HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.a. Legislative Agenda 4 ROSEIv1OUNT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Regular Meeting: February 3, 2014
AGENDA ITEM: Legislative Agenda AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
PREPARED BY: Dwight Johnson, City Administrator AGENDA NO. ° .(
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Legislative Agenda APPROVED BY:
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve the attached Legislative Agenda after any needed
revisions.
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 document incorporates the items discussed to date. A recent addition is an item requiring
special legislation to acquire a tax forfeit parcel near Keegan Lake. The DNR staff supports the City's
acquisition of the parcel,but an act of the Legislature is still required. The parcel fits into City and regional
plans for a parks and trails.
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 apprised of our interests in case unexpected opportunities to advance some of our projects and
priorities arise.
RECOMMENDATION:
•
The Council is asked to approve the legislative agenda after any desired amendments are made.
4 ROSEMOUNT
CITY COUNCIL
2014 Legislative Priorities
The City of Rosemount 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. 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.
2. 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 DCTC and also reduce future maintenance and energy costs.
3. UMore Park. Support the University of Minnesota in its efforts to clean up the property and
prepare for development.
4. Sales Tax 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.
5. Move MN 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
proposal should be balanced among needs for highways and roads, transit, and bicycle and
pedestrian facilities.
6. Zip Rail. Rosemount supports continued planning and development of a high speed rail line
between Rochester and the Twin Cities.
7. 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.
8. Tax Forfeit parcel near Keegan Lake. The City requests special legislation to acquire this parcel
for future park and regional trail purposes. The DNR staff supports the City's acquisition,but
special legislation is required because there is more than 150 feet of shoreline within the parcel.
9. 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.