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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 01/22/2008 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY,JANUARY 22, 2008 CITY CENTER 5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II 6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Phil Young, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Jon Duckstad, and Kathy Nelson CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters LEGISLATORS: Rep. Maria Ruud, Rep. Erik Paulsen and Sen. David Hann Senator Hann joined the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Representative Ruud joined the meeting at 6:20 p.m. I. MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS A. PREVIEW OF UPCOMING SESSION Rep. Paulsen said he anticipates this legislative session will be shorter than other recent sessions. He noted this is not a budget year, and said the focus will be on bonding on a bi-partisan level. He said the state may reach their debt ceiling. How much bonding beyond transportation will be possible is difficult to predict until the February budget forecast is released. Senator Hann joined the meeting at 6:05 p.m. He said he had just come from a Claims Committee meeting on bridge collapse compensation. He said he expects the majority of funds to go toward bridge compensation and transportation projects this year. Rep. Ruud joined the meeting at 6:20 p.m. due to a work commitment. She said the Governor may propose cuts, depending on the February budget forecast. She also said a gas tax increase is possible, and she expects to see some policy in the field of energy this session. B. MARKET VALUE HOMESTEAD CREDIT City Manager Neal said Eden Prairie receives between $500,000 and $700,000 in Market Value Homestead Credit each year. Paulsen said he does not foresee a reduction in MVHC unless there is unexpected news in the February revenue forecast. Neal said the City would like to see MVHC go directly to taxpayers rather than being funneled through the City. Paulsen agreed. Council Workshop Minutes January 22, 2008 Page 2 C. GAS TAX INCREASE Paulsen said he sees a straight five-cent gas tax as a possibility. D. WINE IN GROCERY STORES Paulsen said he does not expect to see Wine in Grocery Stores legislation move forward this year. He said he has supported the legislation in the past from a consumer's point of view. Neal noted that there are varying opinions on this among the Council Members. E. CAMP EDEN WOOD BONDING REQUEST Paulsen said it may be difficult to get funding for non-infrastucture projects this session, although not impossible. He said it often takes a couple of years to obtain funding for projects like Camp Eden Wood. He said the most effective means of advocating for the project is by communicating with Committee chairs and members that live near the project area. Paulsen said legislators will be interested in knowing the regional or statewide significance of the project. Neal noted that disabled campers from across Minnesota use Camp Eden Wood. Hann said he would check with the Senate Bonding Committee for an update. Ruud, who joined the meeting at 6:20 p.m., said she will be submitting a report and requesting a hearing on the project in the House. She said the proposal will likely go through the Environmental Committee. F. VOLUNTEER FIRE: EMS TAX Fire Chief Esbensen said this is an initiative that would allow volunteer fire fighters to receive a tax credit in return for their service. Governor Pawlenty has said he supports it. Paulsen said he also supports the proposal. G. FIRE RELIEF ASSOCIATION BENEFIT CAP INCREASE Esbensen said he and his peers are hoping to obtain funding for a study this year and come back to the legislature with proposed legislation next year. H. STREET UTILITY Public Works Director Gene Dietz said that as Eden Prairie's aging roads begin to require major repairs and reconstruction, the City is looking for a stable source of funding. City staff believes a street utility is a viable alternative; however, the legislature has been hesitant to support it. Paulsen said he is not very familiar with the street utility concept,but would welcome more information. Mayor Young said he believes a street utility makes a lot of sense in the long run. Council Workshop Minutes January 22, 2008 Page 3 I. ISSUING DEBT FOR PURCHASE OF SOFTWARE Neal said that cities currently do not have the authority to issue debt for the purchase of software; however, software needed to support municipal operations can cost in the millions. The City will be purchasing public safety communications software with a cost of approximately $1 million later this year. Senator Hann said he could see the benefit of cities being able to issue debt for the purchase of software as long as the term is in line with the expected life of the product. II. OPEN PODIUM There were no Open Podium Speakers. IV. ADJOURNMENT