HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.G. Draft Legislative Agenda 4 RoSEMOUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Work Session January 14, 2014
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AGENDA ITEM: Draft Legislative Agenda GENDA SECTION:
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PREPARED BY: Dwight Johnson, City Administrator AGENDA NO. -, Cif.
ATTACHMENTS: Draft Legislative Agenda APPROVED BY:
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Review and comment on the attached draft legislative agenda
BACKGROUND:
At the December Council work session, council members expressed interest in developing a legislative
agenda to promote projects and legislative initiatives of particular importance to Rosemount. A number of
specific ideas for inclusion in the document were discussed.
DISCUSSION:
The attached draft document incorporates the items in our notes about subjects discussed in December.
There are still a couple of open-ended items where we have not heard back from others as of this writing,
but staff thought it would be good to review the draft document to see if we are on the right track so far.
Staff has previously suggested that we try to keep this document to one page if possible for the benefit of
our busy legislators. Not all items will be subjects of legislation this year,but we still want to keep our
legislators appiised of our interests in case unexpected opportunities to advance some of our projects and
priorities arise.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Council is asked to review the draft legislative agenda and suggest any needed changes.
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4 R. SEMO
CITY COUNCIL
2014 Legislative Priorities
The City of Rolsemount has identified the following legislative priorities for 2014. The City generally
supports the platforms of Metro Cities and the League of Minnesota Cities and these policies are not
generally re-stated here except where they have unusual relevance for Rosemount.
1. Sales Ti ax Exemption for Joint Powers agencies. The good legislation exempting may City
purchases from the state sales tax should be extended to include Joint Powers agencies serving us,
such as''the Dakota Communications Center which provides 911 services for Dakota County.
2. Move I�IN Partnership. The City supports the efforts of the Move MN Partnership to encourage
a statewide comprehensive transportation funding package with stable and dedicated funding. The
propos it should be balanced among needs for highways and roads,transit, and bicycle and
pedestrian facilities.
3. Medical Marijuana. The City opposes any legislation to make marijuana legally available for
medical or any other purpose. Law enforcement officials widely oppose it,mainstream medical
associations are not supporting it,and cities will bear the brunt of many potential unintended
consequences in enforcing any legalization law.
4. Zip Ralil. Rosemount supports continued planning and development of a high speed rail line
between Rochester and the Twin Cities.
5. Highway 52 improvements. The City supports continued upgrading of Highway 52 to freeway
status,And specifically the improvement of the Highway 52/County Road 42 interchange.
6. Economic Development legislation. Rosemount supports legislation to improve the business
climate'�in the state including repeal of the "warehouse tax," extend current tax advantages enjoyed
by large data centers (over$50 million) to smaller data centers, and provide incentives for
establishing very high speed data connectivity.
7. Support DCTC in its request for$6.9 million of State bonding for Phase II improvements for
Transportation and Emerging Technologies. Phase II will renovate an additional 63,000 square
feet at LCTC and also reduce future maintenance and energy costs.
8. UMort. (Waiting to hear from Carla's office)
9. Repor'ding of shutoffs from gas companies? (No response from inquiry to Eagan).