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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.a. 2019 Legislative Priorities EXECUTIVE SUMMARY City Council Regular Meeting: January 15, 2019 AGENDA ITEM: Discuss 2019 Legislative Agenda AGENDA SECTION: Unfinished Business PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, City Administrator AGENDA NO. 8.a. ATTACHMENTS: 2019 Legislative Priorities APPROVED BY: LJM RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve the City’s 2019 Legislative Agenda BACKGROUND In order to provide direction to the City’s representatives at the State Legislature and other levels of government, the City annually drafts a set of priority projects, funding requests, or legislative initiatives. This list outlines the City’s desires from a legislative standpoint, and they can be shared with other partners and interested parties. The City partners with the League of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities on broader issues affecting the region, and we generally do not repeat the platforms listed in those policies. The City typically adopts its legislative priorities in January prior to the beginning of the Legislative Session. The Council engaged in an initial discussion on the attached list of priorities at a work session on December 4, 2018, and it is now prudent to review the list for final adoption. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council approve a motion adopting the attached 2019 Legislative Priorities. 2019 Legislative Priorities The City of Rosemount has identified the following legislative priorities for 2019. 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. • Interchange funding for Highway 3 & Rosemount High School. The intersection of State Highway 3 and 142nd St W is overly congested and needs to be addressed. ISD 196 is completing a significant project in 2018 to improve traffic flow in and around Rosemount High School, however the intersection at Highway 3 and its traffic issues are not being addressed. Thousands of students and parents use this single access point to enter / exit the school, and the increased traffic on Highway 3 requires a traffic control solution be installed. The City supports a State / ISD 196 partnership to address this intersection in the near term. • National Guard Land Transfer for Municipal Facility Project. The City has been in conversation with the MN National Guard about a land transfer to support a municipal facility project. The National Guard maintenance facility on Biscayne Ave. has excess land, and the State has indicated a willingness to dispose of that property. The land would be ideal for a future municipal facility (Police & Public Works headquarters or a recreation center), which are both being considered. The City would be very supportive of this land transfer, as it would serve as a good example of inter-governmental partnership while saving the City considerable costs in acquiring land. • Completion of full highway interchange at Hwy 52 & 42. The recent improvements to sightlines at the entrance / exit ramps at Hwy 52 & 42 were necessary, however the installation of MnDOT’s planned full-cloverleaf interchange at this area is still needed. Not only will this project provide further safety and traffic improvements along this corridor, but it will also incite planned commercial development in the area. The City supports funding to complete MnDOT’s full build-out of this intersection. • Improved transportation network within Rosemount. Continued growth in Rosemount and the surrounding region continues to place a significant strain on the City’s roadway system. Specifically, Highway 3 is serving as the only north-south corridor in the community, and thus faces significant traffic concerns. Improvements and additions to the signal light system on the corridor are warranted, and the City supports MnDOT’s exploration of those opportunities. The City asks that Dakota County consider alternative north-south traffic relievers, and the City continues to support the full upgrade to Akron Avenue in its entirety. • Increased equity in Dakota County’s Transportation Cost Share Policy. The City supports Dakota County’s recent work in exploring changes to its Transportation Projects Cost-Share Policy. The current policy of a 55%/45% cost-share on County roads is overly burdensome and impacts the City’s ability to utilize MSA funds for other needed projects. County investment in its roadway infrastructure is crucial for transit and economic development initiatives, and responds adequately to the growth anticipated in the region. The City support additional investment and a reduced cost-share allocation on County roadway projects. • Consider legislation on control of drones. Law enforcement and citizens are uncertain about whether drones can hover over someone’s private property and also about the safety of allowing them at certain types of public events. Legislative clarification is needed as privacy rights and safety are balanced with the potential usefulness of drones. • State Licensing of Massage Therapists. The City supports legislation requiring the statewide licensure or registration of massage therapists to assist local law enforcement efforts to control prostitution and other criminal activity. Minnesota is one of only five states that has no such requirement. • Support Dakota County’s request for funding for the Mississippi River Regional Trail. The portion of the trail in Rosemount must contend with three active rails, industrial land, and high truck traffic in a constrained corridor. An agreed upon solution with the Union Pacific Railroad calls for two grade separated railroad crossings to keep trail users safe from railroad and truck traffic. State bonding support in the amount of $2.5 million is sought which will be matched by Dakota County to complete the project.