Consider City's Position on MN Housing Legislation

Councilmembers Howell, Musgrove and Specht called for this special City Council meeting.  In the current MN Legislative Session, there are multiple bills being considered that would impact local control over zoning regulations.  Two bills specifically, HF4009 and HF4010 along with their companion Senate Files, have raised concern of Minnesota cities.  Organizations like the League of Minnesota Cities, North Metro Mayors Association, individual cities and other organizations have provided written position statements and verbally testified on these housing bills.  The purpose this evening is to consider the City of Ramsey's position on these bills.  For reference, attached to the case are the House versions of each bill.  Staff will also prepare a written statement or resolution to consider and upload that to the case prior to the meeting.  The status of the House versions of these bills is outlined below.

HF4009

• February 19, 2024 introduced and referred to the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.
• February 22, 2024 First amendment adopted and re-referred to the State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee.
• Since introduction, authors have been added and stricken from the bill.

HF4010

• February 19, 2024 introduced and referred to the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.
• March 20, 2024 Housing Finance and Policy adopted the H4010DE1 amendment and re-referred to the State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee.

A third bill with recent action taken is SF1370.  This bill was introduced in 2023 with the most recent action being in March of this year.  On March 13, 2024 the bill was referred to the State and Local Government and Veterans Committee.

The League of Minnesota Cities provides legislative updates on their website.  An article on SF1370 (partner file being HF1667) can be found here.  An article on HF4010 can be found here.  All legislative news articles from the League of Minnesota Cities can be found here.

Alternative 1: Do nothing and allow other interested organizations and cities to provide position statements and testimony.
Alternative 2: Direct staff to send a written statement to legislators opposing state legislation that restricts local zoning authority.
Alternative 3: Direct staff to send a written statement to legislators supporting state legislation that restricts local zoning authority.

Other alternatives include developing an action plan to collaborate with other cities regarding this legislation.  A list of actions may include, but is not limited to:
1. QCTV feature piece on local council concerns regarding the "Missing Middle" housing bill(s), and the effects on local control and the impact it will have on insufficient infrastructure.
2. Social media efforts to educate the public on the bill(s) to include FAQ sheets from League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), with encouragement that the public contact bill authors and legislators in general.
3. Track bills with LMC information on the City Website.
4. Submit letter from Ramsey City Council to local newspaper and legislators.
5. Inform Ramsey Boards & Commissions of the bills and the impact they would have on their mission at the City.
6. Initiate a broader multi-city coalition regarding the bills and send joint letter to legislators.
7. Host a meeting with cities and their legislative representatives with and invite to respective media outlets.
8. Request a meeting at the Capitol with the multi-city coalition and the authors of the bills.

Staff recommends opposing state legislation that restricts local zoning authority and action items council deems necessary to advocate our message to legislators.

Motion to direct staff to send a written statement to legislators opposing state legislation that restricts local zoning authority.