Currently there is no requirement to pass this funding along to Counties or Cities. Counties and Cities need this funding to help improve their EM programs and are the first line of response during a major event or disaster. Full Funding for Design and Construction on New State Emergency Ops Center. The State is in need of a dedicated, secure emergency operations center. This facility needs to be able to respond to statewide and local events to ensure a common operating picture and to respond safely and efficiently to our residents’ needs. Other Issues City Street Funding. Support stable and sufficient transportation funding and local tools to meet the long term transportation system needs of Stillwater’s local municipal transportation system. Sales Tax Exemption on Construction Materials - Support the reinstatement of the sales tax exemption for purchases of goods and services made by cities. City Council Support of Washington County HRA/EDA Legislation. The City Council supports the Washington County proposed legislation granting Economic Development Authority powers to the County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). See attached City Resolution.